Backcountry Skiing & Splitboarding in the Coast Mountains: Squamish & Duffey Lake Day Tour

Things to know

• What’s included?

  Included:

  • • An experienced, ACMG-certified ski guide with extensive knowledge of the area
    • A full-day backcountry ski and splitboard tour in Squamish or Duffey Lake

  Not included:

  • • Transportation
    • Touring skis or splitboard and skins
    • Avalanche safety equipment (transceiver, shovel, and probe)
    • Accommodation
    • Lunch and snacks
    • Anything not mentioned in the “Included” section above
    • Insurance (recommended, available to add at checkout)
    • Guide gratuities (optional)
• How fit do I need to be?

  To enjoy this backcountry adventure, you need very good fitness. You’ll be out for a full day of 6–7 hours, doing 3–5 runs with up to 5,000 ft of vertical descent, depending on your group’s fitness, pace, and snow conditions. All participants should feel comfortable and confident on blue or black diamond runs in deep powder and in a variety of snow conditions. You should also be able to carry a loaded daypack while skinning up variable degrees of terrain.

• What if I’ve never backcountry skied before?

  Previous backcountry experience is required for this tour. It’s best suited for advanced to expert skiers and snowboarders who are confident in variable snow. Your guide takes care of the planning, chooses the terrain based on conditions and your group’s ability, and has the experience and avalanche training needed to keep you safe. If you’re new to backcountry travel, we suggest joining a guide for beginner-friendly backcountry skiing, let us know if interested.

• Where does the tour take place?

  This tour runs in two areas of the Coast Mountains:

  • • Squamish has touring for a range of skill levels, from the rolling meadows of Paul Ridge to steeper, more challenging terrain
    • Duffey Lake/Pemberton is classic coastal big-mountain skiing, with a lifetime of options for skiers and splitboarders

  When booking, leave a note with your preferred destination based on your interests and experience, or your guide can suggest one. Final locations may change depending on conditions, and your guide will let you know if an adjustment is needed.

• What equipment do I need to bring?

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

  • • Touring skis or splitboard with skins (can be rented)
    • Ski or snowboard boots (your regular boots will work with touring bindings)
    • Poles
    • Helmet
    • Avalanche safety equipment (can be rented):
      • Avalanche transceiver
      • Shovel
      • Probe

  For personal items, we recommend bringing:

  • • Weatherproof shell jacket and pants (dress for a day in the alpine)
    • Warm layers, such as a fleece or puffy jacket
    • Thermal under layer
    • Gloves
    • Winter hat or toque
    • Goggles and/or sunglasses
    • Sunscreen
    • Water (1 L)
    • Lunch and snacks
    • Daypack large enough to carry all items listed
    • Camera (optional)
• Can I rent equipment?

  All mandatory gear can be rented if you don’t have your own. You can rent from a local rental shop, keep in mind that it 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:

  • • For this adventure, the max client-to-guide ratio is 6:1
    • A minimum of 3 participants is required for the tour to run. If the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be contacted at least 48 hours in advance to discuss alternative options or rescheduling

  Private tours for groups of up to 6 people can also be arranged. Contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

  Min. age requirements:

  • • If you are 16 or older, you’re good to go
    • If your group has skiers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements
• Getting there and meeting location

  To get to British Columbia’s Coast Mountains, most people fly into Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Squamish is about an hour’s drive north along the Sea to Sky Highway, while Pemberton and Duffey Lake lie further north, past Whistler. Transportation isn’t included, so you’ll want to rent a car.

  The meeting time is 8:30 am, and the meeting location depends on your touring destination. Your guide will confirm the exact spot once your destination is set.

• Safety measures and insurance

  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.

• Cancellation policy
  • Fully refundable within the initial 48 hours from booking, unless the trip date is less than 7 days from the time of the booking.
  • Cancellations up to 7 days prior to the trip date are refundable 100%.
  • Cancellations within 7 days prior to the trip date are non-refundable.