Get to Golden and meet your ski guide at a local pub or restaurant. After doing a gear check and going over the plan for the next day, get some rest in your accommodation in town. Keep in mind that you get to plan each day of the trip together with your guide, meaning that the itinerary below is just a loose outline, allowing for more heli-skiing days around Golden and Revelstoke and other adjustments to match your desires and ability levels!
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Join an expert guide for a 3-day backcountry ski trip and get a taste of the powder-laden slopes of Rogers Pass, Purcells, and the Rocky Mountains! This guided adventure is a ski camp based out of Golden, BC, meaning that each day you get to enjoy a different remote backcountry location far from ski resorts and return to the comfort of civilization.
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This famous area offers arguably the best roadside ski mountaineering access anywhere. An hour’s drive from Golden brings you to the famous Connaught Creek, Loop Brook, Asulkan, Illicillewaet or Bostock trailheads. Discover why this is the ski touring capital of Canada! After a day of skiing, return to your accommodation and get some well-deserved rest.
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On Day 2 & 3, we’ll go further east to the Rocky Mountains, famous for alpine and tree skiing options, but lesser known than Roger’s Pass. Additionally, the areas in Banff National Park and west of Lake Louise along the Icefield Parkway offer easy access to higher elevation skiing, with exciting couloirs, nonchalant bowls, and, most importantly, deep and stable snowpack. Once we return to the town, spend some quality time with other members of the group and return to your accommodation.
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Included:
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- An experienced, certified ski guide with extensive knowledge of the area
- 1 or 3 days of guided skiing
Not included:
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- Technical backcountry ski touring equipment (can be rented)
- Transportation to and from Golden
- Transportation to the trailheads, ski resorts, or the heliports during the trip
- Food and snacks
- Accommodations
- Ski passes
- Insurance — available to add at checkout
- Guide gratuities — optional
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In order to enjoy this backcountry ski trip based out of Golden, you need to have a good level of fitness. Your guide will choose the appropriate pace and terrain for your group, but you will need to manage controlled descents in variable conditions and be able to ski uphill for a few hours at a time carrying a loaded daypack.
Ski runs will be of intermediate difficulty, which generally means that you should be comfortable and experienced on black diamond runs in the backcountry, even if it means taking your time, and in a variety of conditions (icy, deep powder, breakable crust). Keep in mind that you will have an experienced guide by your side who will help you in any way possible if you encounter any difficulties.
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To participate in this guided ski touring adventure near Golden and Revelstoke, you need to have previous backcountry skiing experience. You will be skiing, touring, and summiting on glaciated terrain for 5-7 hours a day. Your guide will take care of the planning, oversee your technique, and teach you how to better manage the terrain. They also have the experience and avalanche training necessary to keep you safe. If you’ve never backcountry skied before, we recommend checking out the beginner options in Golden you can choose from.
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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.
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For technical backcountry ski touring gear, you will need to bring:
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- 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
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- Glacier gear
- Harness for glacier travel
- 3 lightweight locking carabiners
- 3 lightweight non-locking carabiners
- 2 6mm by 5m prusik cord (7mm cord is generally too thick!)
- 120cm sewn climbing sling (Dyneema or Spectra blends)
- Lightweight ice axe without a leash
- Glacier gear
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- Skin wax (or a candle)
- Ski crampons (can be rented)
- Binding repair items
For personal items, we recommend bringing:
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- Helmet
- Head lamp with good batteries
- Sunglasses or ski goggles
- Gloves and hat
- Long underwear top – synthetic or wool
- Pair of wool or synthetic socks and liner socks
- Pair wool or synthetic underwear
- Long underwear bottoms – synthetic or wool
- Light fleece or wool sweater
- Lightweight wind jacket – nylon or ‘Schoeller’
- Waterproof and breathable shell jacket
- Warm insulated jacket – down or synthetic
- Multipurpose stretch nylon or ‘Schoeller’ type pants
- Waterproof breathable shell pants (full zip is best)
- Down or synthetic camp booties — optional
- One triple-action locking carabiner or two conventional locking carabiners
- Repair kit and Leatherman for your equipment (can be shared between several people)
- Insulated water bottle and 1.5-2L of water
- Thermos with a warm beverage — optional
- Plastic eating cup (500 to 750ml)
- Snacks and food you can eat on-the-go
- First-aid kit
- Hygiene kit – wet wipes, toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, hand lotion
- A roll of toilet paper and lighter in a Ziplock bag
- Handkerchief
- Personal blister kit and/or tape
- Pocket knife
- Sunscreen
- Daypack large enough to carry all items listed (around a 30-40L backpack)
- Dry bag to line your backpack
- Duffel bag
- Camera — optional
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All mandatory gear can be rented if you don’t have your own. If you need to rent gear, let us know and we can help make arrangements.
Ski rental locations are in Golden, BC, and should be picked up the night prior to your outing.
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Group sizes and pricing:
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- For this adventure, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 4:1.
Custom dates for ski touring in Golden can be arranged for groups of 3 skiers or more. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements:
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- If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
- Minors may be permitted to join private tours on a case-by-case basis.
If your group has skiers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
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To get to Golden, most people fly into Calgary International Airport which is a 3-hour drive away. From there you can rent a car or take a shuttle service connecting Calgary to Golden. You’ll stay at your accommodations in Golden, heading out to ski tour at a new location each day.
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We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.
Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors 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.
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