Want to Learn Backcountry Skills From Pro Skiers? Arc'teryx Backcountry Clinic is Returning to Mammoth

Arc’teryx’s backcountry clinic series is returning to the Sierra this winter.

From February 20-22, 2026, Mammoth Mountain, California will once again host the Arc’teryx Backcountry Academy.

The event is comprised of three days of skills clinics, films, music, and community, hosted by some of the most knowledgable and dialed skiers and guides in the industry. Registration for clinics opens on Thursday, November 20 at 12 p.m. PST.

Backcountry Academy clinics will feature a mix of on-resort and true backcountry courses with a wide range of education/experience levels available. Friday’s clinics include a Women’s Intro to Touring led by Tonje Kvivik, a Freeride by Foot clinic led by Sam Kuch, a Capture the Mountain clinic led by Cole Richardson, and many more.

Clinics like Skiing the Steeps with Tatum Monod, How to Rappel into Your Line with Tom Peiffer, and the Art of the Skin Track with Michelle Parker will all take place on Saturday. The weekend will close out on Sunday with even more events like Backcountry Zones with Craig Murray and Intrinsic Performance with Janelle Smiley.

The 2026 POWDER Photo Annual is here! Look for a print copy on a newsstand near you, or click here to have a copy shipped directly to your front door.

Eric “Hoji” Hjorleifson is also hosting a Friday clinic called “I Only Ski Powder Snow” and a Sunday clinic called “Why You Want to Leave Disneyland.” We’re not really sure what backcountry skills these are aiming at, but we’re definitely intrigued.

Most of the Backcountry Academy Clinics require participants to have a Level 1 AIARE course under their belt. More event information and registration for clinics can be found at mammoth.arcteryxacademy.com.

Most clinics only have 5-6 spots available, so if the idea of learning backcountry skills from folks like Craig Murray, Michelle Parker, Hoji, Sam Kuch, and more sounds even remotely fun to you (and if it doesn’t, why are you reading POWDER???), don’t sleep on registering—they’ll sell out fast.

Related: Mammoth Mountain Opens With Top-to-Bottom Skiing (Photos)