Mazamas — For the Love of Mountains
2024 Class Update
This season the Mazama Backcountry Ski Touring Program will be delivered in its normal format. Tours and outdoor classes will be in-person while most lectures will be online.
Student information night will be held November 9 from 7:00-8:00pm.
Registration will run from November 10th to December 9th. Acceptance will be communicated by December 16th.
SkiMo Basics Day
Photo: Wei Chiang
A perfect day in the backcountry
Getting Ready to Ski Down Mount St. Helens
Photo: Wei Chiang
Pocket Creek Tour
Photo: Chris Rall
Crystal Mountain Backcountry
Photo: Nimesh Patel
Tatoosh Range Tour
Photo: Sándor Lau
Assessing Crystal Mountain Backcountry
Photo: Nimesh Patel
Registration will run from November 10th to December 9th. Acceptance will be communicated by December 16th.
Course Information
The Mazama Backcountry Ski Touring Program (formerly called Ski Mountaineering) 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 beyond. Ski mountaineering in the Pacific 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 Mt. 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 advanced slopes at resorts to touring the off-piste environment of mountain wilderness. The focus of this course is on the skills necessary to ascend/descend non-technical intermediate level backcountry ski climbs in the Northwest (terrain such as the basic routes of St. Helens, Mt. Adams, South Sister, and snow fields of Mt. Hood).
The course takes place over a period of 8 weeks and includes lectures and field sessions. It is open to AT/randonee skiers, telemark skiers, and splitboarders, and is taught by experienced Mazama volunteers. Participants must be 18 years or older by the day of the first lecture.
Snow Profile for Bennett Pass
Photo: Wei Chiang
Course Format
Backcountry Ski Touring accepts approximately 30-40 students per year. The course includes a series of lectures and field sessions that cover gear, travel techniques on backcountry skis and split-boards, self-arrest techniques, emergency shelters, avalanche awareness (analysis, safe travel, and rescue), route finding, navigation, weather, and trip planning.
This course does NOT cover advanced skiing/snowboarding skills, roped travel, or crevasse rescue.
Course Details
Schedule
Typically held in the winter each year (January–March) and includes a series of lectures, field sessions, and tours.
The 2024 schedule can be found here
Time Commitment/Duration
High—Backcountry Ski Touring is an intensive time commitment, and we highly recommend that you clear your schedule as much as possible during the duration of the course.
Moderate—Backcountry Ski Touring is an appx. 8-week course, and consists of required and optional activities.
Tuition
$385 for Mazama members, $445 for non-members
Skills Taught
Backcountry Ski Touring curriculum covers gear, travel techniques on backcountry skis and split-boards, self-arrest techniques, emergency shelters, avalanche awareness (analysis, safe travel, and rescue), route finding, navigation, weather, and trip planning.
This course does NOT cover advanced skiing/snowboarding skills, roped travel, or crevasse rescue. This course does bot result in AIARE avalanche safety certification.
Prerequisites
All applicants must be 18 years of age by the introductory lecture of the course.
Applicants must be competent advanced level skiers/riders, comfortable with off-piste skiing, and linking turns on most downhill slopes. It is expected that students will be able to safely ski/ride in challenging conditions that involve ice, deep powder, wind crusts, and trees.
Students should be able to confidently navigate and enjoy black diamond runs on local ski hills, such as Mt. Hood Meadows (Heather Canyon) and Ski Bowl (Upper Bowl). Students should also be comfortable spending extended periods outdoors engaged in moderate to intensive cardiovascular activity including at least 2000 vertical feet of climbing.
If you are unsure whether you meet the skills required for this course, please feel to contact the Program Coordinator (skimt@mazamas.org) to discuss your abilities
Application Process
There is a student info night scheduled to provide prospective students with an opportunity to learn more about the course and to ask questions.
The application period is typically open for 2 weeks.
Requirements
Backcountry Ski Touring is a demanding commitment in terms of time and gear, so apply only if you can make the necessary commitment.
All students must attend the first introductory lecture to obtain information about clothing, equipment, and course content.
Gear List
- Clothing, food, water, the ten essentials, etc. appropriate for an all day ski mountaineering tour.
- AT/Randonee skis, telemark skis, or split-board.
- Climbing skins. You must have good quality climbing skins that adhere well to your skis/board. Please be familiar with how to put them on BEFORE arriving on a field session.
- Stiff AT/randonee, telemark, or snowboard touring boots.
- Poles, preferably adjustable.
- Pack capable of carrying your skis or board.
- Large Ensolite pad or insulated pad suitable for winter conditions.
- Shovel, probe, and transceiver (the MMC has transceivers available to checkout for the duration of the program).
- Compass with adjustable declination, and altimeter if you have one. We recommend getting a compass with adjustable declination, inclinometer, and a mirror.
Backcountry sets (ie. skis/split-board, skins, boots and poles) can be rented for the season at The Mountain Shop.
COVID-19 Safety
The class will be strictly following the Mazama’s Coronavirus Response and Policy. By agreeing to participate in the class, you are agreeing to abide by the policy. All lectures will be virtual and field class sizes reduced following social distancing and mask safety measures.
