1-day Intro to backcountry skiing on Donner Summit, Lake Tahoe

Let the iconic peaks of Lake Tahoe serve as your classroom for a day of guided ski instruction! This introduction to backcountry skiing course on Donner Summit gives you unbridled views, stellar training, and a pocket full of memories as you build a foundation for your skiing career!

Sitting just west of Truckee, California, Donner Lake, and northwest of magnificent Lake Tahoe, Donner Summit has become one of the top destinations in the region. The communities that dot the area all cater to backcountry skiing and ski culture in general, boasting a number of resorts, a deep backcountry and vast wilderness terrain, and a wide variety of natural scenery. It is a phenomenal place to strap up the skis and head off-piste into the untouched snow of Northern California.

This is exactly what we will do, taking you from the humdrum of skied-out lines and crowded resort lines to the wide open and ample trails just beyond the groomed runs. Our focus is crafting your backcountry skills in a safe and fun setting so you are prepared for a future in any terrain from the Rockies to the Alps. Starting from the top, you will work on technique, equipment use and awareness, and mountain safety.

You can expect to learn about planning your trip, how to pack your gear, finding and selecting a route, navigation, and so much more. We will be practically applying your newly acquired skills on the immaculate Tahoe landscape, taking in the scenery while learning the ropes of backcountry skiing. By skiing routes while we learn, you will understand what you are learning and why – and having a blast the whole time.

If you are ready to take your talents to the mouth-watering terrain that sits away from the resort, this program will have you ready in a day. We will start early so you can make the most of your time in the snow, experiencing the best runs of Donner and all of Tahoe. By the time you complete this course, you will be well on your way to developing your skills and ski touring through the exciting mountains and snow across the globe.

You should be a proficient skier who is prepared for the challenges of the backcountry. This includes a high fitness level and the ability to ski comfortably in new terrain for an entire day. You will combine instruction with lots of skiing, so the mental fortitude to appreciate both aspects of the program is vital.

Book this amazing one-day guided program in the enchanting wilderness of Donner Summit and Lake Tahoe NOW for an unforgettable and highly beneficial introduction to backcountry skiing trip in California!

If you are ready for a bigger challenge, we can enjoy a one-day backcountry skiing traverse from Donner Summit to Squaw Valley!