What is Alpine Islands?
Our Story
Alpine Islands is a new take on giving people the tools necessary to survive in the wild. Born from a desire for maximum fulfillment in nature, Alpine Islands is a club of passionate individuals united in the idea that there is always more to learn, and always something to teach others.
We integrate the principles of martial arts into our club: discipline, practice, mindfulness, and self-mastery. Through these tenets we help each other become better versions of ourselves, and therefore, better humans moving through a wild landscape.
Our Mission
Alpine Islands seeks to provide an inclusive community of adventurers who ride wild mountains around the world. We are devoted to the idea that there is always more you can learn, and always something you can teach.
As outdoor educators we follow a model more like martial arts than a western school structure of courses and exams. Rather, the journey is never complete, yet there are certain levels of understanding and skills mastery to seek and attain.
How We're Different
This is a club where every member has something to contribute. For far too long there has been a solid line in the backcountry: a line between teacher and student, between mentor and protegé, between guide and customer. Our aim is to change that paradigm.
Likening our approach more to a martial arts dojo than a classroom or tour group, we are focusing on connecting the dots between knowledge and instinct. We realize that with experiential learning the journey is never over. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or have never set foot beyond the a ski resort boundary, there is always something to learn—as well as something to offer others.
We unite people who are committed to having a symbiotic relationship with nature and have a passion for chasing out wild places, having fun, and coming back home safely to do it all again. It’s a novel approach in backcountry sports, but nothing new in the Human Experience. Our goal is to bring what already exists into a new level of understanding and connection for lovers of mountain sports.
How It Works
Our development system is based on several key philosophies that make our process more like a martial art, where the opponent to defeat is both nature and one’s ego.
There is always both more to learn, and something to teach others no matter what level you are.
Members belong to one of three tiers:
- Beginner: Foundational skills, focusing on basic backcountry knowledge and safety.
- Intermediate: Advanced skills, such as navigation, avalanche awareness, and wilderness survival.
- Advanced: Mastery skills, mentorship opportunities, and leadership within the community.
Our Values
Our community is proud to share the values that unite us:
- Being inclusive and empowering
- Respect and care for our planet's health
- Building strength in character through adventure
Core Offerings
- Workshops & Clinics: Hands-on training sessions covering specific backcountry skills, from avalanche safety to natural wayfinding and survival psychology.
- Weekly Guides Meetings: Regular check-ins that mimic professional guides’ meetings, providing updates on snowpack, weather, and backcountry conditions.
- Community Events: Group meet-ups, skill challenges, and adventure trips to foster connections and hands-on experience.
- Exclusive Resources: Downloadable routines, gear checklists, backcountry meditations, and more for members to hone skills on their own time.
- Gear Library & Giveback Program: Members can donate gear in exchange for discount coupons and access a gear library for those who may not be able to afford equipment.
What We offer
We are an inclusive club designed to serve its members with opportunities for education, inspiration, and some good old fashioned stoke to get outside and have fun in nature. We do this through:
- Backcountry Base Camps: 1-2 week sessions providing you with enough time and space to really excel in your knowledge and understanding of the backcountry
- Weekend Getaways: Opportunities to work on certain skills
- Live guides meetings and snowpack analysis sessions for better decision making
- Gear reviews and recommendations: from experts who truly analyze and test with unbiased and honest results
- Travel discounts with our partners
