SHRED Therapy 

Shred: (v) Ride with exceptional speed, ability, or enthusiasm, especially in challenging terrain.

Front Country Foundation’s SHRED Therapy Clinics, designed for veterans, go beyond traditional mental health therapy methods by integrating backcountry skiing, snow education, and community in a supportive environment. Following a positive psychology model, the program prioritizes emotional engagement, builds skill mastery, and fosters belonging through group clinics and peer veteran mentoring. These immersive, small-group experiences teach technical mountain skills while fostering mental well-being and community connection.

Each SHRED Therapy clinic runs for six days in the Teton, Absaroka and Targhee mountain ranges of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The clinic includes AIARE 1 avalanche training and certification. We teach participants the in’s and out’s of the backcountry including: safety training (partner rescue etc.), equipment training (use of probes, beacons, topo map reading), backcountry ski/ splitboard skills (skinning, downhill skills, choosing lines) - all with experienced back country guides.

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SAMPLE SHRED THERAPY CLINIC

  • DAY 1

    ARRIVAL AND GEAR SET-UP

    Arrive in Jackson, settle into lodging.

    Thorough gear inspection, pack class.

    Layering, partner rescue/beacon training.

    Dinner and plan for Day 2.

  • DAY 2

    PARTNER RESCUE TRAINING

    Quick breakfast, review avalanche forecast. Togwotee pass for rescue drills, basic skin mechanics. Beacon drills, skin application, kick turns, & safety drills. Partner rescue scenarios and evening PowerPoint.

    Recap and plan for Day 3.

  • Day 3

    STABILITY FOCUS

    Breakfast, review avalanche forecast.

    Togwotee for drills, higher skinning, stability tests.

    Summit, refine skiing techniques, review tests. Mapping class for route planning.

    Recap, plan for Day 4, and dinner.

  • DAY 4

    MINI MISSION

    Breakfast, avalanche forecast.

    Head to GTNP, Gros Ventre, Snake River, or Absaroka Range. Longer approach, pre-summit stability tests.

    Summit photos, ski out, recap, and plan for Day 5.

  • DAY 5

    REST DAY

    Read avalanche forecast.

    Community service or leisure activities. Optional session with EMDR therapy professional.

    Plan for Day 6, dinner, recap.

  • DAY 6

    PARTICIPANT-LED DAY

    Breakfast, avalanche forecast, daily plan.

    Participants lead: choosing the line, timing & equipment.

    Test day for decision-making.

    If applicable, Partyka Scholarship award.

    Recap, Goodbye dinner, post-trip gear return