Backcountry Skiing in Duffey Lake

Things to know

• Covid measures in Duffey Lake, British Columbia

  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, guides and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Duffey Lake, please refer to British Columbia’s Travel and COVID-19 website.

  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’s included?

  What you get in this adventure:

  • • An experienced, certified ski guide with extensive knowledge of the area
    • Full day of customized backcountry ski touring 
    • Group equipment

  What’s not included:

  • • Personal technical backcountry ski touring equipment
    • Safety equipment (can be rented from your guide)
    • Transportation to and from Pemberton—your starting point
    • Accommodations
    • Food 
    • Heli drop (available as an add-on for the private tour)
• How fit do I need to be?

  To enjoy this guided backcountry tour in Duffey Lake, you need to have a reasonable level of fitness. Your guide will find the terrain to match your level of fitness and skill. You will be on your feet for a full day, covering several 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.

• What if I’ve never backcountry skied before?

  No backcountry or avalanche experience is necessary. Backcountry skiing isn’t just for pros looking for the ultimate thrill ride, it’s also beginner friendly, meaning anyone with solid blue level resort experience can have fun in the backcountry. If you’ve never backcountry skied before, heading out with a guide is your best bet. They’ll take care of the planning, introduce you to the basics, like skinning uphill, and teach you how to manage the terrain. They also have the experience and avalanche training to keep you safe.

• 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)
    • Avalanche safety equipment (can be rented):
      • Digital, 3-antenna avalanche transceiver or beacon
      • Lightweight snow shovel
      • Avalanche probe

  For personal items, we recommend bringing:

  • • Helmet (optional)
    • Sunglasses and ski goggles
    • Face warmer — scarf, face mask, neck tube, or buff
    • Light and insulated gloves or mitts
    • Wind and waterproof shell jacket with hood (Gore-Tex recommended)
    • Down jacket or vest
    • Mid-insulation fleece or puffy jacket
    • Warm outer puffy jacket
    • Ski pants (Gore-Tex recommended)
    • Synthetic or wool base layers, underwear and socks
    • Wool or synthetic toque
    • Brimmed cap
    • Water bottle and 1L of water
    • Thermos with a warm beverage — optional
    • Food you can eat on-the-go
    • Sunscreen
    • Lip balm
    • Daypack large enough to carry all items listed (around a 20-30L 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 your guiding service.
    • Alpine touring or telemark skis, touring boots and poles can be rented from Escape Route
    • Splitboards can be rented from Escape Route

  Ski rental locations are in Whistler 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 the regular tour, the max client-to-guide ratio is 6:1. All prices are per person.
    • Prices are per person and don’t decrease as the group grows. 

  Ski touring in Duffey Lake 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 as young as 10 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.

• Getting there and meeting location

  To get to Duffey Lake, most people fly into Vancouver International Airport, 3 hours from Duffey Lake. From there, you can rent a car or take a shuttle service.

  Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, you will meet up at 7:30 am in Pemberton and drive up the highway to the Duffey Area. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group.

  At around 4:30 pm, you’ll be back in Pemberton.