Who are our programs for?

We offer scheduled courses for all ages 16 and up, and youth-specific camps for high schoolers who have strong skiing and snowboarding abilities, and a desire to explore the backcountry outside the ski area. To participate in a group camp you must have intermediate or higher downhill ability, meaning you can ski without falling on most runs at Eaglecrest.

We also offer custom courses for people of all ages and abilities who want to try the backcountry or improve their existing skills and decision-making in the mountains.

What topics will be covered?

The topics of our programs will vary with the experience and interests of the groups. Our goal is to help enthusiastic skiers and snowboarders to become independent backcountry riders. Topics include:

• Intro and Advanced Ski Touring

• Avalanche Awareness and Rescue

• Backcountry Rescue

• Modern Backcountry Navigation

• Route Finding and Track Setting

• Mountain Decision Making

• Big Mountain Riding Skills

• Crevasse and Rope Rescue (by request)

• Maximizing Fun and Minimizing Effort!

How do I sign up?

Have a look at our programs, and please fill out our booking request form HERE. If you’re setting up a custom course or private group please mention the dates you’d like and the names and contacts of the others in your group. We will send you a participant survey, health declaration, and waiver to be returned online. Once you register, you will receive an invoice from our parent company Alaska Powder Descents. Invoices are due at the time of registration.

What if I am not in high school?

We offer group courses throughout the season for adults over 16. We also offer private backcountry education days for groups of all ages and can cater to all abilities and fitness levels. We can customize course topics to each group as well. See the Program page for the full details.

What if I’d like other dates?

We offer private sessions for groups of all ages on the dates of your choosing. Private groups of up to 4 participants are $640 per day, and additional skiers can be added for $160 each, up to 8 per guide. When two guides are required, the minimum cost is $1760 for up to 11 participants. Additional skiers are $160 each, up to a total of 16 participants.

What ability level is required?

For our mixed groups, intermediate or higher downhill skiing and snowboarding experience is required. This means that you can comfortably ski most runs at Eaglecrest without falling. We’re happy to answer questions about this requirement. People without these skills will need to join us on a private trip that can cater to their abilities.

No prior backcountry experience is required. Participants and their ‘pods’ will be grouped together by ability.

What level of fitness is required?

Each day’s objectives will be tailored to the abilities of the group. More fit groups will have the chance to go further, do more skiing, and potentially discuss more material. However, only a moderate amount of fitness is required. All groups will take needed breaks to refuel and discuss the day’s learning objectives. Everyone will learn techniques for being more efficient and minimizing effort.

What is a ‘pod’?

A ‘pod’ is a group of students who are already close contacts, family, neighbors, or skiing partners. We encourage people to join our group trips in pods to keep folks skiing with their friends, people of similar ability, and to reduce mixing for increased COVID safety. Pods and individuals will be combined to form groups of no more than 8. People and their pods are also able to sign up for a totally private group.

What are your COVID protocols?

Backcountry ski touring is already an ideal activity for physical distancing, and ours is a 100% outdoor program. We also encourage student ‘pods’, minimize the movement of students between groups, require masks when meeting, don’t share equipment, and avoid crowded areas. A full list of our COVID protocols can be found HERE.

What equipment is required?

You will need:

• Avalanche safety equipment (beacon, shovel, and probe). We will ask you what type you have. Some equipment is outdated and unsafe.

  And

• Backcountry skis with touring bindings (or tele) and climbing skins

Or

• A split-board (snowboard) with climbing skins*

  *Snowboarders using snowshoes must be approved by our staff

Do you rent equipment?

Yes, some avalanche safety equipment, backcountry skis, and splitboards are available for rent through our parent company Alaska Powder Descents Heliskiing. This is available at a very reasonable cost, however, we encourage folks to purchase their own equipment either used or by using one of our partner discounts.

How do the partner gear discounts work?

Each of our equipment partners has generously extended discounts to our multi-day students. This is to encourage safe backcountry recreation in the community and they have not asked for anything in return. Like the much fabled ‘pro-deal’ we will honor their partnership with Mountain Edventures by limiting the discounts to our enrolled students, and asking students to not publicize the discount information, or discuss it in retail shops. Details on the deals will be sent out by request after enrollment.

Big thanks to 4frnt Skis, Jones Snowboards, Black Diamond Equipment, and Gaia GPS for their support. Special thanks to our local partners Foggy Mountain Shop and Aurora Projekt for being a cornerstone of our backcountry community for decades.

Where will we go?

Private groups are able to request locations on Douglas Island or the Juneau ‘mainland’. However, conditions have the final say and Mountain Edventures will tell participants of all group types where we will meet the week of each program. Our default area for courses is starting at or near the Eaglecrest parking lot, Juneau’s highest elevation road access.

Our permits include areas on both Douglas Island and the Juneau mainland, but exclude some already highly used areas. We are committed to working within our legally permitted areas and avoiding conflicts with other backcountry users.

How RAD will we get while skiing?

I’m glad you asked! We have to behave responsibly in the backcountry, it is different than skiing in the ski area where patrol is there to put you back together (your instructors DO have advanced wilderness first aid training). Also, in the times of Covid we do not want to place unnecessary strain on Juneau’s health care services. That being said, if there is an opportunity for a group to open things up safely, your instructors will be sure to let you know.