Women’s

Intro to Backcountry

Choose Your Date

$249

Trip Length

1 Day

Destinations

North Lake Tahoe - Donner

Lassen

Break out of the resort and into the backcountry with confidence!

Have you been dreaming of exploring the backcountry but don’t know where to start? Our Women’s Intro to Backcountry Touring is designed specifically for women looking to gain confidence, skills, and experience in a fun, supportive environment. Whether you're a skier or a splitboarder, this course will help you feel empowered to take on new terrain beyond the lifts!

🌲 No prior backcountry experience needed—just strong resort skiing or snowboarding skills!

Why Join This Women’s Backcountry Course?

✅ Learn the Essentials – We’ll cover backcountry gear, skinning techniques, route selection, terrain awareness, and safety fundamentals.

✅ Build Confidence – Practice transitions, uphill efficiency, and powder riding with expert female guides who are here to support you.

✅ Avalanche Awareness – Get an intro to avalanche safety and decision-making in the backcountry.

✅ Supportive, Fun Environment – Experience the camaraderie of learning with other women in a no-pressure setting!

  • 8:00am - Meet your guide in the field at the designated trailhead & check-in. (Location depends on snowpack and safety.)

    We’ll perform a gear check, discuss avalanche forecast, weather and terrain before setting off on our tour.

    We will take breaks often to discuss specific backcountry travel topics.

    11:30 AM - Break for Lunch

    12 PM - We’ll continue our clinics and enjoy a nice ski down back to the trailhead.

    3:30 PM Get back to the trailhead. Debrief of the day and discuss positive points, areas for improvement, goals, and next steps for progressing your outdoor skills.

  • Backcountry Touring: traveling in the snow uphill at altitude.

    This trip is rated Beginner +. Although this is a novice touring day, the participants should have ample uphill hiking experience and good fitness. We will be traveling in a very slow pace and will be taking breaks often as we discuss our terrain.

    You should have intermediate or better resort skiing skills and the ability to ride off-piste and in powder.

    We expect to travel up to five miles over the course of the day and up to 1200 feet of gain.

    We recommend that you stay well hydrated and fed prior to departure to assist in mitigating altitude sickness if you are coming from sea level.

  • Included in your booking:

    • Professional AMGA/AIARE Guide

    • Private or small group, up to 4 clients & 1 guide.

    • Group safety gear & first aid kit

    • Permit fees

    • Special discount to shop at the Alpinistas store

    Not included:

    • Backcountry skis or splitboard.

    • Avalanche beacon, probe & shovel (rental available)

    • Food & beverages

    • Guide gratuities

    • Required gear, see in below section (available for rent when checking out)

    • Personal items

  • Pre-Trip Preparation Packet

    • Overview on what should be in your pack

    • Logistics for the in-person session

    On Field Session

    • Discover how to locate the most reliable mountain weather forecast for your planned adventure.

    • Learn to access and interpret the daily Avalanche Advisory.

    • Acquire skills for effective and efficient skinning and setting tracks.

    • Master the process of conducting a transceiver check at the trailhead.

    • Grasp the essentials of handling your touring equipment, be it alpine touring skis or a splitboard.

    • Learn the basics of using avalanche rescue equipment.

    • Understand the correct methods for applying, caring for, and storing climbing skins.

    • Mitigating group think when it comes to team decisioning to be empowered.

    • Familiarize yourself with fundamental backcountry navigation techniques.

Why Learn with Alpinistas Adventures?

🌟 A Women-Led Experience – Our goal is to help women feel strong, confident, and capable in the mountains.
🌟 Small Group, Big Learning – Private or small group size ensures hands-on coaching and personal feedback.
🌟 Build a Backcountry Community – Meet like-minded women and find future touring partners!

Gear List

Layering is the key to staying comfortable while being active outdoors. The secret to achieving maximum comfort with minimum weight is to bring versatile layers that can be mixed and matched to create the right amount of insulation, ventilation, and weather protection.

When packing, try to bring only what you need. This not only makes your load lighter but also helps our amazing field staff.

If you've already booked your trip, don't worry! You’ll be getting emails with a detailed list of what you'll need to bring (plus tons of other helpful information).

Are you looking to reduce your carbon footprint or save some money? Check out our shop at Alpinistas and the Re-Cover department for gently used gear online.

Get ready to conquer the outdoors, Alpinistas! We can't wait to see you on the trail.

  • Backcountry skis or splitboard

    Ski gear or splitboard gear: boots, climbing skins, touring poles

    Avalanche beacon, shovel & probe

    Touring backpack

    Technical jacket, pants or bibs that are water resistant

    Base Layer Tops and Bottoms (Lightweight, Synthetic or Wool)

    Midlayer options

    Waterproof/Water Resistant Gloves

    Beanie

    Hiking Socks (Synthetic or Wool)

    Sunblock, sunglasses and lip balm with SPF

    Water (1.5-2.5 liters) or Hydration System

    Electrolytes, snacks, lunch for the day

    Personal Bathroom Kit: Toilet Paper, Ziplock Bags, Personal Wipes, Hand Cleaner - Pack it all out.

  • This will be nice for you to have:

    Fleece/Wool or Lightweight Gloves

    Hat, Bandana or Buff for Sun Protection

    Hot beverage in thermos

Have questions about the gear list?

Give us a call at 775-230-7125 or send us a chat or email.

Helpful for booking

What to expect after you book your reservation

After you book your reservation, you will receive a confirmation email. Over the following weeks as you start to get closer to your event date, you will receive additional emails confirming packing lists, itinerary details and other important or helpful supplemental information such as video course, start time and driving directions. The week of the event, you should be ready to go and you will receive a final email.

What is the closest airport?

Sacramento, California

Reno, Nevada

Booking airfare?

If you are flying in for this trip, please contact us before booking airfare to make sure that your trip is confirmed. We require a minimum number of participants to operate.

General weather expectations

Mountaineering trips take place in the snow. Tahoe daytime temperatures can range vastly during the winter and spring season. You may encounter freezing temperatures in the early morning or very warm temperatures during the day. We highly recommend wearing layers to accommodate changing temperatures.

Travel Insurance

We highly recommend travel insurance to protect your trip in the event unforeseeable circumstances or illness comes up that interferes with your ability to join the trip.

Cancellation & Refund Policy

Frequently Asked Questions

“Dear women adventurers of all skill levels, you need to take a trip with Alpinistas! I just returned from the Cold Weather Skills workshop in Yosemite and I've learned more in three days than I have in all my years of hiking and camping. It's so rare to find guiding experiences that are fun, connect you with likeminded folks, AND equip you with a ton of new skills.”

— Ashley

“I had the absolute best experience on a rock climbing trip with Joanne! Every part of the weekend was fantastic - the camping experience was wonderful, the guides were knowledgeable and kept everyone safe, and the climbing was so much fun! I'm looking forward to future trips with Alpinistas, and love the work they are doing in making outdoor education more accessible to women!”

- Rebecca

What People Are Saying about Alpinistas

“The women I met that weekend were so amazing for their love of the outdoors, their curiosity, and their tenacious spirits. I learned so much from our skilled guides who made us feel safe to ask any and all questions regardless of how silly they might be. Thank you Alpinistas for a truly amazing weekend! I can’t wait for the next adventure 🏕️”

— Katarina

“I joined a Cold Weather course and winter camping weekend with them in Yosemite and absolutely love it! The guides are passionate about what they are teaching us, they are so supportive, and the event was organized so well.”

- Ashley-Marie