Backcountry Ski Camps

Backcountry Ski Camps

Does the untracked powder beyond the boundaries beckon? In a dynamic winter environment learn backcountry skiing skills with Aspen Expeditions’ professional backcountry ski guides. Break away from the in-bounds terrain at these 2-day backcountry ski camps.

Aspen Expeditions Worldwide's AMGA ski guides and renowned  ski brand Salomon are partnering to offer a series of backcountry ski camps designed for adventurous skiers and snowboarders looking to gain skills, experience and confidence in the winter backcountry.

Check out one of the four weekend-long camps for the right entry point for you to plug themselves into the wheel of progression;

• January 16 & 17, 2016 - Introduction to Backcountry Skiing- This camp is ideal for the accomplished alpine skier that wants to explore skiing the backcountry.  Learn the basics from appropriate alpine touring ski equipment to traveling on skis through the winter backcountry. This camp is offered for either the entry level uphill skier and/or those who are new to the backcountry.  Topics will include:  Proper gear choice and use of skins, AT boots, dressing and packing for a day's BC tour, uphill technique/tracksetting, kick turns, basic route finding... all with access to the Aspen backcountry yet completely avoiding any "Avalanche" terrain.  You will also learn how to assess what is avalanche prone terrain with an introduction to avalanche awareness.

• February 13 & 14, 2016 - Ski Touring LIGHT and FAST - This camp is designed for the fitness skier that wants to explore efficient ski touring in the backcountry. Just how light is 'right' and how fast is fast enough?  With an emphasis on the use and choice of lightweight skis/boots and layering for conditions while covering lots of terrain.  Not necessarily a race clinic, this camp offers the optimal performance techniques to shave time, energy and weight without compromising the safety, comfort and ultimately the goal/destination!

• March 12 & 13, 2016 - Free Skiing Techniques (Top to Bottom) - This camp is designed for the advanced alpine skier looking to enhance their mountain skills including lift accessed backcountry from ski areas.  The focus of this camp is to learn a balance of decision making that involves a 'fall-line' preference in gear choice, natural/uncontrolled snowpack route finding, risk management, group dynamics and communication, avalanche hazard assessment and mitigation along with rescue strategy and associated likely medical emergencies.

• April 2 & 3, 2016 - Ski Mountaineering (Alpine Ascents/Descents) - This camp is designed for the advanced alpine skier looking to attempt technical ski ascents and descents. With a mature and more stable snowpack at this time of year, the goal of this course will be teaching and utilizing alpine mountaineering skills to truly define "Mountaineering on Skis".  The proper use of an ice axe, boot crampons, harness, rope and basic belaying/knots will be incorporated to ascend and ski one of Aspen's classics peaks (ex. Castle Pk, Mt. Hayden, Garretts Pk, etc).  This 'camp' is also ideal training for many of Aspen Expeditions' international "Grand Tours" (ex. European Haute Routes, Mustagh Ata, etc) 

Please contact us via phone at 970-925-7625 or email to schedule a camp or for more information. Custom camps for your group are available.

(Call 1-866-450-8019 or click here to book lodging or flights to Aspen or Snowmass.)