Guided Backcountry Skiing & Ski Mountaineering
From Ski Descents and Glacier Traverses to Backcountry Powder
Many people consider a pair of skis or a split snowboard to be the ultimate tools for travel in the mountains, bar none. Whether it's white-smoke powder in the Mt. Baker backcountry or summer corn in the high alpine on Mt. Shuksan – or any of the many other places we ski, including the Cascades, Sierra Nevada, and Colorado San Juans – our guides can take you to the stash of your dreams. Or they can help you overcome technical hurdles like rappels and glacier crossings to complete a classic ski descent. all of the Institute's ski guides work as mountaineering guides and instructors in the summer months, giving them the technical chops for the most demanding trips.
Guided Backcountry Skiing & Ski Mountaineering
From Ski Descents and Glacier Traverses to Backcountry Powder
Flying down a steep chute. Lyle HaugsvenTour the backcountry around Table Mountain or Shuksan Arm, or climb Mt. Baker or Mt. Shuksan and make a classic ski descent. Complete a major multi-day tour in the North Cascades on skis or split snowboard. Or work on your off-piste skills with coaching from a professional guide. We have private programs available for skiers and snowboarders of all levels.
- Location:Cascade Range, Washington
- Season:December - June (varies with conditions)
- Length:1 day and up
- Cost:$595/day at 1:1 day-trips
A skier rips through exceptionally dry Hokkaido powder. Gregg OliveriHokkaido, Japan is one of the best places in the world to backcountry ski and snowboard. The combination of light, dry snow that feels more like fairy dust, moderate lines, beautiful vistas and a rich cultural experience provide for an exceptional introduction to Japan's backcountry. The American Alpine Institute offers a flexible program that includes seven days of skiing or riding, while exploring several different backcountry and sidecountry venues in Hokkaido.
- Location:Hokkaido, Japan
- Season:December - March
- Length:Varies
- Cost:$637 per person, per day for 1 - 3 people
A snowboarder enjoys white smoke powder. Liz DaleyThis is a skills- and objectives-based course in which we will climb Mt. Baker and have the thrill of skiing or splitboarding down. For people who have intermediate to advanced touring experience and moderate to advanced riding skills, a ride down Mt. Baker will be a ride you'll never forget!
- Location:Mount Baker, Washington
- Season:May - July
- Length:3 days
- Cost:$1075
A skier in the North Cascades. Andy BourneThis 1-day course is designed for those who have little or no backcountry skiing experience and want to learn the basics. We'll introduce you to the different types of gear that allow us to travel through the backcountry, including use of climbing skins and other backcountry tools. Once on the snow, you'll learn specific techniques for moving through pristine backcountry terrain.
- Location:Washington, Colorado
- Season:December - March
- Length:1 Days
- Cost:$295
A skier skins uphill in the Mt. Baker backcountry. Scott Schumann"One run in the backcountry is worth ten in the front country." This is so commonly said that it has become a cliche ... and, yet, it's true. Come and join us on our 2-day clinic designed to take you beyond the basics and get you ready to go further, higher, and steeper.
- Location:North Cascades, WA; Eastern Sierras, CA; San Juan Mountains, CO
- Season:January - April
- Length:2 Days
- Cost:$460 (3 person min); Private trip pricing listed in 'Details and Dates'
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A splitboard in uphill ski mode. Andy BourneUse of a splitboard allows snowboarders to easily reach places that just a few years ago were only been accessible to skiers, without the added hassle of carrying snowshoes. Snowboarders can rent splitboards from AAI's rental shop.
- Location:Mt. Baker backcountry, Washington
- Season:December - April
- Length:2 days
- Cost:615
A skier enjoys backcountry terrain. Lyle HaugsvenAmerican Alpine Institute has a wide variety of winter programming available to teach you the skills you need to travel through the untracked backcountry. Many of these programs dovetail together and you can flow from one into another with minimal down-time. Whether you're beginner, intermediate, or advanced, there's a winning combination waiting for you.
- Location:North Cascades, WA
- Season:December - March
- Length:4 - 6 days + 2 evening lecture sessions
- Cost:$1195 (Skiing) $1450 (Splitboarding)
Camp at the base of a winter ski objective. Justin WoodYou know about moving through the backcountry, and you've taken an Avalanche Course. Now take your winter travel to the next level with this course on winter overnight skills.
- Location:North Cascades, WA
- Season:December - April
- Length:2 days
- Cost:$415 (minimum 2 participants)
Demonstrating the use of a Rutschblock Test to determine slope stability. Rick KaiserAIARE's introductory level avalanche course provides students with the tools, knowledge, and decision making skills necessary to minimize your exposure to risk in avalanche terrain. This season, we have decided to offer two options for our courses: two online evening lectures mid-week plus two in-person field days or one full day in-person classroom session plus two in-person field days. Backcountry skiers, splitboarders, snowshoers, climbers and snowmobilers would all benefit from this training.
- Location:Washington
- Season:December - March
- Length:2 Online Evenings + 2 Field Days, or 1 Full-Day Lecture + 2 Field Days
- Cost:$725
Discussing terrain choices. Rick KaiserThe AIARE Rec 2 course is designed for advanced recreational winter travelers who have already taken AIARE 1 and the Avalanche Rescue Course. Focusing on snowpack, weather, and terrain assessment, the course builds decision-making skills and grooms students for leadership in the backcountry.
- Location:Mount Baker backcountry
- Season:December - March
- Length:2 Online Evenings and 2 Field Days
- Cost:$745
A skier descending the couloir below Liberty Bell Peak. Liz Daley This course is designed for individuals who have little to moderate experience in outdoor rock/alpine climbing and ski touring or splitboarding. The objective of this course is to give participants an opportunity to learn the basic fundamentals of ski & splitboard mountaineering which combines the basics of rock/alpine climbing with backcountry riding.
- Location:Mazama, Washington Pass
- Season:May
- Length:4 Days
- Cost:$1150
A skier reaps the rewards for his climb with an exposed descent. Mt. Baker, Washington. Ben TraxlerDevelop the technical skills and judgment required for skiing on complex glaciers, while doing some of the best skiing available in the lower 48 states. Learn crevasse rescue, roped skiing techniques, snow anchor construction, rappelling, and belaying skills as they apply to skiers and splitboarders in glaciated terrain.
- Location:North Cascades, WA
- Season:March - May
- Length:6 Days
- Cost:6 days: $1650 (minimum of 2 participants)
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Ascending an untouched slope of fresh snow in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. Ian PetersonThe San Juan Mountains, a high rugged mountain range in southwestern Colorado, offers endless backcountry skiing and snowboarding opportunities. With around 200+ inches of snow per year and over 300 days of sunshine annually, you’re almost guaranteed to enjoy a bluebird pow day in Colorado’s backcountry.
- Location:San Juan Mountains, Colorado
- Season:Winter and Spring
- Length:1 day and up
- Cost:$595/day for 1:1
Crossing the Argentiere Glacier. Tim ConnellyOur high route through the heart of the Alps is among the most scenic alpine tours in the world. We combine safety and avalanche training with glacier skiing techniques on this incredible ski traverse.
- Location:Chamonix, France to Zermatt, Switzerland
- Season:Spring
- Length:8 days
- Cost:Cost varies
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