ALPS 2
Advanced Backcountry Ski Touring
Applied Skills for Complex Terrain & Decision-Making
Course Overview
The Advanced Backcountry Ski Touring course is designed for experienced skiers and splitboarders seeking to refine their technical travel skills, deepen their terrain assessment capabilities, and operate more independently in complex, unmanaged alpine environments.
Building upon foundational backcountry and avalanche training, this course emphasizes route-finding in challenging terrain, advanced movement techniques, and real-time group management and risk assessment. It prepares participants for high-consequence decision-making, extended tours, and progression into glaciated travel, multi-day objectives, or professional pathways.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
Core Modules1. Technical Movement & Travel Techniques
Target ParticipantsThis course is appropriate for:
Course Format
Certifications & ProgressionThis course may count toward experience requirements for:
Bring the Following
Applied Skills for Complex Terrain & Decision-Making
Course Overview
The Advanced Backcountry Ski Touring course is designed for experienced skiers and splitboarders seeking to refine their technical travel skills, deepen their terrain assessment capabilities, and operate more independently in complex, unmanaged alpine environments.
Building upon foundational backcountry and avalanche training, this course emphasizes route-finding in challenging terrain, advanced movement techniques, and real-time group management and risk assessment. It prepares participants for high-consequence decision-making, extended tours, and progression into glaciated travel, multi-day objectives, or professional pathways.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Plan and execute advanced backcountry tours with minimal supervision.
- Evaluate avalanche terrain in dynamic conditions using forecasting, terrain analysis, and observational tools.
- Move efficiently and safely through steep, technical, and varied terrain.
- Apply advanced navigation and route-finding strategies including real-time terrain adaptation.
- Facilitate effective group decision-making under uncertainty and increased objective hazard.
Core Modules1. Technical Movement & Travel Techniques
- Skinning in steep, variable, and unsupported terrain (low-angle skinning, bootpacking, ski crampons)
- Advanced transitions: steep skin track exits, cornice navigation, ridge travel
- Descending in exposed or committing lines (sluff management, fall consequence awareness)
- Rope-less movement over complex ground (scrambling, short descents, wind-loaded slopes)
- Terrain management in complex avalanche terrain (convexities, terrain traps, multiple path overlap)
- Integration of avalanche hazard forecasts with real-time terrain observations
- Travel strategies to minimize group exposure and optimize safety margins
- Deepened understanding of snowpack variability, wind loading, and persistent slab behavior
- Use of digital and analog tools for dynamic tour planning
- Emergency route planning and terrain escape strategies
- GPS tracking, route recording, and electronic trip documentation
- Use of slope angle shading, aspect overlays, and weather model data for trip design
- Structured group decision-making models (FACETS, ALPTRUTh, The Plan Method, etc.)
- Leadership and role delegation within peer groups
- Communication under stress, decision fatigue, and environmental pressure
- Group travel strategies in low-visibility, deteriorating conditions, or emergency scenarios
- Full-day tour simulation including pre-trip planning, terrain navigation, and hazard assessment
- Application of time-pressure decisions, route changes, and group dynamics
- Avalanche incident management and evacuation protocols (non-glaciated environments)
Target ParticipantsThis course is appropriate for:
- Individuals with at least 30+ days of personal touring experience
- Prior completion of AST1/Level 1 Avalanche Training (AST2 strongly recommended)
- Outdoor professionals, instructors, patrollers, or candidates pursuing guiding certification
- Experienced recreational backcountry users aiming to move into more complex or remote terrain
- Strong fitness and ability to complete full-day, high-output tours (1000–1500m vertical/day)
- Confident movement in steep, variable snow (black diamond off-piste minimum)
- Proficient use of avalanche safety equipment and basic rescue skills
Course Format
- Duration: 2 days (12 hours, minimum)
- Delivery: In-person, primarily field-based with evening debriefs and planning
- Ratio: 1:5 instructor-to-student depending on terrain
- Assessment: Informal competency checks + optional formal logbook validation for certification pathways
Certifications & ProgressionThis course may count toward experience requirements for:
- AVI2 / AST2 / Level 2 Avalanche Safety Courses
- Ski Guide, Assistant Guide, or Instructor Certifications
- Alpine Rescue / Technical Leader Development Programs
- National Guiding Framework or Mountain Leadership Tracks
Bring the Following
- Full ski/split touring setup (including ski/crampons)
- Avalanche transceiver, shovel, and probe (mandatory)
- Mapping tools: GPS app, analog map + compass
- Emergency kit including bivvy, repair gear, and headlamp
- Personal first aid kit + group gear (as per packing list)