About Backcountry Skiing and Snowboarding
Backcountry Skiing & Snowboarding at WEOL teaches you how to safely and confidently explore winter landscapes beyond the resort boundaries. Through hands-on instruction in navigation, avalanche awareness, risk management, and winter survival, students develop the skills needed to travel efficiently and responsibly in snowy, mountainous terrain. From beginners learning the basics to advanced participants planning multi-day expeditions, these courses build both technical competence and leadership, preparing you to enjoy the backcountry safely while minimizing your impact on the environment.
We meet students where they are. Each level builds on the last.
Backcountry Skiing & Snowboarding: Beginning – This course is designed for those new to backcountry travel. You’ll learn the fundamentals of moving safely in simple terrain, including avalanche awareness, companion rescue, route selection, proper equipment use, cold-weather injury prevention, and winter Leave No Trace principles. No prior experience required.
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Backcountry Skiing & Snowboarding: Intermediate – Building on the beginning course, this level focuses on navigating more challenging terrain. You’ll practice planning and organizing group trips, advanced route selection, decision-making under changing conditions, and preventing cold-weather injuries, while continuing to apply winter Leave No Trace practices.
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Backcountry Skiing & Snowboarding: Advanced – For experienced backcountry travelers, this course emphasizes complex terrain and leadership. You’ll refine risk management, navigation, and decision-making skills while facilitating safe group travel in more technical snow-covered environments.
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Backcountry Skiing & Snowboarding: Multi-Day – This immersive course is for skiers and snowboarders looking to lead extended expeditions. You’ll plan and execute multi-day backcountry trips, manage snow camping and food systems, practice group leadership, and develop advanced emergency and risk management strategies in remote mountain terrain.
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Course Format & Time Commitment
WEOL backpacking courses combine field-based instruction with hands-on skill development in real backcountry settings. Students build practical systems for wilderness travel through guided experience, reflection, and progressive challenge.
Course length:​
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Backcountry Skiing & Snowboarding: Beginning: 3 days
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Backcountry Skiing & Snowboarding: Intermediate: 3 days
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Backcountry Skiing & Snowboarding: Advanced: 3 days
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Backcountry Skiing & Snowboarding: Multi-Day: 5 days
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* Each course includes a required one-hour Zoom session.
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What to expect:
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A combination of on-campus preparation and hands-on time in real snow-covered terrain
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Progressive skill development across beginning, intermediate, advanced, and multi-day levels
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Practice with navigation, route planning, avalanche awareness, and winter safety systems
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Group travel, leadership, and decision-making development in backcountry environments
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Full participation during all scheduled field days, including multi-day trips for advanced students
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Daily schedules, meeting locations, total instructional hours, and trip-specific details are provided with each course offering.
These courses are hands-on and field-based. You won’t just talk about skills, you’ll practice them.
What You’ll Learn
Depending on your level, you’ll work on:
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Route and run planning for backcountry terrain
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Navigation using map, compass, and terrain assessment
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Trip logistics, time management, and energy planning
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Efficient packing for winter conditions
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Winter backcountry cooking and food systems
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Snow and water sourcing, melting, and treatment
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Applying Leave No Trace principles in snowy environments
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Campsite or snow bivy selection and hazard awareness
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Assessing weather, snowpack, and avalanche conditions
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Group communication, leadership, and decision-making in the backcountry
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Risk management and emergency planning for winter travel
Course Fees & What You'll Get
Approximate Costs:
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Backcountry Skiing & Snowboarding: Beginning
CA Residents = $46.50
Non-CA Residents = $460.50

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Backcountry Skiing & Snowboarding: Intermediate
CA Residents = $46.50
Non-CA Residents = $460.50
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Backcountry Skiing & Snowboarding: Advanced
CA Residents = $46.50
Non-CA Residents = $460.50
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Backcountry Skiing & Snowboarding: Multi-Day
CA Residents = $93.00
Non-CA Residents = $921.00
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Additional Course Fees:
Multi-Day: $30.00
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When you enroll in our backcountry courses, you’re getting more than instruction time.
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Materials You'll Receive:​​​
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WEOL Ski Strap
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WEOL Chapstick
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WEOL Mini Sunscreen
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Mini Hand Sanitizer
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Rite in the Rain Notebook
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Mini Pencil
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Multi-Day: WAG Bag(s) & Food
Transportation & Logistics
To make your backcountry skiing or snowboarding experience smooth and eco-friendly, WEOL provides transportation to trailheads and backcountry access points whenever possible. Our new Suburbans safely shuttle students and gear, helping reduce congestion at parking areas and minimize environmental impact.
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This allows you to focus on learning, practicing skills, and enjoying the snowy backcountry, while we handle the logistics responsibly. Whether it’s a single-day session on beginner terrain or a multi-day expedition on challenging slopes, transportation is included to keep your experience safe, efficient, and environmentally conscious.
Outdoor Lovers
Who it’s for
Growth Seekers
Outdoor Educators
Aspiring Leaders
Weekend Adventurers
You & Your Backcountry Partner
Meet Your Instructors
Name: Tasha Thomas
Favorite outdoor activities: Snowmobiling and mountain biking.
Favorite outdoor piece of gear: Too many to choose just one.
Favorite outdoor meal: Grilled meat
Name & preferred pronouns: Nate Smith (he/him)
Favorite outdoor activities: Most mountain sports - climbing (rock, alpine, ice, mountaineering), trail running, mountain biking, skiing, ski touring.
Favorite outdoor piece of gear: Multi-tool......the most consistently used piece of my kit which goes on most outdoor experiences and every expedition! Two most used pieces of my multi-tool at the pliers and scissors.
Favorite outdoor meal: Cheesy pasta with vegetables and protein. My go to is a mac-n-cheese with broccoli and chicken
Name & preferred pronouns: Freeman George (he/him)
Favorite outdoor activities: Back country Skiing, and Climbing
Favorite outdoor piece of gear: My Tele Skis
Favorite outdoor meal: Baguette, cheese and Salmami
Name & preferred pronouns: Angelique Carl (she/her)
Favorite outdoor activities: Skiing, mountain biking, and dirt naps
Favorite outdoor piece of gear: Pocket knife - great for scraping ice out of bindings and for slicing cheese (see: favorite meal)
Favorite outdoor meal: Cheese
Name & preferred pronouns: Karsten Delap (he/him)
Favorite outdoor activities: Climbing, skiing, mountain biking
Favorite outdoor piece of gear: Iced Latter
Favorite outdoor meal: Buffalo burger, sweet potato and avocado
Name & preferred pronouns: Tim Mincey (he/him)
Favorite outdoor activities: Backcountry Splitboarding, Multipitch rock climbing
Favorite outdoor piece of gear: Jones Solution Ultralight splitboard, Petzl Grigri
Favorite outdoor meal: Fancy Ramen
Prerequisites & Advisories
​​Beginning / Intermediate / Advanced
Advisory
WLD144B - Avalanche: AIARE Companion Rescue
WLD 144B or equivalent. Avalanche equipment (beacon, probe, shovel, touring style pack) may be signed out from the WEOL Program. Students must supply all other equipment needed for daylong backcountry trips. Students must be able to consistently link controlled turns on a variety of backcountry snow conditions.
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Multi-Day​
Prerequisite
WLD144A - Avalanche: AIARE Level 1 with a "C" or better or equivalent.
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Advisory
Avalanche equipment (beacon, probe, shovel, touring style pack) and some overnight equipment (tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, stove, etc) may be signed out from the WEOL Program. Students must supply all other equipment needed for daylong and overnight backcountry trips. Students must be able to consistently link controlled turns on a variety of backcountry snow conditions. Students must be able to carry a 40lb pack for 5-8 miles a day.
FAQ
1. Do I need prior experience?
Yes, students should have experience linking turns in the trees at a ski resort. This ensures you have the foundational skiing or snowboarding ability needed to safely progress in backcountry terrain. Beginners with only resort experience can start in the Beginning course with guidance from instructors.
2. What equipment do I need?
While students will be able to rent some gear through the program, students should have appropriate backcountry ski or snowboard gear, including skis/splitboard, boots, skins, avalanche safety equipment (beacon, probe, shovel), and winter clothing. Specific gear lists are provided before each course.
3. Will transportation to trailheads be provided?
Yes. WEOL provides transportation whenever possible to reduce environmental impact and simplify logistics, allowing you to focus on learning and practicing skills.
4. Are multi-day courses physically demanding?
Yes, multi-day courses require moderate to advanced fitness levels. Students should be prepared for full days in winter conditions, including travel, route-finding, and carrying gear.
5. Can I take an advanced course if I haven’t completed the previous levels?
Advanced and multi-day courses assume prior experience with backcountry travel and safety skills. Students without prior experience are encouraged to start at the appropriate beginner or intermediate level.
Ready to take your backcountry skills to the next level?
Whether you’re starting out, refining your technique, or leading multi-day expeditions, our courses give you the hands-on experience, decision-making practice, and confidence to thrive in winter terrain. Sign up today and start your adventure in the backcountry!