Skip to Content

North Lake Tahoe Backcountry 3.0

private backcountry ski guiding in lake tahoe with professional mountain guides

North Lake Tahoe Backcountry 3.0

$329Per Person
Advanced 8 hours / Full Day Lake Tahoe, CA
The third part in our three-part Intro to Backcountry course series, this course is designed to be your formal introduction to ski mountaineering principles and practices. This ski mountaineering course can be taken as a stand-alone option, but is designed to be taken in conjunction with our Backcountry 1.0 and 2.0 courses. In this course, you’ll learn advanced backcountry skills on how to safely approach steep lines while adding non-standard tools like ice axe, crampons and harnesses to your touring tool kit. Both skiers and splitboarders are welcome in this course. This is an advanced level course. Please see the preparation section before reserving. This course takes place in North Lake Tahoe. We also offer this course in South Lake Tahoe.
February 8, 2025
Inquire

A deep dive into the world of Ski Mountaineering

Backcountry 3.0 is a day-long, in-depth introduction to ski mountaineering principles, techniques and skills. This backcountry course is designed for backcountry skiers and splitboarders who are interested in exploring steeper, higher and more exposed lines.

Ski mountaineering is the next step for backcountry enthusiasts who are looking to get farther out from the trailhead, while having the tool kit to tackle steeper slopes. This course is the third act in our three-part Intro to Backcountry series. Please see Backcountry 1.0 and Backcountry 2.0 for descriptions of the previous courses.

Prerequisite
Advanced skiers or riders who have taken our BC 1.0 and BC 2.0, PLUS 5-10 days of backcountry experience OR those that have 25+ days of individual touring experience are welcome to join.
Fitness
Excellent physical fitness is required. Skiers and splitboarders must be able to hike for many hours at a time while carrying a pack.
Technical Experience
Participants must be expert backcountry travelers, and expert level skiers/riders that are confident on all black diamond runs at a resort in all conditions. You don’t need to have prior rope skills or climbing skills.
8:00am
Meet Your Guide

Meet your guide and get an overview of the day. You’ll most likely be meeting your guide at a trailhead designated in advance. You’ll spend the first few minutes of the morning reviewing gear, and making a plan with goals and objectives for the day.

8:30 – 12pm
Morning Skills Session

Starting with the basics, we gradually add new skills and techniques to the table. Some tools you’ll be introduced to are harness and belay device, ski crampons, ropes, boot crampons and ice axes.

12 – 12:30pm
Lunch

In between the morning and afternoon sessions, we’ll take a break for some much needed calories.This is a great moment to reflect on the lessons from the morning, and pick your guide’s brain about topics that you want to learn more about.

12:30 – 4pm
Afternoon Skills Session

Building on the skills of the morning, we will enter demanding terrain and get some hands-on practice.

Our Ski Mountaineering Guides

Meet some of the guides who you might be learning to ski mountaineer with.

Here’s what you need to know:

Two ski mountaineers climbing up Mount Shasta during a guided ski trip with Alpenglow Expeditions

Mount Shasta Ski

Intermediate Next Available
April 25-27, 2025
3 Days Mount Shasta, CA
An early morning photo of Mount Shasta covered in snow with a blue sky above during an Alpenglow Expeditions guided trip on Mount Shasta.

Mount Shasta Mountaineering School

Introductory Next Available
June 12-16, 2025
5 Days Mt. Shasta, CA
A single skier descending perfect powder snow during a Palisades Backcountry Ski Tour

Palisades Tahoe Backcountry Tours

Advanced Next Available
Booked privately every day December – May
Full Day / 8 Hours Palisades Tahoe, CA

High Sierra Backcountry Tours

Advanced Next Available
Winter & Spring ’23 – ’24
Single or Multiple Full Days Eastern Sierra Nevada, California
@AlpenglowExpeditions