Backcountry Skiing & Splitboarding for Youth

  • Equipment Skills

    Participants will learn to use backcountry touring skis or a splitboard. From daily gear checks and layering recommendations to first aid kits and electronics, participants will learn what to bring to manage their comfort and safety in the backcountry.

  • Avalanche Awareness

    Led by Pro Avalanche Certified coaches, participants will learn to recognize avalanche terrain, use digital tools to gather facts, and make real-time observations. Decision making skills are essential to increase the margins of safety near avalanche terrain.

  • Companion Rescue

    Snow safety is an integral part of backcountry travel. We take terrain selection seriously to avoid hazards. Learning how to respond in an emergency, and having the knowledge to use an avalanche transceiver, probe, and shovel is an integral part of backcountry touring.

Registration Opens 10/28

After School Powder Days

We are excited to offer an educational and healthy after school alternative! Using climbing skins on touring equipment, our athletes earn their turns, building strength, grit, and seeking soft snow for after school shred sessions. In the early season, we’ll use headlamps to light the way for low angle tours.

Rescue Skills and Drills

Practicing for “What If?” scenarios is important to build confidence with equipment and understand the severity of an emergency in avalanche terrain. Safety is serious in the backcountry and we strive to empower our youth athletes to observe, converse, and choose terrain that suits their abilities.

Hut Trips and Freeride Fun

Bring the educational components full circle for a hut trip is a great way for athletes to use their skills: tour planning, checking weather stations, packing, using self preservation techniques for longer days, and maximizing powder turns. We love a sweet jump and will incorporate plenty of sessions to practice freeride skills and share the stoke!

Head Coach & Guide

Alex Riedman

Alex volunteers for Crested Butte Mountain Rescue and holds the following certifications:

  • AIARE Pro 1 Avalanche; Pro Avalanche Rescue

  • Wilderness First Responder

  • PSIA Children’s Specialist

  • PSIA Telemark 2, Alpine 1, XC 1

  • BICP Mountain Bike Skills Coach

Avid adventurer, snow enthusiast, mountain biker, telemark skier, dog mom. I’m excited to share my knowledge, skills, and love for backcountry skiing!

CB Mountain Mentors has a ton of great coaches that are professional, skilled, and compassionate. I’m so grateful for the amazing crew of coaches and their dedication to creating positive experiences on bikes and on snow.

We are grateful for the land use partnerships that make Mountain Mentors possible:

  • Irwin Backcountry Guides

  • The Crested Butte Land Trust

  • The Towns of Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte