The Intro to Backcountry is for anyone that wants to earn their turns for the first time! No prior backcountry experience is necessary. The focus of the day is getting you skiing and riding off piste while learning the basics of equipment and movement! This course is excellent preparation for a Level I or Rescue avalanche course.

Full Day - You will learn the basics of backcountry touring including equipment, skining technique, efficient transitions, and team movement/spacing. As time allots, covering an introduction to avalanche rescue may be possible.

Prerequisites:
- Comfortable skiing or riding challenging blue square to less challenging black diamond terrain, including treed runs, at a ski area.
- Capable of comfortably ascending and descending 2,500 feet over 3 miles per day with a backpack, while on skis or a splitboard.

Skills Covered:
- Skining technique
- Equipment essentials
- Efficient transitions
- Team movement/spacing

Skiing or riding with an AIARE course instructor for the day is perfect for continuing your education and progression with traveling in avalanche terrain or to refresh your skills since your last AIARE Course.

Prerequisites:
- Avalanche Rescue Course Completion OR Level 1 or 2 Course Completion.
- Comfortable skiing or riding challenging blue square to less challenging black diamond terrain, including treed runs, at a ski area.
- Capable of comfortably ascending and descending 2,500 feet over 3 miles per day with a backpack, while on skis or a splitboard.

Objective: Receive coaching and feedback while:
- Using the AIARE Framework to plan the day.
- Skiing or riding using the Ride Safely Checklist.
- Debriefing the day.

Private guiding is customized to your skiing and riding and learning objectives. Our staff and guides will discuss your goals with you and help you plan the perfect touring day(s), customized instruction, or a combination of the two.

Prerequisites:
- Comfortable skiing or riding challenging blue square to less challenging black diamond terrain, including treed runs, at a ski area.
- Capable of comfortably ascending and descending 2,500 feet over 3 miles per day with a backpack, while on skis or a splitboard.
* On most single day courses/trips avalanche terrain will be avoided unless all guests have completed at least an Avalanche Rescue Course OR Level 1 Avalanche Course.

You will need your own touring skis, splitboard, boots, snowsports helmet, and poles.

If you need to rent, Ski the Whites and REI provide rental services.

We rent beacons, shovels, and probes, which can be added to your cart when booking online.

See our full backcountry skiing and riding equipment list.

- Comfortable skiing or riding challenging blue square to less challenging black diamond terrain, including treed runs, at a ski area.
- Capable of comfortably ascending and descending 2,500 feet over 3 miles per day with a backpack, while on skis or a splitboard.
* On most single day courses/trips, avalanche terrain will be avoided unless all guests have completed at least an Avalanche Rescue Course OR Level 1 Avalanche Course.

*Our minimum age requirement for avalanche courses and backcountry skiing & riding is 12 years old.

Guests under the age of 18 are required to be accompanied by an adult who is on the booking.

Dropping the Headwall in Tuck’s isn’t for everyone or every day. Terrain is selected on a daily basis based on guest experience, goals, snow conditions, and weather. Below are common touring zones.

- Tuckerman’s Ravine and Ski Trail
- Gulf of Slides and Ski Trail
- Huntington Ravine
- Cog Railroad and Washington’s West Face
- Maple Villa Glades (North Conway)
- Bill Hill Glade (Gorham)
- Crescent Ridge Glad (Randolf)
- Baldface (Chatham)

Unless otherwise arranged, your confirmation email will contain a central meeting location in North Conway, NH. From there you will follow your guide in your own vehicle to a trailhead and tour from there for the day. Drive times from North Conway are between 15-60 minutes.

Days run whether snow/rain or shine is forecasted - for that reason, a 4x4 or AWD vehicle is highly recommended and may be essential during winter weather.