Alpine Skills Course - Private

Build the skills you need to accomplish your mountain objectives. Whether your goal is to ski Mt Baker, climb Mt Everest, or anything in between, we can help you build the mountaineering skills you need. Our experienced, AMGA trained guides & commitment to quality instruction will get you where you want to go!
Overview
Itinerary
Prerequisites
Inclusions
Gear

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
Shop Recommended Gear OR Visit our Rentals Page

  • 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

Not included: ice axes, crampons - Visit our Rentals Page

Mountaineering Gear

  • Ice Axe
  • Crampons
  • Climbing Harness
Overnight Gear
  • Headlamp
  • Sleeping Bag
  • Sleeping Pad
Clothing & Accessories
  • Technical Outerwear (jacket, bibs/pants)
  • Multiple Midlayer Options
  • Gloves
  • Helmet
  • Beanie
  • Baseball Cap
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Water Bottle / Hydration Pack (2L)
  • Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Snacks

  • Know Before you go

    SKILL LEVELIntermediate Advanced Expert
    ELEVATION6,000'-9,000'
    LocationTahoe

    Price/Person $205.00
    Private Programs
    Duration: 1-7 Days
    View Full Itinerary
    Private Programs

    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.

    Contact us
    Full Itinerary

    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
    Shop Recommended Gear OR Visit our Rentals Page

    • 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

    Not included: ice axes, crampons - Visit our Rentals Page

    Mountaineering Gear

    • Ice Axe
    • Crampons
    • Climbing Harness
    Overnight Gear
    • Headlamp
    • Sleeping Bag
    • Sleeping Pad
    Clothing & Accessories
  • Technical Outerwear (jacket, bibs/pants)
  • Multiple Midlayer Options
  • Gloves
  • Helmet
  • Beanie
  • Baseball Cap
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Water Bottle / Hydration Pack (2L)
  • Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Snacks
  • Book Now
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    Epic Reviews From Adventurers

    7 reviews
    • Rated 5 out of 5 stars
      Mount Shasta Summit!

      Had a fantastic experience summiting Mount Shasta with my guide, Sean! He was easy to get along with, very knowledgable, and had a calm, encouraging demeanor. The climb itself was a real challenge, but worth it. The whole experience was positive and getting to the top felt like a genuine accomplishment that will give me the confidence to start taking on more overnight camping and hiking alone.

      Laura L.
      Verified Buyer
      Mt Shasta Summit Climb - Private
    • Rated 5 out of 5 stars
      Great value

      I did the crevasse rescue course and it went great, I learned a lot and feel much more comfortable. I especially appreciated how it was a small group - 3 students and 1 guide. Our guide Jan was great - he was very knowledgeable but also kept things laid back and wanted us to enjoy the day. Highly recommend!

      Molly D.
      Verified Buyer
      Crevasse Rescue Course in Tahoe
    • Rated 5 out of 5 stars
      Set me up with a perfect custom skills program - highly recommend!

      I'd been trying to setup a way to learn some snow skills basics for awhile, and most companies were just not very responsive for what I wanted, and I actually couldn't make it happen. Then I emailed Blackbird - and not only was it great to finally get some conversation going by email/phone, they were able to set me up with the type of program I was looking for. I was setup with Jon as my guide and felt like I was in very capable hands the entire time - covering all the topics relevant for my goals. While I'm comfortable enough camping and hiking in the wilderness, I had zero experience with crampons, ice axes, safety aspects etc, along with navigating more challenging and steep terrain. We started off covering some initial information that went well enough to tackle a couple objectives - which were far more challenging than I'd originally thought possible for myself. But he really nailed it, and picked a plan which let me push what I could do while still feeling comfortable. Plus I appreciated his patience, encouragement and positivity as I sorted out my practice of these new skills. Overall highly recommended!

      Tobin S.
      Flag of United States
      Alpine Skills Course - Private
    • Rated 5 out of 5 stars
      Incredibly knowledgeable guides!

      Incredibly knowledgeable guides. It was my first time on a serious mountaineering trip, and our guide Jason was a great resource for our attempt at the Shasta summit. Despite insanely cold and snowy weather for May we had a great time!

      Thomas M.
      Flag of United States
      Verified Buyer
      Mt Shasta Summit Climb 3 Day
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