Private Alpine Skills Course
Build the skills you need to accomplish your mountain objectives.
- Our Private Alpine Skills Course is customized for you and your team. Tell us what experience you have and what your goal is. We'll design a program that helps you build the skills you need to overcome the challenges of your mountaineering dream.
- From Avalanche education to Z-Pulley, we've got you covered! Private skills courses are completely tailored to your objective and are single day to week plus in length. We can set up recurring training sessions that span months and don’t stop until you feel comfortable with your skill level.
We'll build a custom itinerary for your group based on your objectives, skills, and preferred length of trip!
Here are the skills and fitness you'll need for your trip:
- Basic Mountaineering Skills - Including ice axe, crampon, and basic rope skills are encouraged, but not required. Build those skills during the program or attend our Intro to Mountaineering Skills course prior to attending and spend more time climbing
- Strong Fitness - Able to spend a long, active day outside, moving uphill at 1,000’ per hour for durations of 1-1.5 hours between breaks. Participants should be able to hike 8-10 miles, climbing 2,500 - 3,500 vertical feet throughout the course of the day. People with strong fitness typically have a strenuous workout 3-4 days a week.
- Mountaineering Gear - Come prepared with your own gear or rent from us
- AMGA Trained Guide
- Climbing Gear: Ropes, Harness
- Camping Gear: Tents, Stoves, Fuel
- Group Safety Gear: Guide will be equipped with a first aid kit
- Leave No Trace Materials: wag bag
Mountaineering Gear
- Ice Axe
- Crampons
- Climbing Harness
- Headlamp
- Sleeping Bag
- Sleeping Pad
Know Before you go
Blackbird Mountain Guides offers both scheduled group programs and private programs.
Private programs are simply above and beyond what Blackbird Mountain Guides currently has scheduled. Scheduled courses are not always less expensive. Before booking a trip with Blackbird Mountain Guides, clients are encouraged to review the differences between these types of programs, and to decide what works best for them.
SCHEDULED PROGRAMS
Scheduled Programs have fixed dates, itineraries, objectives, curriculum, and costs. They typically appeal to solo individuals or small groups or who are looking to share the cost of their program with a larger group. Correspondingly, scheduled programs are less expensive for smaller groups (1-2), and they provide the opportunity to meet others with similar interests. If you have a large group (3+), Scheduled programs will often be more expensive. They can fill up quickly, and scheduling flexibility is obviously limited.
Scheduled programs will have advertised dates. All scheduled programs can be run as private programs with private dates/rates as well.
PRIVATE PROGRAMS
Private programs have scheduling freedom. They typically appeal to those who would like some flexibility in planning their own trip or course. In this regard, Itineraries and objectives can be tailored to suit current conditions as well as client goals. Private programs are normally less expensive for larger groups (3+). If you have a small group (1-2) private programs will be more expensive.
We'll build a custom itinerary for your group based on your objectives, skills, and preferred length of trip!
Build the skills you need to accomplish your mountain objectives.
- Our Private Alpine Skills Course is customized for you and your team. Tell us what experience you have and what your goal is. We'll design a program that helps you build the skills you need to overcome the challenges of your mountaineering dream.
- From Avalanche education to Z-Pulley, we've got you covered! Private skills courses are completely tailored to your objective and are single day to week plus in length. We can set up recurring training sessions that span months and don’t stop until you feel comfortable with your skill level.
We'll build a custom itinerary for your group based on your objectives, skills, and preferred length of trip!
Here are the skills and fitness you'll need for your trip:
- Basic Mountaineering Skills - Including ice axe, crampon, and basic rope skills are encouraged, but not required. Build those skills during the program or attend our Intro to Mountaineering Skills course prior to attending and spend more time climbing
- Strong Fitness - Able to spend a long, active day outside, moving uphill at 1,000’ per hour for durations of 1-1.5 hours between breaks. Participants should be able to hike 8-10 miles, climbing 2,500 - 3,500 vertical feet throughout the course of the day. People with strong fitness typically have a strenuous workout 3-4 days a week.
- Mountaineering Gear - Come prepared with your own gear or rent from us
- AMGA Trained Guide
- Climbing Gear: Ropes, Harness
- Camping Gear: Tents, Stoves, Fuel
- Group Safety Gear: Guide will be equipped with a first aid kit
- Leave No Trace Materials: wag bag
Mountaineering Gear
- Ice Axe
- Crampons
- Climbing Harness
- Headlamp
- Sleeping Bag
- Sleeping Pad
the blackbird difference
Innovative courses
Professional Guides
Positive Progression
Community Focused
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epic reviews from adventurers
View Reviews
Awesome Experience
“Taking this course with Zeb was the best decision! He was extremely friendly, relaxed and knowledgeable and answered all our questions with great patience.
An Exceptional Course
“I took an AIARE 1 with Blackbird and couldn't recommend it more. The knowledge gained was well-worth every penny, and then some."
Too Good For Words
Just took the "lift-assisted" Avalanche Rescue course, and it was a fantastic opportunity to act out more realistic rescue scenarios. It was a great refresher and learning experience. Our instructor Evan was knowledgeable and a lot of fun. Highly recommended!
An Incredible Weekend!
Completed AIARE 1 w/ Blackbird. Instructors were very knowledgeable, experienced, patient, attentive, and down-to-earth in relating to clients across a wide spectrum of ability. Highly recommended. Great group of people!
We’re here to help. Our FAQs or Gear Lists might have the information you’re seeking. But If you’re not finding the information you need, we’d be happy to help!