Backcountry Skiing &
Splitboarding

What is backcountry skiing?

Wild, ungroomed slopes. Unpopulated peaks.

Winter transforms the PNW into a wonderland to explore, accessible only by snow travel.

Backcountry is any terrain that is not “controlled,” like a ski resort. Backcountry travel includes hiking, snowshoeing, skinning, ski touring, and even helicopter tours to hard-to-reach mountain peaks. Powder days with only mountain goats for company — that’s backcountry. Ski resorts use machinery to groom their slopes and trained professionals to help reduce natural hazards within the resort boundary. Travel outside of this boundary and you’re in the backcountry.

Explore backcountry
with Gearhouse

Learn backcountry basics

Brand new to backcountry? You’re in the right place to get started. Resort-to-Backcountry (affectionately known as R2B) is a self-paced, incremental program to get you from a resort skier to a backcountry rider and make backcountry buddies along the way.

Get started

Get the (best) gear

Need an affordable alternative to shelling out thousands on gear (not to mention figuring out where to store it)? You got it!

We outfit you with everything you need from beacons to packs to boots and skis/boards. (copy can be tweaked)

Components we have:
Boots, Skis, Skins, Collapsing Poles, Avalanche Rescue Shovel, Avalanche Rescue Prove, Personal Locator Beacon, Touring Backpack, Ski helmet, Arcteryx Ski Jacket Shell

Browse rental gear

Level-up your skills & get avy certified

If you’re dreaming of creating your own far-flung backcountry adventures, step on up. The more safety skills you’ve got under your belt, the farther and wider you can explore backcountry touring. AIARE 1 and AIARE 2 courses will prep you to safely plan and execute backcountry tours in avalanche terrain.

Get avy safety training

Resort-to-Backcountry

A 6-part clinic and adventure series to get you from resort skiing to backcountry shredding — and make touring pals along the way.

Part 1: New to Backcountry Info Session

Part 2: Try a Guided Backcountry Skiing or Splitboarding Day

Part 3: Learn How to Be a Touring Partner

Part 4: Go Touring with Friends

Part 5: Get Avalanche Training (AIARE I)

Part 6: Learn More Tour Options (AIARE 2)

Check out R2B

Gearhouse Membership

Gearhouse is a membership-based community of adventure lovers just like you. We’ve built two membership options to fit your gear needs, lifestyle, and budget.

Community Membership

$30/month

Access to all Gearhouse events
30% off gear rental
30% off at Basecamp Café (coffee & tea, snacks, beer, wine, kombucha!)
30% off instructional courses
10% off partnership deals
Access to GH’s active Slack community

No commitment, cancel anytime.*
*You must return all rented gear before canceling!
*You must wait 4 months to rejoin (this helps create a sense of trust and consistency in our community).