The Joy of Splitboarding - Women's Splitboarding Progression Series

The Joy of Splitboarding is a season long progression series for women and female-identifying splitboarders who want to build skills, confidence, and find joy in the backcountry. Through a mix of hands-on instruction, avalanche education, guided mentorship, and community connection, you’ll gain the tools to move safely toward your dream lines—at your own pace and in a supportive environment. 

Commit and Save! The Women’s Progression Series offers four guided courses for the price of three — just $725 (a $975 value). 

⭐ Supported by Gordini and Arc'teryx Seattle, expect free gear, giveaways, and ambassadors joining the fun! ⭐

Series Course Dates:

• Day 1 - Intro to Splitboarding December 19th 2025
• Day 2 - AIARE Rescue December 26th 2025
• Day 3 - Guide Led Mentorship Tour January 16th 2026
• Day 4 - Participant Led Tour February 20th 2026

By the end of the series, participants will:

• Feel comfortable and efficient with their splitboard gear.
• Develop avalanche awareness and practical rescue skills.
• Ride with more confidence in all types of snow and terrain.
• Gain experience on mentored tours and apply learning in a self-led group tour.
• Connect with a supportive community of female-identifying riders and mentors.

Important Details:

• All courses are based at our Glacier, WA office and the Mount Baker backcountry accessed from Heather Meadows.
• Rescue course may include female skiers.
• Participants will connect and coordinate through a group chat throughout the season.
  
• Some flexibilty may be available for mentorship dates if the weather is not cooperating.

About Your Guide:

Goals

• Skill Development: Learn how to move uphill with efficiency and downhill with style. We’ll practice kick turns, transitions, and skin track setting to make touring smoother and riding more fun.

• Avalanche Awareness & Rescue: Build a strong foundation in avalanche awareness and rescue, gaining the skills to recognize hazards, make informed decisions, and travel more safely in the backcountry.

• Confidence & Joy: Create a safe and inspiring space that reduces fear, builds trust, and centers joy in backcountry riding.

• Progression Pathway: Provide a clear pathway from first-time splitboarding to independently planning and executing a tour.

• Community & Mentorship: Connect with like-minded female-identifying riders and build lasting friendships and supportive partnerships in the backcountry.

Best For

Participants should be confident resort riders with at least 3 years of experience riding at a resort and able to handle variable snow conditions. It is recommended to take your splitboard setup to the resort and practice riding with it before the course to ensure comfort and familiarity with your gear. Ideally participants have taken AIARE 1 already or are encouraged to sign up for our Women's AIARE 1 course December 27th and 28th.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Intro to Splitboarding (Dec 19)

We'll meet in Glacier to get to know eachother and check our gear before heading up to Heather Meadows for our first tour as a group. We’ll cover gear setup, transitions, skinning techniques, kick turns, and downhill tips for variable snow. The focus is on comfort, confidence, and building a solid foundation. Two nights before the course, there will be an online Zoom meeting to introduce participants, review gear, and discuss current conditions.

Day 2 – Avalanche Education

• Avalanche Rescue (Dec 26): A one-day rescue course covering beacon searches, probing, shoveling strategies, and companion rescue.
  

Day 3 – Mentorship Day: Guide-Led Tour (Jan 16)
A mentored backcountry tour where participants practice route planning, track setting, terrain management, and group travel. As a team, we will review the avalanche forecast and learn how to make a plan that aligns with the current conditions and weather, supported by guides who model decision-making and risk management. Two nights before the tour, there will be an online Zoom meeting to review the plan, discuss conditions, and answer questions.

Day 4 – Leadership Day: Group-Planned Tour (Feb 20)

Participants take the lead, planning and executing their own backcountry tour. With mentorship support, the group applies all the skills gained to safely and confidently seek their dream lines. Two nights before the tour, there will be an online Zoom meeting to review conditions, refine the plan, and discuss group strategies.

Cancellation Policy

It is your responsibility to be familiar with our Payment, Cancellation, and Rescheduling Policies. When you book a trip with Guided Exposure, you are agreeing to our policies outlined here:

guidedexposure.com/pages/cancellation-policy