Backcountry Skiing in Colorado — Guided Tours & Courses in Rocky Mountain National Park
Colorado Backcountry Skiing with The Mountain Guides
Rocky Mountain National Park offers some of the most accessible and varied backcountry skiing terrain in Colorado. From classic couloirs and alpine bowls above treeline to mellow tree skiing along the Continental Divide, RMNP delivers world-class ski touring within a two-hour drive of Denver. The Mountain Guides run all of our Colorado backcountry skiing programs out of our Estes Park / Boulder base, with AMGA-accredited guides who ski this terrain every winter. Whether you’re making your first backcountry turns or planning a ski mountaineering objective, our guided backcountry skiing in Rocky Mountain National Park will get you there safely.
Backcountry Skiing in Colorado at a Glance
Where: Rocky Mountain National Park, meeting in Estes Park — about 90 minutes from Denver and under an hour from Boulder. Classic zones include Hidden Valley, the Banana Bowl, Dragon’s Tail, and the South Face of Hallett Peak.
Season: December through May, with the most reliable conditions January through April.
Programs: Private guided ski and splitboard tours, Intro to Backcountry Ski & Splitboard Class, Ski Mountaineering Camp, and AIARE avalanche courses.
Experience needed: Private tours are matched to your ability, from first backcountry day to advanced objectives. The Intro class is built for resort skiers; the Ski Mountaineering Camp is for advanced skiers.
How a day starts: Trips begin early in Estes Park with a thorough gear check and avalanche beacon refresher before entering the park.
Gear: Avalanche safety equipment — transceiver, shovel, and probe — is required on every program and available to rent from The Mountain Guides. Backcountry ski and splitboard packages are also available to rent; see the Equipment tab on each program page for the full list.
Our Colorado Skiing Programs
Backcountry Skiing: Rocky Mountain National Park: Private guided backcountry ski and splitboard tours in RMNP. Your guide selects terrain based on conditions, avalanche hazard, and your group’s ability. Full-day and multi-day options.
Intro to Backcountry Ski & Splitboard Class: A structured course for resort skiers making their first transition to the backcountry. Learn skinning, kick turns, transitions, and touring fundamentals before committing to a full backcountry day.
Ski Mountaineering Camp — Colorado: A multi-day camp for advanced skiers covering rope systems, steep skiing technique, and alpine travel. Push into bigger terrain with professional guidance.
AIARE Avalanche Courses for Colorado Skiers
Earn your AIARE certification with field days in real RMNP avalanche terrain, in a hybrid format — online learning plus hands-on field time. Start with the AIARE 1 Avalanche Course, add the one-day AIARE Avalanche Rescue Course, and progress to AIARE 2 after a season in the backcountry. Women’s AIARE courses run the same curriculum with female instructors. See all Colorado avalanche courses.
When to Ski in Colorado
Colorado’s backcountry skiing season runs December through May, with the most reliable conditions in January through April. RMNP’s high-elevation terrain often holds snow well into spring, and corn season on east-facing aspects can extend touring into late May. Our Colorado office coordinates all logistics from the Front Range.
More Winter in Colorado
When the snow is thin or you want a day off the skis, the Front Range freezes into some of the best accessible ice in the state. Our Colorado ice climbing trips run single-pitch and multi-pitch days for beginners through advanced climbers. Explore everything we offer in Colorado.
