1 Day Ski Crevasse Rescue Clinic
Stevens Pass - Snoqualmie Pass | Washington1 Day Ski Crevasse Rescue Clinic
- Mountaineering School
- Pack Weight: 20 - 25 lbs.
- 1 Day
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- Dates & Pricing
This one-day course is tailored for skiers and snowboarders, focusing on glacier crevasse rescue techniques in a winter backcountry setting. You’ll explore the latest tools available to become a reliable rescue partner during backcountry travel. We emphasize hands-on practice, covering what to do if a team member falls into a crevasse, how to secure the rest of the group, set up a belay using skis or a snowboard, and the various systems for extracting someone from a crevasse.
This program is ideal for experienced backcountry skiers and riders who ski blue-square terrain off-piste in a variety of snow conditions and are comfortable with ski and splitboard transitions. Students should also be familiar with self-arrest, cramponing, and basic ice axe skills. Those without glacier travel experience should consider taking our 1-Day Fundamentals course to meet this prerequisite.
Course Highlights
Focused, Hands-On Instruction: A single, intensive field day dedicated entirely to ski and splitboard crevasse rescue
Winter Backcountry Setting: Training takes place in a real backcountry environment, on skis or a splitboard, not just on foot
Expert Guides: Full-time mountain guides with deep technical expertise and a strong teaching focus
Gear Support: Full-service gear department for equipment questions and rentals
Inclusive Instruction: A supportive, community-focused learning environment for climbers and riders of all backgrounds and experience levels
Ski-Specific Rescue Systems: Using skis and splitboards as deadman anchors or rescue system components, and initiating a rescue while still clipped in
Core Rescue Skills: Glacier travel systems, rope and belay techniques, essential knots and hitches, and snow anchor construction and evaluation
Haul Systems: Basic (2:1, 3:1) and advanced (5:1, 6:1) crevasse rescue haul systems
Self-Extraction: Techniques for climbing out of a crevasse using prusiks, mechanical ascenders, or improvised systems
Terrain Awareness: Strategies for identifying and safely navigating crevasse fields, plus glacier travel risk management
Top notch guides.
Although I’m a beginner mountaineer, I have enough experience recreating and working search and rescue to recognize credibility and professionalism in outdoor leadership. The guides were authentically knowledgeable and experienced, able to teach and share knowledge that students picked up quickly and immediately apply with confidence.
Safety was very clearly the top priority, but the guides shared knowledge and facilitated in a way that felt casual and fun, rather than rigid and unwelcoming.
Lyra was fantastic.
She did an exceptional job of conveying not only what we were doing, but the logic and rationale behind the decision as well.
The Alpine Ascents Way
Our guiding team is made up of full-time professionals known for their technical expertise, leadership, and ability to teach in demanding mountain environments. Many have earned industry awards and have spent much of their careers guiding with Alpine Ascents. More than just strong climbers and skiers, our guides are dedicated mountain educators who provide individualized coaching and professional mentorship, helping each participant grow, gain confidence, and move closer to their climbing goals.
Instruction is inclusive, supportive, and community-focused. We strive to create a safe, welcoming environment where all climbers feel encouraged, respected, and empowered to learn.
About the Course
The 1-Day Ski Crevasse Rescue course spends a full day in the field reviewing knots, anchors, hauling systems, and rehearsing practical scenarios for ski crevasse rescue. Once we reach our course venue, we move straight into the day’s lessons, with each one building on what came before. We teach all the knots and hitches used in crevasse rescue, and students build and test their own anchors using skis, splitboards, and shovels.
Our afternoon session focuses on hauling systems for crevasse rescue, emphasizing mechanical advantage. You’ll learn to execute a 3:1 Z-pulley rescue system as part of a three-person rope team. For smaller teams, we’ll also demonstrate — and may practice — the 2:1 Drop-C system.
By integrating earlier lessons — knots, prusiks, rope handling, and anchor construction — you’ll leave with the skills to confidently perform crevasse rescue scenarios in a ski touring context.
