BACKCOUNTRY SKIING & SPLITBOARDING
Build the Fitness for Longer, Stronger Days in the Backcountry
A 12-week training program for backcountry skiers and splitboarders who want to climb more efficiently, handle more vertical, ski or ride stronger, and enjoy longer days in the mountains.
Training builds the aerobic fitness, strength, uphill capacity, and durability needed for touring throughout the season, without requiring a high-volume ski mountaineering objective.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Backcountry Skiing & Splitboarding is a 12-week training program designed to build the strength, aerobic fitness, uphill capacity, and durability needed for longer tours and stronger days in the backcountry.
The program combines strength training, aerobic development, uphill conditioning, and progressively longer ski-specific sessions so you can handle more vertical, move efficiently on the climb, and still have the legs to ski or ride well on the way down.
This is practical, season-focused training for recreational backcountry skiers and splitboarders who want to be fitter, more capable, and better prepared for the days they actually want to have outside.
Train to climb stronger, ski or ride better, and get more out of your season.
Build the Fitness to Tour More and Finish Strong
WHO IS THIS PROGRAM FOR?
Who Is Backcountry Skiing & Splitboarding Training For?
This program is for recreational backcountry skiers and splitboarders who want better fitness for touring, longer days, more vertical, and a stronger season.
This program is a good fit if you are:
✓ Newer to structured ski-specific training or returning after time away
✓ Looking to build aerobic fitness and uphill capacity for regular touring
✓ Wanting stronger legs and better durability for long climbs and repeated descents
✓ Preparing for hut trips, ski vacations, or a busy backcountry season
✓ Limited more by fitness than by skiing or riding ability
✓ Looking for a practical program that supports backcountry days without the higher-volume demands of Ski Mountaineering Training
Not quite ready for sport-specific backcountry training? Start with Outdoor Fitness Foundation or Hiking & Backpacking to build strength, aerobic fitness, and consistency first.
If you’re preparing for a specific peak, traverse, major ski descent, or other high-demand objective, Ski Mountaineering Training may be the better fit.
TRAINING OUTCOMES
What You’ll Build
Backcountry Skiing & Splitboarding Training develops the uphill fitness, strength, and durability needed for stronger, more enjoyable days in the backcountry.
Build the ability to settle into the skin track, climb efficiently for hours, accumulate more vertical, and recover between climbs.
Uphill Power
Build the capacity to handle repeated climbing, transitions, descents, and long hours on your feet without falling apart late in the day.
Touring Durability
Train your legs to keep working when the skin track gets steep, the vert adds up, and local muscular fatigue starts to become the limiter.
Muscular Endurance
Develop the leg, hip, and core strength to absorb variable snow, manage tired legs, and ski or ride with control after a long climb.
Downhill Strength
Prepare for bigger tours, long approaches, hut trips, and back-to-back days where you need enough fitness to keep moving well from start to finish.
All-Day Capacity
Build a durable base that lets you stack consistent touring days, recover well between them, and stay strong as the season progresses.
Season-Long Fitness
The goal is simple: climb stronger, ski or ride better, and have more fun doing it.
Train for Stronger Days in the Backcountry
HOW YOU’LL TRAIN
Your week combines strength, aerobic training, uphill conditioning, and longer ski-specific sessions to build fitness that transfers directly to touring.
3
AEROBIC & UPHILL CONDITIONING SESSIONS
Aerobic training builds the engine for long climbs, while progressive uphill work develops the ability to keep moving efficiently as the vert adds up.
2
STRENGTH WORKOUTS
Focused strength training builds the leg, hip, core, and full-body strength needed for climbing, variable snow, transitions, and strong descents on tired legs.
1
LONG ENDURANCE SESSION
A longer hike or tour builds time on your feet, vertical gain, and the endurance needed for bigger backcountry days.
WEEKLY GUIDANCE NOTES
Short notes inside your training calendar to help you understand the purpose of each week and the fundamentals of training, recovery, and long-term progress. So you have clear direction between check-ins and coaching calls.
Delivered & Monitored with TrainingPeaks
Your workouts, notes, and training feedback are organized in TrainingPeaks so you can track progress and stay consistent throughout the program.
TRAINING THAT FITS THE SEASON
As snow conditions and access change, the program can shift between gym-based training, hiking, uphill conditioning, and actual touring so your fitness keeps progressing throughout the season.
HOW IT WORKS
Getting started is simple.
Choose
Select the level of coaching support you need and enroll through TrainingPeaks.
Connect
Create or sign in to your TrainingPeaks account during checkout. You’ll connect to Dane automatically.
Complete
Dane will email your short intake form and waiver.
Train
Once your start date is confirmed, your training will appear in the app.
TrainingPeaks Premium Included
The app is free to download, and Casaval covers your Premium membership while your program is active.
Choose Your Level of Support to
Start Training
Every athlete starts with the same proven training system.
The difference is how much individualization, coaching, feedback, and accountability you want along the way.
Guided
Essential coaching and support to keep you consistent and moving forward.
$149
per month
✓ 12-week Backcountry Skiing & Splitboarding training program
✓ Coach-paid TrainingPeaks Premium included
✓ Structured strength and aerobic conditioning workouts
✓ Weekly guidance notes built into your training calendar
✓ Unlimited email support
✓ Program Q&A
Most Popular
Plus
Plus provides the best balance of structure, accountability, coaching, and value for most athletes.
$249
per month
✓ Everything in Guided
✓ Monthly program adjustments
✓ TrainingPeaks workout analysis every 2 weeks
✓ Two individual coaching check-ins each month
✓ One coaching call each month
✓ Priority email support
Custom
Completely individualized training and coaching that meet you exactly where you’re at.
$549
per month
✓ Fully customized training plan
✓ Weekly program adjustments
✓ Weekly workout data analysis and feedback
✓ Nutrition Coaching
✓ Weekly individual check-in emails
✓ Two coaching calls each Month
✓ Priority text support
Not sure which option fits? Plus is the best starting point for most athletes who want structure, feedback, and accountability without full custom coaching.
No separate TrainingPeaks subscription is required. Casaval covers your Premium membership while your coaching is active, a $19.95/month retail value.
YOUR COACH
Built by a Coach Who Loves Long Days on Skis
Backcountry Skiing & Splitboarding Training was created by Dane Brinkley, founder of Casaval Personal Training, certified personal trainer, mountain guide, ski patroller, backcountry skier, and lover of endurance sports.
Dane has spent decades skiing and working in mountain environments as a guide and ski patroller. He understands firsthand that the best backcountry days require more than downhill skill: you need the fitness to climb efficiently, manage hours of vertical, stay strong through changing snow, and still have good legs when it’s time to ski or ride down.
His own year-round training includes backcountry skiing, ski mountaineering, cycling, trail running, strength training, and mountain endurance. That experience shapes a practical approach to building fitness that carries directly into the skin track.
Backcountry skiing and splitboarding are simply more fun when fitness isn’t the limiting factor. The goal is to help you climb stronger, ski or ride better, and have the capacity to enjoy more of the season.
20+ Years Mountain Guiding
Real mountain experience from Mt. Shasta to the Cascades to Denali.
230+ Mt. Shasta Summits
First-hand insight into what it takes to prepare everyday people for big mountain goals.
Certified Personal Trainer
ISSA Elite Trainer with education in strength and conditioning, nutrition, and endurance training.
Trusted by Industry Leaders
A practical training approach used by climbers, skiers, mountain guides, and professional ski patrollers
CLIENT RESULTS
WHAT ATHLETES ARE SAYING
“Heavy pack felt comfortable, legs were sturdy, core solid.”
“I was the strongest, actually... the only one that kept up with the Guides.”
“Dane, thank you for providing such incredible training, for your steady guidance, and for helping me realize what I’m capable of.”
Questions Before You Start?
Here are the most common questions about this training program and how coaching works.
1. Is Backcountry Skiing & Splitboarding Training a beginner program?
Yes. This program is designed for beginner and intermediate backcountry skiers and splitboarders, including people who are newer to structured ski-specific training or returning after time away.
You should already be comfortable skiing or riding backcountry terrain, but you do not need a large endurance base or a high-volume training background. The program builds strength, endurance, uphill / downhill power, and touring capacity progressively over the 12 weeks.
If you already train at a higher volume or are preparing for a specific peak, traverse, major descent, or other demanding objective, Ski Mountaineering Training may be a better fit.
2. What kinds of goals is this program designed for?
This program is designed for recreational skiers and splitboarders who want to tour more, climb stronger, handle more vertical, and feel better late in the day.
It works well for general season preparation, regular backcountry touring, hut trips, ski vacations, longer tours, and building the fitness to string together multiple ski days.
3. How often will I train?
The program is built around a repeatable weekly rhythm with two strength sessions, two shorter aerobic training sessions, one uphill-conditioning workout, and one longer endurance hike or tour.
Your schedule can be adjusted around work, weather, snow conditions, recovery, and the days you actually have available to ski.
4. Can my backcountry ski or splitboard days count as training?
Absolutely. Touring is some of the most specific training you can do.
When conditions allow, ski and splitboard days can replace aerobic, uphill, or longer endurance workouts. The program is designed to work with your actual time in the mountains rather than compete with it.
5. Do I need to live near the mountains?
No. You do need a reliable way to train uphill.
Steep outdoor terrain is great, but stairs, incline treadmills, StairMasters, and structured box-step workouts can all develop the climbing fitness needed for touring. As snow and access improve, actual ski or splitboard days can become a larger part of the program.
6. What equipment do I need for training?
A full gym is helpful but not required.
You should have access to basic free weights such as dumbbells, kettlebells, or a barbell, resistance bands, and a sturdy box or step. You’ll also need some way to complete aerobic and uphill training.
Once you’re touring, use the normal ski or splitboard equipment appropriate for your terrain and conditions.
7. Can I start the program before ski season or when there isn’t enough snow to tour?
Yes. The program can begin well before consistent snow arrives.
Early training can use strength work, hiking, running, cycling, stairs, treadmills, and other uphill conditioning. As the season develops, the program can shift progressively toward more actual touring and ski-specific training.
8. Does this program teach avalanche safety or backcountry skiing skills?
No. This is a fitness and conditioning program, not a substitute for avalanche education, technical instruction, or professional guiding.
Participants should have the skiing or riding skills, avalanche education, equipment knowledge, and mountain judgment appropriate for the terrain they plan to enter. When needed, I strongly encourage working with qualified avalanche educators and professional guide services.
9. How is my training delivered? Do I need TrainingPeaks?
Your workouts, training notes, and schedule are delivered through TrainingPeaks.
A TrainingPeaks account is required, but there is no additional TrainingPeaks fee while you’re being coached by Casaval. Casaval provides TrainingPeaks Premium while your coaching is active so you can follow your calendar, record workouts, leave feedback, and track your progress.
10. How is the program adapted to me?
After enrolling, you’ll complete an athlete intake covering your skiing or riding goals, training history, current fitness, available time, equipment, schedule, and typical access to snow and uphill terrain.
The program can then be adjusted around your fitness, recovery, available training time, snow conditions, and actual touring days so the training supports the kind of backcountry season you want to have.
BACKCOUNTRY SKIING & SPLITBOARDING
Get More Out of Your Backcountry Season
More fitness means more options: longer tours, more vertical, stronger climbs, better descents, and enough energy to keep doing it throughout the season.
Backcountry Skiing & Splitboarding Training gives you a practical 12-week plan to build the strength, endurance, and touring capacity that make days in the mountains more enjoyable.
12 Weeks
A clear structure to build strength, fitness, and consistency.
Delivered Through TrainingPeaks
Your workouts, guidance, and tracking in one place.
1:1 Coaching Support
Get feedback and accountability when you need it.
Strong for the Descent
Build the leg strength and control to ski or ride well after hours of climbing.
Built for the Skin Track
Develop the aerobic fitness, uphill power, and durability to handle more vertical and longer tours.
Not sure if this program or Ski Mountaineering Training is the better fit?
Be Ready When the Snow Is Good
Build the fitness to take advantage of bigger days, better conditions, and more time in the backcountry.