You’re physically fit – some might even call you an athlete – but you’re new to the world of backcountry travel. You want to start putting some numbers on the board: full days of touring to build experience and gain confidence. Black diamond inbounds terrain is your bread and butter.

You’ve taken an AST 1 course and/or have been guided in the backcountry before by a) your mom/dad b) your friend or c) a guide (sweet, if all three characteristics describe one person). You are proficient and capable with mountain travel, IE: you know that a kick turn is not just a dance move. However, you have limited experience in complex big mountain terrain, but are starting to shake that shaka bra wrist a little faster, ready for full days of adventures to start. Any inbounds terrain, any snow conditions, you’re handling it (like a boss).

So, you’re fit, and you identify as such. You’re looking for a faster pace and more vertical on your days of ski touring. You own the gear, the equipment, and you’ve got…dun dun dun…TECH BINDINGS. Ice axes, crampons, roping up on a glacier, you know what’s going on – but you’re not sure if you should call yourself a “pro.” Humility is good, but you can ski any terrain, and make it look good.

You’ve got years of backcountry touring in complex terrain under your belt, and when it’s time to get out there, there’s no time to waste. You’re here to send it and you want to know where and how (there is a sense of urgency here, but you’re smart enough to know that you still have to listen to and respect conditions). You can rappel into couloirs and put in 10,000+ ft days – why? More dangle, the higher the angle. You have a credible level of avalanche training (or equivalent number of years of mountain travel) and are more-than-proficient with technical equipment: ice axe, crampons, roping up on a glacier.