Ski Mountaineering School

If you are interested in taking your downhill skiing skills and backcountry ski experience to the peaks and high mountains of Colorado, the Ski Mountaineering School (SMS) offered by the Colorado Mountain Club may be for you.  The Ski Mountaineering School is intended to develop the skills, attitudes, and awareness needed for ski mountaineering tours, such as 13′er and 14′er ski descents in Colorado.  Some of the topics covered include planning and preparation, ski gear and equipment, ski techniques, route finding, and avalanche assessment.

Prerequisites

• Strong independent decision-making skills and the understanding of the hazards of backcountry skiing and mountaineering.
• Expert downhill ski (AT, Telemark, Splitboard) skills, such as the ability to comfortably ski double black diamond resort trails in any type of weather or snow condition. 
• Ability to Ski in full control in all snow conditions (breakable crust, mank, wet grabby powder, perfect corn and white smoke). 
• Ability to handle extreme weather such as freezing cold, zero visibility and high winds.
• Fitness and stamina to skin uphill at 1000 ft elevation gain per hour for 3000+ foot, at 3 mph+ for 5 mile+ distances.
• Experience with traveling uphill on skins (ski or splitboard) in mountain terrain
• At least 2 full seasons of backcountry experience and at least 1 CMC ski outing
• The Boulder group Intro to Backcountry Skiing is recommended  https://cmc.org/Classes/CMCClassesandSchools/IntrotoBackcountrySkiingSnowboarding.aspx
• AIARE avalanche class level 1 must be completed prior to start of course
• Experience with ski crampons, boot crampons, ice/snow axe and relevant snow climbing skills/experience);
• First aid or Wilderness First Aid strongly recommended
• Must own the following equipment and know how to use them properly
  • Digital 3- antenna Beacon, shovel and probe
  • Modern AT, telemark skis or splitboard, with modern touring bindings
  • Backcountry ski boots that are broken in, comfortable and dependable
  • Full width skins covering entire base of skis
  • Ski crampons
  • Ice axe and boot and ski crampons, and the skills to use them properly
  • Other necessary gear such as Backpacks, emergency repair kit, first aid kit, extra layers and clothing and other supplies as relevant.

Registration is by application only.  Skiers need to have all the basics for backcountry ski travel and touring solidly down prior to this class, it is an advanced mountain skiing course. The application deadline for 2022 is now past. The 2023 Registration Deadline is January 31, 2023

2022 Schedule 

All 3 evening ZOOM lectures, as well as the first field outing are mandatory.  At least 5 of the 6 field trips, are also required for successful completion of this class.  There is the possibility to make up a missed class in the following season.

March 31, Thursday, SMS ZOOM Lecture #1, 6:00 – 9:00 pm

Apr 2 Saturday, Saturday, SMS Field Trip #1,                         

April 7, Thursday, SMS ZOOM Lecture #2, 6:00 – 9:00 pm

April 14, Thursday, SMS ZOOM Lecture #3, 6:00 – 9:00 pm

April 16, Saturday, SMS Field Trip #2                                      

April 30, Saturday, SMS Field Trip #3                                      

May 14, Saturday, SMS Field Trip #4                                      

May 28-30 Friday PM, Saturday, Sunday SMS Multi-day Field Trip #5

June 11, Saturday, SMS Field Trip #6 

COST:

Registration is by application only. The cost of the school is $350

For more information, please contact Directors John Morrone at: jmorrone57@gmail.com  or Matt Held at matthew.held@gmail.com.

For general information, please contact CMC Member Services at (303) 279-3080 x2 or office@cmc.org

Application:  2022 Ski-Mountaineering-School-Student-Application 

Applications to be reviewed in February, and best candidates will be chosen and notified before March 1.

REFUND POLICY: Requests must be made in writing to school director.  50 percent refund, less cost of materials received. No refund on day course begins or after. (revised as of 10/2016).