(3 customer reviews)
  • Price: $349.00$849.00

Colorado Mountain School is the premier guide service in the Rocky Mountains. We offer custom backcountry skiing and splitboarding adventures any time there is snow to slide on. Whether you would like to learn a particular set of skills like skinning uphill or ski mountaineering, or you just want to ski one of the many steep couloirs that Colorado has to offer, we’re here to take you wherever your skiing or riding aspirations may lie. We offer everything from single day trips to hut trips to group packages.

Overview:

Backcountry skiing is one of the best ways to access the mountains in the winter environment and Colorado offers some of the best snow in the country. Are you tired of tracked-out slopes, icy conditions in-bounds or long waits in weekend resort traffic? Our highly-trained guides know the ins and outs of some of the most sought-after backcountry skiing and splitboarding terrain and will show you the best lines and powder stashes. Whether you’re a powder hound or a corn skiing fiend, our guides will escort you through alpine glades, open bowls, rock-laced couloirs, and other nooks and crannies of Rocky Mountain National Park and throughout Colorado.

Our guides have professional avalanche training and have the expertise to navigate terrain and weather forcasts to locate the best skiing and riding conditions available. Call or email us anytime for conditions updates and personalized recommendations for your trip. We want to help you have the backcountry experience of a lifetime and our guided ski and snowboard trips cater to your wants and needs to create an unforgettable, personalized day of fun in the mountains.

Details:

Colorado Mountain School offers backcountry skiing and splitboarding guiding and instruction services in the following locations:

  • Colorado I-70 Corridor
    • Easily accessed from Denver and the Front Range
  • Rocky Mountain National Park
    • Easily accessed from Denver, Boulder, and Fort Collins
  • Cameron Pass
    • Easily accesed from Denver, Fort Collins, Steamboat Springs, Colorado and Laramie, Wyoming

Item Description Quantity Example Purchase At Rent At Equipment Type
Avalanche Beacon

Modern, digital, three-antennae beacon with fresh batteries.

1

BCA Tracker 2 or 3

Neptune Mountaineering

Colorado Mountain School or Neptune Mountaineering

Equipment
Avalanche Probe

Collapsable metal or carbon rod used to probe avalanche debris while attempting to strike a buried target.

1

BCA Stealth 300

Neptune Mountaineering

Colorado Mountain School or Neptune Mountaineering

Equipment
Avalanche Rescue Shovel

Ski specific shovel used to dig pits and avalanche rescue. A metal blade is mandatory.

1

BCA B1 Ext

Neptune Mountaineering

Colorado Mountain School or Neptune Mountaineering

Equipment
Backpack: 20-40 liter

Packs smaller than this tend not to be able to carry the necessary amount of equipment and clothing.

1

CAMP M3 30L

Neptune Mountaineering

Colorado Mountain School

Equipment
Baselayer Bottoms

Synthetic or Merino Wool, Lightweight or mid-weight are recommended.

1

Men: Rab Syncrino Leggings
Women: Rab Syncrino Leggings

Rab

Clothing
Beanie or Fleece Hat

Should cover the ears and fit under a helmet. Hats with fluff balls on top do not fit under helmets.

1

Filament Beanie

Rab

Clothing
Climbing Harness

UIAA or CE approved; With belay loop and gear loops. The waist belt should fit over multiple layers of clothing.

1

CAMP Laser CR

Neptune Mountaineering

Colorado Mountain School

Equipment
Climbing Skins

Nylon or mohair. Trimmed and adjusted to fit your skis or splitboard ahead of time.

1

Dynafit Speedskin

Neptune Mountaineering

Neptune Mountaineering

Equipment
Compass

Used for navigation and orientation. A compass with adjustable declination is preferrable.

1

Silva Ranger CLQ

Neptune Mountaineering

Optional
Face Mask – PPE

Should be made with at least two layers of fabric. Your mask needs to cover your nose and mouth without large gaps. The mask should have ear loops or ties so you can adjust it. Look for a mask with a bendable border at the top so you can mold the mask to fit the bridge of your nose and prevent your glasses from fogging.

2 Clothing
First Aid Kit

Your guide will have an emergency First Aid Kit. You should bring a small kit including blister prevention and care products such as a role of athletic tape and Moleskin. Your kit should also contain a few Band-aids, some Tylenol and Ibuprofen.

1

Neptune Mountaineering

Optional
Food

Proper lunches that are prepared ahead of time are recommended (sandwich, burrito, leftover pizza, etc), along with an assortment of snack bars, gels, or trail mixes. Feeze-dried meals are acceptable on overnight trips, but not day trips.

1

Made in Nature, Thrive Tribe

Neptune Mountaineering

Equipment
Goggles

Protect your eyes and face from wind and sun burn.

1

Julbo Airflux

Neptune Mountaineering

Equipment
Hardshell Pants

These should be non-insulated pants with ankle cuffs wide enough to fit over your ski or ride boots.

1

Men: Rab Khroma Kinetic Pant
Women: Rab Women’s Khroma Kinetic Pants

Rab Stores

Clothing
Heavyweight Waterproof Glove

This glove comes out when the winter going gets cold and wet or at higher altitudes.

1

Men: Pivot GTX Glove
Women: Pivot GTX Glove

Rab Store

Clothing
Hot Drinks

Coffee, tea, hot cocoa are great for warming up when it’s cold outside.

1

Cusa Tea; Alpine Start Coffee

Neptune Mountaineering

Optional
Laptop

Useful for navigation courses, including hiking and ski tour planning.

1 Optional
Lightweight Baselayer Top

Synthetic or Merino Wool; Worn against the skin and is considered a “wicking” layer that facilitates the movement of moisture away from the skin and through the layers. Hooded base layers add extra versatility.

2

Men: Rab Syncrino Base LS Tee
Women: Rab Syncrino Base LS Tee

Rab

Clothing
Lightweight Gloves

Synthetic; Thin gloves used when hiking the early morning approach. Belay gloves can suffice if full-fingered.

1

Rab Vapour-Rise Glove

Rab Store

Clothing
Lip ScreenSPF 15 or higher.

Non-SPF rated lip balms can actually increase your chances of getting burned.

1

Rocky Mountain Sunscreen Lip Balm

Neptune Mountaineering

Optional
Midweight Baselayer Top

Synthetic or Merino Wool; Adds extra warmth and protection from the cold and wind without creating a moisture barrier as a jacket would. Having at least one base layer that is hooded adds versatility, protecting the neck and ears from cold winds.

1

Men: Rab Ascendor Light Hoodie
Women: Rab Ascendor Light Hoodie

Rab

Clothing
Midweight Softshell Glove

This is the workhorse glove and is most often worn on warmer days when mountaineering. Softshell gloves are water-resistant and durable. They often have leather palms and fingers.

1

Rab Khroma Tour Glove

Rab

Clothing
Neck Gaiter

“Buffs” are quite versatile in their uses. They can be used as light beanies, neck warmers, and can offer face protection from the cold wind or sun.

1

CMS Neck Gaiter

Neptune Mountaineering

Clothing
Personal Care Items

Medications, glasses or contacts, feminine products, etc.

1 Optional
Rock Climbing Helmet

UIAA/CE approved; Should be large enough to fit over a beanie. Plastic helmets are more durable, but heavier. Foam helmets are lighter, but more easily damaged when carried in a pack.

1

CAMP Titan

Neptune Mountaineering

Colorado Mountain School

Equipment
Ski Helmet

This item is recommended but not required. We will be skiing in the trees, and in snow conditions where rocks, stumps, and downded logs are present.

1

Camp Speed Comp

Neptune Mountaineering

Equipment
Ski or Snowboard Boots

Footwear should be appropriate to mode of travel i.e. ski, snowboard, or insulated winter boots for snowshoes. For snowshoers, a boot such as the Scarpa Mont Blanc is the minimum level of boot required. Ski Boots should have a walk mode.

1

Scarpa Maestrale RS

Neptune Mountaineering

Neptune Mountaineering

Equipment
Ski or Trekking Poles

Two poles, with powder baskets, are required for all skiers, splitboarders, and snowshoers. It is ideal if poles are ski-specific and collapse small enough to fit onto a pack when climbing.

1

BCA Scepter

Neptune Mountaineering

Colorado Mountain School; Neptune Mountaineering

Equipment
Ski Straps

18″ Rubber or velcro straps to connect skis when attaching them to a pack. Also useful for a variety of in-the-field equipment repairs.

2

BCA Ski Strap

Neptune Mountaineering

Optional
Skis or Snowboard

Skis should have touring bindings; lightweight tech bindings are ideal. Splitboards are ideal for snowboarders. Snowboarders using resort snowboards will need to have snowshoes and poles.

1

Dynafit Beast 98; Dynafit ST Radical 100

Neptune Mountaineering

Neptune Mountaineering

Equipment
Slope Meter (Inclinometer)

Used to measure slope angle, this tool is a standard equipment item for any backcountry traveler in avalanche terrain.

1

BCA Slope Meter

Neptune Mountaineering

Optional
Smart Phone App

There are a plethora of apps that assist in navigation. These apps use your phone’s GPS functions and can work in the mountains offline.

1

Avanet; Gaia Maps; Topo Maps

Optional
Smartphone

Great for taking photos and videos. Smartphone batteries tend to shut down in freezing temps – keep your phone in a warm inner layer. A tether is ideal in the mountains to protet against dropping your phone.

1 Optional
Snow Saw

For cutting columns during snowpack analysis

1

BCA 35cm Snow  Saw

Neptune Mountaineering

Optional
Snow Study Kit

Crystal card, magnifying lens, thermometers, 2 meter ruler

1

BCA Snow Study Kit

Neptune Mountaineering

Equipment
Softshell and Fleece Jacket

Water-resistant, windproof, yet it “breaths,” which means it allows moisture to move through. Hoods are ideal. There are multiple thicknesses of Softshell jackets. A lightweight or medium-weight jacket is preferred. Fleece jackets are acceptable.

1

Men: Rab VR Summit Jacket
Women: Rab VR Summit Jacket

Rab

Clothing
Softshell Pants

Softshell material is stretchy, wind-proof, water-resistant, and resists abrasion. Mid-weight is recommended and light-weight pants can work for warm days. Typical thin, nylon “hiking pants” are generally not tough enough.

1

Men: Rab Sawtooth Pants
Women: Rab Women’s Sawtooth Pants

Rab Store

Clothing
Sports Bra

Provides support and allows for full range of motion

1

North Face Beyond the Wall

Neptune Mountaineering

Clothing
Sun Hat

A billed hat to keep the bright mountain sun at bay.

1

Rab Trucker Logo Cap

Rab

Clothing
Sunglasses

“Wrap-Around” style sunglasses with 100% UV Protection.

1

Julbo Shield

Neptune Mountaineering

Equipment
SunscreenSPF 30 or higher.

Travel size.

1

Rocky Mountain Sunscreen SPF 50

Neptune Mountaineering

Equipment
Synthetic or Down Puffy Jacket

Fits over all other layers and is worn at breaks and on really cold days. Synthetic puffies are more durable, are easily laundered, and dry out quickly if wet. Down puffies are lighter weight, pack smaller, and provide exceptional warmth, but once wet, they stay wet.

1

Men: Rab Mythic Alpine Light Jacket
Women: Rab Mythic Alpine Light Jacket

Rab

Clothing
Synthetic or Merino Wool Socks

Wool and synthetic blends are great for long days on the trail. “Ski” and “Snowboard” socks are especially useful when warmth is desired.

2

Point 6 AT Hike Light Crew

Neptune Mountaineering

Clothing
Thermos

Many ice climbers prefer to bring a thermos of hot water or soup instead of one of their water bottles.

1

Neptune Mountaineering

Optional
Toe Warmers and Hand Heaters

Help keep you warm on particularly cold days.

1

Neptune Mountaineering

Optional
Watch with Altimiter

An altimeter is very useful in gauging progression of altitude gain or loss when climbing, and especially when visibility is decreased due to weather. Many Altimeter watches have compasses or GPS tracking functions.

1

Suunto Vector; Suunto Core

Neptune Mountaineering

Optional
Water Bottles

1 liter bottles are the standard. Bladders such as Camelbacks and Platypus are acceptable for above freezing temps, but only in conjunction with another bottle. Bladders are not acceptable during sub freezing temps. Sports drinks are also acceptable.

2

Nalgene, Hydro Flask

Neptune Mountaineering

Equipment
Waterproof Shell Jacket

Non-insulated, Gore-Tex, Dermizax, Event, or other waterproofing system is required. Mostly, this jacket sits in the bottom of your pack and comes out when the weather gets nasty with precipitation. This jacket should fit over all other layers.

1

Men: Rab Khroma Cirque GORE-TEX Jacket
Women: Rab Women’s Khroma Cirque GORE-TEX Jacket

Rab

Clothing

3 reviews for Backcountry Ski & Splitboard Guiding

  1. Dan C (verified owner)

    We booked two days of guided backcountry skiing with CMS guide Everett and had an amazing time! We had a call with him ahead of the trip so he could understand what we wanted to get out of the experience. He listened and created the perfect plan for our two days in the backcountry. Everett (like all of the CMS guides) was extremely professional and very knowledgable. Beyond that we very much enjoyed spending a weekend skiing with him. He taught us a great deal, provided invaluable tips and most important kept us safe while skiing incredible terrain. We would highly recommend CMS and Everett for your backcountry adventure!

  2. Hunter Jones (verified owner)

    Joe was a blast to be with for a day in the backcountry. He makes everyone feel comfortable, is patient and gives helpful information throughout the trip. I would absolutely use CMS and Joe again!

  3. Henry Kvietok (verified owner)

    I had an absolutely epic day in Rocky Mountain National Park with my ski mountaineering guide, Ben. He customized the day to my exact needs (I wanted to learn more about skimo and also glacier travel techniques). We climbed and skied 3 big couloirs with awesome snow! Would highly recommend.

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Day Type Descriptions and Prices

  • Due to accessibility and travel time, please call our office to book a half day of skiing.
1 Person = $349*
2 People = $249*
3 People = $199*
4 People = $179*
5 People = $169*
6+ People = $149*
*Price Per Person
  • Typically up to 8 hours in length.
  • Standard meeting time is 8AM, though alternative start times are sometimes necessary.
  • This option is great for a full day of backcountry skiing or splitboarding for individuals as well as groups.  We can spend the day riding and having fun or can focus on a instructing a particular set of skills like setting a skin track or transitioning in steep terrain.
  • Ex: Hidden Valley, Banana Bowls

1 Person = $549*
2 People = $349*
3 People = $299*
4 People = $259*
5 People = $229*
6+ People = $219*
*Price Per Person

  • Typically 7-10 hours in length.
  • Standard meeting time is 6AM, though alternative start times are sometimes necessary.
  • This option is great for shorter, above tree line ski descents in Rocky Mountain National Park.  We’ll be up with the sunrise and spending much of the day skinning up and skiing down.
  • Ex: Dragontail Couloir, Notchtop Couloir

1 Person = $619*
2 People = $499*
3+ People = $459*
*Price Per Person

  • Typically 8-12 hours in length.
  • Standard meeting time is 4AM, though alternative start times are sometimes necessary.
  • This option is great for long, classic ski descents in Rocky Mountain National Park.  We’ll be on the trail before sunrise and spending much of the day skinning and skiing above tree line.
  • Ex: Kepplinger’s Couloir, The Loft

1 Person = $699*
2 People = $549*
3+ People = $499*
*Price Per Person

  • Typically 12+ hours in length.
  • Standard meeting time is 1AM, though alternative start times are sometimes necessary.
  • This option is reserved for some of the longest ski approaches, descents and link-ups in Rocky Mountain National Park.  We’ll be approaching our objective well before sunrise and skiing into the afternoon.
  • Ex: North Face of Longs Peak, Link-Ups

1 Person = $849*
2+ People = $649*
*Price Per Person