Red Mountain Spring Ski/Ride Camp

Based at RMAL for Skiers & Splitboarders

In association with Red Mountain Alpine Lodge (RMAL), we are offering a 3 day 2 night Ski/Splitboard Mountaineering Camp on Red Mountain Pass! The terrain in and around Red Mountain Pass is host to a wide variety of inspiring 13,000′ peaks and sublime ski mountaineering descent options. Ski tours and climbs of local peaks including Red Mountains #3 and #2 which tower above the lodge, beckon skiers and splitboarders with a number of varying aspects and rewarding descents of up to 3000′ in a single run. Other local peaks such as Trico Peak, Telluride Peak, Bear Mountain, the Sultan, and Anvil Mountain are nearby options that also feature numerous climb and ski descent options, many of which can be considered “classics” of the San Juan Mountain Range.

Snow conditions in late March through early May bring more stable conditions to the mountains, and give participants the chance to ski/ride some of the bigger and steeper lines throughout the range. Our location and elevation provides a wide variety of snow surface conditions (corn skiing, spring powder) to choose from when deciding on the specific day’s objective. The elevation of the lodge and Red Mountain Pass in general (11,000′) offers participants an opportunity to target ascents and descents that may be inaccessible during the winter months, or too hazardous given avalanche conditions during that time of year.

Lodging at the Red Mountain Alpine Lodge

The RMAL is a beautiful timber frame structure located in the heart of the expansive Red Mountain Pass backcountry, featuring all the amenities you would expect in a premium backcountry lodge experience. A spacious great room, three private rooms, and a loft with individual single beds set this lodge apart from the typical US hut experience. Home cooked meals are included, and there is also a licensed tavern on-site to enhance the aprés ski experience.

Skills Covered

Skiing/Riding on technical alpine terrain
Snow climbing techniques
Ski/Splitboard Mountaineering Equipment selection
Route finding, navigation and trip planning
Spring condition avy awareness
Mountain weather and conditions forecasting
Ski crampon, boot crampon, & ice axe use
Ski anchors and belay systems

Costs & Inclusions

$1,599 PER PERSON

Inclusions:

Guiding and instruction with an IFMGA or AMGA Certified Guide
2 nights Lodging at The Red Mountain Alpine Lodge
Full American Breakfast, Trail Lunches, Appetizer/Soup, and Dinners/Desserts
Use of latest avalanche gear & technology (beacon, probe, shovel from Ortovox)
Discounted Pricing on Black Diamond Touring skis, skins, boots, and poles

2026 Dates

See Dates and Register

COSTS

$1,599 per person
Includes

TYPE

Skiing & Avy

LOCATION

Red Mountain Pass

DURATION

3 Days

RATIO - CUSTOMER/GUIDE

4:1; 8:2

DIFFICULTY

Decision Making Skills

AIARE Level 2 Courses

You’ve taken the Level 1. Take the next step for your Avy Brain.

Hut-to-Hut-to-Hut

Million Dollar Traverse

The Uber Classic trip featured in Ski Mag & NY Times

Up is the new Down

Intro to BC Skiing

Gain valuable backcountry touring experience.

ITINERARY

Red Mtn Spring Ski/Ride Camp Itinerary

DAY 0

Meet at SJMG office at 1600 for trip intro and finalize paperwork. It is not required that you show up on this day but we prefer to meet on this day to make sure that everyone has their gear prepped and ready to go for the next day, as we will be heading out into the backcountry early in the morning. Shuttle service from the Montrose, CO Aiport (MTJ) is available through Tellurides. Stay in a hotel in Ouray.

DAY 1

Meet at the SJMG office at 0800 and we then shuttle to Red Mountain Pass for the short tour into The Lodge. We’ll drop off any additional gear that is specific to our lodge stay and head out for a ski tour and get familiar with the terrain around the lodge. Our goal will be to find the best possible ski descent given the conditions and group dynamics. Return to the lodge in the afternoon and enjoy a group dinner. Stay at The Red Mountain Alpine Lodge.

DAY 2

Breakfast at the Lodge and then it is off into the backcountry for another ski mountaineering objective. Many options exist in the vast and varied backcountry around Red Mountain Pass. Our goal will be to find the best possible ski descent(s) given the conditions and group dynamics. We will return to the Lodge for lunch (if appropriate), and then head out for another tour. Return to the Lodge in the late afternoon and enjoy a group dinner. Stay at The Red Mountain Alpine Lodge.

DAY 3

Breakfast at the Lodge and then it is off into the backcountry for another ski mountaineering objective. If conditions and group dynamics allow we may identify an objective such as Bear Mtn or the Sultan towards Silverton for our final ski mountaineering objective. If necessary, we will return to the Lodge in the early afternoon, pack up our gear and ski back to our shuttle waiting at Red Mountain Pass, returning to Ouray around 4-5 pm that afternoon. Program Close – participants depart or stay in Ouray for another night. Many participants schedule a late afternoon or evening flight home from Montrose, CO or you can choose to stay in Ouray one additional night – perhaps even choose to go skiing at Purgatory Resort the following day.

EQUIPMENT

Image	Description	Guide Pick
Duffel Bag	1 - 2 Large, durable bags for organizing and transporting your gear during airline travel, etc.	Osprey Transporter Duffel Bags
Thermos	Coffee is the lifeblood of champions. We highly encourage the consumption of coffee or other hot drink on winter excursions.	18 oz. Yeti Hotshot Thermos
Water Bottles	We recommend wide mouth Nalgene (or similar) water bottles for the majority of our programs. One or two 1-liter bottles is the standard for long days in the mountains.	32 oz. Nalgene Water Bottle
Personal Food	Lunch begins when breakfast ends and ends when dinner begins. Bring what you LIKE to eat and consider the length, relative difficulty, weight, and other factors when deciding what to bring in the mountains with you. A variety is always best. Don't be afraid of Mr. T.	Personal Food
Sunglasses	A good pair of wrap around sunglasses are an essential item for all of our trips. When the sun shines brightly on fresh snow in the mountains your eyes will thank you for a quality pair of shades. Looking good is important too.	Julbo Shield Sunglasses
Sunscreen	Essential for all of our programs. SPF 30 would be our minimum recommendation. Typically a 4 oz. bottle will suffice but consider trip length when deciding how much to pack.	Dermatone SPF 50
Chapstick	Chapstick is important to bring on all trips. We recommend getting chapstick with SPF 15 or higher, otherwise it won't do much good to protect you from the intense sun.	SPF Chapstick
Headlamp	A headlamp is recommended for all of our programs and is an essential piece of equipment to have whether or not you plan to be out overnight. You don't want to be caught in the dark without light!	Petzl Actik Core Headlamp
First Aid Kit	An excellent investment for all of our programs. Our guides always carry a comprehensive medical kit but it's nice to have a small kit of your own to take care of blisters, small cuts or scrapes, and to carry any medications you anticipate needing.	Adventure Medical Kits
Socks	Synthetic or wool socks are a must for all outdoor activities. Select a pair that fits well, is warm, and is comfortable. Socks that extend above the edge of your boots will be most comfortable. Bring 2-3 pairs depending on the length of trip.	Synthetic/Wool Socks
Baselayer Top	Choosing the right baselayer really makes a difference in comfort, moisture-wicking, and the balance between cool and warm at the right time and in the right places. We recommend using a lightweight sun hoodie for most trips. A warmer wool baselayer is great for extra cold days or expeditions.	Himali Sun Hoodie
Base Layer Bottom	An insulative baselayer bottom is a must have for alpine, ski and ice climbing trips and objectives. Wool or synthetic options both work.	Ortovox Base Layer Pants
Mid Weight Top	A lightweight fleece with a gridded interior for increased wicking performance and added breathability is the perfect choice for a midlayer for anything from ski tours to alpine ascents. Hoods let you regulate temperature on the go, and slim fits allow you to wear it under additional layers.	Ortovox Fleece Grid Hooded Jacket
Hard Shell Jacket	Our Outside Magazine and Men’s Journal “Gear of the Year” award-winning storm shell is engineered for fast-and-light alpine climbs and all-day backcountry tours. You need at minimum either a soft shell jacket or hard shell jacket for local Ouray based winter courses and programs.	Outdoor Research Axiom Jacket
Hardshell Jacket	A waterproof rainshell or hardshell jacket will keep you protected from wind and rain while out in the elements climbing, skiing or hiking.	Ortovox Westalpen 3L Hardshell
Buff	Simple, effective and infinitely adaptable, Original BUFF® headwear is the product that started the multifunctional headwear revolution. At its core is a moisture-managing microfiber fabric that is wind resistant and able to control odor. We recommend the BUFF for all of our programs as a multi-purpose insulation piece and trendy headgear!	Original Buff
Insulated Vest	Same spirit, same guts, and same award-winning hybrid-mapped design of the Cathode Hooded Jacket, minus the sleeves and hood. An insulated vest is an optional item on our programs but we do think vests offer excellent flexible layering options in a variety of circumstances, weather conditions, and trip types.	Outdoor Research Cathode Vest
Hand Warmers	An optional item, but nice to have on cold weather climbs and courses. Consider having a few stowed away in your pack so you can break them out if you feel you need them.	Hand Warmers
Stuff Sacks	Stuff sacks are a great way to organize your gear in your pack and help to keep things tidy in a variety of ways. A great addition to any of our programs.	Outdoor Research Stuff Sacks
Baseball Cap	A required item on the majority of our programs, a baseball cap helps to keep harmful sun off your face. The Radar Pocket cap is packable, durable, and looks great!	Outdoor Research Radar Pocket Cap
Lightweight Gloves	Updated for touchscreen compatibility, the StormTracker Sensor Gloves are equally at home alpine climbing, ski touring or ice climbing. Low-profile GORE® WINDSTOPPER®. Soft Shell fabric deflects biting gusts, and a tricot lining retains valuable heat.	Outdoor Research Stormtracker Sensor Gloves
Midweight Gloves	Built to handle cold mornings on the up-track and powder turns all the way back down, these versatile gloves feature a new stretch nylon shell outer, a goat leather palm with textured fingertips, and a warm, quick-drying wool blend lining.	Outdoor Research Extravert Gloves
Ski Gloves	Bring at least 2 pairs of gloves: 1 pair warm, waterproof gloves for the downhill and 1 pair lightweight, gloves for skinning. If your hands get cold easily bring extra gloves, mittens and/or handwarmers.	Ortovox Merino Freeride Glove
Avy Transceiver	The PIEPS DSP Sport Avalanche Beacon is the go-to beacon for the everyday backcountry traveler, offering circular range, a smart transmitter, and three-antenna accuracy in an easy-to-use package.	PIEPS DSP Sport Avalanche Beacon
Touring Skis	Touring skis with touring bindings are required for all of our ski programs. We have these skis to rent an our shop in Ouray if you do not have your own. If purchasing your own skis, make sure to select a touring binding that is compatible with your boots.	La Sportiva Hi5 Ski
Ski Poles	Our classic ski touring poles with a pro-level feature set, the all-aluminum Traverse Pro poles feature FlickLock Pro adjustability and an innovative SwitchRelease wrist strap with a lockable release function.	Black Diamond Traverse Pro Ski Poles
Climbing Skins	Climbing Skins are a required item for all of our backcountry ski and avalanche programs in order to ascend uphill on your skis. We offer these to rent at our office in Ouray if you do not have your own for your skis. Please have your skins cut to fit your skis prior to arriving for your trip.	Black Diamond Climbing Skins
Ski Touring Boots	Refined for 2016, the Spectre 2.0 is now 5% stiffer while retaining the largest range of cuff rotation in its class. The patented design allows for a full 60˚ of ankle movement, while the vertebra construction provides support on downhill descents. The Spectre 2.0 now works with all tech, tr2 and step-in at bindings, for more versatility and compatibility.	La Sportiva Spectre 2.0
Avy Shovel	With a redesigned blade construction for cleaner snow study and easier stomping through hard avy debris, the Transfer is our workhorse shovel with a removable, extendable shaft for working in deep pits.	Black Diamond Transfer 3 Shovel
Avy Probe	Built for daily snow study, snow professionals and deeper snowpacks, the Tour Probe 320 features a durable, all-aluminum construction.	Black Diamond Quickdraw Tour Probe 320
Snow Study Kit	A snow study kit is optional for Backcountry Ski programs, but it is a great item to carry regardless. For Avalanche Courses please consider purchasing a kit to have with you on the course. Level 2 Course participants should choose the Digital Pro Kit.	Brooks Range Snow Study Kit
Ski Backpack	The Kamber ABS® compatible 22+10 give you the option to add an inflatable airbag system to a technical ski pack designed to carry everything for a full day in the backcountry. We highly recommend a specific ski touring pack for all of our backcountry ski and avalanche programs.	Osprey Kamber ABS Packs
Ski Jacket	Sweating one minute and freezing the next is only fun when you’re jumping from a hot tub into the snow and back—not while you’re skiing. If the words “ski season” make you think about moving uphill as much as downhill, the Skyward Jacket speaks your language. Air-permeable AscentShell technology keeps you cool and dry while skinning up, and keeps the speed-generated windchill out after you peel off your skins and drop in for the descent.	Outdoor Research Skyward Jacket
Ski Pants	Traverse the Rockies’ rugged ridgelines in the Trailbreaker Pants. This highly breathable soft shell pant provides the perfect amount of weather protection and breathable warmth. Pertex® Shield+ lower legs offer complete waterproof protection when you’re breaking trail in the front of the pack.	Outdoor Research Trailbreaker Pants
Ski Puffy	Perfect for aerobic climbs and ski tours, this backcountry chameleon provides the warmth of a synthetic puffy one moment and the breathability and quick-dry performance of a fleece the next, all without forcing you to add, remove or adjust your layers.	Outdoor Research Uberlayer Hooded Jacket
Ski Hat	Get out and get after early mornings with fresh powder. The Delegate Beanie is made with a merino wool blend and a warm micro fleece polyester earband. A chunky knit beanie with a knit-in logo, the contrast pom adds a nice funky touch.	Outdoor Research
Ski Goggles	From the sweeping peripheral in the Optimum lens, to the horizon-inspired frame structure, FARGO proves sometimes a quick stop in a small place leads to more than you would have ever expected. Goggles are mandatory on all ski programs and cold weather alpine objectives.	Zeal Fargo Ski Goggles
Ski Repair Kit	A backcountry ski repair kit is well worth the time to put together. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it!	Example Ski Repair Kit

FAQ

Who is The Red Mountain Spring Ski/Ride Camp intended for?

The The Red Mountain Spring Ski/Ride Camp is intended for intermediate to experienced backcountry skiers looking for a hut based multi-day ski touring trip in Spring conditions. On this camp, we plan to get into bigger more ski mountaineering terrain, longer descents, corn skiing, and other seasonally specific transitional snowpack types and terrain environments. This is ideal time of year to ski local 13’ers and get into more consequential terrain and descents as the avalanche danger and snowpack afford our group more choices in terms of how they choose to engage with the terrain available in the Red Mtn Pass and HWY 550 corridor. Guests will have the best time if they are capable of ski touring for several hours a day at altitude.

Can minors or children join The Red Mountain Spring Ski/Ride Camp?

Because guests on The Red Mountain Spring Ski/Ride Camp travel through consequential backcountry avalanche terrain, we require all participants to be able to perform a beacon rescue. Guests also need to have backcountry ski touring fitness. Please contact the office if you think minors in your family would be able to participate.

How many people will be on the trip with me?

The Red Mountain is guided at a 4:1 ratio. There will be a maximum of 8 skiers and 2 guides in each fixed date trip. Many skiers books with friends or family which enhances the cohesiveness of the group.

When will I be back in town?

You will return to Ouray around 4:00 PM on the 3rd day.

Do I have to bring everything on the Equipment list?

Yes, the equipment list is designed to be comprehensive for a multi-night stay with varied weather/objective possibilities. San Juan Mountain Guides offers ample access to backcountry ski touring equipment at our shop in Ouray for both skiers and riders. Make sure to reserve your gear ahead of time with the office so we can make sure to have your gear prepped for the program ahead of time.

Does San Juan Mountain Guides provide lunch?

The Red Mountain Alpine Lodge will provide breakfast and dinner. There will be an opportunity for you to make something simple for lunch or pack a snack at the lodge before heading out. If you have additional or specific lunch needs, please plan on bringing some of your own “scooby snacks” as needed.

I have my own equipment, can I use it?

Yes! If you have your own gear, you are most welcome to use it! Please bring it into the office so that your guide can confirm it will be safe for backcountry travel. We also provide ski and ride rental equipment at our shop in Ouray.

What will the weather be like on Red Mountain Pass?

The temperature averages 30 to 35 degrees with highs above 40 and lows in the teens to 20’s. We recommend bringing ski touring specific layers including a puffy jacket, gore tex jacket etc., you can shed while touring and put back on while practicing rescue drills or transitioning at the top of the skin track for the descents. Don’t forget sun protection and lip balm! As always, participants should be prepared for a wide variety of weather conditions, from snowstorms and wind, to blue bird skies!

TRAVEL

OURAY, COLORADO: GETTING HERE

Ouray is located in the SW corner of Colorado, approximately 30 minutes south of Montrose. Known as “The Switzerland of America”, the town of Ouray is a vibrant outdoor oriented community. All local businesses are very friendly to the ice climbers who flock each winter to climb in the Ouray Ice Park and surrounding areas.

The best option for flying to the area is to fly into Montrose, CO. Many airline options exist, and most connections originate from Denver, CO, however, many airlines now offer direct flights into Montrose – especially during the summer and winter months.

It is also possible to fly into Grand Junction, Durango, Telluride, or Denver CO. It may be necessary to rent a car and drive to Ouray if you’d like to fly into one of these airports.

Below are some approximate driving times if you’d like to drive to Ouray. If you plan on renting a car, please consider the winter weather when selecting your vehicle and at a minimum choose something that offers either front wheel or all-wheel drive.

Montrose, CO: 45 minutes
Durango, CO: 2 hours
Denver, CO: 5.5 hours

Ouray has a number of great hotels, suites, and vacation rentals for you to stay in while you’re in the area. Give our office a call at 970-946-0713 if you have any questions about what would suit you best for this trip!

POLICIES

PROGRAM POLICIES

REGISTRATION & CANCELLATION

Advance Registration is required for this program. You have the option to either call our office and register via phone or utilize our secure Online Reservation System. All participants must read and sign an Assumption of Risks/Liability Waiver and agree to our Reservations and Cancellations Policies.

INCLUSIONS

Guiding and Instruction with an IFMGA or AMGA Certified/Trained Guide
All avalanche gear (beacon, probe, shovel)
Lodging fees at The Red Mountain Alpine Lodge
Breakfast, Appetizer/Soup, Trail Lunches, and Dinner/Dessert at The Lodge
Round-trip transportation to and from the trailhead and our office
Black Diamond Touring skis, skins, boots, and poles are available to rent from our office for an additional rental fee

EXCLUSIONS

Transportation to Ouray, CO
Hotel costs before or after the program
Guide gratuity
Personal skiing outerwear
Trip Cancellation Insurance (recommended)
Costs associated with weather delays or other variables beyond the control of San Juan Mountain Guides

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

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~ Joe Jones, New Climber