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Ski Mountaineering Skills PC Tyson Bradley scaled e1666813521893
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Ski & Splitboard Mountaineering Camp (3-Day)

$899 plus tax

This is an intensive, 3-day field-based course designed to take your backcountry ski/splitboard mountaineering to the next level. A precursor for ski objectives in the Tetons, Rainier, Denali or the Alps, this ski mountaineering camp also enables participants to ski incredible peaks and couloirs in the Wasatch Mountains. We will teach and practice skills for safe climbing and skiing/riding on big and steep terrain.

Course Dates

  • Mar 19-21, 2026 (Thursday-Saturday)
This 3-day Ski & Splitboard Mountaineering Camp focuses on learning ski mountaineering skills and applying these to the ascent and descent of couloirs, such as those in Wolverine Cirque, and peaks like Toledo, Superior and the Pfeifferhorn. Camp objectives are dependent on weather, fitness, snow conditions, etc.
Guides teach the proper techniques for the use of ice axes, boot and ski crampons, ropes, knots, anchors and rappelling. The course covers glacial navigation and crevasse rescue, belayed climbing and skiing, reading snow and terrain, avalanche hazard evaluation and mitigation, and steep skiing. The program is offered in late winter when the Utah snowpack is typically deep and strong enough for ski mountaineering objectives.
Ski & Splitboard Mountaineering Camp LEARNING Outcomes
  • Best practices for the use of boot and ski crampons and ice axes
  • Self-belay and self-arrest with ice axe
  • Rock and snow anchors and equalization
  • Fixed and running belays
  • Rappelling with skis or a splitboard on and without
  • Glacier travel and crevasse rescue
  • Knots and hitches for raising systems and lowering
  • Belayed skiing and snowboarding
  • Reading snow and terrain
  • Improved skinning skills, including advanced kick-turns and self-belays
  • Avalanche hazard evaluation and mitigation
  • Steep skiing/boarding skills
NEXT STEPS

In addition to the courses below, we recommend hiring a guide for complex and/or difficult ski mountaineering objectives on your bucket list.

Trad Series: Leading Trad
Crevasse Rescue Skills
Mountaineering Camp (4-Day)
Light & Fast Alpinism (2-Day)
Avalanche Level 2
Expedition Training Overnight (2-Day)
Denali Training 3-Day Overnight
Course dates don’t fit your schedule?

Any of our pre-scheduled courses can be run as custom outings. If you’re interested in a course but the dates don’t fit your schedule, please check out our private guiding options.

Prerequisites & Skill Level
  • This is an advanced clinic.
  • You must have solid downhill skiing/riding skills and seek out the advanced/expert, off-piste terrain at the resorts.
  • You must have the ability to ski/ride in control and link turns in variable backcountry snow conditions with a pack.
  • Previous backcountry skinning and booting experience, including on steep terrain, is required.
  • You must be able to skin/boot uphill 3000’+/day for 3 consecutive days.
  • Familiarity with using an ice axe and crampons is recommended.
  • Knowledge of basic climbing knots and rappelling is recommended.
  • Hiking, scrambling, mountaineering and/or rock climbing experience is recommended.
  • Avalanche Level 1 or equivalent is recommended.

This course includes 3 full days in the backcountry skinning and skiing/splitboarding (expect to be in the field for 6-8 hours per day). Guests are expected to bring their own snacks, lunch and water (1-2 liters). UMA does not provide transportation. We encourage carpooling to help mitigate traffic in the canyons and crowded parking areas.

SCHEDULE & MEETING LOCATION

Meeting times are usually between 7 am and 8 am. Meeting locations are provided to enrolled participants before the course date. This course takes place in either Little Cottonwood Canyon or Big Cottonwood Canyon in the Central Wasatch Mountains in Salt Lake City, Utah.

GUIDE/INSTRUCTOR

You will receive a reminder with the contact information for your guide/instructor. They will contact you to confirm meeting time and location, as well as weather considerations and equipment needs.

TRANSPORTATION & PARKING

Transportation will not be provided. Most canyon parking lots require a parking fee.

How To Register
Ski & Splitboard Mountaineering Equipment List
  • Non-cotton top and bottom base layer
  • Puffy overcoat and/or other insulation layer (fleece, synthetic or down)
  • Waterproof/windproof outer shell jacket and pants (or bibs)
  • Wool socks
  • Waterproof snow gloves or mittens
  • Lightweight gloves for uphill travel
  • Leather-type gloves for climbing rock and clipping through carabiners
  • Warm hat and baseball cap
  • Helmet (climbing or ski type)
  • Sunglasses and goggles
  • Sunscreen
  • 1-2 liters of water (water bladders not recommended for cold days)
  • Sack lunch and snacks
  • Ski or snowboard boots
  • Alpine touring or telemark skis or a splitboard
  • Ski poles with powder baskets
  • Climbing skins
  • Beacon
  • Shovel
  • Probe
  • Backpack (~25-45 liters) that can carry skis or a splitboard
  • Ice axe (preferably light and short)
  • Crampons (lightweight, 10-point style preferred)
  • Ski or splitboard crampons (depending on conditions)
  • Harness (preferably one that can be put on with skis on)
  • Belay device/locking carabiner

Please see our Backcountry Touring Gear List & Rentals page for information on the items UMA provides and local shops where you can rent or purchase gear.

Guidebooks

Backcountry Skiing Utah: A Guide to the State’s Best Ski Tours (Backcountry Skiing Series) by Tyson Bradley
The Chuting Gallery: A Guide to Steep Skiing in the Wasatch Mountains by Andrew McLean

Resources

Snow Sense: A Guide to Evaluating Snow Avalanche Hazard by Jill Freestone & Doug Fesler
Avalanche Essentials: A Step-by-Step System for Safety and Survival by Bruce Tremper
Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain by Bruce Tremper

Maps

Hiking The Wasatch: The Official Wasatch Mountain Club Trail Map for Tri-County Area by the Wasatch Mountain Club & University of Utah Press
Wasatch Backcountry Skiing Map by Steve Achelis

Please see the Backcountry Skiing & Splitboarding section on our main FAQ page for common course questions.

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