NF-certified backcountry course · in English · new for 2027
From lift to backcountry – ski touring course Tromsø
Start with an afternoon of ski technique on the slopes, then spend two days learning to ski tour safely in the mountains around Tromsø. For skiers who are at home on groomed runs and want the way down to be as much fun as the way up.
DatesFriday 2 – Sunday 4 April 2027
Duration2.5 days: an afternoon on the slopes, two days on tour
LocationTromsø Alpinpark, then Tromsø mainland, Kvaløya or Ringvassøya
Experience neededNone, beyond skiing a groomed slope
Group size4–6 participants
LanguageEnglish
Dates and price
2–4 April 2027. NOK 3,700 per person, or NOK 3,400 if you’re 24 or younger, a student or a member of an “Ung” youth club. The lift pass for Friday is not included.
Who is this course for?
Skiers who are comfortable on groomed slopes and want to take the step into the backcountry. Maybe you’ve never been on skins, or you’ve done a few tours on your own and want to get both the technique and the safety basics in place.
No ski touring experience is required, but you should be able to ski down a groomed slope under control. Not sure if that’s you? Get in touch and we’ll help you figure out whether it’s a fit.
Splitboarder?
Friday’s session is ski technique, so get in touch before you sign up. Our two-day course may be the better fit.
The programme
Half a day at the ski resort, then two full days in the mountains. No classroom sessions: everything happens outdoors.
Friday 16:00–20:00 · Ski technique on the slopesWe use the lifts at Tromsø Alpinpark to work on the downhill skills that matter most in the backcountry, in the touring setup you’ll use all weekend.
Saturday and Sunday · On tour in the mountainsTwo full days out in the mountains, where the goal is that you can complete a simple ski tour safely. We pick the area based on conditions and go through the logistics together on Friday.
On the slopes
- Skiing in your touring setup, with a backpack on
- A balanced, efficient stance that works in variable snow
- Turns and speed control in steeper and narrower terrain
- Tactics for the snow you’ll meet off-piste: powder, crust and everything in between
- Gear check, so you’re ready for the weekend
In the mountains
- Getting familiar with ski touring equipment and how it works in practice
- Technique for ascending and descending the mountain
- Identifying and avoiding avalanche terrain
- Spotting the other hazards: terrain, weather, snowpack and the human factor
- Basic trip planning
- Where to find information on weather and avalanche risk, and basic navigation
Meeting point
Friday 16:00 · Tromsø Alpinpark
Jadevegen 129 in Kroken, about 10 minutes from the city centre. City buses 20 and 24 stop a short walk away. Check times and buy tickets in the Svipper app.
Avalanche safety on the course
Our goal is to improve your understanding of avalanche risk, and to teach you how to avoid exposing yourself to potentially dangerous terrain through trip planning and terrain choice. You learn to identify avalanche terrain, recognize obvious hazards, and use basic travel routines to avoid avalanche-prone areas.
We also practice companion rescue: transceiver search, probing and efficient shoveling.
Certified course
The touring days follow the syllabus for NF alpine touring and avalanche safety, part of the Norwegian national standard. We are an approved NF provider at level 2.
Equipment
Mandatory
- Avalanche transceiver, probe and shovel
- Touring skis with climbing skins, suitable for descents. Snowshoes and nordic skis are not accepted
- Lift pass for Friday afternoon
- Sleeping pad or windsack
- Winter clothing, including an insulating jacket for the breaks
- Food and drink for all three days
Recommended
- Basic first aid kit
- Inclinometer, digital, on a compass or on your phone
- The Varsom Regobs app for avalanche maps and hazard descriptions
Need to rent?
Rent touring and avalanche gear from Tromsø Outdoor and get a 10% discount when booking online. If you’re borrowing gear, test it before the course. See also our printable pack list.
Terms
These terms apply to open courses, and you accept them when you sign up.
Cancellation policy
- 28 days or more before the course starts: full refund, minus a 4% payment fee (minimum NOK 100)
- 27–15 days before: 50% refund, minus a 4% payment fee (minimum NOK 100)
- 14 days or less before: no refund, the full course fee is charged
Deadlines are counted from the first day of the course. Cancellations must be made in writing by email, and the date we receive your message determines which deadline applies.
If we cancel: if we have to cancel because of weather, avalanche conditions, illness or too few participants, you’ll be offered a new date or a full refund of the course fee. We don’t cover travel, accommodation or other expenses. If fewer than four people have signed up, we cancel no later than five days before the course starts.
The instructor may change or adapt the course along the way if conditions require it. This doesn’t give the right to a refund, and the decision is always made with safety in mind.
Insurance
Personal travel and accident insurance is not included in the course fee, and you need to arrange it yourself. We require insurance that covers off-piste skiing and ski touring, including medical costs. Many standard travel insurance policies exclude off-piste skiing, so check yours before you come.
Mountain rescue in Norway is free, but follow-up costs and any transport home are not.
We also recommend cancellation insurance that covers the course fee if you have to cancel after the refund deadline.
Participation and liability
The course runs with a minimum of four and a maximum of six participants per group. Participation is at your own risk. Off-piste skiing is a high-risk activity, and no matter the level of expertise, it can never be completely without risk.
We only work with certified and approved instructors, and our HSE routines are quality-assured by Norsk Fjellsportforum (NF), where we are an approved avalanche course provider at level 2.
Tromsø Powder Guides and our instructors cannot assume financial responsibility for accidents that may occur during courses, guided trips or other organized activities.
You must follow the instructor’s directions during the course, and tell us about any health conditions or medication that may affect your participation. The instructor may turn away participants who don’t have the required equipment, or who are not judged able to complete the course safely.
Prepare before you come
You’ll get a lot more out of the days in the field if you’ve covered the basics beforehand. All three are free.
- Ortovox Safety Academy Lab: Snow — interactive, in English, the most practically oriented
- Avalanche Aware by AIARE — about an hour, in English, requires a free account
- Varsom interactive course — in Norwegian, but built around the Norwegian avalanche forecast you will actually be using here
Already confident off-piste?
Our two-day backcountry touring course covers the same touring and avalanche safety content, without the ski technique session. We run it on request.
Ready to go from lift to backcountry?
We take a maximum of six participants per group, so there’s plenty of time for feedback on the way up and on the way down.