What you get on this adventure: An experienced, certified ski guide with extensive knowledge of the area 3-Day backcountry skiing course Avalanche safety equipment What’s not included: Transportation to Estes Park Accommodation and meals Clothing, backpack and non-technical personal items Ski touring or splitboard Equipment Park entrance fees (where applicable) Eldora Mountain Resort Uphill Ticket ($25 daily or $149 annually) Rescue and travel insurance Guide gratuities — optional

How fit do I need to be?

To enjoy this Estes backcountry skiing course, you need to be in very good physical shape. Engaging in aerobic activities in the weeks leading up to the course is highly recommended to build stamina and endurance. Generally, a sports-oriented lifestyle is beneficial. This adventure demands the ability to confidently navigate controlled descents in standard resort skiing conditions and feel at ease tackling challenging blue-level resort runs. It’s important to note that this course is thoughtfully designed with beginners in mind, meaning you don’t need any prior ski touring experience. Your instructor will provide the guidance and support necessary to ensure you build the skills and confidence required for a successful backcountry skiing journey, starting from scratch.

What do I need to bring?

For technical backcountry ski touring gear, you will need to bring: Alpine touring skis, telemark skis or splitboards with skins (can be rented) Touring boots and ski or trekking poles (can be rented) Avalanche safety equipment (can be rented for no additional fee): Digital, 3-antenna avalanche transceiver or beacon Lightweight snow shovel Avalanche probe For personal items, we recommend bringing: Helmet Synthetic or wool base layers, underwear and socks Softshell jacket and fleece jacket Wind and waterproof shell jacket with hood (Gore-Tex recommended) Hardshell ski pants (Gore-Tex recommended) Sunglasses and ski goggles Lightweight gloves, midweight softshell gloves, and heavyweight waterproof gloves Sun hat and neck gaiter 2 Water bottles (1L capacity) Thermos with a warm beverage — optional Food you can eat on-the-go Sunscreen Backpack (20-40L capacity) Camera — optional

Group sizes and age requirements

Group sizes and prices: For this group adventure, the maximum client-to-guide ratio is 6:1. The cost is per person and doesn’t decrease as the group grows. Backcountry skiing courses in Estes Park can be arranged for larger and for private groups. Contact us to make arrangements. Min. age requirements: If you are older than 18, you’re good to go. Minors may be permitted to join private tours on a case-by-case basis. If your group has skiers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

This adventure has 2027 dates with 10% deposit available

Backcountry skiing at the Carlyle Lodge.

Estes Park | Colorado

Estes Park Backcountry Skiing Course for Beginners

3 days | 5.00

From $800 ()

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Adventure Highlights

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Duration

3 days

Season

December through April

Group size

Up to 5 people

The adventure, day by day

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Begin your journey with a solid foundation in efficient uphill and downhill travel skills. You'll delve into track setting, honing your ability to navigate through various backcountry conditions. As the day progresses, you'll gain essential insights into basic route finding, understanding the terrain, and finding slopes with the best snow.

Topics covered

Some of the skills and topics that will be covered during your Estes Park backcountry skiing course are:

- Complete avalanche rescue course and interpreting avalanche and weather bulletins
- Backcountry ski equipment
- Layering for uphill and downhill skiing
- Use and care of alpine touring binding and climbing skins
- Getting into skis in deep snow, or steep, icy slopes
- Techniques for efficient uphill travel
- Appropriate downhill skiing/riding turns and Making kick turns
- Techniques for managing a group uphill and downhill
- Efficient transitions to uphill from downhill skiing and to downhill skiing from skinning
- Foot care
- Maintaining adequate hydration and nutrition
- Planning ski tours balancing safety and good snow conditions

Day 1: Backcountry basics

Backcountry skiing in Northern New Mexico.

Begin your journey with a solid foundation in efficient uphill and downhill travel skills. You’ll delve into track setting, honing your ability to navigate through various backcountry conditions. As the day progresses, you’ll gain essential insights into basic route finding, understanding the terrain, and finding slopes with the best snow. This day sets the stage for your backcountry skiing experience, guiding you towards the art of traversing untamed landscapes and discovering where to find the finest snow, turning your exploration into an exhilarating and educational experience.

Day 2: Avalanche rescue

On this pivotal day of your backcountry skiing course, you delve deep into the essential art of avalanche rescue. You’ll receive comprehensive training in companion rescue within an avalanche scenario, guided by an experienced instructor who adheres to the American Avalanche Institute (AAI) recreational curriculum. This curriculum is recognized and approved by the American Avalanche Association (A3), setting the highest standard for avalanche training in the United States. As you venture into the rugged beauty of the Rocky Mountains, you’ll learn navigate and respond effectively in potentially life-threatening situations (as wll as how to avoid them).

Day 3: Full-day backcountry skiing tour

Backcountry skiing at the Purcell Mtn. Lodge

The pinnacle of your backcountry skiing course takes place in the breathtaking expanse of Rocky Mountain National Park. This natural wonderland offers an array of terrains catering to all skiers and splitboarders, whether you seek the tranquility of mellow glades, the vastness of open bowls, the challenge of steep couloirs, or the heights of lofty summits. It’s a full day of adventure that seamlessly integrates all the skills you’ve acquired, allowing you to confidently navigate the diverse landscapes.

Topics covered

Some of the skills and topics that will be covered during your Estes Park backcountry skiing course are:

- Complete avalanche rescue course and interpreting avalanche and weather bulletins
- Backcountry ski equipment
- Layering for uphill and downhill skiing
- Use and care of alpine touring binding and climbing skins
- Getting into skis in deep snow, or steep, icy slopes
- Techniques for efficient uphill travel
- Appropriate downhill skiing/riding turns and Making kick turns
- Techniques for managing a group uphill and downhill
- Efficient transitions to uphill from downhill skiing and to downhill skiing from skinning
- Foot care
- Maintaining adequate hydration and nutrition
- Planning ski tours balancing safety and good snow conditions

Day 1: Backcountry basics

Day 2: Avalanche rescue

Day 3: Full-day backcountry skiing tour

Topics covered

Some of the skills and topics that will be covered during your Estes Park backcountry skiing course are:

- Complete avalanche rescue course and interpreting avalanche and weather bulletins
- Backcountry ski equipment
- Layering for uphill and downhill skiing
- Use and care of alpine touring binding and climbing skins
- Getting into skis in deep snow, or steep, icy slopes
- Techniques for efficient uphill travel
- Appropriate downhill skiing/riding turns and Making kick turns
- Techniques for managing a group uphill and downhill
- Efficient transitions to uphill from downhill skiing and to downhill skiing from skinning
- Foot care
- Maintaining adequate hydration and nutrition
- Planning ski tours balancing safety and good snow conditions

Day 1: Backcountry basics

Day 2: Avalanche rescue

Day 3: Full-day backcountry skiing tour

Topics covered

Some of the skills and topics that will be covered during your Estes Park backcountry skiing course are:

- Complete avalanche rescue course and interpreting avalanche and weather bulletins
- Backcountry ski equipment
- Layering for uphill and downhill skiing
- Use and care of alpine touring binding and climbing skins
- Getting into skis in deep snow, or steep, icy slopes
- Techniques for efficient uphill travel
- Appropriate downhill skiing/riding turns and Making kick turns
- Techniques for managing a group uphill and downhill
- Efficient transitions to uphill from downhill skiing and to downhill skiing from skinning
- Foot care
- Maintaining adequate hydration and nutrition
- Planning ski tours balancing safety and good snow conditions

Day 1: Backcountry basics

Day 2: Avalanche rescue

Day 3: Full-day backcountry skiing tour

Adventure Architect

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Photo gallery

Moderate terrain of the Lyngen Peninsula gives skiers access to numerous ski descents accessible by ski touring.

Skiing the Marmolada Glacier and the Dolomites

Colorado is a go-to destination for backcountry skiing adventures in the US, with 19 skiable thirteeners and year-round access to classic trails.

Skiers skinning through fishermen villages in Lyngen Alps

Adventure, packed to go

Estes Park Backcountry Skiing Course for Beginners

Adventure Brochure

Adventure brochure

Download to share and explore full itineraries, key info, FAQs, and guide details.

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Meet your guides

Seasoned pros, local legends, and passionate adventurers—your trip is in the best hands.

5.00

Colorado Mountain School

Founded in Estes Park in 1981, the Colorado Mountain School has built a solid and respected reputation in the mountain guiding community. Their team is highly trained and internationally certified — you can count on safety, fun, and adventure.

What others say about this adventure

5.00 (3 reviews)

Domenika

|March 2023

Exploring the Magic of estes park test
Colorado Mountain School did an excellent job in taking us to places that I found to be very beautiful. There was a sense of magic in what we saw and experienced. The food and accommodations were very good for the price of the trip. The guides for both islands were very knowledgeable and were able to adapt to the diversity of the group and weather related conditions. They took us to many places that were away from any crowds. I highly recommend using Hiking New Zealand for those that want to get out and explore the beauty of New Zealand.

Anita

test – Colorado Mountain School did an excellent job in taking us to places that I found to be very beautiful. There was a sense of magic in what we saw and experienced. The food and accommodations were very good for the price of the trip. The guides for both islands were very knowledgeable and were able to adapt to the diversity of the group and weather related conditions. They took us to many places that were away from any crowds. I highly recommend using Hiking New Zealand for those that want to get out and explore the beauty of New Zealand.

Nikola

|July 2019

Show all reviews

Domenika

|March 2023

Anita

Nikola

|July 2019

Things to know

What you get on this adventure:
- - An experienced, certified ski guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  - 3-Day backcountry skiing course
  - Avalanche safety equipment
What’s not included:
- - Transportation to Estes Park
  - Accommodation and meals
  - Clothing, backpack and non-technical personal items
  - Ski touring or splitboard Equipment
  - Park entrance fees (where applicable)
  - Eldora Mountain Resort Uphill Ticket ($25 daily or $149 annually)
  - Rescue and travel insurance
  - Guide gratuities — optional
To enjoy this Estes backcountry skiing course, you need to be in very good physical shape. Engaging in aerobic activities in the weeks leading up to the course is highly recommended to build stamina and endurance. Generally, a sports-oriented lifestyle is beneficial. This adventure demands the ability to confidently navigate controlled descents in standard resort skiing conditions and feel at ease tackling challenging blue-level resort runs. It’s important to note that this course is thoughtfully designed with beginners in mind, meaning you don’t need any prior ski touring experience. Your instructor will provide the guidance and support necessary to ensure you build the skills and confidence required for a successful backcountry skiing journey, starting from scratch.
For technical backcountry ski touring gear, you will need to bring:
- - Alpine touring skis, telemark skis or splitboards with skins (can be rented)
  - Touring boots and ski or trekking poles (can be rented)
  - Avalanche safety equipment (can be rented for no additional fee):
    
    Digital, 3-antenna avalanche transceiver or beacon
    
    Lightweight snow shovel
    
    Avalanche probe
For personal items, we recommend bringing:
- - Helmet
  - Synthetic or wool base layers, underwear and socks
  - Softshell jacket and fleece jacket
  - Wind and waterproof shell jacket with hood (Gore-Tex recommended)
  - Hardshell ski pants (Gore-Tex recommended)
  - Sunglasses and ski goggles
  - Lightweight gloves, midweight softshell gloves, and heavyweight waterproof gloves
  - Sun hat and neck gaiter
  - 2 Water bottles (1L capacity)
  - Thermos with a warm beverage — optional
  - Food you can eat on-the-go
  - Sunscreen
  - Backpack (20-40L capacity)
  - Camera — optional
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Group sizes and prices:
- - For this group adventure, the maximum client-to-guide ratio is 6:1.
  - The cost is per person and doesn’t decrease as the group grows.
Backcountry skiing courses in Estes Park can be arranged for larger and for private groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements:
- - If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  - Minors may be permitted to join private tours on a case-by-case basis.
If your group has skiers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
Full payment to secure your place is due upon booking. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies.
- - If Client cancels the Booking anytime prior to thirty (30) calendar days in advance of the trip contemplated by the booking, Client is eligible to reschedule to another available date, receive a full credit for a future course or a full refund minus a 10% administrative fee.
  - For cancellations seven (7) to twenty-nine (29) calendar days in advance, Client may request the course to be rescheduled to another available date or receive a credit for future use both subject to a 10% processing fee.
  - After that deadline, Client is not entitled to any refund.
  - For cancellations ninety (90) or more calendar days from the date of Booking, all purchases are ineligible for a refund to a credit card – only options for rescheduling or refunding to gift cards are available (within the policy outlined above).
Early Bird booking

Want to be the first one to know when we publish new dates or secure your spot well in advance? Select a future month that suits you best and lock in your Early Bird spot in time with just a 10% deposit.

As soon as our guides publish new tour dates, you’ll be the first one to know. We’ll hold your spot for 2 weeks until you choose the date that suits you best.

More about how Early Bird bookings work below:
- Only a 10% non-refundable deposit must be paid upon booking, but this deposit can be transferred to any other 57hours adventure in case the dates don’t end up working for you.
- Once our guides publish new tour dates, we’ll reach out to you so you’ll be the first one to choose from newly released dates.
- When you pick your date, you’ll confirm your booking by paying another 20% of the total trip amount (amounting to the standard 30% deposit).
- Once the trip has been confirmed, the regular cancellation policy (found above) applies.
- The remaining balance is due 90 days before the trip.

Have more questions?

Our team is here to answer your questions and plan with you.

Book a call

Book This Adventure for a Private Group

Book a fully private 57hours adventure for your group. We customize dates, group sizes, terrain, guides and accommodations — so your adventure fits your people and your goals.

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