Backcountry Skiing at the Journeyman Lodge

Things to know

• 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.

• Waiver and release of liability

  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.

• 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
• 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.

• Safety measures and insurance

  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!

• Cancellations and deposit

  Deposits

  You can secure one of the dates with a 30% deposit upon booking. The remaining 70% of the trip price is to be paid 90 days prior to departure, at the latest.

  Cancellations

  Booking fees are non-refundable in all cases. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options:

  Basic

  • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
  • For cancellations 90 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a 70% refund of the trip price.
  • For cancellations 0-89 days before the trip, there is no refund.
  • Deposit and booking fees are not refundable.

  Flexible

  • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
  • For cancellations 90 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
  • For cancellations 60-89 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.
  • For cancellations 0-59 days before the trip, there is no refund.

  Super Flexible

  • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
  • For cancellations 60 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
  • For cancellations 0-59 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.

  Early Bird booking

  Want to be the first one to know when we publish new dates or secure your spot well in advance? Select a future month that suits you best and lock in your Early Bird spot in time with just a 10% deposit. 

  As soon as our guides publish new tour dates, you’ll be the first one to know. We’ll hold your spot for 2 weeks until you choose the date that suits you best. 

  More about how Early Bird bookings work below:

  • • Only a 10% non-refundable deposit must be paid upon booking, but this deposit can be transferred to any other 57hours adventure in case the dates don’t end up working for you.
    • Once our guides publish new tour dates, we’ll reach out to you so you’ll be the first one to choose from newly released dates.
    • When you pick your date, you’ll confirm your booking by paying another 20% of the total trip amount (amounting to the standard 30% deposit). 
    • Once the trip has been confirmed, the regular cancellation policy (found above) applies.
    • The remaining balance is due 90 days before the trip.