Included:

• • An experienced, local ACMG certified ski touring guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  • A full day of private backcountry ski touring around Whistler
  • Group equipment

Add-ons (pricing shown at checkout):

• • Avalanche safety equipment rental (avy kit)
  • Whistler – Blackcomb backcountry lift ticket
  • Backcountry ski passes & ski gear rental — leave a note at checkout if interested

Not included:

• • Transportation to Canada
  • Accommodations
  • Meals
  • Ski gear
  • Safety equipment
  • Lift tickets
  • Anything not mentioned in the ‘Included’ section above
  • Insurance — recommended, available at checkout
  • Guide gratuities — optional

It all depends on where the best snow is that day. Your guides usually choose between three main zones:

• • Whistler Mountain — plenty of ski touring right off the lifts, with open tree skiing in sub-alpine glades, which makes it a great zone for storm days
  • Blackcomb’s Spearhead Range — higher terrain with lots of high alpine, glaciated skiing, from big faces to steep couloirs
  • Rainbow Mountain area — across the valley, a fully human-powered option where the snow is usually a little deeper, with everything from open glades to big alpine slopes

Some of your guides’ favorite tours in the area:

• • Best pow: Disease Ridge into Chutting Gallery
  • Steeps & couloirs: Cham Chutes, Vista Chute, Husume
  • Glacier tour: Spearhead to Decker
  • Backcountry warm-up: East Col, Circle Lake, Body Bag Bowl

In order to join this Whistler backcountry ski touring day, reasonable fitness is required, but no backcountry or avalanche experience is needed. The trip works for anyone from beginner to advanced, on skis or a splitboard.

Your guide picks the terrain to match your ability, the day’s conditions, and the kind of adventure you’re after, so the pace and the climbing are tailored to your group. You should be comfortable skiing or riding off-piste and happy spending a full winter day moving uphill under your own power. Exact distance and elevation gain depend on where the best snow is that morning.

Want to see what else is there in the area? Discover our collection of backcountry skiing adventures in British Columbia.

No backcountry or avalanche experience is necessary to join this Whistler backcountry ski touring trip. The trip suits skiers and splitboarders of all levels, from beginner to advanced, and your guide will match the terrain to your group’s ability, the conditions, and the kind of day you’re after. A good level of fitness is all you need. Your guide will take care of the rest, from route choice to a companion rescue briefing before heading out.

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.

Safety equipment (available to rent)

• • Avalanche transceiver (3-antenna digital)
  • Avalanche probe (320 cm / 10.5 ft)
  • Avalanche shovel
  • Headlamp and extra batteries
  • Personal repair kit
  • 2 ski straps

Snow gear

• • Skis (minimum 100 mm underfoot) with touring bindings, or a splitboard with splitboard bindings
  • Ski touring or splitboard boots
  • Climbing skins
  • Adjustable poles
  • Helmet

Clothing

• • Waterproof, breathable jacket and pants (Gore-Tex or similar)
  • Top and bottom base layers (merino or poly blend)
  • Softshell
  • Puffy jacket or mid-layer
  • Goggles
  • Sunglasses
  • Toque/beanie
  • Face warmer
  • Brimmed hat
  • Insulated gloves
  • Light gloves
  • Socks (merino or merino/poly blend)

Personal items & essentials

• • Backpack (around 24–40L)
  • Sunscreen and lip balm
  • Waterproof notebook
  • Lunch
  • Water bottle or thermos

Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

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Yes. A full avalanche safety kit (transceiver, probe, and shovel) is available for rent, you can add it to your booking at checkout. Ski or splitboard touring gear can also be arranged at an additional cost, leave us a note at checkout if interested.

Group sizes and pricing:

• • This is a private day out: your group gets its own guide, and you call the shots on terrain and objectives. The maximum group size is set at 6 participants.
  • Whistler backcountry ski touring days 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 younger than 18 may be permitted to join the Whistler backcountry ski touring day on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.
  • If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

The starting point of your Whistler backcountry ski touring day is Whistler, British Columbia. To get there, most people fly into Vancouver International Airport (YVR). From there, you can take a shuttle service, public transport, or rent a car to reach Whistler.

You will meet your guide at 8:30 am at the HandleBar, at the base of Blackcomb Mountain.

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.