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Backcountry Skiing & Splitboarding

Backcountry Skiing & Splitboarding

Backcountry skiing and Splitboarding with Petra Cliffs Mountaineering School is currently offered via private guiding. Take a look at some of our featured locations and past courses below for inspiration. Private Guiding is offered any day of the week and can be fully customized to meet your goals and needs. Private Guiding rates and details. 


Intro to Backcountry Skiing

This one-day course teaches you the fundamentals of backcountry skiing. We will introduce you to the art of skinning and proper track setting, descent selection and land navigation, and lay the groundwork for establishing a strong backcountry decision-making framework. This course will give you the tools to feed the need to avoid the resort crowds and pricey lift tickets.

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Advanced Backcountry Skiing

This full day in the mountains is the perfect follow-up to our Intro to Backcountry Skiing or anyone with touring experience. We’ll tackle more complex ascents and descents while fine-tuning your skills. We practice group management and proper terrain selection, all while maximizing our time skiing. We’ll focus more on hazard awareness, land navigation and most important improve your off piste skiing ability.

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Sidecountry Skiing in Smuggler's Notch

Not interested in earning all of your turns? We’ll utilize the lifts at Smugglers Notch to maximize your time on the down. Smugglers Notch may have the reputation as a family resort, but did you know they also have the easiest and best access to New England’s premier backcountry ski and ski mountaineering playground? Whether inbounds or out of bounds, experience challenging untracked terrain, mind-blowing vistas, the crème de la crème of glade, chute and gully skiing and of course LOTS of snow. To join us mid week for a BC adventure please contact Petra Cliffs and set up a private or group session beyond the area boundaries. Get away from the crowds and get the best snow on the mountain.

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Mount Washington Ravines 

Skiing Mount Washington is a rite of passage for all backcountry skiing and riding enthusiasts and should not be missed. The mountain holds seven different ravines all with their own essence. From the super steep and classics of Tuckerman Ravine, to the ski mountaineering mecca of Huntington Ravine, or getting off the beaten path and exploring Gulf of Slides, Great Gulf, Ammonoosuc, Burt, or  Oaks Gulf. Let Petra Cliffs professional guides take you to the goods and ski your dream line. From day trips to overnight adventures Petra can provide the Mount Washington adventure you have been looking for.  Mount Washington has the terrain weather and conditions to train and prepare for any objective around the globe.

Adirondack Slide Skiing

Steep lines mark the faces of many of the Adirondack High Peaks in Upstate New York. The descents mostly consist of landslide paths that ran deep to the bedrock after major rain events like hurricane Irene. More rugged than White’s or the Green Mountains, they often require complex navigation, longer approaches and a little bit of bushwhacking, but reward those hardy souls with some of the finest descents in all of the Northeast. Classics like Mount Colden, Gothics, Avalanche pass and Wright Peak all are awaiting those who are adventurous.

Two-Day Ski Mountaineering Clinic, Mt. Washington NH

Highlighted in Skiing Magazine as one of the best clinics to learn steep skiing techniques!
This two-day course is for expert skiers who wish to explore terrain steeper than the black diamond trails at the resort and take their skills to the wilds of the backcountry. This course utilizes the world-famous Mount Washington’s Gulf of Slides and Tuckerman Ravine to amplify what you are capable of accomplishing on skis. Join us as we refine your terrain selection and teach you the techniques to mitigate steep terrain. Over the two days we help find your limit and then show you how to push beyond. Learn form our guides experience about their risk assessment, define hazards and work through their decision making process.


AIARE Avalanche Courses

Petra Cliffs provides AIARE avlanche education courses including AIARE Level 1, AIARE Avalanche Rescue, and AIARE Level 2. 

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