Skills

Explore the world of backcountry splitboarding with NOLS! Explore gear, techniques, and backcountry travel for an exhilarating journey beyond the beaten path.

Dive into snowboarding for beginners and learn fundamentals, terminology, and gear essentials.

Learn the essentials of skiing for beginners. Your guide to skiing terms, gear, and techniques for backcountry adventures.

Dive into the skiing vs. snowboarding debate and explore the unique challenges, rewards, and equipment differences between these popular winter activities.

NOLS grad Claire Burgeson shares her study abroad experience in Baja through stunning photos of beaches and wildlife, local practices and food, and more.

What happens if you have to use the bathroom far from a toilet? Read how to do this with minimum impact on the landscape to stay happy, healthy, and clean.

Instructor Navarana reflects on what it means to practice patience and compassion in the face of adversity, using outdoor experiences to frame her learning.

Reflecting on seasonal transition, NOLS instructor Jonny Hepburn shares lessons learned during ski season and how they might apply to spring adventures.

Sometimes being a good leader means admitting you don't know the answer, a lesson Carolyn Highland learned on her outdoor educator course in the Absarokas.

Now's the time to apply lessons learned outdoors, like practicing LNT, having a positive attitude, and managing risk responsibly, to the frontcountry.

On an Alaska backpacking and sea kayaking course, NOLS grad Caroline Dooley realized that hiking like a girl is something to celebrate. Here's why.

Katie Raymond relives the unforgettable day when she paddled for 13 hours in stormy weather on her Yukon Backpacking and Whitewater Canoeing expedition.

Choose a different kind of spring break this year. Forget the touristy beaches and overcrowded ski resorts and dive into a real outdoor adventure!

Check out this video to learn a short and effective yoga routine that's designed specifically for paddlers!

Once upon a time, two young bankers met by chance, bonding over their NOLS expeditions in Wyoming's mountains. The rest is history—a true NOLS love story.

NOLS grad, former instructor, and current Board member Jimmy Chin shares reflections on adventure, storytelling, family, and his NOLS experience.

NOLS LGBTQ+ Canyonlands Backpacking grad, Mat Pryfogle, recounts his takeaways from NOLS' first LBGTQ+ Expedition.

Check out our seven new expeditions for summer 2020 and start planning your next adventure!

Excited to go winter camping? These pro tips and instructions teach you how to build a quinzhee shelter out of snow instead of using a tent.

Make outdoor-focused New Year's resolutions and achieve them in 2020.

On a NOLS expedition, Jack Johnson fell in love with wilderness medicine. Read about his journey from a 14-year-old backpacker to a Wilderness EMT!

Make spring break 2020 the ultimate outdoor adventure! Join NOLS to paddle the Baja coast, backcountry ski in the Rockies, or rock climb in the Southwest.

While she's still not sure if she wants to be a ski guide, NOLS instructor Jesse Quillian has some lessons to share from her recent training.

Instructor Andy thought improving at rock climbing was about knowing enough knots and climbing hard enough routes— but it turns out there's more to it.