Mt. Washington
Our guided backcountry days for skiers and splitboarders: Intro to Backcountry Touring and Intro to Ski / Snowboard Mountaineering, January to March, with IST’s guides.
Programs on Mt. Washington
Every backcountry day here is led by IST’s guides. Pick the program, then the date.
Intro to Backcountry Touring on Mt. Washington, NH
A fully guided first day beyond the resort. $150, Saturdays and Sundays January to March, no backcountry experience needed.
See the program and book →Women's Intro to Backcountry Touring on Mt. Washington, NH
A fully guided first day beyond the resort, for women, with a woman guide. $150, four Saturdays January to March, no backcountry experience needed.
See the program and book →Queer Intro to Backcountry Touring on Mt. Washington, NH
A fully guided first day beyond the resort, designed for and by queer people. $100, four Saturdays January to March, no backcountry experience needed.
See the program and book →BIPOC Intro to Backcountry Touring on Mt. Washington, NH
A fully guided first day beyond the resort for Black, Indigenous and other skiers and riders of color. $100, two dates in February and March, no backcountry experience needed.
See the program and book →Intro to Ski / Snowboard Mountaineering on Mt. Washington, NH
A guided day learning to move on steep, firm snow with crampons and an ice axe, for skiers and splitboarders. $175 with the crampons and ice axe included, four dates January to March, prior touring required.
See the program and book →Women’s Intro to Ski / Snowboard Mountaineering on Mt. Washington, NH
A guided day learning to move on steep, firm snow with crampons and an ice axe, for women, with a woman guide. $175 with the crampons and ice axe included, one date in March, prior touring required.
See the program and book →Queer Intro to Ski / Snowboard Mountaineering on Mt. Washington, NH
A guided day learning to move on steep, firm snow with crampons and an ice axe, built for and by queer people. $125 with the crampons and ice axe included, one date in February, prior touring required.
See the program and book →BIPOC Intro to Ski / Snowboard Mountaineering on Mt. Washington, NH
A guided day learning to move on steep, firm snow with crampons and an ice axe, for Black, Indigenous and other skiers and riders of color. $125 with the crampons and ice axe included, one date in March, prior touring required.
See the program and book →AIARE 1 and Avalanche Rescue at our discounted rate
Northeast Mountaineering's avalanche courses at a discount for IST, by application: three courses this winter in the Mt. Washington Valley. Applications close December 1, and every applicant hears on December 2.
See the program and book →A full scholarship on every backcountry day
One on each of this season's Intro to Backcountry and Intro to Ski / Snowboard Mountaineering days on Mt. Washington. Apply by December 15 and name up to three days that work for you. On-resort days are $25, $10 or free for everyone, no application.
See the program and book →Your guides
Stu Hickey
Coming to us from the mountains of Southwest Virginia, Stu began guiding in 2011 as a whitewater guide on the Ocoee River in Tennessee, where he first discovered his passion for making the outdoors more accessible. That passion led him to New England, where he could stay rooted in the Appalachian Mountains, explore all of his outdoor pursuits, and ski daily through the winter months. His guiding has become increasingly education-focused: fly casting and archery for L.L.Bean, swiftwater rescue for whitewater paddlers, and the Backcountry Skiing Program at Carrabassett Valley Academy.
Certifications and credentials
- Wilderness First Responder, Wilderness First Aid
- American Red Cross First Aid, CPR and AED
- AIARE Level 2 Avalanche Training
- Maine Whitewater Guide
- ACA Level 5 Swiftwater Rescue
Mack Connor
Guiding and instructing since 2019, Mack Connor is originally from Cape Cod, MA, and did not have access to mountains growing up. Her passion for outdoor education began at the University of Maine, where she studied Environmental Science and Outdoor Leadership while instructing rock climbing, paddling and mountaineering trips with Maine Bound Adventure Center. After a Master's in Teaching she instructed for Acadia Mountain Guides and broke into ski guiding. In between guiding and outdoor pursuits, Mack teaches science in Bethel.
Certifications and credentials
- AMGA Single Pitch Instructor
- AIARE Level 2 Avalanche Training
- Registered Maine Guide
- Paradox Sports Adaptive Climbing Initiative
- WMA Wilderness First Responder
- American Red Cross First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor
- ACA Level 4 Swiftwater Rescue
- NAMI Youth Mental Health First Aider
- M.A.T. in Science Teaching; B.S. Environmental Sciences, minor in Outdoor Leadership
Gear and rentals
What to bring
- A helmet (required)
- Layers for a cold climb and a windy ridge
- Water and lunch
- A pack that holds it all
- Sunglasses or goggles, gloves
- Your touring setup, yours or rented
The full list is on the packing guide.
Where to rent
You do not need to own touring gear. Both shops give IST participants a discounted rate, and how to get it is in your confirmation email when you sign up. Reserve ahead: both shops run out on good weekends.
What people said after their day
“Our guide, Stu, was incredibly welcoming and inclusive and did a fantastic job of managing the different experience levels in the group. He gave specific, clear instructions to help us get more comfortable.”
Intro to Backcountry participant, 2026 survey
“I really enjoyed the leave no person behind policy because I'm usually the slowest person. Great meeting new people and talking gear with the guides.”
Intro to Backcountry participant, 2026 survey
