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, guides, and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Lake Tahoe, California, please refer to California’s official COVID-19 travel recommendations.

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
  • A full day in the field
  • A Donner Ski Ranch lift ticket for the duration of the course
  • A digital AIARE certificate acknowledging completion date at course end

What’s not included:

• • Technical backcountry ski touring equipment
  • Digital beacon (newer than 5 years old or recently checked by the manufacturer)
  • High quality aluminum shovel (plastic blades often break in dense snow and/or avalanche debris)
  • High quality probe (modern, quick-draw style)
  • Transportation to Donner Ski Ranch, Lake Tahoe
  • Accommodation
  • Lunch and snacks

In order to get the most of this adventure, you need to have a moderate level of fitness. You will be on your feet for a full day. 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:
Participants should be proficient at using touring gear and have the appropriate gear, including AT skis or splitboard and modern and functional avalanche rescue tools. The course venue offers challenging terrain and snow conditions, and it is important that riders have an advanced riding ability to manage highly variable snow conditions while using their avalanche rescue gear. Skiers must be able to hike for several hours and be comfortable traveling in snow while carrying touring gear.

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):
    • Digital beacon (newer than 5 years old or recently checked by the manufacturer)
    • High quality aluminum shovel (plastic blades often break in dense snow and/or avalanche debris)
    • High quality probe (modern, quick-draw style)

For personal items, we recommend bringing:

• • Helmet
  • Sunglasses
  • ski goggles
  • Light gloves
  • Midweight gloves
  • Warm hat
  • Sun hat
  • Neck gaiters
  • Wind and waterproof hardshell jacket with hood (Gore-Tex recommended)
  • Softshell ski pants (Gore-Tex recommended)
  • Vented hardshell ski pants
  • Puffy midweight down or synthetic jacket with hood
  • Long sleeve synthetic or wool base layers, underwear, and socks
  • Two Insulating top layers
  • One triple-action locking carabiner or two conventional locking carabiners
  • Repair kit and Leatherman for your equipment (can be shared between several people)
  • Nalgene water bottle
  • Water bottle or water bladder and 1,5L of water
  • Thermos with a warm beverage — optional
  • Food you can eat on-the-go
  • First-aid/blister kit — optional
  • Chemical hand warmers — optional
  • Sunscreen
  • Lip balm
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Toilet paper
  • Touring backpack with a pocket for avalanche tools
  • Camera — optional

Your guides will provide the first aid kits, snow observation equipment, and WAG bags, but you’re free to bring your own.

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
  • Alpine touring or telemark skis, touring boots, and poles can be rented at the Donner Ski Ranch
  • Splitboards can be rented at the Donner Ski Ranch

Ski rental locations are at the Donner Ski Ranch 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:

• • These courses are not private. The usual guest-to-guide ratio is 5:1.
  • Cost is per person and it doesn’t decrease as the group grows.

Ski touring in Lake Tahoe 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.

To get to the Donner Ski Ranch on Lake Tahoe, most people fly into Sacramento International Airport 2 hours southwest from Lake Tahoe. From there, you can rent a car, take a bus or take a train to Donner Ski Ranch.

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 Donner Ski Ranch or a predetermined location. From there, you’ll head to your tour. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ski ability of the group.