Adventure Talks

Half Dome is one of the most famous summits in the world. Described by John Muir as “the most sublime feature of all”, the mountain rises 4,800 ft above Yosemite Valley, offering stunning panoramas that have inspired countless artists, writers, and photographers. The hike to the top is not for the faint of heart, though. While the first ascent in 1875 involved drilling holes and using a rope ladder, a reliable cable system made the climb much more accessible today. However, it still requires preparation and plenty of respect for the mountain — the immense elevation gain, heavy exposure, and fickle weather could make your trek go south in a heartbeat. Want to know what it takes to safely reach the roof of Yosemite? Tune in to our FREE WEBINAR. Expert guide Jesse Dunlap will teach you everything you need to know before your Half Dome hike. From choosing the season and getting your permit to handling the heat and the elements, his tips will skyrocket your chances for a successful, and enjoyable, summit.

Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands live and breathe adventure. Throughout the years, wanderers have underestimated this hidden gem, choosing instead to visit hot spots like Peru and Patagonia. Those who do, however, miss out — on seeing snow-capped volcanoes tower over verdant valleys, on wandering through ancient ruins that whisper tales of a rich and vibrant past, and on immersing themselves in the vibrant cultural tapestry of Ecuador’s welcoming communities. Whether you’re snorkeling among coral reefs packed with marine life, trekking through lush cloud forests teeming with exotic flora and fauna, or navigating the wild heart of the Amazon, excitement awaits behind every bend. Want to learn more about this often-overlooked adventure mecca? Tune in to our FREE WEBINAR. In an hour-long session, local guide and tour operator Henry Sisa will give you an inside look into the endless wonders of Ecuador & Galapagos, from the must-see spots and must-try activities to what to pack, how to get there, and how to prepare for your trip. By the end, you’ll know why Ecuador & Galapagos deserve top spots on your bucket list.

If you’re looking to sail endless seas, shred pristine slopes, and see some of the most dramatic vistas in Europe, Norway’s Svalbard Archipelago is the place to be. Spread across 16 million acres and accessible only by sailboat, Svalbard offers everything from chill cruisers & mellow descents to bone-chilling couloirs and summit-to-sea marathons. It’s the perfect place to unplug, relax the mind, and earn your turns all at the same time. However, planning a ski trip to the edge of the world can be a logistical nightmare. From finding the right boat and choosing what to bring to maximizing your time under the Midnight Sun, expert guidance is essential here. This is why we’ve organized a FREE Q&A with local guide Erlend Kjørsvik! In an hour-long session, Erlend answered numerous of questions about skiing and sailing Svalbard, including when to go, how to get there, where to find the best slopes, and how to see as much of the Arctic wildlife as possible!

Straddling the border between Italy and France, Mont Blanc is the tallest peak in Western Europe. Ever since it was first summited in 1786, it’s been one of the most desired objectives in the world. But what does it take to make it to the top? Join Yann Delevaux, a locally-based mountain guide with over 20 years of experience, as he shares everything you need to know to brave Mont Blanc’s challenges and make mountaineering history. Yann will unravel the intricacies of the routes and key checkpoints while providing tips on fitness, gear essentials, altitude acclimatization, and more. The roof of Europe is right within your reach — and this webinar is the perfect first step.

Torres del Paine National Park presents the peak of Patagonian hiking, and the W and O treks showcase that to a T. Titled after the shapes they take from a bird’s eye view, there’s a good reason these trails spell out “WOW”. The more trendy of the two, the W trek was shaped by one of the greatest glaciers in the Southern hemisphere. Snaking through both steppe and summit, this non-technical trail covers all the highlights of the area, including Towers Base lookout, French Valley, and the Grey glacier. A tougher trail than its neighbor, the O Trek is the hidden gem of hardcore Patagonian hiking. Looping through granite and glacier, “O” takes adventurous travelers through both Paine Massif and the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, while being crowd-free even in the high season. If you’re looking to learn more about these two treks from a certified expert, tune in to this free hour-long session. From general facts about trekking Torres del Paine and the differences between the two hikes to logistical pro tips, you’ll be all set to tackle this Patagonian paradise.

When it comes to hiking, Slovenia shoots way above its weight. Straddling the border between the Balkans and Central Europe, Slovenia is a small country with vast adventure options — focalized mostly around the Julian Alps.  Hidden among these limestone towers are hundreds of forested footpaths to walk, rustic villages to visit, deep turquoise lakes to swim in, and pale castles to explore. Packed with history and hidden from the crowds, Slovenia is a hiking spot you shouldn’t sleep on. If you want to learn more about hiking in Slovenia, get this FREE WEBINAR recording. Slovenian local Klemen Gricar is here to walk you through a hiking tour of the Julian Alps, complete with cool anecdotes, equipment advice, and pro tips for your own stroll among the summits.

The Waputik Icefield of the Canadian Rockies has a legendary reputation as a paradise for ski mountaineering. This melding of glaciers along the Great Divide boasts an excellent hut system, perfect terrain for hut-to-hut traverses, and easy access to expansive ski mountaineering objectives. It’s a classic for the country, about as Canadian as maple syrup, moose and Mounties. In this one-hour session, ACMG and IFMGA Mountain Guide Tom Wolfe introduced two brilliant stars of Waputik’s snowy constellation: the Wapta Traverse and the Bow-Yoho Traverse. Both trips chart a course through demanding but dazzling terrain that offers peak bagging and powder skiing galore. But the fun doesn’t stop when the skis are off. After an unforgettable day of hunting turns on vast glaciers, there’s no better way to unwind than in the comfort of a backcountry hut, where a roasting fireside dinner and a toasty drink soothe the weary traveler. For experienced skiers who are comfortable on black diamond resort runs, hut-to-hut traverses in the Rockies are the next step on their path to serious off-piste shredding. So if you’re ready to take your skiing to the hair-raising thrills of the Waputik backcountry, check out this free webinar and hear from a professional guide with decades of experience in the heart of the Rockies.

With deep, light snow and an endless supply of out-of-bounds terrain, the Tetons are the perfect classroom for anyone looking to advance their skills. Whether you’re looking to master the fundamentals or graduate to longer days and bigger terrain, a backcountry ski camp in the Tetons is just what you need. Hosted by seasoned ski guides, these weekend workshops were made to help skiers of all skill sets reach the next level, no matter where they stand on the learning curve. Want to learn more about these ski camps? Tune in to our FREE WEBINAR. In an hour-long session, IFMGA Guide and outdoor educator Michael Wachs will explain the ins and outs of his backcountry ski camps and show how a weekend in the Tetons can lead to a lifetime of better skiing.

Often overlooked by tourists, Shikoku houses the Shimanami Kaido, Japan’s most legendary cycling path. The smallest of Japan’s major islands is a rider’s wonderland hiding in plain view. Whether you’re into scenic coastal routes or challenging mountain climbs, Shikoku offers something for every rider — with plenty of Shinto temples & traditional villages to explore, fantastic food to enjoy, and steaming onsens to share a sake in. Ready for a ride through the Land of the Rising Sun? If so, tune in to our FREE WEBINAR. In an hour-long session, seasoned tour operator Sam Barclay will show you all the must-see spots and off-the-beaten-path trails Shikoku has to offer while sharing insider tips for finding the best food, rides, and scenery.

Housing some of the best pow in the world, British Columbia’s West Coast is ripe with ski opportunities. Will you settle for a single course, or sample the whole buffet? The West Coast Ski Buffet packs a selection of the most delectable ski trips in the region into a true backcountry banquet. From secret pow stashes in Whistler-Blackcomb and touring around Squamish to Heli-accessed alpine turns in the Tantalus range, it’s the penultimate BC ski experience that’s sure to please any palate. Want to learn more about this appetizing adventure? Tune in to our FREE WEBINAR! In an hour-long session, ACMG Ski Guide Monte Johnston will tell you everything you need to know about the West Coast Ski Buffet, including where to go, what to ski, and how to make the most of your time backcountry skiing in British Columbia.

Hundreds of guides lead hiking trips on Mont Blanc. But when National Geographic guide Bine Žalohar does it, he does it in style. Bine’s luxury Mont Blanc hiking trip elevates the experience of hiking Western Europe’s tallest mountain to a whole different level. Based out of a luxury 5-star hotel, he takes his clients on daily trips along less-trodden trails, allowing them to experience the history, heritage, and soaring landscapes of Mont Blanc free from the crowds. Time off the trails is spent sampling Italian Gelato, savoring authentic Swiss fondue, and sipping on Alpenglow cocktails, and enjoying the hotel’s rich spa facilities. It’s an adventure that stimulates all the senses! Want to learn more about Bine’s bucket-list trip? Tune in to this FREE WEBINAR! Learn about the rich and rowdy history of Mont Blanc, how to see as much of the mountain in as little time, and how a dash of hedonism can push a great hike even further.

Starting at the base of Mont Blanc in Chamonix and ending under the imposing peak of Matterhorn in Zermatt, the Walker’s Haute Route strings together undulating meadows and high mountain passes to form one of the world’s greatest multi-day treks. But as any hiker who has completed this Franco-Swiss journey can attest, this is not just a light jaunt through an idyllic landscape full of rushing streams and playful ibex. It takes a serious amount of dedication, endurance, and planning to reach that coveted finish line. With only a fixed starting and ending point, it is up to you to craft your own 7-to-14-day itinerary via a series of mountain huts and quaint villages scattered along the way. With numerous factors to account for and options at your disposal, this Alpine leg-burner can easily turn into a logistical headscratcher. That’s where Mountain Leader Emma Jack comes in! Having led expeditions all over the world and criss-crossed the Alps countless times, this Chamonix-based guide is here to share her vast experience and teach you all about hiking the Haute Route!