Backcountry Mapping Masterclass

With AMGA Certified Ski Guide Will McKay

$25 Annually for Unlimited Access

Snow-covered mountain peaks with rocky ridges and clouds in the sky.
A person in a colorful jacket and hood looking through binoculars in a snowy mountain landscape with ski equipment, including skis and backpacks, set against a clear blue sky.

Why Take The Backcountry Mapping Masterclass?

Navigation and mapping in the backcountry is one of those critical skills that most mountain athletes never fully learn. Learning how to efficiently and safely plan your route is foundational to getting home safe AND succeeding in the mountains.

In this course, we teach you how to actually navigate with modern mapping tools. We cover topics in-depth and all from the perspective of mountain guides. This is not your average tutorial video. These are high level techniques with proven track records.

Silhouettes of two skiers with backpacks and ski poles standing on a mountain peak above the clouds, with a sky full of clouds in the background.
  • As of 2025, there are nearly 10 hours of video tutorials. These range from how-to-use the different apps, to in-depth discussions on tactics and methods to physically map precipitation data or daily avalanche forecasts. Below is the list of current topics with associated apps.

    • Early Season PWL Scouting - Caltopo

    • Early Season PWL Scouting - onX Backcountry

    • Planning a Ski Tour - Caltopo

    • Planning a Fastpacking Route - Caltopo

    • Considerations for Mapping an Alpine Climb - Caltopo

    • Snow, Weather, and Avy Obs - onX Backcountry

    • Basic Functions - onX Backcountry

    • Planning a Ski Tour - onX Backcountry

    • Mapping a PWL - Caltopo

    • Mobile App Tutorial - Caltopo

    • Planning A Backcountry Skiing Hut Trip - Caltopo

    • Basic Functions - Google Earth Pro

    • Weather Forecast & Precip Data - Google Earth Pro

    • Uploading Custom Maps - Google Earth Pro

    • Creating A Persoanl Backcountry Skiing Atlas - Caltopo

    • Mapping an Avalanche Forecast - Caltopo

    • Utilizing Sun Exsposure - Caltopo

    • Basic Functions - Caltopo

    • ATES Scale Explained - onX Backcountry

    • Avalanche Run Out Tool - onX Backcountry

    • Avalanche Start Zone - onX Backcountry

    • Calculating Alpha Angle - onX Backcountry

    • Green lighting, yellow lighting and red lighting terrain - onX Backcountry

    • Slope Aspect Tool For Avalanche Problems - onX Backcountry

    • Calculating Alpha Angles - Caltopo

    • Visual Scouting Via Viewshed - Caltopo

    • 3D Visualization - Caltopo

    • Integrating Photos - Caltopo

  • Will McKay is an AMGA Certified Ski Guide, avalanche forecaster, and avalanche educator. He’s located in Salt Lake City, Utah and spends his winters ski guiding in the Wasatch Mountains as well as teaching avalanche courses. He is the acting director of the Mountain Training Center.

  • That’s the most common question we get. It’s true, you can learn every single thing in this course on your own.

    But most lawyers go to law school just as most mountain guides go through guides training. What you’re paying for is a simple and effective way of learning how to utilize these applications to increase success, safety, and efficiency in the mountains. All taught from the perspective of a mountain guide with years of experience.

    You’re paying for the systems, flow, and unique ways to utilize these tools for your betterment. If you’re serious about recreating in the backcountry, this Backcountry Mapping Masterclass is a no-brainer.

  • Our students range from first time backcountry skiers to folks that have 2+ decades under their belt.

    We routinely have students that sign up that work professionally in mapping industries as well as those that work as mountain guides & professional athletes.

    We promise that there is something for everyone.

  • We make a point of staying up-to-date on new feature releases by the mapping applications and creating unique tutorials on how to use them to your advantage.

    If you’re a previous subscriber, you’ll notice Fatmap is no longer taught. This is due to the company closing.

    We will however begin adding in videos covering AspectAvy, a new mapping tool.

Backcountry Mapping Masterclass

$25 Billed Annually