Backcountry Splitboard Mountaineering Course

Step foot outside the limiting boundaries of the ski resort and into the backcountry on your splitboard. Equip yourself with cutting edge tools and techniques for backcountry splitboard mountaineering. Specific to your craft, this MTN Sense course will bring beginners and intermediate riders up to speed with equipment, touring technique, style, and transitions. Expert riders will enjoy the technical sections. Learn how to use minimal gear to belay steep entrances, travel on glaciers, and create snow anchors with anything. Certified Ski Guides Adam Zok, Joey Vosburgh are amazing teachers, and you will love their style. Mark Smiley, an esteemed backcountry ski guide and the course instructor at MTN Sense, dives deep with the technical components that have ski and snowboard crossover. Scroll down to review the topics covered. The goal is for you to walk away from the course with more competence-driven confidence in the backcountry.

Want To Ride Backcountry Lines With Confidence?

Waist deep powder can be yours.
Know the 'knowables' with this comprehensive course.
Become a valuable contributor while touring with your splitboard partners.
Ask questions you didn't think to ask.

If Yes, Then This Course Is Built For You:

Five hours of quality instruction, in bite-sized sections.
Avoid common mistakes beginners and seasoned splitboards make.
This course is your splitboarding cheap code.
Adam Zok, Joey Vosburgh, and Mark Smiley, teach the meat of this MTN Sense course

Forever Access

MTN Sense offers no subscriptions, no time limits, and avalanche certification. Reference this course forever.

Easy To Complete

Complete this course at your pace.

Unique Splitboarding Course

Consider this course your splitboarding cheat code.

What sets this course apart?

Get educated on your schedule.
Access future updates for free.
Ask direct questions to Mark Smiley throughout.
Safe learning environment. Be bold with your questions.
View videos offline via the teachable.com app

Splitboard Mountaineering Course Curriculum

Part 1 // Movement Uphill

Included — the complete course, every module and lesson.

Part 2 // Movement Downhill & Quick Transitions

Included — the complete course, every module and lesson.

Part 3 // Movement: Ice Climbing For Snowboarders

Included — the complete course, every module and lesson.

Part 4 // Gear: What's In My Pack

Included — the complete course, every module and lesson.

Part 5 // Gear: Below The Knees

Included — the complete course, every module and lesson.

Part 6 // Gear: Bustin' Out The Ropes

Included — the complete course, every module and lesson.

Part 7 // Anchors: Oh The Places You'll Go

Included — the complete course, every module and lesson.

Part 8 // Expedition Skills

Included — the complete course, every module and lesson.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does this mountain safety course start and finish?

Right now. Your pace. Yours forever.

How long do I have access to this online avalanche course?

Forever - across any devices you own.

Will watching videos of an expert make me an expert?

No- but this will help a bunch in that direction. Hands on experiences, making mistakes, and getting direct feedback are required to become an expert.

What's the difference between this course and the ski mountaineering one?

This course is specific for splitboarders. There are some shared lessons, like the rappelling skills, anchor skills and expedition skills.

Who is Mark Smiley?

Mark Smiley's passion for adventure has taken him on 30+ expeditions on five continents. He and his wife, Janelle, are the only people that have attempted to climb all 50 Classic Climbs of North America (48 successfully). He was part of a team to set a world record skiing across the entire Alps Mountain Range (1100 miles and 292,000 vertical feet) in a mere 36 days.

His avalanche safety training style is fun, mellow, and easy to understand. As an IFMGA Certified Mountain Guide, Mark Smiley is among the world's elite guides to have reached this status. More important than this certification is his candid style of conveying the best avalanche skills training techniques that will benefit you the most.