Ski Mountaineering School

Ski Mountaineering School

Ski Mountaineering School (“SMS”) is designed as an advanced backcountry skiing course, bringing participants into Colorado’s high peaks in an experiential and educational format.  After completing SMS, students will be ready to ski in Colorado’s 13′ers and 14′ers, complete multi-day ski traverses, and pursue complex ski mountaineering objectives on their own.  Some of the specific topics covered include trip planning and preparation, ski mountaineering gear, skinning and skiing techniques, route finding, and snow skiability and stability assessment.

We don’t want to sugarcoat this:  SMS is an intensive class that is likely to push even experienced backcountry skiers outside of their comfort zones.  The class will require a high level of ski or snowboard skill, a reasonable level of fitness, and a significant commitment of time during the Spring.  If that excites you, SMS might be exactly what you’ve been looking for.  

The 2024 SMS Application Deadline is February 15, 2024.

Recommended Prerequisites:

  • Steep skiing skills (black diamond or steeper) in varied terrain and snow conditions (breakable crust, mashed potato, heavy powder, firm/icy, corn, etc.), including ascending and descending in an efficient and controlled manner. 
  • Fitness and stamina to travel at 1000’/hr. and 3 mph on skis for 3000’+ and 10+ mile days.
  • Experience with traveling on skins in mountain terrain for at least 2 full seasons including at least 1 CMC ski outing or the CMC Introduction to Backcountry Skiing & Splitboarding course, with instructor reference.
  • AIARE Avy 1 in last 5 years and CMC Alpine Climbing School, other snow travel classes, or similar snow or ice climbing experience.
  • Modern AT or telemark skis or splitboard, with touring-specific boots, bindings, skins, ski and boot crampons, and ice axe.
  • Modern 3-antenna Beacon, shovel, and probe, and the skills to use them.

Skiers should have all the basic skills and gear for backcountry ski travel, including the requisite fitness, prior to the start of SMS.

Example Schedule:

Although the actual schedule will depend on various factors, including, weather, ski conditions, avalanche safety, and permitting, an example schedule can be found below.  All classroom lectures and the 1st field trip are mandatory.  In addition, 4 out of 5 one-day field trips and 1 of the 2 multi-day trips are required for successful completion of SMS.  For students attending field days where no classroom lecture is scheduled on the Thursday before the outing, an additional, online planning session will also be required.

  • March 21, 2024: SMS Classroom #1
  • March 28, 2024: SMS Classroom #2
  • March 30, 2024:  SMS Field Trip #1 to Jones Pass/Butler Gultch
  • April 4, 2024: SMS Classroom #3
  • April 13, 2024:  SMS Field Trip #2 to Herman Gultch/Dry Gultch
  • April 20, 2024:  SMS Field Trip #3 to Quandry Peak
  • April 27, 2024:  SMS Field Trip #4 to Guanella Pass
  • May 4, 2024:  SMS Field Trip Alternate to Mt. Oklahoma
  • May 11, 2024:  SMS Field Trip #5 to Mt. Sherman
  • May 18-19, 2024:  SMS Multi-Day Trip #1 to Brainard Lake Cabin
  • May 25-27, 2024:  SMS Multi-Day Trip #2 to Independence Pass

 

Application: 

Registration is by application only. The cost of the school is $350.  Applications will be reviewed in February, and candidates will be notified in the first week of March.

For more information, please contact Rachel Miedema, Scott Johnson, and Matt Bender at rachel.miedema89@gmail.com, thescottjohnson@gmail.com, and matt.sean.bender@gmail.com.  For general information, please contact CMC Member Services at office@cmc.org.

SMS adheres to CMC’s Cancellation and Refund Policy.