Exum Mountain Guides Avalanche Course, Tetons, Wyoming (photo: David Stubbs)
(Essential) Backcountry Education
“Ski touring involves an experienced based decision-making process. Good decisions come from experience, and experience comes from making bad decisions. Being safe in the backcountry requires both a basic level of training and a conservative margin of error as you gain [that] experience. No single course or book can completely prepare you for the complex decision-making process[es] you’ll be faced with in [backcountry] terrain.”
—excerpted from the book Backcountry Skiing: Skills for Ski Touring and Ski Mountaineering, by Martin Volken, Scott Schell, and Margaret Wheeler (edits by the infamous Jackson Hole Dangler, who offers some VERY BASIC safety tips here).
⎪AVALANCHE EDUCATION, FIRST AID, GUIDE CERTIFICATION
American Alpine Institute Outdoor Educator and Guide Training Programs
American Avalanche Association Avalanche education, research, and professional development
American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE) Avalanche education information
NOLS National Outdoor Leadership School (Wilderness Medicine Course Directory)
ACMG Association of Canadian Mountain Guides: guide certification programs
AMGA American Mountain Guides Association: guide certification courses (and other resources)
IFMGA International Federation of Mountain Guides Association’s guide certification courses
⎪ONLINE SKILLS COURSES
American Mountain Guides Association Ski Training Videos AMGA online educational series
Ski Mountaineering Skills with Andrew McLean by Backcountry Magazine and Basecamp TV
Tech Tips for Ski Touring and Mountaineering by Petzl, the world’s leading manufacturer and supplier of climbing and caving gear
Samsara Experience: All-Access Basecamp with Zahan Billimoria of Exum Guides
Outdoor Research YouTube Video Series How-to videos on a variety of mountaineering subjects; most are sponsored and/or produced by the American Mountain Guides Association
Mountain Sense online course for mountain skills, including backcountry skiing, ski mountaineering, rock climbing, rappelling, alpine climbing, and avalanche education. Taught by highly regarded IFMGA certified mountain guide Mark Smiley
⎪FIELD COURSES AND GROUP CLINICS
(Winter 2024)
Europe
(click on each image for class info)
Ski Mountaineering Camp
DATES: TBD
LOCATION: La Grave, France
ORGANIZATION: Erin Smart Mountain Guide
Big Mountain Freeride Camp
DATES: Feb 26 - March 1, 2024
LOCATION: La Grave, France
ORGANIZATION: Erin Smart Mountain Guide
Steep Skiing Course, Chamonix
DATES: Various
LOCATION: Chamonix, France
ORGANIZATION: Chamonix Experience
North America
(click on each image for class info)
SMG Ski Mountaineering Camp: Chute School
DATES: April 4-7, 2024; April 11-14, 2024
LOCATION: Stanley, Idaho
ORGANIZATION: Sawtooth Mountain Guides
Ski Alpinism
DATES: TBD
LOCATION: San Juans Mountains, Colorado
ORGANIZATION: Skyward Mountaineering
Sneffels Range Ski Mountaineering Camp
and Denali Prep Course
DATES: TBD
LOCATION: Ouray, Colorado
ORGANIZATION: San Juan Mountain Guides
Fundamentals of Alpine Climbing
DATES: TBD
LOCATION: San Juan Mountains, Colorado
ORGANIZATION: Skyward Mountaineering
Ski Mountaineering Camp
DATES: TBD
LOCATION: Ouray, Colorado
ORGANIZATION: San Juan Mountain Guides
4-Day Ski Mountaineering Course
DATES: TBD
LOCATION: Mt. Baker,/Cascades, Washington
ORGANIZATION: Pro Guiding Service
Winter Alpine Climbing Intensive
DATES: TBD
LOCATION: San Juans Mountains, Colorado
ORGANIZATION: Skyward Mountaineering
Exum Guides Ski Clinics
DATES: Various
LOCATION: Jackson, Wyoming
ORGANIZATION: Exum Mountain Guides
Ski Mountaineering Course
(Glaciated Terrain)
DATES: Various
LOCATION: Mazama, Washington
ORGANIZATION: North Cascades Mountain Guides
*Note: these field courses are ones that Biggest Lines has had firsthand experience with. They are by no means the only worthwhile courses out there. It almost doesn’t matter which outfit or venue you choose, so long as the guides and/or instructors, and the topics covered are accredited by the AGMA or IFMGA. KNOW THIS: no text or video can substitute for in-the-field experience or hands-on professional training! Seek instruction and guidance as often as you can.
“So what are we going to do with the gems of truth we find among the ice, rock and snow on the mountains? What are we going to do with the small satoris we experience on our everyday adventures? What can we do if not just enjoy them and share them with our friends? From one point of view they are only childish escapist and romantic games we play. From the other end of the scale they are the very reason we are alive, the great meaning to life.”
—Andreas Fransson
National Geographic Adventurer of the Year recipient, and one of the most prolific (and daring) ski mountaineers the world has ever known. An inspiration to many.
Sawtooth Mountain Guides founder and co-owner Kirk Bachman teaching the ropes on their twice annual Ski Mountaineering Camp, in the beautiful Sawtooths of Idaho (photo: Aaron Teasdale)
TOP 10+
Most Beautiful Ski Towns in the World
Telluride, Colorado
Courmayeur, Italy
Zermatt, Switzerland
Cortina d'Ampezzo. Italy
Aspen, Colorado
Murren, Switzerland
Engelberg, Switzerland
Banff, Alberta, Canada
Warren, Vermont
Alpbach, Austria
Kitzbühel, Austria
St. Moritz, Switzerland
—————— RESOURCES INDEX ——————
Weather/Snow Reports
Avalanche Bulletins
Guide Services
Lodging/Huts
Education
Books/Publications
Digital Media
Photography