Master technical ascents and descents with our Intro to Ski Mountaineering Coure.
Season
Winter
Skill Level
Intermediate and advanced
Duration
Group Size
Do you crave the thrill of untouched powder and the challenge of conquering steep, technical terrain? Take your backcountry skiing to the next level with our Intro to Ski Mountaineering course, specifically designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge to navigate steeper lines and complex mountain environments. This hands-on program goes beyond basic backcountry travel, focusing on practical skills for tackling challenging ascents and exhilarating descents.
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Max Lurie - Owner of Alpine to the Max
Max Lurie is an American Mountain Guides Association certified Rock and Alpine Guide, as well as an accomplished alpinist. Max has been climbing since 2004 and traveling to the greater ranges in pursuit of his passion.
As an independently certified climbing guide based in Boulder, CO, Max provides custom education and mountain experiences in the Colorado Front Range and beyond. All of the climbing instruction offered through Alpine to the Max is customized to your goals, objectives, and skill level.
Unleash a world of possibilities with an introduction to rope management in the mountains. Learn the fundamentals of setting anchors, belaying techniques, and safe rappelling. This newfound skillset allows you to access those hard-to-reach lines, opening doors to breathtaking descents and challenging terrain that's off-limits to most backcountry skiers.
Develop a keen eye for avalanche terrain recognition. Learn to assess snow stability, identify hazards, and make informed decisions for safe route selection and risk management in the backcountry. Refine your off-piste skiing skills for confident and controlled descents on variable snow conditions. Gain the knowledge to navigate technical terrain, manage steeper pitches, and adapt your skiing technique for a smooth and exhilarating ride down.
We'll delve deep into the essential gear needed for ski mountaineering adventures. Understand the function and proper use of navigation tools, avalanche rescue equipment, and the additional gear required for working with ropes in the backcountry.
By the end of this course, you'll gain the confidence and competence to plan and execute your own rewarding ski mountaineering adventures in steeper, more technical terrain. The backcountry will no longer be limited to wide-open bowls – a world of challenging lines and breathtaking descents awaits!
This course goes beyond basic backcountry travel. We focus on skills for steeper, technical terrain, including rope management and navigating more complex mountain environments.
Yes, a strong foundation in backcountry skiing (comfortable on almost all black to double black diamond runs within a resort and with basic backcountry knowledge) is required.
This course provides an introduction to rope management in the mountains. You'll learn basic knot tying, setting anchors, belaying techniques, and rappelling.
No, we offer both the AIARE Level One and Two courses as stand-alone 3-day avalanche educational programs. However, when we travel in the backcountry and specifically in steeper technical terrain with consequences the avalanche conditions will always play a role in our decision making.
The gear list will be more extensive than for basic backcountry skiing and will include items like a helmet, harness, belay device, and rappel extension sling. All the technical equipment you will need will be provided at no extra cost. If you do have your own equipment we encourage you to use it as it will help you gain familiarity with your own gear.
Alpine to the Max is an independent certified guide with more than a decade of experience in a wide variety of terrain. No matter your current skill level, when you climb with us you get a top-notch experience that is fully customized to meet your exact desires.
