Backcountry Skiing & Splitboarding for Youth
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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.
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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.
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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.
Program Descriptions
Mentorship, team building, and goal setting are integral components of the Mountain Mentors Youth Backcountry Program. Coaches will provide personalized gear recommendations, weekly updates with parent communication, and individual feedback to help athletes meet their goals. Schedule will follow CBCS breaks.
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Mondays 4:00-5:30 and Wednesdays 2:30-4:30 and two weekend days per month
December 8 - March 25
Grade 6-8, open to all
Athletes will learn essential skills for backcountry travel in this introductory level course. Athletes must be able to comfortably ski intermediate terrain.
Learn to recognize avalanche terrain
Practice companion rescue with beacon, probe, and shovel
Develop decision making skills for safety
Dig into snow science
Become familiar with touring equipment including climbing skins
Participate in first aid skills training
Build fitness ski or splitboard touring
$1250
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Tuesdays and Thursdays 4:00-5:30 and two weekend days per month + two night hut trip
December 9 - March 26
Grade 6-7, open to all
Grade 8-10, open to all
Requirement: Prior participation in the ‘23-24 or ‘24-25 season program with Coach Alex. Athletes must be able to comfortably ski black diamond terrain while wearing a backpack.
Use digital tools to identify avalanche terrain
Participate in companion rescue scenarios
Utilize the decision making framework for safety
Independently use touring equipment including climbing skins
Build upon first aid skills and emergency response
Share snow science observations
Increase fitness with uphill techniques
Ski or splitboard powder snow and a variety of conditions
$1295
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Wednesdays 2:00-5:00 and two weekend days per month + two night hut trip
December 10 - March 25
Grade 7-9, open to all female-identifying athletes
On Women Led Wednesdays the Ladies Shred! Female coaches will support this Girl Power group. Athletes must be able to comfortably ski or snowboard black diamond terrain. The Girl Power group is a combination of Level 1 and 2 material.
Learn about digital tools to plan adventures and identify avalanche terrain
Practice companion rescues with beacon, probe, and shovel
Build comprehension of equipment needs
Dive into snow science
Utilize touring equipment including climbing skins
Demonstrate first aid skills and build first aid kits
Gain fitness with uphill touring
Ski or splitboard powder snow and a variety of conditions
$1295
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Mondays 4:00-5:30 and 2 half-days touring (total 5 Mondays per session)
Session 1, Elementary Level 1: December 8 - January 26 (no 1/19)
Session 2, Elementary Level 1: February 2 - March 9 (no 2/16)
Session 2, Elementary Level 2 (Prerequisite of Level 1): February 2 - March 9 (no 2/16)
Open to all genders
Athletes will learn the basics about backcountry travel in this elementary introductory level course. Athletes must be able to comfortably cross country easy ski groomed terrain and alpine ski intermediate terrain.
Learn what makes an avalanche
Practice first aid skills
Develop knowledge about equipment
Dig into snow science
Participate in practice rescues
Build confidence through skiing
Level 2: more time on touring equipment, individual practice of rescue scenarios, deeper dive into snow pits and decision making skills
$375 per session
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Two Tuesdays 4:00-6:00 and One Saturday Session
Session 1: December 9, 16, and 20
Session 2: January 13, 20, & 24
Session 3: TBD as requested
Open to all genders
Athletes will learn essential backcountry skills in this introductory level course. Athletes must be able to comfortably ski or snowboard intermediate terrain. The 2-week program is intended to provide basic knowledge and help athletes increase their margins of safety, especially in freeride terrain or in ski areas that have backcountry access.
Learn what conditions are needed to create avalanches
Develop equipment knowledge
Recognize boundaries at ski areas and learn what to do when encountering backcountry access gates
Tap into digital tools to get the forecast and create a digital map
Practice companion rescues with beacon, probe, and shovel
Build confidence with problem solving through companion rescue practice
Learn about emergency response and first aid kit supplies
Participate in a touring day on backcountry skis or splitboard
$250 per session
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Two Thursdays 4:00-6:00 and One Saturday Session
Session 1: December 11, 18, & 20
Session 2: January 15, 22, & 24
Session 3: TBD as requested
Open to all genders
Athletes will learn essential backcountry skills in this introductory level course. Athletes must be able to comfortably ski or snowboard intermediate terrain. The 2-week program is intended to provide basic knowledge and help athletes increase their margins of safety, especially in freeride terrain or in ski areas that have backcountry access.
Learn what creates avalanche conditions and how to avoid hazards
Develop equipment knowledge
Tap into digital tools to get the forecast and plan a digital route
Recognize boundaries at ski areas and learn what to do when encountering backcountry access gates
Practice companion rescues with beacon, probe, and shovel
Build confidence with problem solving through companion rescue practice
Learn about emergency response and first aid kit supplies
Participate in a touring day on backcountry skis or splitboard
$250 per session
Equipment Requirements:
Full Season Program Participants will need their own boots, touring skis, telemark skis, or splitboard, poles, climbing skins, helmet, & goggles. Equipment can be borrowed if needed and coaches will help athletes and parents find appropriate and modern gear.
4th-5th Grade Participants will need their own cross country skis, boots, and poles; on the two half-days in the field, the goal is to have the entire group on backcountry touring skis. If your participant does not yet own these, they can borrow a set up from our rental partner. Helmets are required for the in field sessions.
Middle School and High School Participants will not need touring equipment for the two afternoon sessions. The group will use backcountry touring skis and/or splitboards for the field day. If your participants does not yet own these, they can borrow a set up from our rental partner. Helmets are required for the in field sessions.
Athletes in any program are encouraged to bring their own rescue gear if they own these items (backpack, modern beacon, probe, shovel). During the sessions, Mountain Mentors will provide the use of backpacks, beacons, probes, and shovels to all participants that do not have their own.
Detailed packing lists will be provided for each program and extended adventure.
Giving Back: $20 from each full season registration and $10 from each short session registration will be donated to Crested Butte Mountain Rescue, a 100% volunteer professional rescue team.
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, freerider, competitor, 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