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Backcountry Skiing & Boarding
Backcountry Skiing & Boarding Programs
Many people, both skiers and mountaineers, consider a pair of skis or a splitboard to be the ultimate tools for travel in the mountains, bar none. In the North Cascades, snow blankets the alpine zone for as much as nine months of the year. First as fresh powder, then as a deep, stable snowpack, and finally as summer firn, the snow covers the rocks, bridges the crevasses, and generally turns the mountains into a playground.
AAI’s core ski and snowboard courses are offered in the outstanding Mt. Baker backcountry in Northwest Washington. A record-setting snowpack, easy road access, and stunning alpine terrain combine to make this the best place in North America to build skills from basic backcountry skiing to advanced ski mountaineering. Courses are also offered in the California’s Sierra Nevada and Colorado’s San Juans. Refine your search using the filters below.
Ski Mountaineering and Avalanche Leadership – Part I
Backcountry Skiing and Avalanche Fundamentals The Ski Mountaineering & Avalanche Leadership – Part 1 program is your gateway to safe, confident travel in winter backcountry terrain. Designed for skiers and … Read more
Ski Mountaineering and Avalanche Leadership – Part II
Technical Ski Alpinism Ski Mountaineering & Avalanche Leadership – Part II is the second step in our progressive winter backcountry curriculum, designed to build technical competence, efficiency, and confidence for … Read more
Ski Mountaineering and Avalanche Leadership – Part III
Ski Mountaineering and Advanced Avalanche Decision-Making This 12-day program helps advanced skiers and splitboarders refine their technical skills, deepen their avalanche judgement, and confidently plan and execute multi-day objectives in … Read more
Mt. Baker Summit on Skis or Snowboard
Ski or Splitboard from the Summit of Mt. Baker – A True Pacific Northwest Classic If you have solid backcountry touring experience and strong skiing or splitboarding skills, this is … Read more
Backcountry Ski Course with Avalanche Training
Winter Backcountry Skills Part 1: Introduction to Backcountry Travel This comprehensive course package is designed for individuals seeking to establish a solid foundation in winter backcountry travel. By combining our … Read more
Ski Mountaineering
This 6-day course is designed for backcountry skiers and splitboarders ready to take on glaciated terrain. Based in the backcountry of Mt. Baker, the clinic starts with core touring skills. … Read more
Introduction to Splitboard Snowboarding
Splitboarding opens up a new world of backcountry access for snowboarders—offering the freedom to tour uphill and ride untracked lines without the burden of snowshoes. This course is designed for … Read more
The Haute Route – Guided Hut Skiing in the Alps
The Haute Route Nearing the Col du Chardonnay. Tim Connelly. Connecting the granite spires of the Mont Blanc massif with the grand summits of the Swiss Alps, the famous Haute … Read more
Backcountry Skiing – Intro
This one-day intro to backcountry skiing course is perfect for strong resort skiers ready to leave the groomers behind and discover the freedom of untracked snow. Under the guidance of … Read more
Guided Backcountry Skiing & Snowboarding in the Cascades
We offer guided ski and snowboard descents on some of Washington’s most iconic peaks, including Mt. Baker, Mt. Shuksan, Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Adams, and others. Our private trips are … Read more
Guided Alpine Climbing in the Alaska Range
The Central Alaska Range is made up of the peaks and valleys that surround Denali, Mount Hunter, and Mount Foraker. In the deep glacial gorges that drop from Denali’s flanks … Read more
Guided Alpine Climbing in the French Alps/Chamonix
The French Alps in the area near Chamonix encompass the highest concentration of quality alpine routes in the world. There are classics here at every technical level, and at each … Read more
Little Switzerland/Pika Glacier Expedition
Little Switzerland is the name given to a series of dramatic granite spires jutting up out of the Pika Glacier like broken teeth. Found just 35 miles south of Denali … Read more
Guided Backcountry Skiing & Snowboarding in Colorado’s San Juans
The San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado provide fulfilling alpine experiences for all backcountry skiers and snowboarders alike. The low density continental snowpack and short-lived storms combine to make the … Read more
Vocational Training for the Outdoor Professional
The American Alpine Institute offers various vocational programs designed to address educational and certification needs for outdoor professionals. These professionals include climbers, mountaineers, ski patrollers, mountain rescue technicians, outdoor educators, … Read more
Alpine Mountaineering and Technical Leadership, Part 4
Alpine Mountaineering and Technical Leadership Part 4 (AMTL 4) is the capstone of the American Alpine Institute’s four-part alpine training progression. This advanced expedition course is where climbers bring together … Read more
Backcountry Skiing – Advanced
This immersive two-day backcountry skiing clinic is designed for experienced skiers and splitboarders who want to go beyond the basics and push deeper into the wilderness. You’ll refine your touring … Read more
Winter Camping in the Cascades
This course equips skiers, snowboarders, snowshoers, and climbers with the essential skills to confidently spend multiple nights in the winter backcountry. Whether you’re heading out on early winter mountaineering trips … Read more
Military and Government Mountain Training
Military, law enforcement and other government agents are often required to work in “high-end” mountain terrain to achieve their tactical objectives. These settings may require technical rock climbing, glacier mountaineering, … Read more
Hokkaido Guided Backcountry Skiing
Legend has it that the forests of Hokkaido, Japan are haunted. They are supposed to be haunted by mystical spirits called Kodama that disguise themselves as trees. It’s easy to … Read more
Crevasse Rescue for Backcountry Skiers and Splitboarders
The glaciated peaks of the Cascades provide a wonderful playground for backcountry skiers and boarders to access to long, sweeping mountain lines, without having to deal with the ones you … Read more
