Molly Hagbrand
A backcountry course for beginners and challenging for experienced skiers
Imagine carving fresh lines in pristine powder, miles from the nearest resort, with breathtaking mountain ranges stretching before you. The Backcountry Skiing and Snowboarding Course is more than just a ski adventure—it’s your gateway to mastering the skills needed for independent winter travel. Whether you’re new to backcountry skiing or already have experience, this immersive course will teach you the essentials of avalanche assessment, winter camping, and leadership in extreme conditions.
This course is designed to empower you with the competence and confidence to pursue your own winter expeditions. You’ll join a community of adventurers and leaders—including CEOs, astronauts, and over 300,000 NOLS alumni—who’ve leveraged their outdoor experiences to thrive in life and business. At NOLS, we don’t just teach technical skills; we foster leadership, resilience, and the ability to navigate uncertainty—essential traits for both outdoor pursuits and professional success.
Photo credit: Kristen Lovelace
This 14-day course combines technical training and backcountry travel through some of the United States’ most scenic winter terrain. You’ll begin at the NOLS Teton Valley base, perfecting your skiing or snowboarding skills with professional instructors at Grand Targhee Ski Resort. During your first days, you’ll dive into introductory avalanche assessment and winter camping practices, building a foundation that prepares you for the challenges ahead.
Next, you’ll journey into the backcountry, exploring ranges like the Snake River Range, Palisades, Wyoming Range, or Absaroka Mountains. Each offers dependable snow, thrilling descents, and expansive views of the Tetons, providing the perfect playground for honing your backcountry skills. Throughout your adventure, you’ll pull sleds, carry gear, and make strategic terrain choices to minimize avalanche risks, learning to travel safely and confidently in winter wilderness.
Photo credit: Kristen Lovelace
By the end of this course, you’ll have the tools to plan and execute your own backcountry adventures. Here are the skills you’ll develop:
• Avalanche Assessment: Learn how to assess snow conditions, interpret terrain, and travel while managing risk in avalanche-prone areas.
• Winter Camping and Travel: Build snow shelters, stay warm, and prevent cold injuries like hypothermia and frostbite.
• Backcountry Touring: Navigate forested and alpine terrain using skis or a snowboard while managing packs and sleds.
• Leadership in Remote Conditions: Make decisions, solve problems, and collaborate effectively in extreme environments.
As part of this course, you’ll earn the NOLS Level I Avalanche Training Certificate, recognized by the American Avalanche Association. This certification lays the groundwork for advanced avalanche studies and demonstrates your ability to travel safely in winter environments. With NOLS, you’ll gain not just technical knowledge but also leadership and communication skills that set you apart in both outdoor and professional settings.
Weather: In the backcountry, conditions change rapidly. You’ll learn to adapt to everything from sunshine to snowstorms and be prepared for bitter cold, high winds, and even rain.
Cold Injuries: Living in winter conditions demands vigilance. Your instructors will teach you how to identify and prevent hypothermia, frostbite, and cold injuries, helping you stay safe and comfortable in temperatures that can dip far below freezing.
Terrain and Risk Management: You’ll develop the skills to navigate avalanche terrain, pulling sleds and managing gear across snow-covered slopes. You’ll learn how to minimize risks while traveling efficiently and confidently through strategic terrain choices. The remote nature of the course means your team must be prepared to handle emergencies, emphasizing the importance of risk management and self-reliance.
A Supportive Learning Community: The Backcountry Skiing and Snowboarding Course isn’t just about technical skills—it’s about building strong group dynamics and learning to lead in real-world settings. Living and working with your group in challenging conditions teaches patience, communication, and collaboration. These skills are essential for effective leadership, both on expeditions and in any team-based environment. At NOLS, we create an inclusive space where students can thrive regardless of background. We emphasize respect, empathy, and open communication, fostering a culture where everyone feels empowered to learn and grow.
Photo credit: Ryan Stowe
Graduates of this course become part of a global network of NOLS alumni—leaders in business, exploration, and beyond—who credit their NOLS experiences with developing the resilience and leadership skills to succeed in any field. Whether your future holds more backcountry adventures or professional challenges, this course will prepare you to navigate uncertainty, lead with confidence, and embrace adventure.
The Backcountry Skiing and Snowboarding Course offers more than an outdoor adventure—it’s a chance to master winter travel, earn avalanche certification, and develop the leadership skills to excel in any environment. Whether you’re planning future expeditions or building your career, the lessons you learn here will serve you for a lifetime.
Adventure is calling. Will you answer?
“I really enjoyed learning about the native plants, animals and ecology of the mountains in winter. I have been interested in scientific research for a while and this course helped to focus my desired areas of study.”
