Backcountry Lessons & Guiding

Private Guided Tours and Lessons

Option 1:  Intro to backcountry – Recommended for those who have little or no experience with backcountry skiing or riding and related equipment.  Indoor session to start, covering equipment, packing your pack, and the basics of backcountry touring – safety, route finding, layering – cold, etc.  Followed by an instructional tour tailored to the goals and abilities of the group or individual.

Option 2:  Instructional Tour – You and your group are familiar with how the equipment works and general practices, but are still keen to learn more, or have questions about gear or uphill techniques, etc.  Want to take a couple minutes before heading out to go over what you’re bringing?  No problem – your guide is happy to offer suggestions and answer questions.

Option 3:  Guided Tour – These folks know what they’re doing and will show up ready to go at the start of the tour.  They want a guide to bring them to the goods.  Route selection and tour plan is tailored to the ability and fitness level of the group – from mellow untracked glades to steep chutes, drops, and tight trees.

Option 4:  Uphill Skiing – for those more interested in the fitness benefits than the backcountry (tree skiing doesn’t appeal to everyone).  Taught by BVBC guide and US SkiMo Natl. Team Member, Milan Kubala, the class takes place on groomed uphill routes and covers topics from equipment selection, care and use to uphill techniques, to pacing and tricks for fast transitions.  Milan is a gem of a coach – whether you’re just learning or a veteran skimo racer.

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Private ½-Day

$175 for one person plus $65 per additional person up to 4

Starts at 9:30am or 11:00am – 3-4 hours total

Private Full-Day

$250 for one person plus $90 per additional person up to 4

Full-Day – Starts at 9:00am – 5-6.5 hours total

All private tours include NBU (Nordic / Backcountry / Uphill) day tickets and 2 single-ride passes for chairlifts at the resort for that day.

Does not include rental gear – if renting gear, please arrive 30 minutes prior to get equipment sorted.

Maximum 4 people per guide – groups of 5 or more will need additional guides.

Weekend Group Intro to Backcountry Clinics

This is a brief introduction to alpine touring and split boarding equipment and its safe application in the backcountry.  We’ll cover the basics of the equipment and how to properly and efficiently use it, including climbing skins, touring bindings, boots, and skis.  We’ll also cover the basics of backcountry travel, safety, and other necessary and useful equipment – to include preparation, layering, route selection, snow safety, and general environmental awareness.

The class will begin at 10:00 am at the Nordic Center for an indoor discussion and brief intro, and then head outside for on-snow instruction that will include a short skin and small descent on mild terrain near the base of the Nordic trails.

These clinics do not include chairlift access.

Every Saturday and Sunday all Season from 10:00am – 12:30pm

$65 / Person (does not include trail fee, nor equipment rental)

Bolton Valley Backcountry Ninja

Ages: 12-14
4 consecutive Saturdays: 1/29, 2/5, 2/12, 2/19

This year, we’ve got a new lineup of legendary coaches with a combined 40 years of experience developing totally unique backcountry educational programs for kids, combining hands-on learning with great skiing and riding wrapped up in a healthy and fun 4-week program.

Kids will start developing their ninja-like abilities in the following:

• Skinning Techniques
• Safety Training
• Snowpack Evaluation
• Avalanche Gear Training
• Alpine Tree Skiing Instruction
• Pre-ski Warmup Stretches

And they’ll have a blast doing it, because their coaches are grand master backcountry Ninjas whose love for the sport and the outdoors is totally infectious.  And there’s no better place to learn, because of Bolton’s unequaled Backcountry access and its proximity to awesome lift-served terrain.  Need touring gear?  No problem – check out our kids’ season-long backcountry gear lease options!  Trust us, your kids will thank you.

$1000/participant includes a youth season pass and 4 consecutive Saturdays from 1/29 – 2/19/2022.  Each day starts at 10 and ends at 3.