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Backcountry Skiing on Teton Pass

If you are looking for adventure in the backcountry, the Tetons and Jackson Hole are where you need to be. With a reputation for having some of the steepest and most challenging backcountry skiing in North America, this backcountry terrain may seem intimidating but one of the most remarkable aspects of this ski paradise is the variety of terrain suitable to skiers of all levels. Massive couloirs, playful tree skiing, scenic ridgeline traverses and easy backcountry access make the Tetons the perfect skiing destination. Good luck trying to leave.

Available itineraries

Private Intro to Backcountry Skiing

Teton Pass offers easily accessible backcountry for all ability levels. Master the basics of backcountry skiing by learning from the most experienced guides in the industry. Whether you want to enjoy a tour on the south side of Teton Pass or conquer other powder-filled slopes, you’re in for a one-of-a-kind backcountry experience.

A Customized Day of Private Guided Backcountry Skiing

Enjoy a personalized, fun and educational day of backcountry skiing on Teton Pass with a professional mountain guide. Improve your skiing skills while taking in the stunning backcountry scenery. Your guide will make sure that you access some of the most amazing terrain on Teton Pass and find slopes suited to your ability level and interest.

Ski Mountaineering on Teton Pass

Prepare for a day of adventure — and prepare for it to start early! Meet your expert guides around 5 am at the trailhead, check your hear, turn on the headlamps and brave the brisk mountain air as you ascend. This will be a long day of ski mountaineering. As you near the objective you and your guide chose, the rope comes out, the helmets go on, and sometimes the crampons get lashed to your boots to manage any inconsistent snow or ice. In the late afternoon, head back down to celebrate a great day on the slopes and debrief.

Ski mountaineering objectives are steep, technical and sustained. They require ropes and technical climbing equipment to access. Classic objectives might include Buck Mountain and the Apocalypse Couloir. These are long days and require a high level of acclimatization and physical fitness.

Adventure brochure
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If you have questions or need help with planning a trip, schedule a call with one of our adventure experts.

Meet your guide

The Mountain Guides
5.00
The Mountain Guides
The Mountain Guides have been leading mountain adventurers in the Western US since 1968. With some of the most experienced mountain guides in the country, TMG leads hundreds of people every year in the mountain ranges of Wyoming and Montana, the canyons and towers of Utah, on Cody’s South Fork ice falls, the cliffs and crags of Boulder, Colorado, in Red Rock, Nevada, and City of Rocks, Idaho.

Things to know

  • A certified ski guide will take all of the guesswork out of your time in the backcountry. From tour planning to route selection, terrain management, avalanche safety, and gear knowledge, your guide’s expertise and backcountry experience will ensure you have an unforgettable ski touring adventure. It doesn’t matter your skill level, whether you’ve never backcountry skied or you’re seasoned on the slopes, skiing with a guide has its advantages. Your techniques will sharpen, you’ll learn how to navigate terrain safely, make smart decisions, and most of all, you’ll remain safe in unfamiliar terrain.

  • 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.

    Ski mountaineering on the other hand is saved for the more experienced skiers. To participate in this tour, you need to have previous backcountry skiing experience and be comfortable with steep, ungroomed, and treed terrain.

  • 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 on Teton Pass, 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.

    To participate in ski mountaineering, you need to have previous backcountry skiing experience and be comfortable with steep, ungroomed, and treed terrain. Ski mountaineering experience is not necessary, but you should have great stamina in order to handle long climbs with altitude gains. You will be skiing, touring, and summiting on glaciated terrain for up to 12 hours a day. 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.

  • What you get in this adventure:

    • An experienced, certified ski guide with extensive knowledge of the area
    • A full-day of backcountry ski touring or ski mountaineering

    What’s not included:

    • Technical backcountry ski touring equipment
    • Transportation
    • Accommodation
    • Trip insurance
  • 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
    • Headlight
    • 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 30-40L 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 locally from your guide or rental shops in Jackson Hole
    • Alpine touring or telemark skis, touring boots and poles can be rented locally from your guide or rental shops in Jackson Hole
    • Splitboards can be rented locally from your guide or rental shops in Jackson Hole

    Ski rental locations are in Jackson Hole and should be picked up the night prior to your outing. If you need to rent gear, let us know and we can help make arrangements.

    • 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.
  • For this adventure, the max client to guide ratio is 4:1. For advanced ski touring, the client to guide ratio is 2:1.

    The cost per person decreases as the group grows, so it’s the perfect opportunity to backcountry ski with friends and family.

    Ski touring on Teton Pass can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

  • Teton Pass is located roughly 20 minutes from Jackson, WY. The Jackson Hole Airport is the closest, but Idaho Falls (a 2 – 2.5 hour drive) and Salt Lake City Airport (4 – 5 hour drive) are also air travel options. It is helpful to arrive a couple of days prior to your trip/class in order to acclimatize. Otherwise, you should arrive the day before and stop by our office for an equipment check.

    Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet. The day usually starts early at the guide’s office and from there you will go through a quick gear check as well as a quick avalanche beacon refresher. From there the group will head out to Teton Pass, where we will quickly get into touring mode and start stretching the legs for the uphill ascent.

  • 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 on Teton Pass, please refer to the Wyoming Department of Health website.

    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!

  • Day Trips Cancellations
    Fully refundable within the initial 48 hours from booking, unless the trip date is less than 7 days from the time of the booking.
    Cancellations up to 7 days prior to the trip date are refundable 100%.
    Cancellations within 7 days prior to the trip date are non-refundable.

  • 57hours partners with Redpoint Travel Protection, offering you a fully integrated program with a single point of contact for all your needs, from emergency services to travel assistance and protection claims. We highly recommend purchasing a comprehensive protection policy from Redpoint, which will protect you both before and during your travels. Before your departure, your investment is protected by the trip cancellation benefit. Once you depart, your policy provides coverage for trip interruption, medical assistance and rescue, baggage loss, trip delay, and more. Once you complete booking with 57hours, we'll create bespoke quote for you (and your group), making sure you're fully protected for the adventure ahead.
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