What is your local adventures cancellation policy?

Please click here to review our domestic cancellation policy

While no outdoor adventure can be completely free of risk without losing the essence of the activity, hiring a professional guide is a fantastic way to manage and mitigate this risk. Activities like skiing and climbing have what we call “inherent risk”, which can be defined as a risk that cannot be completely mitigated by a professional. That is part of playing in the mountains. We encourage you to reach out to the office if you would like to discuss this in more detail.

I don’t have any avalanche gear - can I still sign up?

Yes! We rent beacons, probes, and shovels for a small daily fee.

Do I need to bring a lunch?

Yes, you should bring a sack lunch and water bottle for this course.

Where can I purchase trip insurance?

We strongly recommend that you purchase trip insurance to protect your activity purchase against unforeseeable circumstances. We recommend Spot as a provider of trip insurance. Spot is a 3rd party provider and is not affiliated with Alpenglow Expeditions – please refer to the Spot website or contact Spot directly for all terms and conditions.

Introductory

North Lake Tahoe Backcountry 1.0

Lake Tahoe, CA

Backcountry 1.0

5 (5 reviews)

Full Day
$299
Starting November 27

Lock in your spot today!

Learn to backcountry ski or splitboard in North Lake Tahoe with our professional mountain guides. In this Intro To Backcountry course, you’ll learn the basics of backcountry touring from our Tahoe ski guides. Both skiers and splitboarders are welcome in this course. This is the first part of our three-part Intro To Backcountry series.

AMGA Trained Guides
Rentals Available
Stepping stone to AIARE 1

Available Dates

Every Friday – Sunday starting November 27
Book Now

Reviews

“My Backcountry 1.0 ski trip with Alpenglow was the best decision I made before attempting to ski in the backcountry. My guide, instructor Ben W, not only gave me the most memorable experiences on skis but he also educated me on the importance of safety and the fundamentals of skiing in the backcountry. His professional certifications, avalanche training, and personalized instruction assured me that I was learning from a qualified and professional instructor. I learned new skills, hiked on my skis, had some awesome descents and enjoyed the beautiful views of Lake Tahoe. Although trying new skills can feel challenging and overwhelming, Ben was always patient and happy to answer any questions and guide me throughout the day. He always reinforced the importance of having fun and returning back safely to enjoy another day of skiing. I am excited to go to the next level with Alpenglow’s Backcountry 2.0 class and a basic avalanche safety class.
Thank you Ben and the staff of Alpenglow!”

— Jenno M.- BC 1.0

The Alpenglow Approach has been developed over the last 20 years with the intention of providing the best expeditions around the world. Our Ring of Fire Ski Expedition is no exception.

AMGA Trained Guides
Rentals Available
Stepping stone to AIARE 1

North Lake Tahoe Intro To Backcountry 1.0 Overview

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 and riders 16 years and over are able to join without accompaniment. If you would like to take this course with children 12-15 years of age, please contact our office to arrange a private Backcountry 1.0.

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.

Preparation

Technical Experience

Must be an advanced intermediate skier/rider that is competent on and off-piste terrain in a variety of conditions. Should feel comfortable on all blue runs and most black diamond runs at a ski resort.

Fitness

Excellent physical fitness is required. Skiers must be able to hike for many hours at a time while carrying a pack.

8:00 – 9:00: Meet & Greet
Meet your guide and fellow skiers & riders. Meeting location can be at any trailhead, but the default location is our offices in the Village at Palisades. We usually spend the first hour in a casual environment, reviewing gear and equipment, setting goals for the day, and getting to know each other.
8:30 – 12:00: Morning Tour
After reviewing gear and equipment and assessing our group goals we’ll head out for the first climb and descent of the day. During this initial climb, your guide will go over many subjects spanning from the basics of stepping in and out of bindings, to completing your first kick turn, to route selection and terrain observations. There’s no rush, and we’ll move at a comfortable pace.
12:00 – 12:30: Lunch
In between the morning and afternoon sessions, we’ll take a break for some much needed calories. The timing may not always be right at noon though. Be prepared for this stop to happen as the day dictates. You’ll have ample opportunity before lunch to have some water and snacks along the way.
12:30 – 3:30: Afternoon Tour
Depending on our observations and learnings from the morning, we’ll spend the afternoon exploring terrain, skiing & riding and we may even work in a mock avalanche rescue.

Alpenglow’s Tahoe Guides

Meet Your Tahoe Backcountry Guides

Get to know the guides who you might be skiing/riding with.

FAQ’s

Questions about our Tahoe Intro To Backcountry series

Everything you need to know about learning to backcountry ski or snowboard in Lake Tahoe.

: Please click here to review our domestic cancellation policy
: While no outdoor adventure can be completely free of risk without losing the essence of the activity, hiring a professional guide is a fantastic way to manage and mitigate this risk. Activities like skiing and climbing have what we call “inherent risk”, which can be defined as a risk that cannot be completely mitigated by a professional. That is part of playing in the mountains. We encourage you to reach out to the office if you would like to discuss this in more detail.
: Yes! We rent beacons, probes, and shovels for a small daily fee.
: Yes, you should bring a sack lunch and water bottle for this course.
: We strongly recommend that you purchase trip insurance to protect your activity purchase against unforeseeable circumstances. We recommend Spot as a provider of trip insurance. Spot is a 3rd party provider and is not affiliated with Alpenglow Expeditions – please refer to the Spot website or contact Spot directly for all terms and conditions.

Equipment List

Tahoe Backcountry Ski Touring Equipment List

Some items available to rent, please contact the office to reserve gear for your course!

Download Equipment Link

Select a category

Avalanche Transceiver
A digital transceiver that is simple to use or that you are extremely comfortable using.
Recommended: Black Diamond Recon Avalanche X Beacon
Climbing Skins
Many options are available, and are often comparable. Most important is to ensure your skins are trimmed properly for the ski you will be touring with. Skins with a secure tail clip are preferred.
Recommended for Skis: Black Diamond Glidelite Mix STS Climbing Skins
Recommended for Splitboards: Black Diamond Glidelite Mix Splitboard Climbing Skins
Liner Gloves
These gloves keep the inside of your mitts or other gloves from accumulating sweat on the inside and turning inside out when you take them off, as well as provide additional insulation.
Recommended: Black Diamond Midweight Wool Liners
Lightweight Baselayer Top
A long sleeve base layer that is fitted, lightweight and quick drying. Make sure it is long enough to tuck in.
Recommended Men’s: Black Diamond Men’s Lightwire Long Sleeve
Recommended Women’s: Black Diamond Women’s Lightwire Long Sleeve
Mid-Weight Warm Layer Top
This mid-layer will be worn over your base layer most of the trip.
Recommended Men’s: Black Diamond Men’s Coefficient Hoody
Recommended Women’s: Black Diamond Women’s Coefficient Hoody
Probe
A strong, lightweight avalanche probe, 260-300cm.
Recommended: Black Diamond QuickDraw Pro Probe 280
Shovel
A lightweight metal avalanche rescue shovel. Extendable handle is recommended.
Recommended: Black Diamond Evac 7
Ski Crampons
While ski crampons are strongly recommended on our domestic backcountry ski programs, they are required on all of our International Ski Expeditions. These are typically used on early spring days when the snow is often icy on the way up before the conditions transition. Many bindings accept a compatible crampon made by the manufacturer.
Recommended: Black Diamond ATK Ski Crampons
Ski Helmet
A ski specific helmet that is less than 10 years old.
Recommended: Scott Track Plus Helmet
Ski Touring Boots
These need to be a touring specific boot with walk mode, and a rubber sole. Typically sized a bit larger than your regular alpine boot, and light weight is a huge plus. Be sure to try many pairs on to find the right fit; it can make or break a day in the mountains!
Recommended: Fischer Transalp Pro or Transalp Tour WS
Ski/Splitboard Poles
Adjustable ski poles with powder baskets. Note: Splitboarders, be sure to use 3 section poles so they collapse small enough to reasonably attach to your pack while in riding mode.
Recommended: Black Diamond Expedition or Expedition 3 Poles
Skis w/ Touring Bindings
A lightweight touring ski with touring bindings. Our guides suggest something between 108mm-115mm underfoot. Keep in mind that extremely lightweight boards are great on the uphill, but can prove challenging in variable conditions.
Recommended Skis: Black Diamond Helio Carbon 108 Skis
Recommended Bindings: Black Diamond ATK Crest 10 Bindings
Snowboard Boots
The same boots you wear at the resort are great for your splitboard. Be sure they’re comfortable, backcountry touring means long days in your boots!
Recommended Men’s: Burton Tourist Snowboard Boots
Recommended Women’s: Burton Snowboard Boots
Splitboard
A splitboard that you are comfortable riding in a variety of conditions. Preferably a powder-centric board with good float (longer nose, setback stance).
Recommended: Jones Hovercraft, Stratos, or Mind Expander Splitboard
Splitboard Crampons
While splitboard crampons are strongly recommended on our domestic backcountry splitboard programs, they are required on all of our International Splitboard Expeditions. These are typically used on early spring days when the snow is often icy on the way up before the conditions transition. Many bindings accept a compatible crampon made by the manufacturer.
Recommended: Spark R&D Ibex ST Splitboard Crampons
Synthetic Top
A simple, lightweight synthetic jacket. This item is good for layering systems to stay warm in cold, wet conditions.
Recommended: Black Diamond First Light Stretch Hoodie
Touring Backpack
Internal frame pack that is between 25 and 35 liters. Either purchase a matching pack cover, or use garbage bags as liners to protect from precipitation. Make sure the pack is fitted to YOUR body.
Recommended: Black Diamond Dawn Patrol 32L

Testimonials

The most memorable experiences on skis
“My Backcountry 1.0 ski trip with Alpenglow was the best decision I made before attempting to ski in the backcountry. My guide, instructor Ben W, not only gave me the most memorable experiences on skis but he also educated me on the importance of safety and the fundamentals of skiing in the backcountry. His professional certifications, avalanche training, and personalized instruction assured me that I was learning from a qualified and professional instructor. I learned new skills, hiked on my skis, had some awesome descents and enjoyed the beautiful views of Lake Tahoe. Although trying new skills can feel challenging and overwhelming, Ben was always patient and happy to answer any questions and guide me throughout the day. He always reinforced the importance of having fun and returning back safely to enjoy another day of skiing. I am excited to go to the next level with Alpenglow’s Backcountry 2.0 class and a basic avalanche safety class.
Thank you Ben and the staff of Alpenglow!”
Jenna M.
I have taken several courses from Alpenglow over the years, and I have always had a great experience.
I rarely ever write reviews of anything. I have taken several courses from Alpenglow over the years, and I have always had a great experience. Tim Mincey has ended up being my instructor on many of these courses. I can’t say enough good things about Tim. He knows how to get the info across in a very concise manner that is easily understood

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