A new mindset for backcountry education.
Alpine Islands is a club more akin to a dojo than a school. We teach the art of balancing expertise with instinct.
Latest stories
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What to do When Your Phone Dies: Analog Navigation 101
Smartphones are great navigation tools until they aren’t. And the chances are, if you spend any amount of time in the backcountry, sooner or later, your phone will…
Skill and instinct, in equal measure
Skill meets instinct
Technical training and intuitive, tech-free awareness, developed side by side.
A path for every level
A progression system that honors each individual’s motivation, learning style, and goals to meet you where you are.
Everyone is on the journey
Learn alongside people who’ve walked the path. Everyone teaches, everyone keeps learning.
I only dreamed of this kind of stuff before. Now I was living it, and couldn’t be more thrilled, satisfied, and hungry for more adventures in the snow.
Micah Dilcher, Pupukea, HI
The Belt System
The path to mastery is never a straight line. Seven belts give the whole journey structure — whether you’re taking your first steps into the backcountry or a seasoned rider staying sharp and giving back.
White
First season
Blue
Awareness
Green
Humility
Yellow
Confidence
Orange
Committing
Red
High-consequence
Black
3–5 winters
Find your belt
Twelve questions. See where you sit on the belt ladder, and what to practise next.