Backcountry Ski Camp in the Cariboo Mountains

57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.

We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, their guides, and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in the Cariboo Mountains, British Columbia, please refer to British Columbia’s COVID-19 travel guidelines.

Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

What you get in this adventure:

• • An experienced, certified ski guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  • Six days of backcountry ski touring
  • Tent accommodations for the duration of the tour
  • Helicopter transportation in and out of camp
  • All meals for the tour prepared by an experienced backcountry chef
  • Help with pre-trip logistics
  • Emergency radios and sat phone
  • 5% GST

What’s not included:

• • Transportation to and from the Cariboo Mountains
  • Accommodations before and after the trip

To enjoy this backcountry adventure, you need to be in excellent physical shape. You will be on your feet for 4-8 hours a day for 6 full days, managing controlled descents in variable conditions and heavily glaciated terrain. All participants should feel comfortable on challenging black-level resort runs and be able to carry a light pack while skinning up variable degrees of terrain.

For the enjoyment and safety of everyone involved, participants should be approved to participate in intermediate to advanced backcountry skiing tours either through a previous trip with the guiding service or through recommendations.

To participate in this tour, you need to be an intermediate to advanced backcountry skier. You will be skiing, touring, and summiting on glaciated terrain for 4-8 hours every 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 suggest joining a guide for a day of beginner-friendly backcountry skiing in Whistler, BC.

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)
  • Ski crampons
  • Avalanche safety equipment (can be rented):
    • Digital, 3-antenna avalanche transceiver or beacon
    • Lightweight snow shovel
    • Avalanche probe
    • Lightweight climbing harness for glacier travel

For personal items, we recommend bringing:

• • Helmet
  • Wool or fleece hat
  • Sun hat
  • Neck tube or balaclava
  • Waterproof ski gloves or mitts
  • Sunglasses and ski goggles
  • Polypro underwear
  • Warm pants and shirts
  • Medium weight fleece sweater
  • Fleece jacket
  • Light insulated jacket or vest
  • Waterproof jacket with hood (Gore-Tex recommended)
  • Waterproof pants with side zippers (Gore-Tex recommended)
  • Three locking carabiners and two non-locking carabiners
  • Two 4-6m 6mm cords and one sewn sling
  • Ice screw
  • 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
  • Bowl, cup and personal utensils
  • First aid kit and small blister kit
  • Toiletries and personal utensils
  • Sunscreen and lip balm
  • Pocket knife
  • Headlamp with fresh batteries
  • Sleeping bag rated at -15°C
  • Therma-rest sleeping pad and pillow
  • Daypack large enough to carry all items listed (around a 35-45L 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 from All Access Adventures
• Alpine touring or telemark skis, touring boots, and poles can be rented from the Hallis Lake Lodge & Rental Shop
• Splitboards can be rented from All Access Adventures

Ski rental locations are in Vancouver, BC, and near Hallis lake, 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.

Group sizes and pricing:

• • For this adventure, the max client-to-guide ratio is 4:1. All prices are per person, and the cost doesn’t decrease as the group grows.

Ski touring in the Cariboo Mountains can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements:

• • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go

To get to the Cariboo Mountains in British Columbia, most people fly into Vancouver International Airport 9 hours away. From there, you can take local flights to Kamloops, Williams Lake, or Quesnel.

Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, which will usually be at the staging area for the helicopter. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group.