Backcountry Skiing at the Journeyman Lodge

Things to know

• Covid measures in Journeyman Lodge, 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 Journeyman Lodge, British Columbia, please refer to the British Columbia Provincial Government and Tourism Whistler websites.

  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
    • 4 full days of backcountry ski touring
    • Snowcat and sled shuttle to and from Journeyman Lodge
      
    • Luxurious lodge with a sauna
    • Double-occupancy nook accommodation (inquire about single-occupancy and other upgrade options)
    • Meals during your stay
    • 5% GST

  What’s not included:

  • • Technical backcountry ski touring equipment
    • Transportation to and from the staging area
    • Beverages — make sure to bring some with you
    • Trip insurance
    • Guide gratuities — optional
• How fit do I need to be?

  In order to enjoy this guided backcountry adventure at the Journeyman Lodge, you need to have a great level of fitness. You will be on your feet for several full days. While there is terrain for all skill levels around Journeyman Lodge, this tour is ideal for experienced skiers, as 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?

  Backcountry skiing at Journeyman Lodge is for intermediate to advanced backcountry skiers. The terrain is challenging and technical, requiring controlled descents in sometimes tricky environments. Beginners in the backcountry or those with blue-level resort experience should consider an introductory course to backcountry skiing with a guide.

• 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
    • Sunglasses or ski goggles
    • Face warmer
    • Light gloves
    • Insulated gloves or mitts
    • Brimmed cap and beanie
    • 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
    • Comfortable lodge clothing, a nice shirt for dinners
    • One triple-action locking carabiner or two conventional locking carabiners
    • 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
    • Sunscreen
    • Daypack large enough to carry all items listed (around a 30-40L backpack)
    • Headlamp with spare batteries
    • Toilet paper or WAG bag
    • 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 can be rented from Escape Route or Premium Mountain
    • Alpine touring or telemark skis, touring boots, and poles can be rented from Escape Route or Premium Mountain
    • Splitboards can be rented from Escape Route or Premium Mountain

  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:

  • • The 4-day backcountry skiing tour at Journeyman Lodge is not private.
    • If joining alone, you’ll be placed in a shared double room with another skier, but there’s a possibility of single occupancy and other upgrade options at an additional fee. Contact us to make arrangements.
    • Cost is per person and it doesn’t decrease as the group grows.

  Ski touring in Journeyman Lodge 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.

• What's the accommodation like?

  Using the remote Journeyman Lodge as a home-base, this fully guided and catered ski touring package has it all: amazing skiing, great food and luxurious accommodation! The Journeyman Lodge is found in the heart of British Columbia’s Coast Mountains, deep in the Upper Callaghan Basin at 4,500′ (1,370m) above sea level. Accessed by Snowcat, it offers many of the comforts of home in a pristine skiers paradise including great family style meals, a warm lodge and a wood fired sauna.

  Journeyman Lodge has a number of different rooms available:

  • Nook Queen: Very cozy (small) room with a queen bed
  • Nook Twin: Very cozy (small) room with two twin beds
  • Standard Queen: Nice room with a view and a queen bed
  • Standard Twin: Nice room with a view and two twin beds
  • Superior Room: Nice room with a small balcony and ensuite and a queen bed
• Cancellations and deposit
  Secure your spot for next year with a 10% deposit! This tour gets sold out very quickly, but with early-bird booking, you will be the first one to know about any new upcoming dates. Pick your preferred dates without the risk of your bucket list adventure selling out!

  • Only 10% of the total amount should be paid as a deposit upon booking. This deposit is non-refundable, but can be transferred to another 57hours adventure any time in case the dates don’t suit you.
  • You can confirm your booking by the end of August 2023 by paying another $600.
  • The final balance is due 3 months (90 days) prior to departure. Failure to make this final payment by the deadline will result in forfeiture of the trip and deposit.

  To book a date for this year, secure your spot with a $800 deposit due upon booking. Full payment is due ninety (90) days prior to the trip. Failure to make this final payment by the deadline will result in forfeiture of the trip and deposit.

  Once the trip is confirmed, the following cancellation policy applies:

  Deposits are non-refundable, but transferable at the discretion of your guiding company as long as the cancellation is made more than sixty (60) days prior to the trip or is initiated by your guiding company.

  Cancellations to trips made less than thirty (30) calendar days prior to the departure date for any reason are non-refundable, but potentially transferable to another trip or date at the discretion of your guides. Any such transfers are subject to a 25% administrative fee and recovery of any sunk costs. No more than one transfer will be offered.

  Your guiding company will accept a substitute guest should you not be able to attend, provided they meet the skill level requirements for the trip. Your guiding company reserves the right to determine if the substitute guest meets these requirements. Any such substitutions are subject to a 10% administrative fee.

  If the trip should extend beyond the scheduled days for any reason, such as a higher commitment grade or bad weather, the extra days will cost $610 per day. This cost will be spread over the members of the group.

  The guiding company reserves the right to modify or cancel any trip or course at any time due to unfavorable weather conditions, injury/ illness, or other reason without penalty. Clients will be notified as soon as possible. Cancellations initiated by the guiding company due to unforeseen circumstances (lodge closures, highway closures, extreme weather events, etc.) are refundable less any sunk costs.

• Getting there and meeting location

  To get to the Journeyman Lodge, most people fly into Vancouver International Airport, 1.5 hour from Whistler. From there, you can rent a car or take a shuttle service.

  From Whistler, head southwest on Highway 99 towards Vancouver. Approximately 13km (8 miles) from Whistler Village, turn right off Highway 99 onto the Callaghan Valley Access Road. Follow the main route for about 8.5 km. Immediately before the entrance to Whistler Olympic Park, you will see your guides’ banner on your left. Turn left, cross over a bridge and follow the signs into the staging area. From there, a snowcat will transfer you to the lodge where you will spend the next 4-5 days.