Blizzard Uptrack — Where You Are vs. How to Progress

Start where it helps most — Step 1 is fine even for experts, or move to Step 2/3 if your avalanche, navigation, or fitness is already solid. Let your lowest attribute (experience, fitness, or riding) guide you.

🟢 Green

Experience: New to the backcountry or a handful of tours, learning skinning, transitions, terrain and avalanche basics.

Fitness: A full day is okay; snack breaks keep you moving.

Riding Ability: Confident on most resort terrain.

Step 1 - Building the Foundation

• AST 1 (Avalanche basics + rescue) • Alpine Navigation (map/compass/GPS) • Intro Tours (apply AST 1, pacing, transitions) • ASR (Refresh your skills)

🟦 Blue

Experience: AST 1 done or a few guided days, solid with the basics and limited time in bigger terrain.

Fitness: Can put in vert at a steady, conversational pace.

Riding Ability: Handle all resort terrain and adaptable to mixed snow.

Step 2 - Expanding Skills

• Ski Mountaineering 1 (tech mountain skills) • AST 2 (Challenging terrain & decision-making) • Intermediate Tours (apply AST 2 in all terrain types) • Winter Camping(advanced terrain use with integrated winter camping techniques)‍ ‍• Alpine Backcountry Wilderness First Aid(highly recommended; “Survive First Aid”)

◆ Black

Experience: Multiple seasons of touring or AST 2 and comfortable in big terrain.

Fitness: Strong and motivated for long days and big climbs.

Riding Ability: Ski/ride any terrain with style.

Step 3 - Advanced Objectives

• Ski Mountaineering 2 (steeper terrain, technical travel & advanced transitions) • Glacier Travel (rope systems, crevasse rescue & glacier safety) • Advanced Tours (steeper lines, bigger objectives) • Winter Camping(complex terrain use with integrated winter camping techniques)