To enjoy this Whistler ski trip, you need to be in great physical shape. You will be on your feet for 6-8 hours, learning basic uphill and downhill skiing and skinning techniques or skiing Whistler Blackcomb’s numerous bowls, glaciers, and gladed runs. 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.
With plenty of treeline descents, alpine meadows, and steep chutes, the skiing in Whistler is varied and thrilling, some of the best in the world. The lift-accessible slopes just beyond the Whistler Blackcomb resort boundaries are the ideal place to grow into your touring boots and learn the ropes of backcountry skiing. For the more seasoned skiers, the options are endless—whether you choose to ride the thrilling pitches of Musical Bumps or the vast and picturesque expanses of Spearhead Glacier, you really can’t go wrong here. And the breathtaking snow-capped views combined with perfect feather-light powder are just the cherry on top of one of the greatest skiing destinations on the West Coast. Find out why Whistler houses some of the best backcountry skiing in Canada from Greg Hill, ACMG skiing guide extraordinaire.
SO MUCH FUN!!! This was our (My wife and me) first time venturing out into the backcountry and we had the best time. Heaps of info on Avi awareness, search and rescue techniques, and above all else, awesome skiing! Our guide’s ability to put us in just the right level of terrain was spot on the mark. Very friendly staff, good gear, and very professional. 100% the best days I have spent in Whistler. Will be back for more…
Adventurers looking for a backcountry experience tailored to their goals need look no further! Whether it’s Fissile Peak, where you’ll be rewarded with challenging, glaciated alpine terrain, or the classic lines on Cowboy Ridge, you can look forward to experiencing some massive slopes in the most magnificent off-piste conditions. Let a professional Whistler backcountry guide customize the perfect day to suit your skill and objectives and ride your heart out!
Whistler is the perfect place to take your resort skills out of bounds. New backcountry skiers will be introduced to suitable terrain under the care of an experienced guide. Learn about route finding, avalanche safety and risk management all while staying safe and being shown the best kept secrets just outside the Whistler ski area. Powder stashes, alpine bowls and gladed runs are waiting just for you.
Not sure if you should hire a guide? Listen to our ambassador Greg Hill debate the ultimate question: To be guided or not to be guided?
Make your way to Whistler’s world-famous slopes and master the fundamentals of backcountry skiing and splitboarding! Join your experienced, professionally certified guide for a full day of learning essential backcountry skills, such as terrain analysis, route finding, slope traversal, and so much more. Whistler’s incredible landscapes and high-quality powder will provide the perfect learning environment.
SO MUCH FUN!!! This was our (My wife and me) first time venturing out into the backcountry and we had the best time. Heaps of info on Avi awareness, search and rescue techniques, and above all else, awesome skiing! Our guide’s ability to put us in just the right level of terrain was spot on the mark. Very friendly staff, good gear, and very professional. 100% the best days I have spent in Whistler. Will be back for more…
SO MUCH FUN!!! This was our (My wife and me) first time venturing out into the backcountry and we had the best time. Heaps of info on Avi awareness, search and rescue techniques, and above all else, awesome skiing! Our guide’s ability to put us in just the right level of terrain was spot on the mark. Very friendly staff, good gear, and very professional. 100% the best days I have spent in Whistler. Will be back for more…
Highly recommended the Whistler experience for backcountry skiers/snowboarders. My friend Bruce and I spent a gorgeous day skiing the backcountry adjacent to Whistler Ski Resort with Cam from Whistler Alpine Guides (now Mountain Skills Academy) in February 2014. The snow conditions in the resort were not very good as it hadn’t snowed in a while, but it was cold and clear and we found some amazing wind-deposited powder stashes around Oboe Summit. Cam was a cool guy and a great guide and made sure we hit some good turns and wore us out pretty well. Definitely a highlight of the trip.
I’ve use Monte (head guide at Black Sheep) for 2 seasons now for backcountry ski-touring. He’s very experienced, inspires confidence, and ensures you develop your skills as you go while feeling safe. He’s also highly capable of finding fine powder lines, great views, and good company to ski with. Can’t recommend him enough.
My son and I did a two-day crevasse rescue course with Monte and Dan; two experienced and friendly guys who know their stuff. Good info that advanced our abilities and inspired confidence for future endeavors. Two weeks after completing the course my son and I climbed Sky Pilot, something I’d been wanting to do for years but had avoided because of the snow-slope approach, which we had no problem with thanks to our newly developed skills. Go for it!
Included:
Not included:
To enjoy this Whistler ski trip, you need to be in great physical shape. You will be on your feet for 6-8 hours, learning basic uphill and downhill skiing and skinning techniques or skiing Whistler Blackcomb’s numerous bowls, glaciers, and gladed runs. 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.
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.
Liability waivers are a standard part of all guided outdoor adventures. Recently, the requirements have become a bit more rigorous for ACMG guides—meaning that you’ll need to agree to the signing of the waiver at the time of booking.
Prior to booking, we ask you to review the waiver. During the checkout process, you’ll have to acknowledge the risks and agree to the signing of the waiver. You are required to bring a printed copy on the trip.
Please note that signing and agreeing to the terms of the waiver is required in order to join this adventure. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us prior to booking.
For technical backcountry ski touring gear, you will need to bring:
For personal items, we recommend bringing:
All mandatory equipment can be rented if you don’t have your own. If you need to rent gear, let us know and we can help make arrangements.
Group sizes and pricing:
Backcountry skiing can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements:
If your group has skiers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
To get to Whistler, BC, most people fly into Vancouver International Airport 1,5 hours away. From there, you can rent a car or take a shuttle service to Whistler.
Once you and your Whistler ski guide agree on the details of your itinerary, they will suggest the best place to meet, whether that’s at the Escape Route Alpine Demo Centre in Whistler, BC, or a predetermined location. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!
Redpoint tailors their 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.
Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!
Day Trips Cancellations
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.