Backcountry Skiing &
Ski Mountaineering Open Enrollment Courses

Sign up Today!
Register Online or Call us toll-free at 1-866-65-PETRA.

Three-Day AIARE (American Institute for Avalanche Research & Education) Avalanche Level I

Petra Cliffs Mountaineering School will teach you the basics of avoiding avalanches including route selection, evaluating avalanche potential and rescue procedures. This stand alone course is a must for skiers, snowboarders, climbers & backcountry enthusiasts. The Level 1 Course provides a complete introduction to the avalanche occurrence, avalanche terrain, decision-making, and rescue. It is an ideal first course for those new to travel in avalanche terrain and a great review or upgrade for anyone who has some experience or prior training but feels they need a skills "tune-up." The Level 1 Course is designed to lead into the AIARE Level 2 Courses.

Participants receive 24 hours of classroom and field instruction over 3 days, and can expect to cover the following subjects:


Click here for more information
Dates:   January 23-25 OR March 6-8, 2010
Times:   9am - 4pm
Cost:   $ 275, includes all technical equipment

Backcountry Skiing I

This one-day course teaches you the fundamentals of backcountry skiing.  We will introduce you to the art of skinning and proper track setting, descent selection and land navigation, and lay the groundwork for establishing a strong backcountry decision-making framework. This course will give you the tools to feed the need to and avoid the resort crowds and pricey lift tickets.

Prerequisites: Intermediate resort skiing ability; should be capable of managing all blue square runs at the resort, in a variety of un-groomed conditions.  Must be comfortable skiing in trees.

Dates:  January 9 or February 6

Times:  9am - 4pm

Cost:   $205/ $165 (with/without demo skis)

 

Backcountry Skiing II

This full day in the mountains is the perfect follow-up to our Backcountry Skiing I or anyone with touring experience.  We’ll tackle more complex ascents and descents while fine-tuning your skills. We practice group management and proper terrain selection, all while maximizing our time skiing.  We’ll focus more on hazard awareness, land navigation and most important improve your off piste skiing ability.   

Prerequisites: advanced-intermediate skiing or boarding skills and some backcountry experience

Dates:  January 23 or February 27

Times:  9am - 4pm

Cost:   $205/ $165 (with/without demo skis)

 

Side Country Skiing

Not interested in earning all of your turns? Are you staying at one of the many local resorts with access to epic backcountry (not mandatory)?  Contact Petra Cliffs and set up a private or group session beyond the area boundaries.  Get away from the crowds and get the best snow on the mountain.

Prerequisites: advanced-intermediate skiing or snowboarding skills and some backcountry experience

Dates:  January 30 or March 13 (This program can run any day of the week as a private or group private with reservation, please see our private lesson rates) 

Times:  9am - 4pm

Cost:   $240*/ $190* (with/without demo skis)

*Price does not include lift ticket

 

Intro to Ski Mountaineering

Learn the fundamentals of safe winter travel over snow and ice on skis! Prepare yourself for your dream line in the North Cascades, Alaska, the Alps, or the Chilean Andes. Components of instruction include the use of ice axes & crampons, rope team management skills, glissading and self-arrest techniques, crevasse rescue, steep skiing techniques, and snow and ice anchor building. This is the perfect introduction to everything you need to successfully and safely travel in the big mountain environment.

Prerequisites: advanced-intermediate skiing or boarding skills

Dates:  February 21

Times:  9am - 4pm

Cost:   $205/ $165 (with/without demo skis)

 

2-Day Steep Skiing Clinic: Mount Washington, NH

Highlighted in Skiing Magazine as one of the best clinics to learn steep skiing techniques!
This two-day course is for expert skiers who wish to explore terrain steeper than the black diamond trails at the resort and take their skills to the wilds of the backcountry.  This course utilizes the world-famous Mount Washington’s Gulf of Slides and Tuckerman Ravine to amplify what you are capable of accomplishing on skis.  Join us as we refine your terrain selection and teach you the techniques to mitigate steep terrain.  Over the two days we help find your limit and then show you how to push beyond.  Learn form our guides experience about their risk assessment, define hazards and work through their decision making process.

Prerequisites: Advanced skiing or riding skills, AIARE level I recommended but not required

Dates:  March 27-28

Cost:   $425*/ $385* (with/without demo skis)

*price does not include food or lodging please contact Petra Cliffs for suggestions

 

Valdez, Alaska 7-Day Ski Mountaineering

Don't part ways with ski season just yet! Join us for the ultimate backcountry adventure: a week of intensize big-mountain & ski mountaineering instruction while exploring Alaska's legendary terrain.

Dates: April 11-18, 2010 View more course information

All courses begin at 9:00 am and return by 4:00 pm. Your guide will confirm the meeting place at least 48 hours before your course. Prices include all technical equipment and professional instruction but do not include 7% sales tax. Please contact Petra Cliffs for a full equipment list for each course.

top of page