Introduction to Backcountry Skiing & Splitboarding

UMA’s Intro to backcountry touring course teaches the fundamentals of skiing and splitboarding outside resort boundaries. UMA guides will introduce the use of backcountry equipment, including avalanche safety gear, skins and alpine touring and splitboard bindings. Guides provide coaching, and participants practice skinning, uphill kick-turning, transitions and riding down in backcountry terrain.

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COURSE DESCRIPTION:

In our Introduction to Backcountry Skiing & Splitboarding course, instructors will initially focus on equipment and procedures for travel in avalanche terrain. Participants will learn and practice strategies for maximizing efficiency on skins and trail setting, with special attention paid to uphill kick-turning skills.

Guides will address route selection as the party ascends to level-appropriate runs. Our guides will coach participants in transitions to downhill mode and proper procedures for descent in avalanche-prone terrain. Techniques for skiing and boarding in untracked snow will be demonstrated, and each participant will be given individual tips on how to improve downhill skills. However, general downhill skiing and snowboarding skills are best learned at a ski resort from an instructor.

Instructors will suggest good tours for students to complete on their own and offer insights into a progression of tours and ski mountaineering ascents to help participants reach their goals.

INTRODUCTION TO BACKCOUNTRY SKIING & SPLITBOARDING COURSE OUTCOMES

• Learn basic use of avalanche beacon, shovel and probe
• Practice efficient skinning
• Learn uphill kick turns for complex terrain
• Practice effective transitions from uphill to downhill
• Gain route-finding and navigational skills
• Improve ability to ski or ride downhill in backcountry snow and terrain
• Know what gear to pack and how to stay warm, energized and hydrated

MAX STUDENT : INSTRUCTOR RATIO

4 : 1

NEXT STEPS IN BACKCOUNTRY SKIING & SPLITBOARDING

The skinning proficiency and downhill backcountry movement on splitboard and skis gained in this course are the essential prerequisites to UMA’s avalanche courses.

COURSE DATES DON’T FIT YOUR SCHEDULE?

Any of our pre-scheduled courses can be run as custom outings. If you’re interested in a course but the dates don’t fit your schedule, please check out our private guiding options.

SCHEDULE:

• Field Session: 7:30 am – 4:00 pm

COURSE DATES:

• Dec 5, 2026 (Saturday)
• Dec 14, 2026 (Monday)
• Jan 2, 2027 (Saturday)
• Jan 9, 2027 (Saturday)
• Jan 18, 2027 (Monday)
• Feb 13, 2027 (Saturday)
• Mar 13, 2027 (Saturday)
• Apr 3, 2027 (Saturday)

COST:

• $269 plus tax

COURSE PREREQUISITES:

• No backcountry experience is necessary.
• Previous resort skiing or snowboarding experience is required for participants using skis or a splitboard.
• Practice skiing or riding off the groomed runs (in deeper, soft and variable snow conditions) is recommended for participants using skis or a splitboard.

MEETING LOCATION: Meeting location is generally at the UMA Office in Cottonwood Heights or at a trailhead in Little Cottonwood Canyon or Big Cottonwood Canyon just outside Salt Lake City, Utah.

TRANSPORTATION & PARKING: Transportation will not be provided. Most canyon parking lots require a parking fee and we encourage carpooling for the overflow lot. Feel free to reach out to the other participants in your group to carpool.

• Register here or contact Utah Mountain Adventures:
• [email protected]
• 801-550-3986
• UtahMountainAdventures.com