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

What equipment do I need to bring?

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

Can I rent equipment?

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 age requirements

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

Guided Backcountry Ski Camp in Cariboo Mountains

Top three reasons to ski in the Cariboo Mountains

Experience a truly off-the-beaten-path adventure far from the crowds
Ride world-class untouched powder and summit the Cariboos’ scenic peaks
Helicopter transportation allows fast and smooth access to the remote backcountry

The Cariboo Mountains’ rolling landscapes, frozen lakes, and open blue skies are a joy to the senses! While the wintertime temperatures are hard to bear, the spring brings perfect skiing conditions: the days are long, the snowpack is deep, avalanche conditions are excellent and, most importantly, the untouched powder is begging to be ridden. Experienced backcountry adventurers will be in heaven here, as the routes are extended and untracked, and the feeling of wilderness and serenity is unmatched. Also, there’s no shortage of world-class summit opportunities here, and having a helicopter in your arsenal allows you to hit some truly remote slopes. For a pure and pristine backcountry experience, look no further than the Cariboos!

Season April through May	Nearest city Prince George, BC, is 3.5 hours away
Duration 6 days	Skill level Intermediate to advanced

Book this adventure

This six-day ski touring expedition in the Cariboo Mountains gives you an opportunity to ski perfectly preserved powder, summit magnificent peaks, and revel in jaw-dropping views of Canada’s backcountry. Start off your journey in an epic way with a helicopter flight to your high-altitude base camp with stunning views of the surrounding Premier Range! Spend your afternoons off the slopes, relaxing, storytelling, and enjoying great food, and your nights in tents under the stars. Venture deep into the Canadian wilderness for a backcountry trip you’ll never forget!

Itinerary

Once you meet your guides at the staging area, a helicopter will fly you to your camp location. After you set up your base camp next to a scenic lake at a 6500ft/1980m altitude, your adventure in the Premier Range of the Cariboo Mountains can begin! You’ll be rising early in the morning to take advantage of the good travel conditions. Spend the first half of your day with your guide, finding the best skiing possible, exploring glaciated terrain, and even taking down a summit or two! In the afternoon, when it gets warm, you’ll be lounging in the sun enjoying drinks and appetizers and reminiscing on the day’s adventure. And when night falls, retreat to your large 4-person tent and enjoy the remote and solemn atmosphere before falling asleep!

Meet your guide

Alpine Air Adventures

You’re never on your own in the Banff wilderness because the experienced professionals from Alpine Air Adventures are here to guide you. While they know how to have a great time, they’re always mindful of advanced safety practices. They’re committed to showing each of their guests the best of the Rockies while protecting them every step of the way.

Reviews (1)

Darren K. about Alpine Air Adventures on Facebook

I have been doing backcountry ski trips with AAA for 3 years now and have been impressed every time. They’re very good at adapting the plan to fit the group and have the knowledge to take you into some full-on terrain if that’s what you desire. Thanks for pushing my limits and I can’t wait for the next one!

Things to know

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.

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