For experienced winter travelers who don't need a guide
The Self-Guided Overnight Trip is the Mountaineering School's offering for skiers who have their own winter camping skills, avalanche education, and route-finding ability — and just need the operational support to access the backcountry safely and legally.
What's included
- Wilderness permit arranged by the school
- Route planning consultation — the guide helps you pick objectives based on current conditions
- Avalanche briefing — what the snowpack is doing right now, what's stable, what's not
- Gear rental availability — sleeping bag, tent, cooking gear, AT skis (book separately)
- Trip registration with the school in case of emergency, plus the contact protocol for check-in and check-out
What's NOT included
A guide. You'll be on your own once you leave the trailhead. The school is registering and supporting the trip, but if something goes wrong out there, you're handling it.
Skill prerequisites
This is for experienced winter travelers. The school will refuse to register the trip if your stated experience doesn't match the objective. Expected baseline:
- Multiple previous winter camping nights
- AIARE 1 or equivalent avalanche education
- AT skiing proficiency on real (off-piste) terrain
- Navigation skills — map, compass, GPS
- Self-rescue capability — companion rescue practice, first aid awareness
If you don't have all of these, book a guided overnight first to build the skills under instruction. Don't fake your way into the self-guided permit.
