North Bridgers Ski Mountaineering

learn the ropes, ski the steeps

A person in winter gear rappelling down a rocky, snow-covered canyon with a helmet and climbing equipment, carrying a snowboard on their backpack.
A skier wearing a red jacket, black pants, and a red helmet, carrying a backpack, skiing on a snow-covered mountain in foggy weather.
A person dressed in red climbing up a snowy mountain slope with ski gear on their back, surrounded by snow-covered pine trees in a forested mountain landscape.
Two skiers in outdoor gear on a snowy mountain slope, one helping the other to descend a steep area with trees and rocky terrain in the background.
Two climbers with skis ascending a snow-covered mountain with steep rocky cliffs in foggy weather.

This program introduces the technical skills to approach steep ski mountaineering objectives, including ice axe and crampon use, rope skills, and steep skiing technique. The first evening session of the program takes place at Uphill Pursuits in Bozeman, MT and consists of a discussion on equipment selection, packing tips and tricks, and the use of planning tools for ski mountaineering. The program then spends three days at the Flathead Pass yurt, traveling on steep snow to practice skinning techniques and ice axe and crampon use; rope use; and steep skiing techniques. Each day will include ski mountaineering objectives in the Northern Bridger Range to practice and refine techniques.

Whether your goal is to ski some of the steeper lines in the Bridger Range (including some in-bounds at Bridger Bowl!), Hyalite Canyon, and Beehive Basin, or to venture to the Tetons or further afield, this program will give you a solid foundation of skills to make good decisions in the big mountains. This is a great primer course for our Alaska Range Ski Mountaineering program.

Breakfast and dinner at the yurt are included in course cost. Please make sure to note any dietary restrictions on your registration form.

You do not need to be a professional skier! Participants must have some previous experience backcountry skiing/snowboarding and be capable of ascending and descending 3500’ vertical feet per day and skiing ungroomed black diamond (~35°) terrain at ski areas. If you have questions about ski ability and fit for this program, please feel free to contact us.

Dates: April 11-14, 2024

Cost: $952.75/person

A non-refundable deposit of $250 is due at the time of booking. The course balance will be charged 14 days prior to the course.

This program has a maximum of 6 participants. Three participants minimum are required to run this program. If program is cancelled due to low enrollment, you may choose to apply your balance toward a future program, or receive a refund per the MMA refund policy.

Equipment List

What’s included:

  • Guide wages

  • Land use fees

  • Yurt fees

  • Breakfast and dinner while at the yurt

  • Technical climbing equipment (ropes, harnesses, ice axes, crampons, etc. See equipment list for more details)

Not included:

  • Transportation to the trailhead

  • Personal snacks for the day(s)

  • Rental equipment from Uphill Pursuits

Cancellation Policy