How to Backcountry Ski: A Beginner’s Guide from a Ski Guide
Getting into backcountry skiing can be daunting, especially when you start looking at the long list of required gear, avalanche education, and the local knowledge needed to make safe decisions. But just because it feels overwhelming doesn’t mean it has to be hard. With the right approach, you can take it step by step and enjoy the process of learning. In this article, we’re going to break down exactly how to get into backcountry skiing as a beginner and why this might be the season to start.
At its core, backcountry skiing is about freedom and fun. It’s leaving the lift lines behind and setting your own skin track. It’s venturing into quiet, untouched places with your friends and chasing powder that hasn’t seen another ski all day. Few experiences in skiing compare to earning your turns and dropping into a fresh run you worked hard to reach.
Of course, that sense of adventure comes with challenges. Backcountry skiing is physically demanding, it requires specialized equipment, and most importantly, it takes real education to manage avalanche risk. Without a roadmap, it can feel confusing or even intimidating to know where to begin.
That’s why this guide exists. By the end of this post, you’ll walk away with a clear picture of what backcountry skiing involves, the steps you should take to get started safely, and how to set yourself up for a season full of rewarding mountain experiences.
What Is Backcountry Skiing?
Backcountry skiing is simply skiing outside of resort boundaries, in terrain that isn’t patrolled, groomed, or avalanche-controlled. Instead of lifts, you climb uphill on your own before skiing back down. This requires specialized gear — lighter skis, touring bindings that let your heels lift, and climbing skins that grip the snow — a blend between cross-country and downhill setups.
The draw is obvious: solitude, adventure, and powder. There’s nothing like skinning through quiet mountains with friends and skiing fresh snow that lasts far longer than it does at a resort. The backcountry opens up new terrain and a deeper connection to the mountains.
But it comes with trade-offs. Unlike the resort, there’s no ski patrol, avalanche mitigation, or warm lodge nearby. You and your partners are responsible for every decision, from navigation to avalanche safety to self-rescue.
That’s the balance: more freedom and untouched snow, but more responsibility.
Step 1: Start with the Right Mindset
Before you begin buying gear or planning your first tour, it’s important to start with the right mindset. Backcountry skiing isn’t something you master in a weekend — it’s a long-term process of building skills, knowledge, and confidence. I like to think of backcountry skiing as a lifetime pursuit. One that has the opportunity to take you across the world, skiing in locations previously unfathomable and doing so into your eighties.
The first key is patience. Unlike the resort, where you can jump straight onto a lift and ski hard all day, the backcountry requires you to slow down. Skinning uphill takes time, conditions can change quickly, and sometimes the safest choice is to turn around before reaching your objective. Being comfortable with adjusting your plans is part of being a good backcountry skier.
The second key is humility. The mountains don’t care how strong of a skier you are at the resort — avalanche risk, weather, and navigation challenges all require respect. The most experienced backcountry skiers are often the most cautious, because they know how high the consequences can be.
Finally, stay curious. Treat each tour as a chance to learn, especially when you’re first starting out — whether that’s practicing your transitions, reading the avalanche forecast, or paying attention to how different slopes hold snow. Progress comes from stacking these small lessons together over time. I’ve been backcountry skiing for a decade and still feel like I’m learning daily.
If you keep patience, humility, and curiosity at the center of your approach, you’ll set yourself up for success in the backcountry. Gear and education matter, but the right mindset is what makes you safe and helps you truly enjoy the experience.
Step 2: Get Educated First
If there’s one non-negotiable step to getting into backcountry skiing, its education. The backcountry is not managed like a resort — there are no ski patrols doing avalanche control, no ropes marking hazards, and no easy way to call for help if something goes wrong. The responsibility for decision-making and safety rests entirely on you and your partners. That’s why education is one of the very first investments you should make in your backcountry career.
For beginners, the best place to start is with a foundational avalanche awareness course. These courses introduce you to the basics: how avalanches form, how to read a public avalanche forecast, and simple ways to choose safer terrain. Here at the Mountain Training Center we offer an online Avalanche Awareness course, which is designed to give you a flexible, accessible and affordable entry point into avalanche education before you ever set foot on a skin track.
Once you understand the theory, the next step is learning the rescue side of things. Every backcountry skier needs to know how to use a beacon, shovel, and probe to locate and dig out a buried partner quickly. Practicing this in the field is essential, but starting with a course like our online Avalanche Rescue Fundamentals gives you a framework to build on each season and teaches you the basics so that you can go practice with a partner. Even though I’ve been ski guiding for years, I still make a point of refreshing my rescue skills at the beginning of every season!
Avalanche education doesn’t end with one class. The best backcountry skiers continually refresh their knowledge, practice rescue scenarios, and stay sharp by reading forecasts daily. But starting with a couple of accessible, beginner-friendly courses sets you up with the tools you need to make smarter, safer choices from day one.
Step 3: Essential Backcountry Ski Gear
After mindset and education, the next step is gathering the gear that makes backcountry skiing possible. Unlike the resort, you’ll be climbing uphill on your own, so equipment is designed to be lighter and more efficient. We’ll link to some of our favorites at SkimoCo which is a really rad Salt Lake City shop.
The basics are skis, bindings, boots, and skins. Touring skis are paired with touring bindings that let your heel lift on the climb, while climbing skins give traction on the way up. Touring boots are lighter than resort boots and feature a walk mode for comfort on long ascents.
Equally important is avalanche safety gear — a beacon, shovel, and probe are mandatory for everyone in your group, and you need to know how to use them. These aren’t optional upgrades; they’re life-saving essentials. I have a rule that I adhere to no matter what. If somebody in my group is lacking one of these items, we do not go out into the backcountry.
Other useful items include a ski backpack, proper layers, helmet, ski touring poles, and a small first aid kit. Many shops rent full setups, which is a smart way to try gear before investing.
The list can feel long at first, but with the right tools — and the knowledge to use them — you’ll be prepared for safe, fun days in the backcountry. If you want to see a full list of recommended items, you can view that here.
Step 4: Find the Right Partners
Backcountry skiing is not a solo sport. Having the right partners is just as important as having the right gear. A good partner isn’t just someone to share turns with — they’re the person who will help you make decisions, watch for hazards, and respond if something goes wrong.
For beginners, it’s best to link up with friends who already have some experience, join a local backcountry ski group, or consider hiring a guide for your first few tours. Skiing with people who are patient, safety-minded, and willing to share knowledge will make the learning curve smoother and a lot more enjoyable.
Choose partners who value communication and caution over chasing lines at all costs. The right crew will help you progress while keeping safety at the forefront.
Step 5: Learn How to Read the Terrain
Learning how to read avalanche terrain is foundational to getting started in backcountry skiing. It’s a skill that you should always aim to improve upon. While gear and partners may change, terrain will always stay the same. The key link for backcountry skiing is taking what your local avalanche forecast says and applying it to terrain.
For beginner backcountry skiers, staying off of slopes that go above thirty degrees is a good rule of thumb. Slopes that are under 30 degrees have a very low likelihood of avalanching and thus are generally safer for skiing. Additionally, search for some terrain treed terrain! Skiing in the trees can offer protection from the elements while also acting as a safer location with regards to avalanches.
One thing to avoid is getting lured into specific slopes because others are skiing there. When you’re first starting out, it can be hard to find good locations to ski because the possibilities are endless. Thus, it makes sense to follow where others go. But just because some other people are skiing there does not make it safe.
If you’re interested in learning more about terrain and how to read it, we suggest taking a look at our Backcountry Mapping Masterclass that teaches you how to use digital mapping programs to increase your safety while in the mountains.
Step 6: Practice Avalanche Rescue
The next step is practicing avalanche rescue and then doing it again! Seriously, understanding how to perform a proper avalanche rescue is critical in the event of an avalanche accident. And remember, it’s not that helpful if you’re the only one in your group that knows how to perform rescues because what happens if you end up under the snow?
Nearly 50% of avalanche fatalities occur from asphyxiation which essentially means folks suffocated under avalanche debris. If that’s tough and scary to hear - good. It should motivate you to hone your skills alongside your ski partners!
We recommend taking a look at our Avalanche Rescue Fundamentals course which is a practical, step-by-step online course that teaches you how to use your beacon, shovel, and probe effectively. Perfect as a first introduction or as an annual refresher before practicing rescue drills with your partners in the field.
Step 7: Choose Beginner-Friendly Tours
Before heading out into the mountains, it’s important to do some research especially if you’re a beginner backcountry skier. As much as we all want to assume that we’d be able to ski the same lines that we see in the movies, that is not often the case. So if backcountry skiing is a lifetime pursuit then why should we rush things?
Instead, do some internet research and find local ski tours that are beginner friendly! There are plenty of online resources to scour but we recommend first taking a look at your local avalanche center as they often post some recommendations. The second best thing is to head into the local ski shop and ask around as the employees will likely be able to point you in the right. And last but definitely not least, take a gander at some guidebooks. These books are written by some of the most passionate and nerdy (that’s a good thing) backcountry users around.
Step 8: Build Fitness and Ski Skills
Building fitness for the backcountry is just as important as learning how to use your gear. Unlike resort skiing, where you ride lifts, backcountry skiing requires you to climb under your own power — often for hours at a time. If you’re not conditioned for uphill travel, the day can feel exhausting before you even get to ski down. And to be honest, that exhaustion can be a serious safety hazard that blurs judgement and influences your decision making.
A solid aerobic base, paired with strength in your legs and core, makes the experience safer and a lot more enjoyable. If you’re not sure where to start, check out our ski touring training plans that are specifically designed to prepare you for long days in the mountains.
Another key part of backcountry progression is getting comfortable with the “transitions” — moving from climbing mode to skiing mode and back again. Putting skins on and off, adjusting bindings, layering efficiently, and staying organized can save huge amounts of time and energy over the course of a day. The only way to get smoother is practice, and you can do that right in your driveway, living room, or at your local hill before heading out on a real tour. If you really want to impress your neighbors, don your full winter kit and head out into the front yard during the fall.
Finally, skiing downhill in the backcountry is often more difficult than at the resort. You’ll be dealing with variable snow conditions — breakable crusts, wind-buff, or powder that skis differently than groomers. The best way to adapt is to log time in these conditions and work on your fundamental skiing movements. Focus on balance, adaptability, and linking controlled turns, rather than just charging. If you’d like a structured way to improve, our big mountain freeride training plans will help you develop the movement patterns and strength needed to handle whatever snow the backcountry throws your way.
Step 9: Go With a Guide (Optional but Smart)
One of the fastest ways to progress in backcountry skiing is by spending a day with a certified guide. A good guide doesn’t just show you safe terrain — they teach you how to make decisions in real time, manage risk, and move efficiently through the mountains. For beginners, this accelerates the learning curve dramatically and helps you avoid common pitfalls. If you’re curious about connecting with a professional in your area, our Guide Search tool makes it simple to find qualified ski guides near you.
Guides can also expose you to skills that are hard to pick up on your own or from peers. From efficient skin-track setting to advanced avalanche rescue drills, the depth of knowledge you get from a guide is like compressing years of experience into a single day. More importantly, a guide tailors the day to your ability level, ensuring that you stay challenged but not overwhelmed.
While hiring a guide is definitely investment, it’s one that pays off in both safety and progression. The lessons you take away will stick with you for every tour that follows, and you’ll gain confidence knowing you’re building your foundation on solid ground. Even if you only book a guide once, the experience can shape your entire approach to backcountry skiing.
Common Beginner Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
Every beginner makes mistakes in the backcountry, but the key is recognizing them early and avoiding habits that could put you at risk. One of the biggest errors is heading out without proper education. The mountains don’t forgive ignorance, and avalanche awareness should always come before chasing powder. Taking an introductory course is the best first step toward skiing safely beyond the resort.
Another common mistake is blindly following other people’s tracks. Just because someone else went there doesn’t mean it’s safe. Tracks don’t equal security — they only show where someone skied, not whether they made good decisions. Beginners also tend to underestimate how much time and fitness a tour requires. A short line on the map can take hours to climb, and exhaustion can lead to poor judgment.
Finally, ignoring the avalanche forecast is a red flag. The forecast is your most important daily tool for understanding conditions. Beginners often skip reading it, or glance at it without connecting it to the terrain they plan to ski. Make checking the forecast and discussing it with partners a non-negotiable habit. Avoiding these mistakes doesn’t just make you safer — it helps you become a more reliable and trusted partner in the backcountry.
Final Thoughts
Backcountry skiing is one of the most rewarding ways to experience winter. It combines the adventure of exploration with the simple joy of skiing untouched snow. While the risks are real, so is the opportunity to grow your skills, deepen your mountain knowledge, and build lasting memories with good partners.
If you’re just starting out, remember that progression takes time. Begin small, stay curious, and focus on steady improvement — every tour adds to your experience. Keep learning, keep practicing, and you’ll find the backcountry opening up in ways that will surprise and inspire you.
When you’re ready to take the next step, invest in your education and consider working with experienced guides and mentors. With the right preparation and mindset, you’ll not only ski safely, but also discover a lifetime of adventure waiting just beyond the trailhead.
