Backcountry Skiing at the Journeyman Lodge

What you get in this adventure: 

• • An experienced, certified ski guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  • 4 full days of backcountry ski touring
  • Snowcat and sled shuttle to and from Journeyman Lodge
    
  • Luxurious lodge with a sauna
  • Double-occupancy nook accommodation (inquire about single-occupancy and other upgrade options)
  • Meals during your stay
  • 5% GST

What’s not included:

• • Technical backcountry ski touring equipment
  • Transportation to and from the staging area
  • Beverages — make sure to bring some with you
  • Trip insurance
  • Guide gratuities — optional

In order to enjoy this guided backcountry adventure at the Journeyman Lodge, you need to have a great level of fitness. You will be on your feet for several full days. While there is terrain for all skill levels around Journeyman Lodge, this tour is ideal for experienced skiers, as 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.

Backcountry skiing at Journeyman Lodge is for intermediate to advanced backcountry skiers. The terrain is challenging and technical, requiring controlled descents in sometimes tricky environments. Beginners in the backcountry or those with blue-level resort experience should consider an introductory course to backcountry skiing with a guide.

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)
  • Avalanche safety equipment (can be rented):
    • Digital, 3-antenna avalanche transceiver or beacon
    • Lightweight snow shovel
    • Avalanche probe

For personal items, we recommend bringing:

• • Helmet
  • Sunglasses or ski goggles
  • Face warmer
  • Light gloves
  • Insulated gloves or mitts
  • Brimmed cap and beanie
  • 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
  • Comfortable lodge clothing, a nice shirt for dinners
  • 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 1L 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)
  • Headlamp with spare batteries
  • Toilet paper or WAG bag
  • 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 Escape Route or Premium Mountain
  • Alpine touring or telemark skis, touring boots, and poles can be rented from Escape Route or Premium Mountain
  • Splitboards can be rented from Escape Route or Premium Mountain

Ski rental locations are in Whistler 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:

• • The 4-day backcountry skiing tour at Journeyman Lodge is not private.
  • If joining alone, you’ll be placed in a shared double room with another skier, but there’s a possibility of single occupancy and other upgrade options at an additional fee. Contact us to make arrangements.
  • Cost is per person and it doesn’t decrease as the group grows.

Ski touring in Journeyman 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.

Using the remote Journeyman Lodge as a home-base, this fully guided and catered ski touring package has it all: amazing skiing, great food and luxurious accommodation! The Journeyman Lodge is found in the heart of British Columbia’s Coast Mountains, deep in the Upper Callaghan Basin at 4,500′ (1,370m) above sea level. Accessed by Snowcat, it offers many of the comforts of home in a pristine skiers paradise including great family style meals, a warm lodge and a wood fired sauna.

Journeyman Lodge has a number of different rooms available:

• • Nook Queen: Very cozy (small) room with a queen bed
  • Nook Twin: Very cozy (small) room with two twin beds
  • Standard Queen: Nice room with a view and a queen bed
  • Standard Twin: Nice room with a view and two twin beds
  • Superior Room: Nice room with a small balcony and ensuite and a queen bed

To get to the Journeyman Lodge, most people fly into Vancouver International Airport, 1.5 hour from Whistler. From there, you can rent a car or take a shuttle service.

From Whistler, head southwest on Highway 99 towards Vancouver. Approximately 13km (8 miles) from Whistler Village, turn right off Highway 99 onto the Callaghan Valley Access Road. Follow the main route for about 8.5 km. Immediately before the entrance to Whistler Olympic Park, you will see your guides’ banner on your left. Turn left, cross over a bridge and follow the signs into the staging area. From there, a snowcat will transfer you to the lodge where you will spend the next 4-5 days.

We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!

Redpoint tailors their 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.

Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!