Dream Big: SheJumps 2026 Alpine School ❄️

Ready to level up your backcountry skills? The SheJumps Alpine School, presented by Arc’teryx, is back for 2026 with three immersive, week-long courses in British Columbia Designed to support women and non-binary individuals in building the skills, experience, and confidence to progress further in the backcountry.

Alpine School offers three backcountry education courses to advanced to expert level skiers and splitboarders. All three courses are taught by renowned ACMG women guides who cultivate a supportive learning environment and expert instruction. Whether you’re still building experience to plan your own backcountry adventures, seeking glacier and rope travel experience, or want to dive deep into snow science during prime powder season, there’s a course for you.

Learn more about all three offerings and find the course that best fits your goals:

🎿 Alpine Development School (ADS)

Big Terrain. Bigger Growth. Welcome to Alpine Development School 2026.

📍 April 5–12, 2026 | Valhalla Mountain Touring, BC

If you’re ready to level up your backcountry skills while skiing huge lines with a supportive crew, Alpine Development School (ADS) is for you.

This weeklong lodge-based course is designed for advanced backcountry skiers and riders who want to step into leadership. Each day blends high-impact learning with full-value touring in the outdoor classroom of the Selkirks. Taught by female ACMG ski guides, you’ll cover digital navigation and route planning, terrain management and group travel, and decision-making and leadership in the alpine.

A Culture of Stoke and Support

This isn’t just about skiing—it’s about the people. ADS creates a space where learning is collaborative, confidence is built through experience, and encouragement flows as freely as the powder turns. Last year’s participants are still talking about the vibe:

“There was a moment when we were all preparing to ski some amazing lines down a glacial moraine, and everyone kept cheering for each person that went down one by one… I don’t think I’ve ever been in a group that was so encouraging and selfless. The priority was always group safety and group stoke!” – Belen

“ADS was bigger than just how incredible the skiing was—it was about the power women have when they come together in these spaces and how we can uplift one another to feel emboldened to reach for more.” – Elyse

“I had only taken courses filled with mostly overly confident men, and I thought this trip would offer me a safe space to learn and feel supported as I gained confidence in the backcountry.” – Kat

If you’ve been feeling stuck or are ready to take the lead, this is your next step.

ADS 2026 registration opens August 6. Get on the list, grab your spot—and get ready for a week that pushes your skills and fills your cup.

SCROLL to the bottom of this blog post for a full list of Alpine Development School pre-course requirements.

🏔️ Alpine Finishing School (AFS)

Alpine Finishing School 2026: Build the Skills. Do the Work. Lead Your Line.

📍 April 25–May 2, 2026 | Selkirk Lodge, BC

Alpine Finishing School is She Jumps’ technical ski mountaineering course that is designed for advanced to expert backcountry riders who are ready to sharpen their skills in serious terrain.

Now in its 14th year, AFS is more than just a course—it’s a legacy. And for good reason. Set deep in the Selkirk Mountains at a helicopter-accessed lodge, this program delivers immersive, high-elevation learning in one of North America’s most inspiring mountain classrooms.

You’ll spend the week traveling through glaciated terrain, building and practicing rope systems, and getting comfortable with crevasse rescue, roped movement, and route finding using both map & compass and digital navigation tools. It’s the kind of training that unlocks bigger alpine goals—and gives you the confidence to pursue them safely.

AFS is about more than just skiing—its about both the community and the depth of learning that happens when you’re surrounded by skilled, experienced, and supportive peers and guides.

“Alpine Finishing School is a ski camp for rad and strong women who love to ski and adventure. I would highly recommend this course to anyone looking to build new skills and make new friends.” – Michelle

“I lacked the knowledge and mountaineering experience that my ski touring partners possessed. Spending a week at AFS, taking things back to the basics, gave me a solid foundation to confidently and safely expand my ability to adventure in the mountains.” – Jesse

“It was incredibly awesome to get such a rad group of ladies (guides, staff, and participants) together from all over the place. I can't say enough about what an amazing opportunity this was and how fulfilling it was to learn amongst so many badass women.” - 2025 Participant

AFS is where technical training meets community, where you get hands-on experience with ropes and rescue systems and make lifelong connections. Spots are limited and this course fills fast. If you're ready to step into more technical objectives with skill, clarity, and confidence—this is your course. SCROLL to the bottom of this blog post for a full list of Alpine Finishing School pre-course requirements.

❄️ Alpine Finishing School: Deep Winter Edition (NEW!)

Introducing: Alpine Finishing School – Deep Winter Edition

📍 January 17–24, 2026 | Selkirk Lodge, BC

We heard you. Over the years of running our SheJumps Alpine Finishing School (AFS), one thing kept coming up: We want more. More education. More technical depth. More winter-specific experience. And especially, more opportunities to apply what you’ve learned in real terrain, with real consequences—but in a supportive learning environment.

So, we created something new. Alpine Finishing School: Deep Winter Edition is our answer to that call—a next-level course designed for expert-level backcountry skiers and splitboarders who want to push deeper into winter and refine the skills needed to move confidently and safely through complex terrain in the heart of the season.

This isn’t a refresher. It’s not an intro.

This is a deep dive.

Why Deep Winter?

The classic AFS takes place in the spring, when the snowpack tends to stabilize and big alpine lines open up, creating the perfect environment for ski mountaineering. But we know that deep winter is a different beast altogether. Shorter days, colder temps, more frequent storms, and a layered, dynamic snowpack that demands constant attention. And for many of you, these are exactly the conditions you're spending most of your winter navigating.

AFS: Deep Winter Edition is built to meet those conditions head-on and is designed to sharpen your technical skills and deepen your decision-making process in the exact alpine conditions you’re often skiing in.

Why We Built This

There are plenty of avalanche and backcountry courses out there, and some great ones. But what we kept hearing was that participants wanted something that bridged the gap—something between the technical classroom vibe of a traditional course and the on-the-ground experience required in real backcountry decision-making.

This is that bridge.

We believe you learn best by doing, especially in the very environment that tests your skills the most. AFS: Deep Winter Edition gives you the chance to practice—not just learn—the advanced process needed to lead, assess, and execute in deep-winter terrain.

And just like all SheJumps Alpine School programs, this course is grounded in community. You’ll be surrounded by other women and non-binary backcountry travelers who are just as dedicated, curious, and fired-up as you are. You’ll be guided by female ACMG guides. You’ll learn from each other, support each other, and probably come out of the course with a few new touring partners for life.

Ready to Go Deeper?

If you’re ready to spend a week immersed in snow science, leadership, and high-level terrain management—while skiing some incredible lines in one of the most iconic mountain ranges in North America—this is your next step.

This is Alpine Finishing School: Deep Winter Edition.

We'll see you in the Selkirks.

SCROLL to the bottom of this blog post for a full list of Alpine Development School: Deep Winter Edition pre-course requirements.

🚨 Registration now open!

Register HERE

Note: These courses are not simply guided trips. They are immersive educational programs designed to build your backcountry skills and confidence with expert mentorship in small-group environments.

Learn more about our amazing guides by navigating to our program page: shejumps.org/alpineschool

Pre Course Requirements: Please read these carefully!

Alpine Development School Pre-Course Requirements

• Completed AIARE/AAI/AST level 1 or equivalent

• Advanced skier or rider ability. Can ski all black diamonds in the resort and confidently ski a variety of snow conditions including powder, crust, and wind-affected snow on slopes up to 40 degrees. 

• Can make controlled turns in moderate terrain, including in trees, and open to challenges like chutes, steeper slopes, and tighter trees.

• At least two years and 20+ days of human powered backcountry skiing/splitboarding experience.

• High fitness level. Ability to comfortably climb and ski 3000-5000 vertical feet/1000-1750 vertical meters in a day with a 20 lb pack on, multiple days in a row without rest days. Can push 6,000 vertical feet for a big day.

Alpine Finishing School Pre-Course Requirements:

• Completed AIARE/AAI/AST level 1 or equivalent

• Advanced to expert ski or snowboard ability. Ski or ride confidently in all types of backcountry snow, on up to 35 degree slopes. 50+ days of human powered backcountry skiing/splitboarding experience

• High fitness level. Ability to comfortably climb and ski at least 3000 vertical feet/1000 vertical meters in a day with a 20 lb pack on, multiple days in a row without rest days. Can push 6,000 vertical feet for a big day.

• Ability to ski in variable snow conditions including: heavy powder, dust on crust, set up snow, chunder, wind affected snow, hot and sticky snow, icy conditions, etc.

• Commitment to learn knots via provided curriculum prior to the course date.

• Experience with multi-day backcountry ski trips. There is a difference between doing one big backcountry tour a year and having back to back big tour days for 3+ days in a row.

AFS: Deep Winter Edition Pre-Course Requirements

• Completed AIARE/AAI/AST level 1 or equivalent

• Expert ski or snowboard ability. Ski or ride confidently in all types of backcountry snow, on up to 35 degree slopes. 

• 50+ days of human powered backcountry skiing/splitboarding experience

• High fitness level. Ability to comfortably climb and ski at least 3000 vertical feet/1000 vertical meters in a day with a 20 lb pack on, multiple days in a row without rest days. Can push 6,000 vertical feet for a big day.

• Ability to ski in variable snow conditions including: heavy powder, dust on crust, set up snow, chunder, wind affected snow, hot and sticky snow, icy conditions, etc.

• Willingness & commitment to learn knots via provided curriculum prior to the course date.

• Experience with multi-day backcountry ski trips. There is a difference between doing one big backcountry tour a year and having consecutive tour days.

• Optional: Previous participation in SheJumps Alpine Finishing School or Alpine Development School or similar backcountry course strongly encouraged. Previous glacier experience is beneficial but not required.