Glacier Travel and Crevasse Rescue in Whistler
Top three reasons to upgrade your skills in Whistler
-
Master essential backcountry skills in Whistler’s stunning wilderness
-
The ski lifts allow for quick and easy access to the backcountry
-
Learn the fundamentals of both crevasse rescue and glacier travel in one time-efficient package
In recent years, and especially following the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, the name Whistler has become synonymous with world-class skiing. On top of the 8,300 acres of groomed slopes, the Whistler-Blackcomb mountain complex boasts tens of thousands of acres of majestic unmarked backcountry. Extending all the way to the Coast Mountains, Whistler’s slopes boast phenomenal terrain variety, as well as top-tier light and dry powder. However, the backcountry comes with its fair share of risk. Traversing glaciers and avoiding the backcountry’s numerous crevasses is an art form, and coming unprepared could put you or your fellow adventurers at serious risk. This is why you should use this winter wisely and learn how to safely traverse the backcountry. Head to Whistler to see what the hype is about, and become a safer backcountry skier in the process!
SeasonNovember through April |
Nearest cityVancouver, BC, is 1.5 hours away |
Duration2 days |
Skill levelBeginner to advanced |
Choose how you spend your days
Learning outcomes
Day 1: Briefing and crevasse rescue practice
Join your guide at the Escape Route Alpine Demo Centre at 8:15 am. Following a quick safety briefing and a discussion of the day’s objectives, head to the valley for some crevasse rescue practice. Your guide will take you to an appropriate location to learn and practice essential crevasse rescue skills. Finish the day at around 4:30 pm with a short debrief.
Day 2: Glacier practice
You will once again meet your guide at 8:15 am at the Escape Route Alpine Demo Centre. After a discussion about the previous day, current conditions, and glacier morphology, head to a local glacier using the Whistler Blackcomb lift system. Spend the day learning about and practicing glacier travel, before wrapping the tour up with a course debrief and next step recommendations at around 4:30 pm.
During this course, you will cover many significant topics relating to crevasse rescue and proper glacier travel, such as:
-
- Glacier kit and equipment checks
- Situational awareness and hazard review
- Arresting the fall, holding the victim, and anchor building
- Crevasse rescue system
- Incorporating a ratchet
- First raise method
- Crevasse rescue scenario
- Glacier morphology, physiology, terminology
- Glacier travel, rope handling, route finding & track setting
- Belaying from an anchor over a bridge
- Downhill glacier skiing safety strategy discussion