Covid measures in Big Sky and Yellowstone

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 Big Sky and Yellowstone, please refer to the Montana Office of Tourism. 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 Big Sky ski guide with extensive knowledge of the area A full day of backcountry ski touring 3.5% land use charge What’s not included: Technical backcountry ski touring equipment Trip insurance

How fit do I need to be?

In order to enjoy this backcountry adventure, you need to have a moderate level of fitness. You will be on your feet for a full day. While there is terrain for all skill levels in Yellowstone, you will need to manage controlled descents in variable conditions. All participants should feel comfortable on blue level resort runs and be able to carry a loaded daypack while skinning up variable degrees of terrain. For the enjoyment and safety of everyone involved, participants must be approved to participate in advanced backcountry skiing tours either through a previous trip with the guiding service or through recommendations.

What if I’ve never backcountry skied before?

Backcountry skiing isn’t just for pros looking for the ultimate thrill ride, it’s also beginner friendly, meaning anyone with blue level resort experience can have fun in the backcountry. If you’ve never backcountry skied before, heading out with a guide is your best bet. They’ll take care of the planning, introduce you to the basics, like skinning uphill, and teach you how to manage the terrain. They also have the experience and avalanche training to keep you safe.

What about required equipment and rentals?

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 (can be rented): Digital, 3-antenna avalanche transceiver or beacon Lightweight snow shovel Avalanche probe Harness for glacier travel For personal items, we recommend bringing: Wind and waterproof shell jacket with hood (Gore-tex recommended) Ski pants (Gore-tex recommended) Helmet Synthetic or wool base layers, underwear and socks Down jacket or vest Gloves and hat One triple-action locking carabiner or two conventional locking carabiners Repair kit and Leatherman for your equipment (can be shared between several people) Water bottle and 1L of water Food you can eat on-the-go Sunglasses or ski goggles First-aid kit Sunscreen Daypack large enough to carry all items listed (around a 30-45L bag) Camera — optional

Can I rent equipment?

All mandatory gear can be rented if you don’t have your own. You can rent: Avalanche safety pack, including backpack, beacon, shovel and probe ($50/person/day) Alpine touring or telemark skis, touring boots and poles can be rented from Grizzly Outfitters in Big Sky, MT Splitboards can be rented from World Boards in Bozeman, MT Ski rental locations are in Big Sky or Bozeman, MT and should be picked up the night prior to your outing. If you need to rent gear, let us know during the booking process and we can help make arrangements.

Group sizes and age requirements

Groups and pricing: For this adventure, the max client to guide ratio is 4:1. For advanced ski touring, the client to guide ratio is 3:1. The cost per person decreases as the group grows, so it’s the perfect opportunity to backcountry ski with friends and family. Backcountry adventures in Yellowstone and Big Sky can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements. Min. age requirements: Everybody over the age of 18 is welcome on 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.

Getting there and meeting location

Most travellers fly into Bozeman International Airport. From Bozeman, Montana, it’s an hour drive south to Big Sky via US-191. Then, from Big Sky, it’s about 30-45 minutes south to powder backcountry skiing in Yellowstone National Park. Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, whether that’s at the guide shop or a predetermined location. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group.

Backcountry Skiing Tours in Big Sky and Yellowstone

Backcountry skiing on white steep slopes with a guide

A picture of Yellowstone from a distance

A Yellowstone guide showing the way through the woods before reaching the slopes

Yellowstone National Park | Montana

Backcountry Skiing Tours in Big Sky and Yellowstone

5.00 ()

Season

December through May

Nearest city

Yellowstone is a 30-45 minute drive

Duration

Book as many days as you want

Skill level

Beginner to advanced

Guide

Montana Alpine Guides

From $565 () / 1 day

Got any questions?

Overview
Itinerary
Brochure
Guides
Reviews
Things to know

Yellowstone might be one of the busiest national parks in the summer, but once the colder temperatures set in, it becomes a snowy paradise ideal for ski tours in the backcountry. The remoteness of Yellowstone makes for one of the most unique backcountry skiing experiences in all the world. Backcountry adventures in Montana’s Big Sky Country offer up a whole new world of powder possibilities. Your certified Big Sky ski guide will take you to the deepest stashes in the park, where you may see fox and wolf tracks along with amazing frozen waterfalls. With terrain that varies from alpine meadows to tree skiing to epic peaks, there’s something for all interests and abilities. Incredible views, wildlife spotting and grand vistas await on your day of private guided ski touring.

Experience the magic of Yellowstone’s backcountry with a guide
Terrain that varies from alpine meadows to tree skiing to epic peaks
One of the most unique backcountry skiing experiences in the world

Available itineraries

Private Intro Class to Backcountry Skiing

Ready to leave the resort behind and experience fresh powder away from the crowds? Big Sky is the perfect place to learn the ins and outs of backcountry skiing with a guide. Learn the basics and spend the day perfecting your techniques while earning your turns in Montana’s most famous location. You’ll find out everything about proper use of gear, skinning uphill, snow safety and more in this one-day introduction to backcountry touring.

Not sure if you should hire a guide? Listen to our ambassador Greg Hill debate the ultimate question: To be guided or not to be guided?

Private Ski Tours for Intermediate to Advanced Skiers

Let a certified guide with extensive knowledge of the Big Sky area customize the perfect day of ski touring. Explore the best backcountry terrain Montana has to offer with a day catered to your objectives and skill level. Tour through alpine meadows or spend your time crushing steep descents—it’s all up to you.

Advanced Ski Tours and Mountaineering Objectives

Expect seven to nine hours of incredible backcountry skiing with a Big Sky ski guide. Whether it’s knuckle-biting descents or a marathon ski tour, you’ll be introduced to the best backcountry locations in Yellowstone that suit your objectives. Your guide will handle the in-depth tour planning, route selection, terrain management and decision making — all you need to do is have fun.

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Meet your guide

5.00

Montana Alpine Guides

Discover the best powder powder stashes in Montana with the most experienced ski guides in the Bozeman, Big Sky, and Yellowstone National Park areas.

5.00 (4 reviews)

Super fun day!

Doug R. about Montana Alpine Guides on Google Reviews

Spent a super fun day with Allan of MAG and two buddies new to non-resort skiing. Perfect blend of education, skills development and low angle pow turns. Exactly what we were looking for. Very responsive booking process. Couldn’t recommend Allan and MAG more highly.

A terrific guide

Chester H. about Montana Alpine Guides on Google Reviews

Sam was a terrific guide. Had a really fun day ski touring in Yellowstone. Highly recommended!

Great three days

Porter C. about Montana Alpine Guides on Google Reviews

Ty put together a great three days of ski touring and instruction during our Aly 1 course. He was extremely qualified and was able to draw from his personal experiences in the mountains to add to the class. I would strongly recommend Ty and MAG for an Aly 1 class.

Great course!

Matthew T. about Montana Alpine Guides on Trip Advisor

I completed your Level 1 Avalanche Course and it was a great; incredibly informative, awesome instructor, and super useful hands-on education. It significantly increased my confidence in my ability to ski safely in the backcountry.

Things to know

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 Big Sky and Yellowstone, please refer to the Montana Office of Tourism.

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 Big Sky ski guide with extensive knowledge of the area
- A full day of backcountry ski touring
- 3.5% land use charge
What’s not included:
- Technical backcountry ski touring equipment
- Trip insurance
In order to enjoy this backcountry adventure, you need to have a moderate level of fitness. You will be on your feet for a full day. While there is terrain for all skill levels in Yellowstone, you will need to manage controlled descents in variable conditions. All participants should feel comfortable on blue level resort runs and be able to carry a loaded daypack while skinning up variable degrees of terrain.

For the enjoyment and safety of everyone involved, participants must be approved to participate in advanced backcountry skiing tours either through a previous trip with the guiding service or through recommendations.
Backcountry skiing isn’t just for pros looking for the ultimate thrill ride, it’s also beginner friendly, meaning anyone with blue level resort experience can have fun in the backcountry. If you’ve never backcountry skied before, heading out with a guide is your best bet. They’ll take care of the planning, introduce you to the basics, like skinning uphill, and teach you how to manage the terrain. They also have the experience and avalanche training 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 (can be rented):
  - Digital, 3-antenna avalanche transceiver or beacon
  - Lightweight snow shovel
  - Avalanche probe
  - Harness for glacier travel
For personal items, we recommend bringing:
- Wind and waterproof shell jacket with hood (Gore-tex recommended)
- Ski pants (Gore-tex recommended)
- Helmet
- Synthetic or wool base layers, underwear and socks
- Down jacket or vest
- Gloves and hat
- One triple-action locking carabiner or two conventional locking carabiners
- Repair kit and Leatherman for your equipment (can be shared between several people)
- Water bottle and 1L of water
- Food you can eat on-the-go
- Sunglasses or ski goggles
- First-aid kit
- Sunscreen
- Daypack large enough to carry all items listed (around a 30-45L bag)
- Camera — optional
All mandatory gear can be rented if you don’t have your own. You can rent:
- Avalanche safety pack, including backpack, beacon, shovel and probe ($50/person/day)
- Alpine touring or telemark skis, touring boots and poles can be rented from Grizzly Outfitters in Big Sky, MT
- Splitboards can be rented from World Boards in Bozeman, MT
Ski rental locations are in Big Sky or Bozeman, MT and should be picked up the night prior to your outing. If you need to rent gear, let us know during the booking process and we can help make arrangements.
Groups and pricing:
- For this adventure, the max client to guide ratio is 4:1.
- For advanced ski touring, the client to guide ratio is 3:1.
- The cost per person decreases as the group grows, so it’s the perfect opportunity to backcountry ski with friends and family.
Backcountry adventures in Yellowstone and Big Sky can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements:
- Everybody over the age of 18 is welcome on 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.
Most travellers fly into Bozeman International Airport. From Bozeman, Montana, it’s an hour drive south to Big Sky via US-191. Then, from Big Sky, it’s about 30-45 minutes south to powder backcountry skiing in Yellowstone National Park.

Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, whether that’s at the guide shop or a predetermined location. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group.