Intro to Backcountry

You will learn the basics of your backcountry equipment and progress into improving your efficiency, which ultimately results in more skiing/riding!

This course is known variously as Intro to Backcountry, Backcountry Skills, Intro to BC, or Intro to Touring. Whatever you call it, you will walk skin away with many tips, tricks, and skills. It's a very full day that's packed with practical information!

Topics covered include:

• Clothing/layering
• Packing considerations
• Putting on and taking off (ripping) skins
• Basic skinning technique
• Advanced skinning techniques
• Skin track setting
• Group management/communication basics
• Dealing with challenging snow
• Gear failure remedies
• Emergency response

This course is focused on bringing participants "up to speed" with their equipment and the mechanics of ski touring. That said, we'll be doing as much skiing as possible in alignment with the abilities of the group (a.k.a. fun, low-stress skiing).

A sno-park pass is required to park at any sno-park located on the Mt. Hood National Forest. We will provide you with a sno-park pass for free, for the duration of the course, if you do not have one.

Leave No Trace Considerations

An important aspect to backcountry travel is practicing Leave No Trace. Following the 7 Principles will help preserve the natural environment for yourself and others. Be prepared to practice touring-specific LNT in the following ways and more:

• Radio usage, for safety and noise reduction
• Managing your food; reducing the chance of littering through snack packing, preventing birds from scooping your calories
• Eco-friendly waxes
• What to do with “skin savers”
• Assessing snowpack depth/coverage from home

You will learn more about these and other touring-specific LNT practices on your course, generally as add-on moments as we move through the backcountry.

Equipment

Please see our Ski Touring Packing List page for a complete list of what you should bring on your course.

Gear rental discount

We’ve partnered with Mountain Shop to help you gear up for success in your course! As a valued student, you’ll receive 30% off gear rentals and 10% off purchases with Mountain Shop. See your enrollment email for further details.

Mountain Shop offers a wide range of gear rentals, including skis, splitboards, snowboards, and more, so you’ll be ready to hit the backcountry with confidence.

Discount exclusions apply, see website for details.