Backcountry Skiing in the Canadian Rockies

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 Alberta’s Canadian Rockies, please refer to Alberta’s COVID-19 travel requirements.

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
  • One or more days of backcountry skiing
  • Avy Gear rental

What’s not included:

• • Technical backcountry ski touring equipment
  • Transportation
  • Food and snacks
  • Accommodations
  • Powder Pass

To enjoy these backcountry adventures, you need to be in excellent physical shape. You will be on your feet for 4-8 hours a day, covering miles upon miles of terrain. You will need to manage controlled descents in variable conditions. All participants should feel comfortable on challenging blue or black-level resort runs and be able to carry a loaded daypack while skinning up variable degrees of terrain.

To participate in this tour, you need to have previous powder skiing experience. 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.

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)
  • Locking and non-locking carabiners (for advanced touring)
  • Cord and sewn sling (for advanced touring)
  • Ski crampons (for advanced touring)
  • Avalanche safety equipment (can be rented):
    • Digital, 3-antenna avalanche transceiver or beacon
    • Lightweight snow shovel
    • Avalanche probe
    • Harness for glacier travel (for advanced touring)

For personal items, we recommend bringing:

• • Helmet
  • Sunglasses and ski goggles
  • Warm hat
  • Sun hat
  • Neck tube or balaclava
  • Waterproof gloves or mitts
  • 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
  • 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 and small blister kit
  • Toiletries
  • Pocket knife
  • Sunscreen and lip balm
  • Sleeping bag (if booking several days)
  • Daypack large enough to carry all items listed (around a 30-45L 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 GearUp
  • Alpine touring or telemark skis, touring boots, and poles can be rented from GearUp
  • Splitboards can be rented from GearUp

Some more advanced outings may require the use of ski crampons, carabiners, and glacier travel gear. Your guide will provide a more detailed gear list before the trip.
Ski rental locations are 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.

Group sizes and pricing:

• • For these adventures, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 8:1. All prices are per person.
  • Cost is per person and it doesn’t decrease as the group grows.

Backcountry skiing in the Canadian Rockies 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.
  • 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.

• To get to the Canadian Rockies, most people fly into Calgary International Airport 1 hour away. From there, you can rent a car or take a bus or shuttle service.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. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group.