Course Goals

• Provide skiers and splitboarders with the foundational knowledge and hands-on practice needed to manage crevasse hazards in glaciated terrain.

• Build competence in travel systems, partner rescue, and self-rescue techniques specific to ski mountaineering.

• Develop smooth team communication, coordination, and problem-solving under realistic field scenarios.

• Increase overall confidence traveling on glaciers with the ability to respond effectively to crevasse incidents.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Properly select, fit, and use glacier travel equipment (harnesses, ropes, skis/splitboards, snow anchors,pullys, prusiks, etc.).

• Set up rope teams for ski mountaineering, including spacing, knots, and terrain-specific adjustments.

• Perform crevasse fall response protocols, including immediate arrest, anchor building, and safe workload distribution.

• Build secure snow anchors (pickets, skis, bury anchors, natural features) in a variety of conditions.

• Construct and operate 3:1, 5:1, drop-loop, and direct hauling systems suitable for skier/splitboarder rescues.

• Execute a complete partner haul from initial fall to surface extraction.

• Perform self-rescue techniques, such as ascending the rope using friction hitches or mechanical ascenders.

• Demonstrate clean, efficient rescues.

Day 1 – Foundations & Core Rescue Systems

Morning – Intro & Glacier Travel Skills

• Meet at designated trailhead

• Introductions, course overview, and course briefing.

• Equipment check: ropes, harnesses, rescue tools, skis/splitboards, camp gear, etc.

• Short hike to camp / create basecamp

• Skinning/travel session: rope-team spacing, travel protocols, and safe movement techniques

Midday – Anchors & Rescue Building Blocks

• Knots & Hitches

• Building reliable snow anchors: pickets, skis, bury anchors, natural features

• Anchor fundamentals and function

• Overview of self arrest on skis or splitboards

Afternoon – Hauling Systems (Hands-On)

• Introduction to mechanical advantage systems (3:1, 5:1, drop loop, direct haul)

• Rope handling and efficient system organization

• Partnered hauling practice: smooth pulls, resets, and team coordination

• End-of-day debrief: takeaways, questions, and prep for Day 2 scenarios

Day 2 – Scenario-Based Rescues & Self-Rescue

Morning – Realistic Fall Response

• Quick refresher: fall arrest, anchors, and team communication

• Rotating roles in the team to build proficiency in each rescue

Afternoon – Self-Rescue & Rope Ascension

• Techniques for climbing the rope using prusiks or mechanical ascenders

• Managing heavy ski/splitboard equipment while ascending

• Integrating self-rescue into realistic scenarios

Course Debrief

• Scenario debriefs: what went well, what to refine

• Final Q&A and personalized next-steps recommendations

• Course close-out, gear return, and departure

• Intermediate - advanced riding skills - Should be comfortable linking clean turns down a black diamond run at ski areas.

• This is an introductory course - No previous backcountry ski touring experience required experience.

• Basic - Moderate fitness level - Through the day, we will be covering anywhere from 1,150 - 2,000 vertical feet over the course of the day. You should be capable of performing this at a slow & steady pace.

• Arrive with proper equipment - You must provide yourself with the equipment displayed below in the gear list. If you do not own something, you can either rent from us or rent from a local shop.

Included:

• Friendly AMGA trained guides

• Applicible recreation & forest service permits

• Ropes, snow protection, group training gear

• Group first aid & GPS communication devices

• Waste Disposal bags in compliance with Leave “No Trace Principles”

• Tents

• Stoves / Fuel

Not included:

• Crampons, ice axe, harness, carabiners

• Beacon, Probe, Shovel

• Food & Snacks

• Transportation

• Guide Gratuities