Kindling  Collective and Inclusive Ski Touring are excited to host Queer  Backcountry Skiing at Mt. Washington! This event offers queer  participants a thorough introduction to backcountry touring on the East  Coast. Designed to equip participants with essential knowledge and  skills, the program covers topics such as proper equipment use,  foundational techniques, interpersonal dynamics, and key considerations  for traveling beyond resort boundaries.

This  fully guided program is led by professional instructors and operates  under a permit from the White Mountain National Forest. Whether you are  looking to expand your touring knowledge or want to connect with like-minded adventurers, this program strives to offer a safe,  inclusive, and empowering environment to help you build confidence in  the backcountry. Please note that this course does not include avalanche  education or enter avalanche-prone areas.

The trip route follows the Tuckerman Ravine Trail, covering 2.4 miles (3.9  kilometers) with a vertical gain of approximately 2,000 feet (610  meters), leading to the Hermit Lake Caretaker Shelter, also known as  HoJo’s. From there, participants will descend via the John Sherburne Ski  Trail back to the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center parking area. This will  take approximately 5-6 hours.

Participants can use their own ski touring equipment or rent from local outfitters. Mountain Sports Lab is donating ski touring rentals for the day, and participants who need to rent splitboards can access those rentals for  40% off from White Mountain Ski Company. Click the registration button  for more information and to register.

Equipment required: Bring your own ski touring or splitboarding equipment or follow instructions to rent from Mt. Abram here.

Experience Required: Participants must be comfortable and confident descending black diamond terrain while downhill skiing or snowboarding. It is important to know that our guides are not downhill ski or snowboard instructors.