There is nothing like the exhilaration you feel after your first big run down untracked powder. Skiers try to chase that sensation the rest of their lives and are increasingly looking for it backcountry, where untracked runs are the reward of a steep hike uphill.

As a result, resorts and guide services across North America are offering more courses and trips that emphasize the education (especially avalanche awareness), techniques and tactics needed to safely navigate the backcountry. Most of these programs require that you be comfortable skiing black-diamond runs within a ski area and be in good physical shape to handle the demands of uphill travel. Here is a sampling of the best places to get a taste of off-piste adventure but keep the training wheels on.

Petra Cliffs Mountaineering School

Bolton Valley, Vermont

Petra Cliffs Mountaineering School offers monthly weekend group clinics for new-to-the-backcountry skiers and snowboarders, as well as private trips on request, in the extensive terrain that borders Bolton Valley ski area.

“We’ll get you comfortable on your skis, show you how to put in a proper skin track and explore different ways to manage terrain,” said co-owner and head guide Steve Charest. Skiers should be at least intermediate level and comfortable skiing in treed areas. For those ready for more challenge, Petra Cliffs offers guided trips into the backcountry at Smuggler’s Notch, reached by lift from the ski resort, and the area around Jay Peak, among other destinations.

Cost: $165; includes guide; $185 per person for a private trip with two people; petracliffs.com.

Backcountry Adventure Center

Sugar Bowl, California

When Sugar Bowl, northwest of Lake Tahoe, opened its Summit lift in 2009, skiers disembarking at the top of Judah Ridge got an enticing view into what John Monson, director of sales and marketing, calls “marquee backcountry terrain.”

Anticipating that guests would be tempted to access the untracked slopes through the resort’s open boundary policy, resort management decided to focus on education and contracted with Alpine Skills International, a respected local guide service, to run tours and teach avalanche certification classes.

Among the guided outings is the Four Peaks Tour, introduced last winter. Begin with a chairlift ride, then ski down and skin up the backsides of Sugar Bowl’s four summits strung along the Pacific Crest. The tour includes navigating terrain such as chutes and bowls, as well as information related to backcountry travel, snow science and proper use of gear.

Cost: $165; includes guide; sugarbowl.com.

Expedition: Kirkwood

Kirkwood, California

Kirkwood ski area, south of Lake Tahoe, is known for its challenging slopes, abundant snowfall and miles of accessible backcountry terrain. It’s also rated Class A (most dangerous) for avalanche potential. This program was established to help adventurous skiers and boarders explore more safely through avalanche education courses, introductory backcountry skills classes and guided snowcat skiing.

New this season is the Discovery Series, Saturday sessions for skiers and snowboarders that are held within resort boundaries but focus on the techniques necessary for tackling the steeps, cornices, bowls and chutes outside the gates.

Cost: $195 per person for Discovery Series sessions; includes lunch; $435 to $635 for private guided tours, with a maximum of four guests per guide; kirkwood.com.

Big Mountain Center

Kicking Horse, British Columbia

Much of the inbounds terrain at this resort in Golden, British Columbia, feels like the backcountry, with 85 chutes designated on the trail map and acres of ungroomed steeps and glades on the upper mountain. In other words, it’s a perfect training ground for developing the skiing or riding skills necessary for the backcountry, especially under the watchful eye of a guide from the resort’s Big Mountain Center, who will teach intermediates and above how to manage high-alpine terrain while sharing tucked-away powder stashes.

Cost: 589 Canadian dollars, about $530 at $1.10 Canadian to the U.S. dollar, for guided skiing for a group of up to six; 205 dollars per person for avalanche courses; kickinghorseresort.com.

Ski Fantasy Camp and Elevate Women’s Ski Camp

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

For backcountry skiing luxe, the new Ski Fantasy Camp, offered Jan. 6 to 12 through the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole, fits the bill. It includes two days of lift-served out-of-bounds skiing/snowboarding and two days of ski or splitboard touring in Grand Teton National Park, with small groups led by personnel from Exum Mountain Guides.

Top professional skiers such as Sage Cattabriga-Alosa and Griffin Post, who star in films produced by Jackson-based Teton Gravity Research, will also accompany the groups. During the first two days, you’ll learn how to move efficiently on touring skis or a splitboard before tackling the more remote and expansive backcountry in the park. Because the camp stretches over multiple days (one is a rest day), participants should be very physically fit and be comfortable skiing expert terrain.

“After walking uphill with a pack on, you want the skiing to feel somewhat second nature, so you can really enjoy it,” said Zahan Billimoria, one of the guides who will work the camp.

The women’s camp, Jan. 19 to 23 and March 3 to 7, is for intermediate and advanced skiers and is offered through Teton Mountain Lodge.

Cost: Ski Fantasy Camp, $3,500; includes four days of guided skiing, demo gear, lunches, two dinners; fourseasons.com. Elevate Women’s Ski Camp, from $1,325; includes four days of ski instruction, lunches, welcome reception, closing dinner; tetonlodge.com.