Introduction to Backcountry Nordic Skiiing

*** If you register for this Workshop, please also complete this Questionnaire regarding your experience and skill level so we can better tailor the Classroom content and Field Day plans.  If you register for the Workshop you will automatically be registered for the Classroom Session; the course Directors will also add you to Field Days that you choose on the Questionnaire.  Please contact Workshop Co-Director Tucker Post at post.tucker@gmail.com with any questions.***

The Northern Colorado area has some excellent terrain for backcountry nordic (BCN) ski days from easy beginner to challenging. This Workshop is focused on the “up-and-down-and-all-around”, so you can leave your AT, heavy telemark, and splitboard gear at home.

No prior experience is needed for the classroom session, but to join the optional field trips participants should have some basic ski experience (such as easy nordic groomed trails or green downhill runs).

If you are unsure about how this type of skiing compares to regular nordic or backcountry alpine, take a look at this table. 

Classroom Session  (January 7, 2026)

The classroom session will cover the following topics:

• What is Backcountry Nordic (BCN) and how does  it differ from other types of skiing?

• Equipment overview for BCN: Skis, boots, bindings, poles, and accessories such as kicker skins.  Best options for your experience level and type of skiing you want to do.

• Where to find reasonably-priced BCN rental equipment (~$30/day) in our area for the Field Days and other trips.

• Safety considerations.

• Clothing and pack essentials.

• An overview of basic BCN skiing techniques to be practiced during the optional field days.

• Best NoCo areas and trails for BCN Skiing.

Optional Field Days (January 10 and 17, 2026)

The Field Days will be conducted with low instructor-to-student ratios in locations to be determined based on conditions and weather forecast, but both will likely be in the Cameron Pass area.

The first Field Day (January 10) will primarily be a skills day, you can skip this day if you are comfortable with all the skills listed below in a backcountry setting, but we will be in an area with a variety of terrain difficulty to choose from, so skiers of all skill levels will be able to have fun and challenge themselves. We will break into sub-groups based on experience and skill level to cover the following:

• Basic nordic ski skills in the backcountry: diagonal stride, kick-and-glide.

• Uphill techniques: herring bone, side-step, traverse, use of kicker skins.

• Basic downhill and turning techniques: snowplow, stem christie, side-slipping (we won’t be teaching telemark techniques, but bring ‘em if you get ‘em).

• Getting back on your skis efficiently after a fall in deep snow, on steeper slopes, and other awkward situations.

• Hazard avoidance and basic extraction techniques.

On the second Field Day (January 17) we will put these techniques to use and go on a BCN ski trip! Again, we can break up into sub-groups for different routes as appropriate based on skill levels and mountain conditions.