Guiding and Instruction
BV BackcountryEven the most experienced backcountry skiers and riders will appreciate where we can bring them. And for those looking to explore safely and learn about touring from experienced guides and instructors, they’ve now got a one-stop-shop, complete with all the equipment and a full progression of terrain options.
Backcountry guiding and instruction are available every day of the week all season long. We encourage everyone interested to book in advance to guarantee availability.
Every Saturday and Sunday, we’ll also have regularly scheduled introductory clinics and group tours (respectively) at reduced rates. Scroll down for more info.
Private Guided Tours and Instructional Tours
Pricing is dependent on the number of people in the group, or the guide to client ratio. Timing is up to the participants, but also dependent on numerous factors including snow conditions, route planning, weather, and the fitness level of the individual or group. A half-day tour is usually 3 – 4 hours, and a full day is about 5.5 – 6.5 hours. Half-day tours generally start at 8:30 or 12:30, and full-day tours at 8:30. Full day rates apply beyond 4 hours. Instructional tours are basically informative guided tours – for more introductory instruction, see below for the “Saturday Intro to Backcountry” clinic.
Full-day Private Guided Tour: $225 for one person, and $75 for each additional person.
Half-day Private Guided Tour: $145 for one person and $45 for each additional person.
Maximum 4 people per guide – groups of 5 or more will need additional guides.
Private Intro to Backcountry Clinic (2.5 hours)
This clinic mirrors our Saturday intro to Backcountry Clinics, but can be scheduled anytime as a private lesson and can be coupled with a private guided half-day instructional tour.
See below for more details about the Intro Clinic format.
Private Intro to Backcountry Clinic: $145 for one person and $45 for each additional person.
Private Intro Clinic w/ Half-Day Instructional Tour: $225 for one person, and $75 for each additional person.
Saturday 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 9:30 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.
Every Saturday all Season from 9:30am – 12:00pm
$60 / Person (does not include trail fee)
Sunday Group Tours
Every Sunday all season, we’ll host a group tour open to anybody that signs up (private tours and clinics are available on request anytime all winter – for more info, see private tours above). We ask that participants for our Sunday tours have at least a middle intermediate [on-piste] skiing or riding ability level and come fully prepared for a half-day in the backcountry. Each tour is unique as we’ll account for everyone’s ability level and snow conditions for that day, but our intent is to give participants a representative sample of our backcountry terrain and introduce them to new and different zones in the Bolton massif each week.
Please register online by clicking below, or at the Nordic Center at least an hour prior to the start of each tour, though early registration is encouraged at least a day ahead of time, especially on busier weekends and holidays. We’ll meet at the Nordic Center at 9:50am. If you’ll be renting gear, please have it in hand and ready to go by then. You’ll also need a season pass, or a day ticket for that day (NBU or Alpine), and with every tour or clinic, you’ll be responsible for bringing your own food and water, and appropriate clothing and necessities. For a suggested list of things to bring, check out our gear lists.
Every Sunday all Season Long
$65 / person (excluding trail fees)
For more information, feel free to email us at [email protected].