Backcountry Essentials Montana
Overview
Participants are introduced to the fundamental skills required for safe backcountry travel, including:
🏔 Travel & Movement Skills
- Uphill pacing and efficient climbing technique
- Transitioning between uphill and downhill travel
- Skinning basics (for skiers) or splitboard transitions
- Managing energy over 2,000 vertical feet
🎒 Gear & Equipment Use
- How to pack for a backcountry day
- Essential safety equipment overview
- Clothing systems and layering strategies
- Equipment transitions in changing conditions
🧭 Navigation & Terrain Management
- Basic navigation skills
- Route selection fundamentals
- Understanding terrain features
- Safe travel techniques in ungroomed and treed terrain
🚨 Emergency Planning & Risk Awareness
- Group communication strategies
- Decision-making fundamentals
- Introductory hazard awareness
- Planning for emergencies
Throughout the day, guides incorporate teachable moments and custom objectives tailored to the group’s experience and goals.
What Are the Fitness & Skill Requirements?
To participate in this course, you must:
- Be capable of hiking 2,000 vertical feet in a day
- Be an intermediate to advanced skier or snowboarder
- Be comfortable skiing ungroomed and treed terrain
- Have strong downhill control in variable conditions
This is not a beginner ski lesson — participants should already have solid resort skills.
How Does This Course Prepare You for Avalanche Training?
This course serves as ideal preparation for a Recreational Level 1 Avalanche Course by:
- Introducing backcountry travel systems
- Familiarizing you with essential gear
- Teaching terrain awareness fundamentals
- Building fitness and pacing experience
- Developing group travel habits
Many students find this course makes their avalanche training significantly more approachable and less overwhelming.
Why Take an Intro to Backcountry Skiing Course?
Transitioning from resort skiing to backcountry terrain can feel intimidating because:
- There are no groomed runs
- There is no ski patrol
- You must manage your own safety
- Decision-making matters
This course bridges that gap in a structured, supportive environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a backcountry skiing course?
A backcountry skiing course teaches skiers and snowboarders how to travel safely outside of ski resort boundaries using proper gear, navigation, pacing, and terrain management skills.
Do I need avalanche training before taking this course?
No. This course is designed as preparation for a Recreational Level 1 Avalanche Course.
How fit do I need to be for a backcountry skiing course?
Participants should be capable of hiking approximately 2,000 vertical feet in a day while carrying a pack.
Is this course for beginners?
No. Participants must be intermediate to advanced skiers who are comfortable skiing ungroomed and treed terrain.
8:00-8:30 Introductions
Meet at Whitefish Mountain Resort Spruce Lot
8:30-9:00 Tour Planning
Go over the plan for the day, review the avalanche bulletin and establish open, closed and standby terrain for the tour.
9:00-9:30 Equipment Selection
Review packs and talk about why we have what we have. Participants should bring everything on the winter packing for this portion of the course.
9:30-10:30 Avalanche Rescue
Guide will review avalanche rescue equipment use and function. There will be an opportunity to run a practice search with our beacon.
10:30-4:00 Tour
The difficulty and duration of the tour will vary.
4:00-4:30 Debrief + Course Close
An opportunity to ask questions and to get a few next step pointers from your instructor.
Click here to check availability and sign up for a course.
UPPER LAYERS
- Top Long Sleeve: Mid weight backcountry oriented top Guide Pick: Black Diamond Coefficient LT Hybrid Hoody
- Mid weight insulated Jacket Guide Pick: Black Diamond Solution Jacket
- Shell Jacket with hood. Guide Pick: Black Diamond Recon LT Stretch Shell
- Puffy Jacket: Hood Recommended. Guide Pick: Black Diamond Access Down Hoody
BOTTOM LAYERS
- Bottom Synthetic or Wool Long Underwear Bottoms Guide Pick: Black Diamond Solution 150 Merino Base Layer
- Shell Pant: full side zips and built-in gaiters Guide Pick: Black Diamond Recon Stretch LT Pant
- Socks: Synthetic or wool. Sized for your boots and blister protection. Liners recommended.
HEAD AND HANDS
- Gloves 3 pair: 1 light, 1 medium, 1 heavy pair Guide Pick: Black Diamond Legend Glove
- Hat: medium weight ski hat
- Hat: baseball or visor for sun
- Buff/neck gaiter
ACCESSORIES
- Back Pack: 30 to 40 Liter ski pack, Guide Pick: Black Diamond Jet Force Pro 35 Airbag Pack
- Water & Food: Thermos or insulated water bottles are best. Lot’s of snacks.
- Sunglasses/ Sunglass Case
- Ski Goggles
- Extra Prescription Glasses/Contact Lens
- Sunscreen/Lip balm
- Headlamp Guides Pick: Black Diamond Cosmo 350 R Rechargeable
SKI/SNOWBOARD EQUIPMENT FOR THE BACKCOUNTRY (Packages available for rent)
- Boots: Alpine Touring, Telemark, or Snowboarding Boots
- Skis: Guide Pick: Black Diamond Helio Carbon 95
- Splitboard: Guides Pick: Black Diamond X Cardiff Co-Lab
- Climbing Skins: Guides Pick: Black Diamond Ascension Nylon Climbing Skins ( must trip to fit skis)
- Ski Poles: Guides Pick: Traverse Compactor Ski Poles
- Helmet (optional)
SNOW SAFETY EQUIPMENT (REQUIRED and available for rent from TMG)
Because of The Mountain Guides Montana Whitefish, Montana location in beautiful Flathead Valley and proximity to Glacier National Park our venues for teaching are one of a kind. Flights come into Glacier International Airport (FCA) daily. Amtrak arrives once per day.