What you get on this adventure:

• • An experienced, certified AIARE instructor and/or IFMGA Mountain Guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  • Depending on the chosen itinerary:
    • 8-day learn & ski at the Mistaya Lodge (AIARE Level 2 avalanche course)
    • 8-day ski touring adventure at the Mistaya Lodge
  • AIARE level 2 avalanche course (if you’re choosing the AIARE Level 2 Avalanche Course at Mistaya Lodge)
  • Helicopter transportation from Golden, BC, to the lodge and back
  • Lodge accommodations for the duration of the tour
  • All meals and non-alcoholic drinks for the duration of the tour
  • Private chef

What’s not included:

• • Technical backcountry ski touring equipment
  • Transportation to and from Golden, BC
  • Insurance — Uniglobe Travel Link or Global Rescue are both reputable providers
  • Guide gratuities — optional

Regarding both the AIARE Level 2 option and the ski touring option at the Mistaya Lodge, you need to be in excellent physical shape. You will be on your feet for 5 to 8 hours for 8 days, gaining anywhere between 2,000 to 6,000 ft (610-1,830 m). The exact numbers depend on weather, psych levels, and snow conditions. 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 for participating in AIARE Level 2 Avalanche Course at Mistaya Lodge:
An AIARE 1 Course (strongly recommended) or equivalent Level 1 training is required, as well as an AIARE Avalanche Rescue Course. Although it is not required, it is suggested that you have had at least a year of backcountry travel experience after the Level 1 course before taking the AIARE 2 course. Participants must have the ability to travel in avalanche terrain.

These adventures are not suitable for beginners. You should have several seasons of ski touring experience and strong fitness. For the AIARE Level 2 Avalanche Course at Mistaya Lodge, you should have also completed a level 1 avalanche course as well as the AIARE Companion Rescue course.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• • Differentiate where specific avalanche hazards exist within the landscape and identify avalanche terrain where consequences may be more severe.
  • Use and interpret weather, snow, and avalanche observations to locate appropriate terrain prior to entering and while in the field.
  • Demonstrate leadership skills within a small team that include facilitating small group discussion, promoting appropriate terrain selection, and utilizing simple risk management strategies.
  • Implement a basic forecasting framework that can be used in conjunction with and in the absences of local supporting avalanche information.

The Mistaya Lodge is a heli-accessed backcountry lodge sitting at 6,700 ft elevation (2,045m) in the Canadian Rockies. Due to its sustainable solar and microhydropower systems, the lodge bears minimum impact on the pristine surrounding environment. The Mistaya oozes a perfect blend of luxury and coziness, making anyone feel at home. With seven spacious bedrooms, indoor washrooms, a large kitchen, a sauna bath house, and a big sun deck, your only worry on this trip will be choosing the window with the best view.

Kick off your days with a cup of coffee in your hand, marveling at million-dollar views of surrounding peaks and glaciers. If you’re worried about food, don’t be! An amazing private chef will come along, preparing delicious meals for you every day. We’re happy to accommodate special dietary requirements, but let us know in advance.

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, 3-antenna avalanche transceiver or beacon
    • Lightweight snow shovel
    • Avalanche probe

For personal items, we recommend bringing:

• • Ski helmet
  • Sunglasses or ski goggles
  • Sun hat and a beanie/ fleece hat
  • Face mask and neck gaiter
  • Synthetic lightweight gloves, midweight softshell gloves, and heavyweight waterproof gloves
  • Wind and waterproof softshell and fleece jacket with hood
  • Synthetic or down puffy jacket
  • Waterproof shell jacket
  • Lightweight and midweight synthetic or wool base layer tops and bottoms
  • Hardshell pants
  • 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 — optional
  • Sunscreen and an SPF lip balm
  • 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 from Avalanche Safety Solutions or Higher Ground Sports.
  • Alpine touring or telemark skis, touring boots and poles can be rented from Higher Ground Sports..
  • Splitboards can be rented from Higher Ground Sports.

Ski rental locations are in Golden 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 prices:

• • Mistaya Lodge can accommodate up to 12 skiers with a 6:1 guest-to-guide ratio.
  • For the backcountry skiing week at the Mistaya Lodge, the client-to-guide ratio can be as low as 3:1.
  • The cost is per person and doesn’t decrease as the group grows. 

Ski touring adventures and AIARE Level 2 courses at the Mistaya Lodge 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 Golden, BC, the starting point of both adventures, fly into Calgary International Airport three hours away. Calgary International Airport has many direct flights and connections to major cities throughout Canada, USA, Europe, Australia, and Asia. From there, you can rent a car or take a bus to Golden.

We recommend arriving a day early, especially if you’re renting equipment and need to pick it up. Golden offers a variety of hotels, and carpooling is encouraged to arrive in Golden.

You will meet your guides in the morning of Day 1 at Alpine Helicopters hangar in Golden, BC, at 08:45 am. Guests are limited to 35 lbs. of gear (not including ski boots or skis). Any alcohol
brought in should be in aluminum cans or a box (wine).

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 British Columbia, please refer to Canada’s COVID-19 travel guidelines and the BC Centre for Disease Control’s COVID-19 travel advisory.

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!