Whistler Ski Touring Adventures
Beginner and introduction courses
If you’re thinking about starting out ski touring in the Whistler area then you’re in the right place. We use only the best local, expert ski guides, who will coach you through everything from basic equipment set up, avalanche safety, uphill and downhill technique, route planning and much, much more. From one day guided introduction clinics, through to 4 session progression packages, we are here to help you start your journey into the world of backcountry ski touring.
2021/22 Courses in Whistler
Intro to Ski Touring with AST-1
This is a fun and educational series that will introduce you to basic avalanche rescue, terrain analysis, track setting, uphill and downhill skiing technique, route finding, tree skiing and trip planning. An AST Level 1 certificate will be provided to successful candidates.
The course begins with two evening sessions held online, where your guide will take you through the curriculum with an engaging interactive multimedia presentation. The online sessions will be held on Zoom to allow live discussion between the students and the instructor, which is critical to avalanche learning progression.
The group will then head to the backcountry and spend full two days skiing and riding while covering uphill and downhill skills in powder, equipment use and safety awareness. Whistler Blackcomb’s backcountry provides the perfect environment for learning how to ski tour or splitboard and your guide will ensure you’re not only learning but having fun too!
This series is organised in partnership with Mountain Skills Academy. Coached and led by a professional ski guide, the evening sessions run from 6:30pm to 9:30pm and the field days start at 8:30am from Whistler and end before the sun sets.
If you require equipment rentals or don’t have access to a lift pass, let us know and we can share relevant discount codes with you and arrange a backcountry pass for $62+tax per day.
Dates:
18, 19, 22 and 23 January 2022 — sold out
8, 9, 12 and 13 February 2022 — sold out
22, 23, 26 and 27th March 2022 — sold out
Private dates on request
Tuesday — online theory from 6:30pm to 9:30pm
Wednesday — online theory from 6:30pm to 9:30pm
Saturday — backcountry introduction and AST1 field day
Sunday — backcountry introduction and AST1 field day
Price (pp): $699+GST
Read more about why you should take an avalanche safety course
Intro to Ski Touring – 3 session clinics
Spend three sessions exploring Whistler Blackcomb’s backcountry terrain with the same group of up to 6 skiers/splitboarders who are also new to the backcountry. Coached and led by a professional ski guide, the day starts at 8:30am from Whistler and ends before the sun sets.
If you require equipment rentals or don’t have access to a lift pass, let us know and we can share relevant discount codes with you and arrange a backcountry pass for $62+tax per day.
Dates:
15th, 22nd and 29th January — sold out
5th, 12th and 19th February — sold out
12th, 19th and 26th March 2022 – sold out
Private dates on request
Price (pp): $575+GST
If you’d like to enquire for dates in March and April, please register your interest below:
If any of the above dates don’t suit, or you have specific objectives you’re looking to achieve, drop us an email and we can organise a private clinic: [email protected]
Progression series and courses
Designed for those with their AST-1, a decent level of fitness and roughly 5 days of touring or splitboarding under their belt. Skiers and boarders should be comfortable on black runs in variable conditions.
2021/22 Courses in Whistler
Backcountry progression series
Explore Whistler Blackcomb’s backcountry terrain whilst working on your kick turns, improving your route-planning and navigational skills. You’ll spend three sessions with the same group of up to 6 skiers/splitboarders of similar ability, giving you the opportunity to find new touring buddies. Coached and led by a professional ACMG ski guide, the day kicks off at 8:30am from Whistler and ends before the sun sets. Expect to receive some homework from your guide — this is a progression series after all!
If you require equipment rentals or don’t have access to a lift pass, let us know and we can share relevant discount codes with you and arrange a backcountry pass for $62+tax per day.
Dates:
22 January, 29 January and 5 February — sold out
5 February, 12 February and 19 February — sold out
12th and 19th March 2022 – sold out
26th March and 2nd April 2022 – 6 spaces left
Private dates on request
Price (pp): $499+GST (for our 2 session course)
If the dates don’t suit, or you have specific objectives you’re looking to achieve, drop us an email and we can organise a private clinic: [email protected]
End of season backcountry blowout
If you’re looking to ski tour untouched backcountry runs by day, and party in BC’s remote wilderness by night, then this is the trip for you! Hosted at the McGillivray Pass Lodge, north of Whistler, this is the ultimate season wrap-up. Endless terrain. Stunning views. Remote après. Gather your crew and get ready for the backcountry event of the year. Your cosy lodge awaits with a private chef, wood-burning fireplace, and sauna. Expect daily guided touring straight from the lodge, helicopter transfers, gourmet meals, evening BBQs, al-fresco après, local BC wine tasting, dress-up days, and more. Limited availability.
Dates: 12 April — 16 April 2022
Price (pp): $3,200 (+GST)
Spots remaining: 13
Hut-based overnight AST2 courses
We run several overnight AST2 (Avalanche Skills Training) courses throughout the season. Starting with a classroom day here in Whistler, followed by 2-4 nights in one of Whistler’s backcountry lodges, huts and cabins. Typically we run these from the Journeyman Lodge and Kees & Claire Hut for up to 6 people. This more advanced avalanche safety course is for those who have completed their AST1 and have at least 20 days of backcountry experience. You will spend your days working on route planning, analysing avalanche bulletins, practising companion rescues, studying snowpack, improving navigation and terrain analysis skills, and many other techniques.
Journeyman Lodge backcountry trip with AST2
18 January — Guided backcountry day before departing Journeyman Lodge
- 5 days of ACMG guiding
- 1 day of AST-2 learning in the classroom
- AST-2 certification (upon successful completion)
- 4 nights at Journeyman Lodge (mix of twin and queen sleeping nooks)
- All meals whilst at the lodge (daily breakfast, bagged lunch, après snacks and a 3-course dinner each night)
- Transport to and from the staging area (snowcat and/or snowmobile)
Advanced ski touring clinics and courses
Designed for those of you who have either ski toured for at least 20 days in the backcountry and can ski black runs confidently in variable conditions, with a good level of fitness.
2021/22 Courses in Whistler
3 session clinics
Book a 3 session package, where you ski and learn with the same group of up to 6 skiers/splitboarders of the same ability for 1 session per week over 3 weeks, coached and led by a professional ski guide in the Whistler Blackcomb backcountry. Have a group of friends? Just let us know and we can organize a private package. For a small additional fee, we can also ski areas outside of the Whistler Blackcomb backcountry and head further afield to the Duffey Lake Provincial Park, Garibaldi Park and many more advanced backcountry ski zones.
If you require equipment rentals or don’t have access to a lift pass, let us know and we can share relevant discount codes with you and arrange a backcountry pass for $62+tax per day.
Dates:
5th, 12th and 19th February — sold out
12th, 19th and 26th March 2022 – 4 spaces left
Price (pp): $725+GST
Overnight Kees and Claire Hut Guided Trip
For groups of up to 6 people per guide, we can organise an overnight or multi-night trip to the Kees and Claire Hut in Whistler’s backcountry. A strong level of fitness is required for this trip, as the journey can take around 2-5 hours each way. Ski some of the iconic lines surrounding the hut, under the watchful eye of your ACMG ski guide.
Dates: by request
Price (pp): by request
Our backcountry adventures are organised in partnership with Mountain Skills Academy and in agreement and compliance with all relevant crown land tenure holders.
