What you get on this adventure: An experienced, certified ski guide with extensive knowledge of the area 3-Day backcountry skiing course Avalanche safety equipment What’s not included: Transportation to Estes Park Accommodation and meals Clothing, backpack and non-technical personal items Ski touring or splitboard Equipment Park entrance fees (where applicable) Eldora Mountain Resort Uphill Ticket ($25 daily or $149 annually) Rescue and travel insurance Guide gratuities — optional

How fit do I need to be?

To enjoy this Estes backcountry skiing course, you need to be in very good physical shape. Engaging in aerobic activities in the weeks leading up to the course is highly recommended to build stamina and endurance. Generally, a sports-oriented lifestyle is beneficial. This adventure demands the ability to confidently navigate controlled descents in standard resort skiing conditions and feel at ease tackling challenging blue-level resort runs. It’s important to note that this course is thoughtfully designed with beginners in mind, meaning you don’t need any prior ski touring experience. Your instructor will provide the guidance and support necessary to ensure you build the skills and confidence required for a successful backcountry skiing journey, starting from scratch.

What do I need to bring?

For technical backcountry ski touring gear, you will need to bring: Alpine touring skis, telemark skis or splitboards with skins (can be rented) Touring boots and ski or trekking poles (can be rented) Avalanche safety equipment (can be rented for no additional fee): Digital, 3-antenna avalanche transceiver or beacon Lightweight snow shovel Avalanche probe For personal items, we recommend bringing: Helmet Synthetic or wool base layers, underwear and socks Softshell jacket and fleece jacket Wind and waterproof shell jacket with hood (Gore-Tex recommended) Hardshell ski pants (Gore-Tex recommended) Sunglasses and ski goggles Lightweight gloves, midweight softshell gloves, and heavyweight waterproof gloves Sun hat and neck gaiter 2 Water bottles (1L capacity) Thermos with a warm beverage — optional Food you can eat on-the-go Sunscreen Backpack (20-40L capacity) 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 from your guiding service (for no additional cost, just leave a note during booking) Alpine touring or telemark skis, touring boots and poles can be rented from Estes Park Mountain Shop Splitboards can be rented from Estes Park Mountain Shop. Ski rental locations are in Estes Park, Colorado 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.

What about accommodation?

For accommodation, we recommend the Estes Park Adventure Hostel, which is owned by your guiding service. The affordable hostel offers a comfortable and communal experience with 16 beds in 3 rooms, along with amenities like bathrooms, showers, a fully equipped kitchen, Wi-Fi, a ping-pong table, and a lounge area. Contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Group sizes and age requirements

Group sizes and prices: For this group adventure, the maximum client-to-guide ratio is 6:1. The cost is per person and doesn’t decrease as the group grows. Backcountry skiing courses in Estes Park can be arranged for larger and for private groups. Contact us to make arrangements. Min. age requirements: If you are older than 18, you’re good to go. Minors may be permitted to join private tours on a case-by-case basis. If your group has skiers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Deposits and cancellation policy

Full payment to secure your place is due upon booking. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies. If Client cancels the Booking anytime prior to thirty (30) calendar days in advance of the trip contemplated by the booking, Client is eligible to reschedule to another available date, receive a full credit for a future course or a full refund minus a 10% administrative fee. For cancellations seven (7) to twenty-nine (29) calendar days in advance, Client may request the course to be rescheduled to another available date or receive a credit for future use both subject to a 10% processing fee. After that deadline, Client is not entitled to any refund. For cancellations ninety (90) or more calendar days from the date of Booking, all purchases are ineligible for a refund to a credit card – only options for rescheduling or refunding to gift cards are available (within the policy outlined above).

Getting there and meeting location

To get to Estes Park, most people fly into Denver International Airport , which is 1.5 hours away. From there, you can rent a car or take a shuttle service. You will meet your Estes Park backcountry skiing guide and fellow backcountry skiers at CMS Lodge, 341 Moraine Ave, Estes Park, CO in the morning on Day 1. We suggest that you arrive the day before so that you can get enough rest before the course.

Safety measures in Estes Park, Colorado

We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both emergency rescue and travel insurance. With rescue insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the mountain, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more. Travel insurance covers canceled flights, natural disasters and other scenarios that may interrupt your travel plans. We also expect you to respect local regulations and take measures to protect yourselves, your guides, and the communities you’re traveling to. If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!

Zero to Hero: Backcountry Skiing Course in Estes Park.

A backcountry skier in Colorado’s Rockies during sunset.

A backcountry skier standing on top of a steep slope in Colorado’s Rockies they are about to ski.

Backcountry skiers learning how to ski uphill on a slope near Estes Park, Colorado.

A backcountry skier learns how to use an avalanche probe during their avalanche rescue training near Estes Park, Colorado.

Backcountry skiers on top of powder-laden slopes and among magnificent mountain landscapes of the Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.

Digital avalanche beacon (transceiver) used during avalanche rescue training in Estes Park, Colorado.

ESTES PARK | COLORADO

Estes Park Backcountry Skiing Course for Beginners

Season

December through April

Nearest city

Denver, CO is 1.5 hours away

Duration

3 days

Skill level

Beginner

Guide

Colorado Mountain School

From $800 () / 3 days

Book now

Got any questions?

Overview
Itinerary
Brochure
Guides
Things to know

Transform Colorado’s Rockies into your ultimate playground by going off-piste! Join a thrilling 3-day backcountry skiing course amidst the stunning landscapes surrounding Estes Park. Dive into the world of ski touring, focusing on concrete educational outcomes, while allowing you to explore the bowls, glades, and couloirs of Rocky Mountain National Park. The comprehensive curriculum encompasses avalanche safety, downhill and uphill movement techniques, equipment use, efficient transitions, and more, providing a solid foundation to kickstart your backcountry skiing journey. Join our expert guide for an unforgettable adventure tailored to beginners and leave resorts behind for good!

Expert guidance

Receive hands-on instruction from an experienced guide, ensuring you develop the both the necessary skills and confidence
Avalanche safety

Learn crucial rescue and safety procedures, equipping you with life-saving knowledge in unpredictable environments
Scenic landscapes

Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Rocky Mountain National Park, leaving behind the crowds of resort skiing

Itinerary

Join this 3-day backcountry skiing course in Estes Park and become a confident skier outside the resorts. You'll gain essential skills for off-piste adventures, covering efficient uphill and downhill travel, avalanche rescue training, and exploring diverse terrains in Rocky Mountain National Park—all under the expert guidance of our experienced instructors. Get ready to elevate your skiing experience and create lasting memories in Colorado's snowy wilderness.

Some of the skills and topics that will be covered during your Estes Park backcountry skiing course are:
- - Complete avalanche rescue course and interpreting avalanche and weather bulletins
  - Backcountry ski equipment
  - Layering for uphill and downhill skiing
  - Use and care of alpine touring binding and climbing skins
  - Getting into skis in deep snow, or steep, icy slopes
  - Techniques for efficient uphill travel
  - Appropriate downhill skiing/riding turns and Making kick turns
  - Techniques for managing a group uphill and downhill
  - Efficient transitions to uphill from downhill skiing and to downhill skiing from skinning
  - Foot care
  - Maintaining adequate hydration and nutrition
  - Planning ski tours balancing safety and good snow conditions
Begin your journey with a solid foundation in efficient uphill and downhill travel skills. You’ll delve into track setting, honing your ability to navigate through various backcountry conditions. As the day progresses, you’ll gain essential insights into basic route finding, understanding the terrain, and finding slopes with the best snow. This day sets the stage for your backcountry skiing experience, guiding you towards the art of traversing untamed landscapes and discovering where to find the finest snow, turning your exploration into an exhilarating and educational experience.
On this pivotal day of your backcountry skiing course, you delve deep into the essential art of avalanche rescue. You’ll receive comprehensive training in companion rescue within an avalanche scenario, guided by an experienced instructor who adheres to the American Avalanche Institute (AAI) recreational curriculum. This curriculum is recognized and approved by the American Avalanche Association (A3), setting the highest standard for avalanche training in the United States. As you venture into the rugged beauty of the Rocky Mountains, you’ll learn navigate and respond effectively in potentially life-threatening situations (as wll as how to avoid them).
The pinnacle of your backcountry skiing course takes place in the breathtaking expanse of Rocky Mountain National Park. This natural wonderland offers an array of terrains catering to all skiers and splitboarders, whether you seek the tranquility of mellow glades, the vastness of open bowls, the challenge of steep couloirs, or the heights of lofty summits. It’s a full day of adventure that seamlessly integrates all the skills you’ve acquired, allowing you to confidently navigate the diverse landscapes.

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Meet your guide

5.00

Colorado Mountain School

Founded in Estes Park in 1981, the Colorado Mountain School has built a solid and respected reputation in the mountain guiding community. Their team is highly trained and internationally certified — you can count on safety, fun, and adventure.

Things to know

What you get on this adventure:
- - An experienced, certified ski guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  - 3-Day backcountry skiing course
  - Avalanche safety equipment
What’s not included:
- - Transportation to Estes Park
  - Accommodation and meals
  - Clothing, backpack and non-technical personal items
  - Ski touring or splitboard Equipment
  - Park entrance fees (where applicable)
  - Eldora Mountain Resort Uphill Ticket ($25 daily or $149 annually)
  - Rescue and travel insurance
  - Guide gratuities — optional
To enjoy this Estes backcountry skiing course, you need to be in very good physical shape. Engaging in aerobic activities in the weeks leading up to the course is highly recommended to build stamina and endurance. Generally, a sports-oriented lifestyle is beneficial. This adventure demands the ability to confidently navigate controlled descents in standard resort skiing conditions and feel at ease tackling challenging blue-level resort runs. It’s important to note that this course is thoughtfully designed with beginners in mind, meaning you don’t need any prior ski touring experience. Your instructor will provide the guidance and support necessary to ensure you build the skills and confidence required for a successful backcountry skiing journey, starting from scratch.
For technical backcountry ski touring gear, you will need to bring:
- - Alpine touring skis, telemark skis or splitboards with skins (can be rented)
  - Touring boots and ski or trekking poles (can be rented)
  - Avalanche safety equipment (can be rented for no additional fee):
    
    Digital, 3-antenna avalanche transceiver or beacon
    
    Lightweight snow shovel
    
    Avalanche probe
For personal items, we recommend bringing:
- - Helmet
  - Synthetic or wool base layers, underwear and socks
  - Softshell jacket and fleece jacket
  - Wind and waterproof shell jacket with hood (Gore-Tex recommended)
  - Hardshell ski pants (Gore-Tex recommended)
  - Sunglasses and ski goggles
  - Lightweight gloves, midweight softshell gloves, and heavyweight waterproof gloves
  - Sun hat and neck gaiter
  - 2 Water bottles (1L capacity)
  - Thermos with a warm beverage — optional
  - Food you can eat on-the-go
  - Sunscreen
  - Backpack (20-40L capacity)
  - 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 from your guiding service (for no additional cost, just leave a note during booking)
  - Alpine touring or telemark skis, touring boots and poles can be rented from Estes Park Mountain Shop
  - Splitboards can be rented from Estes Park Mountain Shop.
Ski rental locations are in Estes Park, Colorado 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.
For accommodation, we recommend the Estes Park Adventure Hostel, which is owned by your guiding service. The affordable hostel offers a comfortable and communal experience with 16 beds in 3 rooms, along with amenities like bathrooms, showers, a fully equipped kitchen, Wi-Fi, a ping-pong table, and a lounge area. Contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
Group sizes and prices:
- - For this group adventure, the maximum client-to-guide ratio is 6:1.
  - The cost is per person and doesn’t decrease as the group grows.
Backcountry skiing courses in Estes Park can be arranged for larger and for private groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements:
- - If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  - Minors may be permitted to join private tours on a case-by-case basis.
If your group has skiers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
Full payment to secure your place is due upon booking. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies.
- - If Client cancels the Booking anytime prior to thirty (30) calendar days in advance of the trip contemplated by the booking, Client is eligible to reschedule to another available date, receive a full credit for a future course or a full refund minus a 10% administrative fee.
  - For cancellations seven (7) to twenty-nine (29) calendar days in advance, Client may request the course to be rescheduled to another available date or receive a credit for future use both subject to a 10% processing fee.
  - After that deadline, Client is not entitled to any refund.
  - For cancellations ninety (90) or more calendar days from the date of Booking, all purchases are ineligible for a refund to a credit card – only options for rescheduling or refunding to gift cards are available (within the policy outlined above).
To get to Estes Park, most people fly into Denver International Airport, which is 1.5 hours away. From there, you can rent a car or take a shuttle service.

You will meet your Estes Park backcountry skiing guide and fellow backcountry skiers at CMS Lodge, 341 Moraine Ave, Estes Park, CO in the morning on Day 1. We suggest that you arrive the day before so that you can get enough rest before the course.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both emergency rescue and travel insurance. With rescue insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the mountain, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more.

Travel insurance covers canceled flights, natural disasters and other scenarios that may interrupt your travel plans.

We also expect you to respect local regulations and take measures to protect yourselves, your guides, and the communities you’re traveling to.

If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!