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Guided Backcountry Ski Touring In Telluride

Ski or Snowboard

Uphill gear available for rent

World-Class Certified Guides

Our Expert Guides Seek Out The Safest & Best Possible Ski Conditions.

Lift-Accessed Backcountry

Side-Country Access via Telluride Ski Resort

Great Fitness Activity

Customized to Your Fitness Level

Description

Offering backcountry ski excursions deep into the San Juan Wilderness or directly off of Telluride's ski area boundaries. Our world-class certified ski guides will help you find quality ski lines, making your trip to Telluride an unforgettable experience.

Envision yourself forging a path through uncharted terrain, descending pristine, snow-clad slopes untouched by others. Revel in the solitude of vast alpine meadows and untamed landscapes that stretch to the horizon. Experience the exhilaration of reaching the summit, transitioning seamlessly from ascent to descent, and savor the profound sense of accomplishment and unity with nature.

Rest assured, our Telluride Mountain Guides will be with you every step of the way to ensure your safety and positive experience. These local guides know these mountains well and have spent much time in the field making daily observations to find the best possible terrain choices. They will navigate you safely through the San Juan snowpack, teaching you avalanche safety protocols and proper backcountry ski etiquette.

Backcountry Ski Zones Near Telluride

Lizard Head Pass—Situated at an elevation of 10,246 ft, this easily accessible vast wilderness area offers a mix of open slopes and sheltered glades. It is great for honing your ski touring skills while taking in the grandeur vistas of the San Juan Mountains.
Ophir Pass - The mecca for backcountry ski touring, the diverse terrain around the town of Ophir beckons adventurers making it an ideal spot for experienced backcountry travelers. Not for the faint of heart, the skin tracks are steep, with multiple switchbacks requiring some previous skinning experience.
Side-country of Telluride Ski Resort—Purchase a lift ticket and get more elevation with less work. Leave the ski area boundaries and enter uncontrolled avalanche terrain directly from Telluride Ski Resort.
Bear Creek - Higher consequence avalanche terrain with bigger lines for the adventurous and more experienced backcountry skier.
Multi-Day—We offer multi-day backcountry trips, avalanche safety courses, and snowmobile-assisted access to remote parts of the Lizard Head Wilderness.

Whether you're an experienced skier or new to backcountry skiing, we've got you covered. Join us for a fantastic adventure in the San Juan Mountains, where you'll experience the joy of backcountry skiing in the great outdoors.

Upon confirming your reservation, we will inquire further to ascertain your abilities and interests, ensuring a rewarding backcountry skiing experience in Telluride. Need a ski touring set-up? We have rental packages available including boots, skis, splitboards, skins, and float packs.

What's Included

Avalanche Rescue Equipment (Beacon, Shovel & Probe)

Certified Ski Guide

Transportation Upon Request

Personal Ski Clothing

Ski Touring Equipment (available for rent)

Backpack or Avalanche Air Pack (available for rent)

Food

Gratuities

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Backcountry Ski Touring?

Backcountry Ski Touring is any skiing or snowboarding that takes place off a resort, outside of the avalanche-mitigated, patrolled and controlled boundaries. You’ll find yourself on a wider array of snow surfaces, from the deep powder of your dreams, to chattery, bulletproof ice, to supremely fun “corn” snow. You travel uphill on ski touring specific equipment such as bindings that allow the heel to move up and down and skins that keep your skis from sliding downhill. For Snowboarders they use a tool called a splitboard, which is precisely that: a board that splits apart into two skis for going uphill, and fastens back into a snowboard for slashing your way down. Backcountry skiing unlocks a level of freedom not possible within the confines of a ski resort. It allows you to interface with nature more intimately with fewer distractions. It forces you to slow down and be fully present in the environment around you.

How do I book a hut trip or snowmobile access trip?

Give us a call or email and we can walk you through the option. Book early as these fill up fast!

Does Avalanche Danger Exist?

Anytime you are outside the boundaries of a confined ski area, there is potential risk for avalanches. With that said, we methodically select the terrain for that day based on current conditions, avalanche forecasts, and observations. We prioritize your safety and avoid exposure to avalanche prone areas.

How much backcountry experience do I need to have?

You must have basic backcountry touring equipment (i.e. splitboard or skis that allow uphill travel + skins) and be a comfortable skier. But, you don't need any previous exprerience and our guides are great at helping introduce new skiers to the backcountry safely. If you're a pro, we love that too and can help you navigate safely to top spots in the area.

What equipment do I need vs. what do you provide?

We provide beacon, shovel and probe. Apart from that, you need all the typical equipment to stay warm, fed, hydrated and be able to tour up and down mountains in the backcountry.

Know Before You Book

Minimum Age: There is no minimum age to join this tour

Upon confirming your reservation, we will inquire further to ascertain your abilities and interests, ensuring a rewarding backcountry skiing experience in Telluride.

The best time of year for backcountry skiing is January through early April. However, the snowpack can vary year to year, and avalanche dangers exist at all times of the season.

This is a private excursion. Pricing is based on a client-to-guide ratio. Rates are per person depending on how many people are in your group.

Times are subject to change based on time of the year, weather, snow conditions, and daily operations. The meeting time will be confirmed during your conversation with the lead guide

Your tour costs are refundable if canceled 7 days before the tour departure. No refunds available for cancellations inside of 7 days. If booking using the Book Now, Pay Later option, the 5% deposit is non-refundable under all circumstances.

Quick Facts

City

Telluride

Itinerary • 6h 00min • 6 activities

Meet your backcountry ski guide either at your accommodations or at the trailhead and get geared up for your epic ski adventure.

Duration

30 minutes

Your friendly & knowledgable ski guide will familiarize you with the ski touring equipment and the basic skills needed for the avalanche safety equipment.

Duration

30 minutes

Hone in your uphill skinning abilities on your splitboard or ski touring equipment. Activate your physical fitness ascending to the summit where you will start your ski descent.

Duration

2 hours

Take in the views of the scenic high alpine landscapes as you transition your backcountry ski equipment into downhill ski or snowboard mode. After you refuel, get ready to enjoy the fresh tracks that you came for.

Duration

45 minutes

Have some fun making fresh tracks down the untracked slopes into the wilderness and far away from the crowds of the ski resort. During your descent, you will practice backcountry safety protocols so pay close attention to the instruction from your guide.

Duration

1 hour 15 minutes

As you return safely back to the trailhead, you can relish in this memorable day of backcountry skiing in the majestic San Juan Mountains.

Duration

1 hour