Snowpack Skills Week in the Canadian Rockies

Things to know

• What’s included?

  What you get on this adventure:

  • • Experienced, certified guides with extensive knowledge of the area
    • 6-day winter skills training in the Banff area (Lake Louise and Rogers Pass)
    • Pre-course package with learning tools
    • Pre-course logistics and planning
    • Group equipment

  What’s not included:

  • • Technical backcountry ski touring equipment
    • Transportation to Lake Louise
    • Food and snacks
    • Accommodations
    • Guide gratuities — optional
• How fit do I need to be?

  To make the most of this winter skills course in Banff, you should have a good level of endurance, good fitness for skiing or snowboarding, and AVCAN AST1 Certification (or equivalent experience). This winter skills course offers 6 days of training and has been carefully designed to develop your existing skills, as well as to teach you new techniques crucial for exploring the mountains safely and independently.

• What if I’ve never backcountry skied before?

  To participate in this tour, you need to have previous backcountry skiing experience. This winter skills course stretches over 6 days and there are three main portions of the course: glacier travel, avalanche skills training, and intro to ski/splitboard mountaineering.

  If you’ve never backcountry skied before, we suggest joining a guide for a day of backcountry skiing in Duffey Lake.

• What 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 with your guides):
      • Digital, 3-antenna avalanche transceiver or beacon
      • Lightweight snow shovel
      • Avalanche probe
    • Harness, axe, and accessories — can be rented with your guides
    • 1x60cm-120cm sewn sling w/ 2 non locking carabiners
    • 2x5m 6 or 7mm prusik cord w/ non locking carabiners
    • 1×1.5m 6 or 7mm prusik cord (personal prusik)
    • 4x locking carabiners (2 lighter-weight carabiners and 2 self-locking carabiners which are larger in size, they can be used for a munter hitch and master carabiner)
    • Any new mechanical device, i.e., micro traction from Petzl

  For personal items, we recommend bringing:

  • • 40L daypack
    • Food
    • Helmet — optional
    • Sunglasses & Goggles
    • Sun and lip cream
    • Camera — optional, but recommended
    • 1L of water or Tea
    • First aid kit
    • Food you can eat on-the-go
    • Thermos with a warm beverage — optional
    • Repair kit and Leatherman for your equipment (can be shared between several people)

  This is a list of clothing we recommend you bring:

  • • Gloves or mitts
    • Woor and/or synthetic socks
    • Mid-insulation fleece or puffy jacket
    • Wind and waterproof shell jacket with hood (Gore-Tex recommended)
    • Warm outer puffy jacket
    • Ski pants (Gore-Tex recommended)
    • Down jacket or vest
    • Synthetic or wool base layers, underwear and socks
    • Extra warm clothing
    • Face mask
    • Toque — wool or synthetic
    • Hat and sunhat
    • Sunhat
    • Face warmer — scarf, neck tube, face mask, buff, etc.
    • Light gloves & insulated gloves or mitts
• What will I learn?

  During the course of these 6 days, you will have hands-on mentorship from professional Mountain Guides, which is the most effective way to build a strong foundation. Skills will be explained, demonstrated in the field, and then put into practice during field days. There will be team meetings twice daily—in the afternoon, you will discuss the conditions and objectives for the next day including debriefing the current day’s tour, while in the morning the team will analyze the day ahead and avalanche conditions to make the appropriate terrain choices.

  You’ll have the chance to put your skills into practice with technical leads including companion rescue and rope rescue leads, ski ascent and descent leads, and overall group management. The objectives will be determined by the overall group skill level and current conditions.

  You will also receive a pre-course package containing many details to get you ready for the course.

  To find out more about what you’ll cover, scroll down below the FAQ.

• Can I rent equipment?

  All mandatory gear can be rented if you don’t have your own. You can rent an avalanche safety pack (including beacon, shovel and probe) from your guides in the booking process.

  If you’d like to rent alpine touring or telemark skis (or splitboard), touring boots and poles, you can rent it with the Lake Louise Ski Resort, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Rental Shop or Wilson’s Winter Rentals.

  Ski rental locations are in the Lake Louise and Banff area 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 and prices:

  • For this winter skills course in the Banff area, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 6:1.
  • The cost is per person and doesn’t decrease as the group grows.

  Winter skills course in the Banff area 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.

• Deposits and cancellation policy

  A 20% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. The remaining amount is paid 1 month (30 days) prior to departure. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies.

  • • If Client cancels the Booking any time prior to three weeks (21 calendar days) prior to the trip start date, Client is entitled to a refund minus the deposit, which is non-refundable.
    • If availability exists Client can transfer to another course or program date, an administrative charge of $30 will be applied to transfer.
    • Your Guides do reserve the right to change guides, particular lodging or the itinerary or venue should unforeseen circumstances (guide sickness, hut or route closing etc.) force them to do so or should the physical condition of the participants, weather or mountain conditions make a continuation as planned too risky. Your Guides will not be deemed to be in default for any delay or failure to perform their obligations under this agreement resulting from acts of God, the elements, war, acts of government, civil or military authorities, natural calamities, catastrophe, fire, flood, accidents, epidemics, shortage of transportation, or any other like events beyond our reasonable control.
• Getting there and meeting location

  To get to Lake Louise, the starting point of your tour, most people fly into Calgary International Airport (YYC). From there, you can take a 2-hour drive, either by renting a car or by a shuttle. You’ll meet your guides and your group on Day 1 of the tour at Lake Louise Alpine Centre.

• Covid measures in Canada

  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 Canada, please refer to Canada’s COVID-19 travel advice.

  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!