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 the trip description by Sawtooth Mountain Guides
On-snow support
- Independent: Below this trip's level of support
Ski or ride independently, without trip staff accompanying you on the mountain.
- Hosted: With your guide
Trip hosts ski or ride with the group, help everyone get oriented, and share local knowledge.
- Guided: Included
Professional guides lead the group and select suitable terrain and routes based on conditions and ability.
- Coached: Included
Professional coaches lead the group, select suitable terrain, and provide instruction and personalized feedback to help you improve.
- 4 days on snow with staff
- CourseYou’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.
- Backcountry guiding
Terrain, ability and who it is for
- 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
- From entry-level ski mountaineering routes to technical steep skiing objectives, we can accommodate a variety of skill levels.
- While we aim to tackle challenging terrain during the course, ultimately the snow and avalanche conditions dictate what terrain is appropriate.
- Sport
- Ski + Snowboard
From the trip description by Sawtooth Mountain Guides
What the price includes
Included
- Lodging
- Meals
- Lesson
- Avalanche rescue equipment
- Most technical equipment (ice axe, harness, helmet, belay device, carabiners, ropes, etc.)
- Portering of food to hut
- 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
Not included
- 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
Not confirmed by the operator: Lift pass, Transfers.
Day by day
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.
- Day 1: Welcome and introductions; course overview; equipment check/issue/reviewDiscussion of avalanche danger and anticipated hazardsApproach to Williams Peak YurtShort warm up ski tourEvening skills session: Stability Evaluation for Ski Mountaineering; Steep Skiing Techniques and Philosophy
- Day 2: “Snow School” – ice axe and boot crampon use; self-arrest practiceSki objective with emphasis on “Snow School” skills practice and steep skiing techniqueAfternoon/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 LoopOptions encompass techy tours with rappels and/or other rope work, classic firm snow ski objectives, and steep, sometimes belayed couloir skiingAfternoon/Evening skills session: Route Planning
- Day 4: ¾ day ski mountaineering objectiveDepart from hutReturn to trailhead by 4:30pm
From the trip description by Sawtooth Mountain Guides
Where you stay
- 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
Getting There
- Meeting Time: 8am
- Meeting Location: Sawtooth Mountain Guides Headquarters in Stanley
From the trip description by Sawtooth Mountain Guides
Pins show the approximate main trip area—not a route, meeting point, or full itinerary. Confirm exact locations in the company's trip details.
Dates and prices
- Apr 1 – Apr 4, 20272026/27 · 4 days1,200 USDRates: $1200/person; currency not named on the pageAvailableChoose these datesBook on company website
Published as "April 1-4, 2027". Duration: 4 days.
Prices, taxes and fees, required extras, inclusions, availability, and booking terms can change. Confirm the current price and trip details on the company website; source last reviewed September 24, 2026.
Good To Know
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.
Sawtooth Mountain Guides is a permittee of the Sawtooth, Salmon-Challis, and Boise National Forests.
From the trip description by Sawtooth Mountain Guides
Reviews
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