MOUNTAIN MOVEMENT COURSES
Mountain Movement (n.) - the practice of moving through mountainous terrain using specialized physical techniques, equipment, and route-finding strategies to maintain efficiency, balance, and safety over uneven, steep, or rugged ground.
You won’t find this definition in the dictionary. And you won’t find courses like this anywhere else. After over a decade of working and recreating in the mountains, we’ve come to understand the most fundamental, and most under-addressed skillset people are introduced to is simply, movement. We’re here to change that.
“Mastering” mountain travel is about more than theory. You can’t fully grasp terrain management, snowpack, or avalanche concepts if you’re struggling with basic movement skills.” - Lead Guide, Sammy Rubin
Our 2 Day Mountain Movement Courses will teach you how to move confidently and efficiently in the backcountry terrain you want to explore. You’ll walk away with solid movement fundamentals, an expanded sense of self, and heightened spatial and situational awareness in mountainous terrain.
Beginner
What is Beginner Mountain Movement?
If you’re new to backcountry touring - this 2 Day Intro course is for you!
Day 1: We’ll dial in our gear and master basic movement techniques, like skinning, kick turns, and skiing/riding unpredictable backcountry snow.
Day 2: We’ll learn how to read the mountains, not the map. We’ll expand on our skills by moving through lots of different types of terrain and develop our spatial awareness skills in the backcountry. We’ll explore terrain identification, basic navigation, and avalanche safety and awareness. We’ll relate it all back to making safe, smart travel decisions.
“Not your average Intro Course, that's for sure! I loved having a whole day to just focus on movement. Sammy was super patient, and had tons of tips that were super helpful for a small person like me. I felt like I walked away more connected to my body and way more confident. I’ll be back for more!”
- Brooke R.
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Day 1: Gear & Movement
Intro to Backcountry Gear
We’ll make sure our gear is dialed, and learn how to transition it all from uphill mode to downhill mode and vice versa.
Intro to Mountain Movement (uphill)
Skinning - We’ll go over efficient skinning techniques, and focus on mastering our body mechanics to maximize our input. We’ll practice:
Rounded Turns, AVA Turns, and Kick Turns
“Side-hilling”
Skinning Downhill/Split-skiing
Intro to Mountain Movement (downhill)
Ski/Ride - We’ll go over different strategies for skiing/riding in unpredictable and unknown snow conditions. We’ll practice moving on our backcountry set ups, and skiing/riding with packs on, which will all feel very different than riding at a ski resort.
Day 2: Safety, Awareness & Movement
Understanding Time, Place, & Space in Winter Mountain Environments
Terrain ID - We’ll get a feel for Slope Angle and Terrain Type as we move through various types of terrain throughout the day. We’ll discuss visual cues, and what terrain is and isn’t avalanche terrain.
Basic Navigation - We’ll go over basic navigation techniques (no mapping apps, in field navigation) so we can make sure we’ll always have an idea of where we are in time, place, and space in the backcountry. With no pre-established trails, ever-changing conditions, and various skin tracks you could follow, it’s essential to know where you are in relation to where you need to be, and don’t want to be.
Avalanche Safety + Awareness - We’ll start our day with the avalanche forecast, learning how to read and understand it, and then go over how it influences our decision making throughout the day. We’ll reference avalanche terrain, changing conditions, and the basics we need to look out for on the horizon and under our skis, constantly, so we can make the most informed decisions, always.
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This course is for beginners!
0 - 5 Backcountry Tours
Moderate Fitness
Intermediate Skier/Rider (comfortable skiing/riding blue terrain off-piste)
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Mammoth :
December 27 - December 28, 2025
Truckee:
January 17 - January 18, 2026
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$565 Per Person
Advanced
What is Advanced Mountain Movement?
If you’re an experienced backcountry skier/splitboarder and looking to ski/ride in steep terrain, this course is for you!
Day 1: We’ll dial in our **advanced movement techniques in steep terrain. We’ll practice advanced skinning, bootpacking, self-arrest, and how to ski/ride in high consequence, high exposure environments.
**we’ll practice these skills in a supervised, low risk, low consequence setting
Day 2: We’ll expand on our skills with an appropriate progression of movement into steeper terrain. We’ll integrate movement skills with decision-making, risk assessment and hazard evaluation. We’ll dive into strategies to balance fear, confidence, and humility, so we can make smart travel decisions in the backcountry.
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Day 1 – Technical Foundations in Steep Terrain
Advanced skinning and efficient track setting for steep approaches
Bootpacking techniques and transitions between modes
Self-arrest practice and fall management
Tactics for skiing/riding safely in high-consequence terrain
Movement practice in a supervised, low-risk, low-consequence setting
Day 2 – Application & Terrain Progression
Applying movement skills in steeper, more complex terrain
Integrating decision-making, hazard assessment, and terrain evaluation
Identifying safe zones, anchor points, and escape options
Group management and communication in exposed terrain
Strategies for balancing fear, confidence, and humility in high-stakes environments
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Recommended:
5 - 10 Backcountry Tours
Fitness:
Moderate fitness
Ski/Ride Black Terrain Off Piste Comfortabely
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Truckee:
February 17 - February 18, 2026
Mammoth:
March 6 - March 7, 2026 (Eastside Classics Advanced Weekend)
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$565 per person