Backcountry Skiing Course
Ready to go deeper into the backcountry? Mark Smiley, an IFMGA Mountain Guide, backcountry ski guide and the course instructor at MTN Sense, along with several others ski pros teach entertaining lessons in this comprehensive online course. Scroll down to review the topics covered. Walk away from the course with more competence-driven confidence in the backcountry. Learn technical skills, efficient movement, route planning and more.
Want To Tackle More Technical Ski Lines?
- Untracked powder can be yours when you know where to go and how to get there safely.
- Touring and skiing safely takes training and dedication to knowing the 'knowables'.
- Do you desire to become a super competent backcountry skier.
- There is so much you can learn via this online resource.
If Yes, Then This Course Is Built For You:
- Steep skiing movement, snow rock and ice anchors, gear and more.
- Move faster and more confidently through tricky terrain.
- Equip your brain with how to go bigger this winter, and return with a smile on your face.
- Mark Smiley's favorite MTN Sense course
120+ entertaining video lessons
Searching for 'avalanche courses near me'? Look no further! Our bite-sized, engaging videos bring the lessons to your home.
Forever Access
MTN Sense offers no subscriptions, no time limits, and avalanche certification. Reference this course forever.
Join 1300+ students
Lots of skiers and splitboarders have happily completed this avalanche online training course.
What sets this course apart?
Backcountry Skiing Curriculum
- 10 Commandments for Backcountry Skiers (1:55)
- Setting An Amazing Up Track (3:36)
- Kick Turns - A Simple Way To Change Directions (6:59)
- Booting Up - Avoid Soul Destroying Wallowing (7:04)
- When Your Skins Ice Up (1:47) — Preview
- Up to Down...Like A Rando Racer (3:11)
- Up to Down...Like A Mountain Goat (5:12)
- Ski School - Perfect These Four Turns & Ski Anything (18:54)
- Seeing Your Line (2:17)
- Hucking Your Meat, Without Hitting Your Deductible (2:43)
- Whipit Good...or Not? (3:21)
- Islands of Safety (6:06)
- Fight the Fear with Cody Townsend (1:42)
- Powder - 3 Tips To Avoid Face Planting (2:49)
- 9 Avoidable Rookie Mistakes (7:12)
- Pick Pick Kick Kick....without Pumping Out (2:30)
- Introduction (0:22) — Preview
- Layers - Avoid Being a Sweaty Frozen Mess (12:38)
- Ice Axe - This One Is Just Right (1:45)
- Rescue Supplies - When the Caca Hits the Fan (5:22)
- Repair Kit - Size Up & Size Down (5:18)
- Food & Water - Some Loose Suggestions (1:45)
- Shove It In - 3 Packs to Rule Them All (5:58)
- Skis & Bindings - Different Tools For Different Jobs (6:49)
- Boots - 4, 3, 2, 1 Buckles (3:34)
- Climbing Skins - Tips To Keep You Gliding (28:20)
- Ski Crampons - 4 Wheel Low (5:30)
- Boot Crampons (4:01)
- Ski Leashes (2:18)
- Different Rope Options (8:22)
- Belayed Climbing (4:22)
- Belayed Skiing (5:06)
- Rappelling With Super Duper Thin Cords (6:41)
- 15 minutes could save you 10% or more on your splits (20:02)
- Intro to Anchors (1:40) — Preview
- Evaluating Existing Anchors (9:28)
- Pitons - Learning the Lost Art (34:10)
- Snow Anchors with Every(any)thing (31:53)
- Trees - God's Gift To Anchor Building (9:48)
- V Thread: The BossDaddy of All Winter Anchors (12:54)
- 2nd Piece Buy Offer (2:16)
- Introduction (0:20) — Preview
- Glaciers: Skiing Down Hill & Up (2:03)
- Haul Your Hide Out Of A Crevasse (2:53)
- Pitching A Strong Tent (5:58)
- Snow Trench Bivy (6:26)
- Ninja Navigation with Your Smartphone (2:02)
- What's Next? (2:41)
- Deal on your next MTN Sense Course
- Google Earth Explores Stoke Video (8:46)
- 1100 mile ski tour Across Alps Documentary (32:59)
- Gear Hacks 2022 (33:10)
Frequently Asked Questions
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.