Backcountry Skiing Course
Discover the allure of untracked deep powder and steep couloirs. Mark Smiley, an esteemed backcountry ski guide and the course instructor at MTN Sense, along with several others ski pros teach many lessons in this comprehensive online course. Scroll down to review the topics covered. The goal is for you to walk away from the course with more competence-driven confidence in the backcountry. Take this online course, practice at home, then join an IFMGA Mountain Guide in the field for four days of intense ski touring!
Want To Tackle More Technical Ski Lines?
- Untracked waist deep powder can be yours.
- Touring and skiing safely takes training and dedication to knowing the 'knowables'.
- Do you desire to become a super competent backcountry skier.
- There is so much you can learn via this online resource.
If Yes, Then This Course Is Built For You:
- Steep skiing movement, snow rock and ice anchors, gear and more.
- Move faster and more confidently through tricky terrain.
- Equip your brain with how to go bigger this winter, and return with a smile on your face.
- Mark Smiley's favorite MTN Sense course
120+ entertaining video lessons
Searching for 'avalanche courses near me'? Look no further! Our bite-sized, engaging videos bring the lessons to your home.
Forever Access
MTN Sense offers no subscriptions, no time limits, and avalanche certification. Reference this course forever.
Join 1300+ students
Lots of skiers and splitboarders have happily completed this avalanche online training course.
What sets this course apart?
- Get educated on your schedule.
- Access future updates for free.
- Ask direct questions to Mark Smiley throughout.
- Safe learning environment. Be bold with your questions.
- View videos offline via the teachable.com app
Avalanche Course Video Curriculum
- 10 Commandments for Backcountry Skiers (1:55)
- Setting An Amazing Up Track (3:36)
- Kick Turns - A Simple Way To Change Directions (6:59)
- Booting Up - Avoid Soul Destroying Wallowing (7:04)
- When Your Skins Ice Up (1:47) Preview
- Up to Down...Like A Rando Racer (3:11)
- Up to Down...Like A Mountain Goat (5:12)
- Ski School - Perfect These Four Turns & Ski Anything (18:54)
- Seeing Your Line (2:17)
- Hucking Your Meat, Without Hitting Your Deductible (2:43)
- Whipit Good...or Not? (3:21)
- Islands of Safety (6:06)
- Fight the Fear with Cody Townsend (1:42)
- Powder - 3 Tips To Avoid Face Planting (2:49)
- 9 Avoidable Rookie Mistakes (7:12)
- Pick Pick Kick Kick....without Pumping Out (2:30)
- Introduction (0:22) Preview
- Layers - Avoid Being a Sweaty Frozen Mess (12:38)
- Ice Axe - This One Is Just Right (1:45)
- Rescue Supplies - When the Caca Hits the Fan (5:22)
- Repair Kit - Size Up & Size Down (5:18)
- Food & Water - Some Loose Suggestions (1:45)
- Shove It In - 3 Packs to Rule Them All (5:58)
- Skis & Bindings - Different Tools For Different Jobs (6:49)
- Boots - 4, 3, 2, 1 Buckles (3:34)
- Climbing Skins - Tips To Keep You Gliding (28:20)
- Ski Crampons - 4 Wheel Low (5:30)
- Boot Crampons (4:01)
- Ski Leashes (2:18)
- Different Rope Options (8:22)
- Belayed Climbing (4:22)
- Belayed Skiing (5:06)
- Rappelling With Super Duper Thin Cords (6:41)
- 15 minutes could save you 10% or more on your splits (20:02)
- Intro to Anchors (1:40) Preview
- Evaluating Existing Anchors (9:28)
- Pitons - Learning the Lost Art (34:10)
- Snow Anchors with Every(any)thing (31:53)
- Trees - God's Gift To Anchor Building (9:48)
- V Thread: The BossDaddy of All Winter Anchors (12:54)
- 2nd Piece Buy Offer (2:16)
- Introduction (0:20) Preview
- Glaciers: Skiing Down Hill & Up (2:03)
- Haul Your Hide Out Of A Crevasse (2:53)
- Pitching A Strong Tent (5:58)
- Snow Trench Bivy (6:26)
- Ninja Navigation with Your Smartphone (2:02)
- What's Next? (2:41)
- Deal on your next MTN Sense Course
- Google Earth Explores Stoke Video (8:46)
- 1100 mile ski tour Across Alps Documentary (32:59)
- Gear Hacks 2022 (33:10)
Enroll Here
- Complete the video course on your schedule. Reference lessons in the future.
- Ask Mark Smiley direct questions.
- Complete the video course on your schedule. Reference lessons in the future.
- Ask Mark Smiley direct questions.
- Complete the video course on your schedule. Reference lessons in the future.
- Ask Mark Smiley direct questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Right now. Your pace. Yours forever.
Forever - across any devices you own.
We would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us in the first 30 days and we will give you a full refund.
No- but this will help a bunch in that direction. Hands on experiences, making mistakes, and getting direct feedback are required to become an expert.
The "steep skiing" section is not applicable, but the other skills and techniques can be applied to splitboarders
Who is Mark Smiley?
Mark Smiley's passion for adventure has taken him on 30+ expeditions on five continents. He and his wife, Janelle, are the only people that have attempted to climb all 50 Classic Climbs of North America (48 successfully). He was part of a team to set a world record skiing across the entire Alps Mountain Range (1100 miles and 292,000 vertical feet) in a mere 36 days.
His avalanche safety training style is fun, mellow, and easy to understand. As an IFMGA Certified Mountain Guide, Mark Smiley is among the world's elite guides to have reached this status. More important than this certification is his candid style of conveying the best avalanche skills training techniques that will benefit you the most.
Victor Caldua was a friend and mountain guide and father who died in an avalanche while climbing Alpamayo, Peru. He left behind a wonderful wife, Alicia, and two amazing and talented daughters, Vanessa and Estefani. 10% of the profit from this course will be gifted to Victor's family for their education expenses. Vanesse wants to be an engineer and Estefani wants to be a mountain guide.
Sept 1, 2023 Update: $10,000+ sent to Victor's family, to help with school expenses. We are committed to supporting their needs indefinitely. As more people enroll, his kids' education prospects increase.
