Included:

• • An experienced, certified ski guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  • One or two days of backcountry ski touring

Not included:

• • Technical backcountry ski touring equipment
  • Transportation
  • Food and snacks
  • Accommodations
  • Lift tickets for the lift-accessed ski tour

To enjoy this backcountry adventure, you need to be in good physical shape. You will be on your feet for one or two full days, managing 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.

For the enjoyment and safety of everyone involved, participants must be approved to participate in advanced backcountry skiing tours either through a previous trip with the guiding service or through recommendations.

Backcountry skiing isn’t just for pros looking for the ultimate thrill ride, it’s also beginner-friendly, meaning anyone with a solid blue-level resort experience can have fun in the backcountry. If you’ve never backcountry skied before, heading out with a guide is your best bet. They’ll take care of the planning, introduce you to the basics, like skinning uphill, and teach you how to manage the terrain. They also have the experience and avalanche training to keep you safe.

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.

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)
  • Three locking carabiners and two non-locking carabiners (for glaciated tours)
  • Cord — 6mm, 4-6m (for glaciated tours)
  • Sewn sling (for glaciated tours)
  • Avalanche safety equipment (can be rented):
  • Digital, 3-antenna avalanche transceiver or beacon
  • Lightweight snow shovel
  • Avalanche probe
  • Lightweight climbing harness for glacier travel (for glaciated tours)

For personal items, we recommend bringing:

• • Helmet
  • Sunglasses and 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 1L of water
  • Thermos with a warm beverage — optional
  • Food you can eat on-the-go
  • First aid kit and small blister kit
  • Sunscreen and lip balm
  • Headlamp with fresh batteries
  • Daypack large enough to carry all items listed (around a 35-45L 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 your guide for $20 a day
  • Alpine touring or telemark skis, touring boots, and poles can be rented from Wilson Mountain Sports or Ultimate Banff Sports
  • Splitboards can be rented from Ultimate Banff Sports

Ski rental locations are in Lake Louise and Banff, AB, 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 these adventures, the max guest-to-guide ratio is 8:1.
  • A minimum of 4 participants is required for the lift-accessed ski tour to run
  • All prices are per person.For the standard tours, the cost is per person and it doesn’t decrease as the group grows.
  • For the private tours, the cost per person decreases as the group grows, so it’s the perfect opportunity to ski with friends and family.

Backcountry skiing in Lake Louise 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.

Calgary International Airport is located around 1.5 hours from Banff and 2 hours from Lake Louise. From there, you can rent a car or take a shuttle service providing hourly transport from the Calgary Airport to Lake Louise.

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 guide shop or a predetermined location. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group.

We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.

Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors 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.