Spring Ski Mountaineering Camp

Spring in the Sawtooths provides the perfect venue to learn ski and snowboard mountaineering techniques.

Based at the famous Williams Peak Hut in the northern Sawtooth Range, you’ll learn important skills such as steep snow travel, belaying and rappelling, and anchor building – then apply them on technical tours, classic peak ascents/descents, or in aesthetic rock-lined couloirs. From entry-level ski mountaineering routes to technical steep skiing objectives, we can accommodate a variety of skill levels.

Ski mountaineering presents unique hazards outside of those encountered on the average ski tour. Participants will leave the Camp with a toolbox of skills needed to manage the varied challenges encountered in the alpine environment.

While skill development and pursuing alpine ski objectives will be the theme of the Camp, we won’t forget to enjoy ourselves and soak in the spectacular alpine ambience of the snow-covered Sawtooths!

Backcountry Magazine “Chute School” Article – February 2009
Read a trip report from the 2013 Spring Ski Mounaineering Camp

Itinerary

Below is an approximate day-by-day itinerary, but please keep in mind that this may change based on the weather, snow conditions, and the specific needs of the group. While we aim to tackle challenging terrain during the course, ultimately the snow and avalanche conditions dictate what terrain is appropriate.

Day 1

Welcome and introductions; course overview; equipment check/issue/review
Discussion of avalanche danger and anticipated hazards
Approach to Williams Peak Yurt
Short warm up ski tour
Evening skills session: Stability Evaluation for Ski Mountaineering; Steep Skiing Techniques and Philosophy

Day 2

“Snow School” – ice axe and boot crampon use; self-arrest practice
Ski objective with emphasis on “Snow School” skills practice and steep skiing technique
Afternoon/evening skills session: Basic Rope Work (harnesses and improvised harnesses, knots, basic belaying and rappeling); Ski Anchors

Day 3

All day ski mountaineering objective – classics include the South Face of Williams Peak, Profile Basin, Thompson Peak, Round the Block, Marshall/Meadow Loop. Options encompass techy tours with rappels and/or other rope work, classic firm snow ski objectives, and steep, sometimes belayed couloir skiing
Afternoon/Evening skills session: Route Planning

Day 4

¾ day ski mountaineering objective
Depart from hut
Return to trailhead by 4:30pm

Details

Difficulty: Good fitness, expert downhill ski skills, and previous ski touring experience required:

Approximately 20 days of previous ski touring experience
Able to ski tour at least 3000 vertical feet per day
Ability to ski slopes 40 degrees in steepness in difficult snow conditions

Duration: 4 days

Meeting Time: 8am

Meeting Location: Sawtooth Mountain Guides Headquarters in Stanley

What We Provide:

Most technical equipment (ice axe, harness, helmet, belay device, carabiners, ropes, etc.) If you have your own equipment please bring it!
Avalanche rescue equipment
All food and portering of food to hut
3 nights at the William Peak Hut
- Sleeping bags at the hut – we will provide a compact sleeping bag liner for you to carry in

What You Need:

Ski crampons and boot crampons (we have some boot crampons, but they can be boot-specific – please inquire)
Alpine touring equipment – rubber-soled AT boots with walk mode required, Dynafit-style bindings strongly encouraged
Splitboarding equipment – hard boot, “Dyna-split” style set up strongly encouraged
Backcountry skiing clothing and equipment
Hut footwear
Review the full equipment list

Dates & Rates

Dates:

April 3-6, 2025
April 10-13, 2025

Ratio: 3:1

Rates: $1700/person

TRIP ADVISOR Reviews for this trip

Erdrjcm

We had great instruction and leadership from Chris, Matt and JP. I feel much more confident in the backcountry amd my skills feel like they have improved to the next level. Skyler is a great cook too. Would highly recommend

Sandy G

Sawtooth Mountain Guides is without a doubt one of the best guide services in the country. I just finished my second ski mountaineering camp with SMG and they are the greatest. I learned valuable skills in mountaineering techniques and had the chance to apply them in many different settings. As a former examiner and ski instructor in Colorado, I have been around the best instructors in the business. SMG guides and staff are a cut above in every way. If you want the adventure of a lifetime, seek out these talented folks.

swiltz11

I recently attended a four-day Spring Ski Mountaineering Camp with Sawtooth Mountain Guides. This trip exceeded my expectations in every way. I found the course very informative, the accommodations and food were excellent and the guides/instructors very knowledgeable. The skiing was phenomenal and we had a lot of fun.

We stayed in yurts located in the very scenic Sawtooth Mountains. The first day getting to the yurt was a little challenging but not as grueling as other locations I’ve visited, and we had great skiing access right outside the door. We were housed in two yurts, one had the kitchen and the other was just sleeping quarters. They each slept six to eight people to a yurt in bunk beds and they were both well equipped and warm and comfortable.

Chris and Matt, our guides, are extremely knowledgeable about the Sawtooth Mountains and backcountry skills and safety. They did a great job of passing those skills along, were very thorough with their explanations and demonstrations, and receptive to questions from the group. The Sawtooth Mountains are the gem of Idaho, with a wide variety of ski terrain and amazing access to steep chutes and couloirs. The guides have obviously spent a lot of time in this area and knew the best terrain and snow conditions.

Meals were prepared by Mike, who is an amazing chef. They were prepared with fresh ingredients each day and his breakfast and dinners were an excellent start and end to the days’ activities. We even enjoyed delicious desserts, while being entertained with Mike’s stories of his work in heli skiing and river rafting.

It was great to meet other adventurers from around the west and to share our experiences. I forged many friendships and hope to meet up with people in the future.

I felt that this trip was an excellent value; the expertise, ski terrain, accommodations, food and spectacular location were worth far more than the cost for four spectacular days. I highly recommend Sawtooth Mountain Guides and hope to attend future adventures with them.

Sheree K

Big thanks to Sawtooth Mountain Guides for an amazing ski mountaineering camp in the Sawtooths. I was a beginner at ski mountaineering and they taught me so much! Each day we learned a new skill that we were able to apply right away. I was able to meet my objective of ascending and skiing a couloir in the backcountry. The guides are were so knowledgable! To top it off, the food was amazing. I highly recommend this course to those with some backcountry experience who want to expand their ski mountaineering skills.

Matt S

I drove up to Stanley to take SMG's annual spring ski mountaineering course. An incredible trip from beginning to end. The staff at SMG delivered a first class experience. The guides have an incredible level of expertise and proficiency in backcountry skiing and avalanche safety. I'd absolutely recommend SMG's ski mountaineering trip.

Jason H

A group of friends and I flew into Boise and made the trek to Stanley for SMG's annual spring ski mountaineering course. What a trip! If you've never been, the Sawtooths do not disappoint. Beautiful mountains and great skiing - even in late April!

Most importantly though, the entire staff at SMG delivered a first class experience from the moment we booked until we were on our way back to the airport at the end of the trip. Excellent food, surprisingly comfy accommodations in their famous Yurt, and great teaching and guiding throughout the trip. I'd absolutely recommend SMG's ski mountaineering trip but am quite confident any of their other adventure treks would be just as well run and exciting.

Steve S

SMG ski mountaineering camp was great. Yurts were comfortable and the food was outstanding. The guides really know their stuff and took the time to teach techniques in an easy to understand manner. Skiing was very memorable with many small and big objectives to choose from. Some days were more cases and others were intense. There is something for everybody at every ability level. Thanks for a great trip!

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