Glacier Travel and Crevasse Rescue in Whistler

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, their guides, and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Whistler, British Columbia, please refer to Canada’s COVID-19 travel requirements and British Columbia’s Travel and COVID-19 info 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 you get in this adventure:

• • An experienced, certified guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  • Two full days of crevasse rescue and crevasse rescue field practice

What’s not included:

• • Technical backcountry ski touring and crevasse rescue equipment
  • Transportation
  • Accommodation
  • Food and snacks
  • Lift ticket (available for purchase at the Whistler Blackcomb resort’s official website)

In order to get the most of this course, you need to have a moderate level of fitness. You will be on your feet for 2 full days. 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.

Prerequisites:
This course is meant for strong intermediate skiers and boarders. Students must be able to travel in the snow, and bring appropriate equipment for traveling on snow to class. Skiers must be able to hike for several hours at a time while carrying a small pack. All participants should be comfortable traveling in snow while carrying touring gear. There are no other prerequisites.

For technical backcountry ski touring and crevasse rescue 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)
  • Ice ax (can be rented)
  • Avalanche safety equipment (can be rented):
    • Digital, 3-antenna avalanche transceiver or beacon
    • Lightweight snow shovel
    • Avalanche probe
    • Harness for glacier travel
  • Crevasse rescue kit (can be rented):
    • Four locking carabiners and four non-locking carabiners
    • Sewn sling — 120cm
    • Two 5m (7mm) cordelettes (for ropes 9mm and up, use 5mm
    • for 8mm ropes or less)
    • One 1.5m (7mm) cordelette
    • Auto-block device or ratcheting pulley

For personal items, we recommend bringing:

• • Helmet
  • Sunglasses
  • Ski goggles
  • Gloves and hat
  • 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
  • Repair kit and Leatherman for your equipment (can be shared between several people)
  • Water bottle and 1-2L 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)
  • Camera — optional

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
  • Crevasse rescue kit and harness can be rented from your guide.
  • Alpine touring or telemark skis, touring boots, and poles can be rented from Escape Route
  • Splitboards can be rented from Escape Route

Your guide has partnered with Escape Route to provide you with rentals at a discounted price.
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 pricing:

• • For the group course, the max guest to guide ratio is 8:1.
  • Cost is per person and it doesn’t decrease as the group grows.
  • For the private course. The max client to guide ratio is 6:1. Costs per person decrease as the group grows.
  • These courses are subject to a minimum number of participants. Your guide will give you a 48-hour notice if the minimum number has not been reached.

Courses in Whistler can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements:

• • If you are older than 19, 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 19, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Cancellations made within 10 days prior to the course departure will forfeit 100% of tuition price. If you cancel the booking more than 10 days in advance, the guide will keep a $75 rescheduling and refunding fee.

To get to Whistler, BC, most people fly into Vancouver International Airport 1.5 hours away. From there, you can take a local flight, rent a car or take a bus to Whistler.

Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, which will usually be at the Escape Route Alpine Demo Centre in Whistler. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group.