Ski Crevasse Rescue Class in Colorado

Backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering open up incredible terrain, but traveling on glaciers brings hidden dangers. Snow-covered crevasses and weak bridges can collapse under skis, and falls can happen suddenly at speed. Knowing how to respond is critical.

Our Ski Crevasse Rescue Class in Colorado is designed for ski mountaineers and backcountry skiers who plan to venture onto glaciated terrain in North America, Europe, or worldwide. Unlike a standard mountaineering course, this class focuses on the unique challenges of skiing on glaciers: moving as a rope team on skis, building anchors with skis and poles, and executing fast and efficient rescue systems.

Led by AMS certified guides with experience in Alaska, the Alps, the mountains of Kyrgyzstan and the Caucasus, this class emphasizes practical, hands-on learning. By the end of the day, you will have the skills and confidence to ski more safely on glaciers and to act decisively if a partner falls into a crevasse.

What You Will Learn

- Rope team travel on skis – spacing, transitions, and hazard recognition
- Building anchors with skis, poles, and snow tools
- Self-rescue techniques – ascending the rope with minimal gear
- Partner rescue systems – fast setups (drop loop, 3:1, 5:1 hauling)
- Efficient use of ski touring gear in rescue scenarios
- Team communication and emergency response

Who This Course Is For

BEGINER

INTERMEDIATE

Ski mountaineers preparing for glacier trips around the world
Backcountry skiers planning hut-to-hut or expedition-style ski tours
Ski guides and outdoor leaders refreshing glacier safety skills

Why Choose American Mountain School for Crevasse Rescue Class?

Ski-Specific Training – Focus on rescue techniques adapted for skiers, not just climbers.
Certified Expertise – Learn from IFMGA/AMGA-certified guides with ski mountaineering expedition experience.
Hands-On Practice – Maximum time spent building anchors, hauling, and running real rescue scenarios.
RMNP Location – Train in Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park, with terrain ideal for ski rescue practice.
Expedition Focused – Prepare for glacier ski tours and expeditions around the world.

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 30 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   James Wyzykowski 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Alex took great care of me.  I intended to quit before starting because I was suffering from the altitude.  Alex gave me encouragement and brought me to the top of Longs Peak.  At 68 years old, I must have been a lot to handle, but he was very careful and understanding giving me lots of breaks along the way.  Recommend his services greatly.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Daniel Murray 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had an excellent experience climbing Mount Baker with the American Mountain School. I really enjoyed Alex's expert guidance and great sense of humor. He is truly a high-caliber guide. I am definitely going to book another trip soon!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Oleksandra 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I honestly can’t put into words how grateful I am for Alex. His professionalism, patience, kindness, and support made all the difference. This was my first real mountaineering experience, and to be honest, I was far from being in the best shape of my life. Nothing humbles you quite like the mountains. I struggled, especially on summit day. The weather was brutal, the conditions were challenging, and there were many moments when I wanted to stop and turn around. But Alex’s calm professionalism, experience, and steady encouragement kept me moving forward one step at a time. Despite the odds, we made it to the summit of Mount Baker, and without Alex, I would not have been standing there. What I gained from this climb was much more than reaching a summit. It gave me confidence in myself and showed me that I am capable of more than I thought possible. That is a gift I will carry with me for a very long time. I will always be grateful to you Aleksandr for helping make this experience possible. I cannot recommend him highly enough, and I’m already looking forward to future ascents together.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Koen Dolezar 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Nick T (Nick) 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We booked the 2-day advanced multipitch rock climbing course with Alex Gukov during our Colorado rock climbing trip. We already had plenty of sport climbing experience and wanted to take our climbing to bigger rock faces, multipitch routes, and learn efficient rappelling. Alex taught us plenty of anchor building techniques and rappelling techniques. We were able to apply and practice the principles immediately to climb multipitch! The course of highly worth it and made our climbing trip so much more meaningful.  He is very experienced and knowledgeable, plus he shared plenty of Epic mountaineering stories. Would be glad to learn more from Alex in the future! Thanks Alex!!!!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Hidenori Takahashi 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I traveled to Denver from Japan for a business trip and hoped to climb one of Colorado’s 14ers while I was there. After searching online, I found American Mountain School and was very lucky to be guided by Alex. Because I had not climbed on snow for quite a long time, and because my equipment was not fully adequate for the conditions, I was honestly a little anxious. However, thanks to Alex’s great experience, calm judgment, and thoughtful support, I was able to reach the summit safely and return without problems. Climbing at an altitude that we do not have in Japan, with some remaining snow, became one of the best memories of my trip. Thank you very much, Alex.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Jacob Trentman 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Alex was a great instructor for crevasse rescue/ safety. I would recommend. Thanks Alex!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Justin Leopold 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. TLDR; Great experience. My friend Jim and I hired Alex to take us out for a Lead Ice Climbing class. Alex was very friendly, easy to learn from, and had tons of great tips and tricks from years of high end mountain climbing in the greater. Jim and I got a lot of practice placing screws as well as building anchors and v-threads. We left really pleased and stoked. I would recommend Alex and AMS for any skills you need for you future adventures!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Jim Lach 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Everything I wanted in an ice lead class. The automatic emails and the website need some work, but that's near irrelevant to the instruction and material covered in session.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Ceci 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had an amazing experience with American Mountain School during my ice climbing class. My instructor, Alexander, was excellent — very knowledgeable, confident, and incredibly patient, which immediately made me feel more comfortable and confident myself. As someone who is just getting into mountaineering and has a mountaineering course coming up soon, this class was very eye-opening. Alexander not only made the experience fun and safe, but he also took the time to share helpful advice and equipment suggestions for my future training. I really appreciated how willing he was to help even beyond the class itself — you can truly tell he loves what he does. I’m from South Texas where everything is flat, so Colorado and ice climbing were completely new to me. I was slower on the approach, but Alexander was patient and encouraging the entire time. Thanks to his guidance, I built the confidence to climb and made it all the way to the top — something I honestly didn’t think I could do at first. I would absolutely book another class with him in the future and highly recommend both Alexander and American Mountain School to anyone looking to learn or build confidence in the mountains.

Class Overview

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Pricing

Class Overview

Gear list

Meeting location

Pricing

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Open to participants of all skill levels.
No prior ice climbing experience is required.

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FAQ

Do I need to be an expert skier?

No. You should be a strong intermediate skier comfortable on variable snow in backcountry conditions. The focus is on rescue skills, not skiing technique.

Do I need avalanche training before this course?

Yes, we recommend at least an AIARE Level 1 (or equivalent) before taking this course, since glacier ski tours often overlap with avalanche terrain.

Toggle Is this course different from the mountaineering crevasse rescue class?

Yes. While the fundamentals are similar, this course focuses on rescue techniques adapted for skiers — using skis and poles for anchors, fast hauling setups, and rope travel on skis.

Where is the training held?

In Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP). While we don’t train on active glaciers, the snow conditions allow for realistic simulations of ski crevasse rescues.

What trips does this prepare me for?

This class is ideal preparation for ski mountaineering objectives around the world