Backcountry Skiing in Icefields Parkway

Included:

• • An experienced, certified ski guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  • A full day of backcountry ski touring

Not included:

• • Technical backcountry ski touring equipment
  • Trip insurance
  • Transportation and lodging
  • Food and meals
  • Fees for Banff or Japer National Park areas (entry and service fee)

In order to enjoy this backcountry adventure, you need to have a moderate level of fitness. You will be on your feet for a full day. You will need to manage controlled descents in variable conditions. All participants should feel comfortable on blue level resort runs and be able to carry a loaded daypack while skinning up variable degrees of terrain.

Backcountry skiing isn’t just for pros looking for the ultimate thrill ride. However, if you’ve never backcountry skied before, this terrain might not be the best for you as it requires certain skills. If you are an intermediate backcountry skier, heading out with a guide is your best bet. They’ll take care of the planning and teach you how to manage the terrain. They also have the experience and avalanche training to keep you safe.

Liability waivers are a standard part of all guided outdoor adventures. Recently, the requirements have become a bit more rigorous for ACMG guides—meaning that you’ll need to agree to the signing of the waiver at the time of booking.

Prior to booking, we ask you to review the waiver. During the checkout process, you’ll have to acknowledge the risks and agree to the signing of the waiver. You are required to bring a printed copy on the trip.

Please note that signing and agreeing to the terms of the waiver is required in order to join this adventure. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us prior to booking.

For technical backcountry ski touring gear, you will need to bring:

• Alpine touring skis, telemark skis or splitboard with skins (can be rented)
• Touring boots and poles (can be rented)
• Avalanche safety equipment (can be rented):
  • Digital, 3-antenna avalanche transceiver or beacon
  • Lightweight snow shovel
  • Avalanche probe

For personal items, we recommend bringing:

• Helmet
• Sunglasses or ski goggles
• Gloves and hat
• Wind and waterproof shell jacket with hood (Gore-tex recommended)
• Ski pants (Gore-tex recommended)
• Down jacket or vest
• Synthetic or wool base layers, underwear and socks
• One triple-action locking carabiner or two conventional locking carabiners
• Repair kit and Leatherman for your equipment (can be shared between several people)
• Water bottle and 1L of water
• Thermos with a warm beverage — optional
• Food you can eat on-the-go
• First-aid kit
• Sunscreen
• Daypack large enough to carry all items listed (around a 30-40L backpack)
• Camera — optional

All mandatory gear can be rented if you don’t have your own. You can rent:

• • Avalanche safety pack, including backpack, beacon, shovel and probe can be rented from your guide or from GearUp Mountain Sports
  • Alpine touring or telemark skis, touring boots and poles can be rented from Ultimate Banff or GearUp Mountain Sports
  • Splitboards can be rented from GearUp Mountain Sports

Ski rental locations are Ultimate Banff in Banff, AB, and GearUp Mountain Sports in Canmore, AB, and should be picked up the night prior to your outing. If you need to rent gear, let us know and we can help make arrangements.

Your backcountry ski tour will be fully customized to match your skill level and objectives. You and your guide will discuss route selection, skills development, and whatever else you’d like to focus on. From there, your guide will plan the perfect day tailored just for you taking into consideration factors such as weather and snow conditions.

Depending on your objectives, full days may start earlier and end later, but in general, your day will look like this:

• • 8:00 am: Meet your guide at the guide’s recommended location
  • 8:30 am: Head to the location of your backcountry ski tour
  • 9:00 am – 3:30 pm: Gear up, go over safety considerations, and spend the day backcountry skiing on routes selected to best suit your group, stopping for lunch and breaks as needed
  • 3:30 pm: Back to the cars for debriefing and high fives

• Everybody over the age of 18 is welcome to book this backcountry skiing adventure.
• Minors may be permitted to join private tours on a case-by-case basis. If you plan to ski with anyone under the age of 18, please contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

For this adventure, the max client to guide ratio is 6:1.

The cost per person decreases as the group grows, so it’s the perfect opportunity to backcountry ski with friends and family.

Ski touring in Icefields Parkway can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

Mitigating avalanche risk is paramount for any excursion in the backcountry — that’s why it’s best to tour with a guide! Rest assured, your guide will set objectives that are attainable for the weather conditions on that particular day. Of course, inclement weather can always get in the way of backcountry skiing, but your guide will know the best course of action to take if the weather takes a turn.

On the rare occasion of truly bad weather, your guide will present you with suitable, safe alternatives. The most common practice is to move to a nearby location if it exists, or to reschedule your backcountry ski tour to a more favorable day.

If backcountry skiing is not possible on your scheduled day and no options presented are viable, you will be issued a full refund.

To get to Icefields Parkway most people fly into Calgary International Airport or Edmonton International Airport depending on which side of the Parkway they plan on visiting. The Icefields Parkway is a 50-minute drive west of Banff, 2.5 hours away from Calgary along the Trans-Canada Highway 1, and 3.5 hours west of Edmonton along the Yellowhead Highway 16. The Icefields Parkway is also known as Highway 93. The Highway travels through Banff National Park for 122 kilometres. The rest of the Icefields Parkway stretches north for a total of 230 km, including the Columbia Icefield, situated near Jasper National Park, AB.

Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, whether that’s at the guide shop or a predetermined location. From there, you’ll head to your tour. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ski ability of the group.

We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!

Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!