What is Alpine Islands?
Our Story
Alpine Islands is a method of self-mastery through riding wild mountains. Born from a desire for maximum fulfillment in nature, Alpine Islands is a club of passionate individuals united in the idea that dancing with nature more than possible.
We integrate the martial arts principles of discipline, practice, mindfulness, and self-mastery into the club’s DNA. Through these tenets we help each other become better versions of ourselves, and therefore, better humans moving through a wild landscape.
Our Mission
Our mission is 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.
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.
We are focusing on connecting the dots between knowledge and instinct. We realize that with experiential learning the journey is never over.
Through our online community and in-person gatherings, we are working to build an ethos of community to the learning process that never ends. It might be 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 that we plan to expand in more detail as the community grows:
- 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 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 (Coming Soon): 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
- Regular meetings 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
