Heli-Accessed Ski Touring in the Tantalus Range

Things to know

• Covid measures in the Tantalus Range, 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, their guides, and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in the Tantalus Range, 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’s included?

  What you get in this Tantalus Range skiing adventure:

  • • An experienced, certified ski touring guide with extensive knowledge of the area
    • Up to 0.5 hrs of helicopter time
    • A full day of backcountry ski touring
    • All technical ski touring and avalanche safety gear
    • 5% GST

  What’s not included:

  • • Touring skis or splitboard
    • Transportation to Squamish, BC
    • Accommodation
    • Food and snacks
• How fit do I need to be?

  In order to enjoy this heli-accessed ski touring adventure in the Tantalus Mountain Range, you need to have an advanced level of fitness and backcountry skiing experience. The terrain will be quite steep, ungroomed, and treed. All participants should feel comfortable on challenging black-level resort runs and be able to carry a loaded daypack while hiking uphill for 4000-6000.

• What if I’ve never tried heli-accessed backcountry skiing before?

  This guided adventure in the Tantalus Mountain Range is suited for advanced skiers with previous skiing and riding experience in the backcountry. In order to keep up with your guide’s pace, you should be comfortable hiking uphill for 4000-6000 vertical feet every day and navigating steep, ungroomed, and treed terrain. If you’re not an advanced skier, we recommend checking out these beginner-friendly backcountry skiing options in British Columbia you can choose from. If this is your first time on a helicopter,  but not your first time in the backcountry, don’t worry, your guide will lead you through the process and make sure you have an epic day in the Tantalus Mountains.

• 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 provided by guide):
      • Digital, 3-antenna avalanche transceiver or beacon
      • Lightweight snow shovel
      • Avalanche probe
    • Harness and two locking carabiners (can be provided by guide)
    • Crevasse rescue kit (can be provided by guide) — depending on the conditions
    • Ice ax (can be provided by guide) — depending on the conditions
    • Ski crampons (can be provided by guide) — depending on the conditions

  For personal items, we recommend bringing:

  • • Helmet
    • Sunglasses or 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
    • 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 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, can be provided by guide)
    • Headlamp with fresh batteries
    • Camera — optional
• Can I rent equipment?

  All mandatory gear can be rented if you don’t have your own:

  • • All technical ski touring gear, including the crevasse rescue kit, harness and locking carabiners, ice ax, and ski crampons can be provided by your guide
    • Avalanche safety pack, including backpack, beacon, shovel, and probe can be provided by 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 Squamish 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:

  • • For this adventure, the max client-to-guide ratio is 4:1. All prices are per person.
    • Costs per person decrease as the group grows, so it’s the perfect opportunity to tour with friends and family.

  Ski touring in the Tantalus Range can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

  Min. age requirements:

  • • If you are older than 16, you’re good to go.
    • Minors younger than 16 may be permitted to join private tours on a case-by-case basis.

  If your group has ski tourers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

• Getting there and meeting location

  To get to Squamish, BC, the usual starting point of the tour, most people fly into Vancouver International Airport about an hour away. From there, you can rent a car or take a shuttle service to the staging area, where you will take a heli-ride to the Tantalus Range for epic skiing.

  Alternatively and for an additional fee, your guides can arrange for the helicopter to pick you up at the Whistler Heliport in Whistler, BC.

  Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, whether that’s at the Squamish Heliport or a predetermined location. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group.

• Cancellation policy

  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.

• Travel and Medical Protection
  57hours partners with Redpoint Travel Protection, offering you a fully integrated program with a single point of contact for all your needs, from emergency services to travel assistance and protection claims. We highly recommend purchasing a comprehensive protection policy from Redpoint, which will protect you both before and during your travels. Before your departure, your investment is protected by the trip cancellation benefit. Once you depart, your policy provides coverage for trip interruption, medical assistance and rescue, baggage loss, trip delay, and more. Once you complete booking with 57hours, we'll create bespoke quote for you (and your group), making sure you're fully protected for the adventure ahead.