Backcountry Ski Tours in Aspen

57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.

We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re travelling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Aspen, Colorado, please refer to Colorado’s COVID-19 travel guidelines. 

Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

What you get in this adventure:

• An experienced, certified Colorado backcountry ski guide with extensive knowledge of the area
• A full day of backcountry skiing
• Avalanche safety equipment
• A 3% USFS land use surcharge

What’s not included:

• Personal backcountry skiing equipment 
• Transportation
• Accommodations
• Food and snacks
• Lift ticket (available for purchase from Aspen Snowmass)

To enjoy these backcountry adventures, you need to be in good physical shape. You will be on your feet for 5-7 hours. You will need to manage controlled descents in variable conditions. All participants should feel comfortable on challenging blue or black-level resort runs and be able to carry a loaded daypack while skinning up variable degrees of terrain.

To participate in the lift-accessed tours, you don’t need to have previous backcountry skiing experience. However, for the full-day of skiing with a guide, most of the tours are suited for intermediate to advanced skiers. You will be skiing on glaciated terrain for around 7 hours. Your friendly Aspen guide will take care of the planning, oversee your technique, and teach you how to better manage the terrain. They also have the experience and avalanche training necessary to keep you safe.

For technical backcountry ski touring gear, you will need to bring:

• Alpine touring skis, telemark skis, or splitboard with skins (can be rented)
• Touring boots and poles (can be rented)
• Avalanche safety equipment (provided by guide):
  • Digital, 3-antenna avalanche transceiver or beacon
  • Lightweight snow shovel
  • Avalanche probe

For personal items, we recommend bringing:

• Helmet
• Sunglasses 
• Ski goggles
• Warm hat and sun hat
• Heavy and medium weight gloves
• Neck gaiter or balaclava — optional
• Wind and waterproof shell jacket with hood (Gore-Tex recommended)
• Ski pants (Gore-Tex recommended)
• Down or synthetic jacket or vest
• Synthetic or wool zip shirt
• Synthetic or wool base layers, underwear, and socks
• Repair kit and Leatherman for your equipment (can be shared between several people)
• Water bottle and 1L of water
• Thermos with a warm beverage — optional
• Food you can eat on-the-go
• Toiletries
• First aid kit
• Sunscreen and lip balm
• Daypack large enough to carry all items listed (around a 30-40L backpack)
• Camera — optional

All mandatory gear can be rented if you don’t have your own. You can rent: 

• Alpine touring or telemark skis, touring boots, and poles can be rented from Aspen Snowmass
• Splitboards can be rented from Aspen Snowmass

Ski rental locations are in Aspen Highlands Village.If you need to rent gear, let us know and we can help make arrangements.

Groups and pricing:

• For this adventure, the max client to guide ratio is 4:1.
• The cost per person decreases as the group grows, so it’s the perfect opportunity to backcountry ski with friends and family.

Ski touring in Aspen can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements:

• Everybody over the age of 18 is welcome to book this backcountry skiing adventure.
• Minors may be permitted to join private tours on a case-by-case basis.

If you plan to ski with anyone under the age of 18, please contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Aspen airport (ASE) is minutes to any of the four mountains in the area. You can hire a rental car, arrange a shuttle with your hotel, or take tne of the free city buses with all of your ski gear.

Alternatively, Denver International Airport is a four-hour drive and rental cars are available. Keep in mind, weather is unpredictable in the winter and the Vail Pass can be closed during snow storms. Check the weather and plan for mountain driving.

Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, usually at the guide shop in Aspen Highlands Village. From there, you’ll head to the trailhead. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ski ability of the group.