Yöstmark Backcountry Tours customizes all tours to match the fitness level and needs of the participant(s). You should be comfortable hiking at a slow to moderate pace for 45-60 minutes.

To enjoy the downhill skiing part of your tour, you should to be able to make parallel turns on blue runs. Because we cater our tours to our clients, we're able to accommodate your ski ability and physical stamina.

During a typical tour we'll take adequate time for water and snack breaks and pace ourselves to ensure a rewarding and enjoyable time in the backcountry. Our focus is safety and fun!

Let your guide plan and manage your tour so that you can place your focus on your next powder turn!

Your guide will set an appropriate pace, coach you on what to wear so that you remain comfortable, provide instruction of efficient skinning technique, safe skiing practices for the backcountry, and much more.

Feel free to ask questions, but most importantly you can rely on your guide's ability to create a safe and fun experience.

Backcountry ski/snowboard touring is an experience that takes you away from the lifts and noise of the ski area and allows you to experience the winter environment in a majestic setting.

We travel in areas without avalanche control and spend our time climbing up the slopes, skiing untracked powder, taking breaks, and exploring the mountains.

This is skiing/snowboarding at its best!

Teton Pass offers a variety of terrain and access points where we can cater a tour to your ability, stamina and desires for the day.

Tours from Teton Pass can start with a hike of approximately 1 hour to the top of our first run. You'll spend the rest of the day skiing and touring in this pristine backcountry area.

Tours originating from Grand Targhee will begin with a ride up the lift followed by an hour-long hike to the top of Peaked Peak. From there, you'll leave the ski area and spend the day skiing and exploring the backcountry off of Peaked Peak before returning to the Grand Targhee base area.

A full-day tour typically starts at 9AM and finishes around 3-4PM.

Tours from Grand Targhee will meet at the Activities Center at 8:30AM; Teton Pass tours meet at Yöstmark Mountain Equipment in Driggs at 8:30AM.

Yes. Clients are responsible for providing their own transportation to the morning rendezvous at either Grand Targhee or Yöstmark Mountain Equipment in Driggs.

For Teton Pass tours, your tour group will likely arrange shared rides to the Pass after meeting at Yöstmark Mountain Equipment.

If you're staying at Grand Targhee and do not have a car, check at the lodging desk to see about arranging a ride to Yöstmark Mountain Equipment and back.

For Grand Targhee tours, if you're staying in Driggs and don't have your own transportation, arrangements can be made in advance with your guide. Inquire at the Activities Center or at Yöstmark Mountain Equipment.

The following is a list of equipment for a backcountry ski tour:

• Ski/snowboard touring equipment: skis/snowboard with touring bindings, boots, poles, and climbing skins*
• Avalanche transceiver*
• Shovel*
• Ski jacket/shell
• Ski pants
• Long underwear (synthetic or wool, no cotton)
• Warm ski hat and gloves (preferably a light glove to hike in and another warm glove or mitten for descents and breaks)
• Neck gaiter, balaclava, or Buff
• Sunglasses/ski goggles
• Down or synthetic jacket (should be light enough to pack in day pack)
• 1 liter of water
• Day backpack for gear (approximately 2500 – 3000 cubic inches)
• Sun screen/lip balm
• Lunch, snacks

*Can be provided or rented from Yöstmark.

If you do not own touring skis, skins, and boots, you can call 208-354-2828 or rent them from Yöstmark Mountain Equipment in downtown Driggs at the corner of 1st and Little Ave.  Yostmark offers both telemark and alpine touring rental packages.

Snowboarders will either need a splitboard with skins or approach skis with skins to complement their conventional snowboard and collapsible ski poles. Splitboards and skins can also be rented from Yöstmark Mountain Equipment. If using approach skis, make sure that the bindings work with your snowboard boots.

Guides carry a cell phone, emergency kit, first aid, and repair kit.