Backcountry Ski Touring 2026

The Mazama Backcountry Ski Touring Program is designed to teach you the skills, attitude, and awareness necessary to safely enjoy the many backcountry ski opportunities that exist in the Cascades and elsewhere. Backcountry Ski Touring in the Northwest can span the spectrum from multi-day traverses to skiing off the summits of local volcanoes to just basking in the sunshine on the South Side of Hood in July. Each tour has its special joys and dangers. Our goal is to help you make a safe and confident transition from skiing groomed slopes at resorts to touring the off-piste environment among mountains. The focus of this course is on the skills necessary to ascend/descend non-technical intermediate level Backcountry Ski climbs in the Northwest (e.g. terrain such as St. Helens, Snow Dome on Mt. Hood, & South and Middle Sister). The format of the class includes a series of lectures and field sessions that cover gear, travel techniques on backcountry skis (and snowboards), self-arrest techniques, emergency shelters, avalanche awareness (analysis, safe travel, and rescue), route finding, navigation, general mountaineering techniques, weather, and trip planning. This course does NOT cover roped travel, crevasse rescue or advanced skiing/snowboard skills. You will be provided with an avalanche beacon for use during the course if you do not own one; all other equipment is the responsibility of the student (skis or snowboards, skins, shovel, and probe). The course is open to randonee and telemark skiers, as well as split-boarders and is taught by experienced Mazama volunteers.