This one day course will introduce you to the fundamentals of backcountry skiing and snowboarding in North Lake Tahoe.
After this course, you will be able to plan and execute an efficient yet simple backcountry tour. Come out and learn backcountry touring techniques and skills from a professional guide, and get away from the lifts and the crowds of the resort. Our Backcountry 1.0 course is the ideal preparation and requirement for an AIARE 1 avalanche course. This is a beginner level backcountry skills course, however this course is not for beginner level downhill skiers & riders. Please see the preparation section for more information if you are not sure if you qualify before reserving. This course takes place in North Lake Tahoe. We also offer this course in South Lake Tahoe.
Intro To Backcountry Touring Course Location
This backcountry ski course will take place on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe. Operating in partnership with the Tahoe National Forest, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest and the Truckee Donner Land Trust, our outdoor classroom contains some of the best ski terrain in the region to begin your backcountry journey. For your day out, we have many North Lake Tahoe trailhead options at our disposal and, with your input, your guide will pick the location with the best conditions for the day. Our permitted zones include Tahoe National Forest, Eldorado National Forest, Inyo National Forest, Truckee Donner Land Trust, Mt. Rose / Carson Pass, and Humboldt-Toiyabe. We also offer this course in South Lake Tahoe.
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR INTRO TO BACKCOUNTRY TOURING COURSE:
Depending on the fitness level of the group, technical ski abilities, and daily conditions, skiers and riders can expect multiple laps of fresh tracks while learning various tips and tricks from your guide during both the uphill and downhill portions of the day. Terrain varies from wide open bowls to widely spaced trees.
Each morning starts off with a safety meeting with your ski guide and a gear check to make sure everyone has what they need for the day. All participants are required to carry an Avalanche Safety Kit including beacon, shovel, and probe, which can be rented from the Alpenglow office. Backcountry specific packs are highly recommended, and also for rent. Guides will cover how to use these items during the course.
Depending on the zone, we’ll either tour right out of our offices in the Village at Palisades Tahoe Resort, or take a short drive to a trailhead. Your ski guide will come prepared with a defined itinerary for the day, but you’ll have the opportunity to stop and ask questions along the way.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE IN BACKCOUNTRY 1.0?
Advanced intermediate skiers/riders that are competent on and off-piste in a variety of conditions are welcome. You should be confident skiing all blue runs and most black diamond runs at a ski resort (including ungroomed terrain). Skiers or riders 12-16 years old can join us with a parent. 16 years and over are able to join without accompaniment.
LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR OUR INTRO TO BACKCOUNTRY TOURING SERIES:
- Touring equipment options
- How to layer for backcountry touring
- How to use a Beacon, Probe and Shovel
- How to interpret an Avalanche Bulletin
- Uphill travel techniques using climbing skins
- Avalanche hazard recognition and avoidance
- Downhill travel techniques and group management
- Difficulty: Strong intermediate to advanced skiing/riding level required.
This course prepares you for our Backcountry 2.0 course, as well as our AIARE 1 course.
A complete backcountry touring setup is required. We have a small demo fleet that we rent to our clients at competitive prices. We rent beacons, probes, shovels, touring skis, touring boots and splitboards.
Backcountry 1.0 is the first part in our three-part Intro to Backcountry series. We highly recommend reserving a spot on our popular Backcountry 2.0 course after going out touring for 5+ days to continue working on skills and techniques learned on day 1. Once you build a solid foundation, you’ll be ready to join our Backcountry 3.0 course to learn to ski mountaineer.
THE ALPENGLOW DIFFERENCE
As a Tahoe-based guide company with countless expeditions to high-altitude peaks around the world over the last 15 years, we bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to our beloved home mountains here in Lake Tahoe. Our teaching and guiding philosophy has been honed from the flanks of the Himalayan giants to the technical peaks of Peru, and we are beyond excited to be able to bring our program to this fantastic terrain. In addition to our international expedition roots, we are accredited by the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA), being one of the very few guide services in the region to hold such a high standard. Each of our guides is trained by the AMGA in the terrain in which they operate, and the program is supervised by internationally licensed IFMGA mountain guides. This high standard, along with our many years of experience, translates to a fantastic mountain adventure!
Alpenglow Expeditions operates under special use permit with the Tahoe, Eldorado, Inyo, Humboldt-Toiyable and Shasta-Trinity National Forests. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
