Secret stashes beyond the bucket list…
Organizing custom backcountry touring trips is one of our specialty. The world is blessed with hundreds of quality backcountry touring destinations. We have many years of experience organizing and carrying out such successful trips in remote locations of Western Canada and around the world.
The backcountry touring world is full of lesser known destinations. Because of their remoteness, these areas often display a sense of wilderness that is unparalleled to mainstream venues. We would be delighted to organize a trip to your dream destination or take you to one of our favorite lesser known touring mecca.
Most of these areas can be experienced as a day trip however, a minimum of 3 days will provide a richer experience. Contact us if you have a specific area of interest and we can share preliminary logistics. Here are some of our favorites:
- Shames Mountain Backcountry near Terrace BC. North Coast Mts
- Hudson Bay Mountain Backcountry. Smithers BC. Inland North Coast Mts
- Whistler-Blackcomb Backcountry or Spearhead Traverse. BC’s South Coast Mts
- Callaghan Valley Backcountry near Squamish or Whistler BC. South Coast Mts
- Duffy Lake Road, East of Pemberton BC. South Coast Mts
- Coquihalla Summit, Northeast of Hope BC. North Cascade Mountains
- Apex Resort Backcountry near Penticton BC. Interior Ranges
- Fernie Alpine Resort Backcountry, Fernie BC. Canadian Rockies
- Pine Pass & Powder King Resort BC. Northern Rockies
- Haines Pass in Northwestern BC. St-Elias Mountains
- White Pass in Northwestern BC. St-Elias Mountains
There are many more unknown gems, contact us with your area of interest, we will be happy to work with you and establish a trip that suits your needs. With enough notice, it will be possible for us to organize all logistics and secure permits required. In the meantime, the information below may provide valuable info to get the ball rolling. Thanks!
A typical ski touring days is long, arduous and rewarding. Depending on the tour selection, we will on average ski between 1200m-1800m of vertical (up and down!) per day. Below you will find a sample itinerary for day backcountry ski touring. This itinerary is bound to change as the weather, daylight hours & avalanche conditions evolve during the season.
Sample Day Ski Touring itinerary:
- Meet your guide between 6-7 am at predetermined location, sign waivers, and check gear
- Drive to ski touring destinations, purchase visitor pass
- Enjoy a full day of backcountry ski touring with lunch in the mountains
- Back from the last run one hour before sunset.
- Celebrate and start again the next day!
This is an intermediate to advanced ski touring program. Prior day backcountry ski touring experience with a minimum of intermediate downhill skills is required. Guests are responsible to self evaluate their skills as groups need to be matched together based on prior experience and ability. Please contact us to discuss your background and what kind of tour would suit you best.
This program takes place in a variety of locations in Western Canada and the world.
Western Canadian weather can vary drastically. In winter you expect temperatures to be from -20C to –7C in the day while in spring daily temperatures could rise above zero. Visibility may be poor or whiteout conditions when snowing heavily or clear on bluebird days. Ensure you are dressed for all variations as temperatures, wind and precipitation can change within the day.
What’s included:
- Pre-trip planning support
- Certified ACMG Mountain Guide, Ski Guide or Apprentice Ski Guide
- Group safety equipment (communication device, rescue kit, first aid supplies, GPS, maps)
Not included in price:
- Lunch, snacks or main meals if on an overnight trip
- GST 5% tax
- Personal ski touring boots, skis, skins or splitboard
- Personal avalanche safety equipment
- Transportation to touring location
- Visitor pass and overnight wilderness pass
- Additional charges due to changes in itinerary or ski location, guest must cover also additional guide costs (extra travel/accommodation/food expense)
- Trip cancellation and or trip interruption insurance. Medical, emergency rescue and evacuation insurance are also your responsibility
- Hut based programs, additional charges for guide wage, guide(s) pre-night hotel stay, hut fee, guide food, guest backcountry meals, 2nd guide costs, admin costs depending on the level of organization involved
Where can I rent Ski touring and safety equipment?
Summit Mountain Guides has a limited amount of winter safety equipment available for rental. Contact us for availability. Here are a few outdoor stores in Nelson, Revelstoke, and Golden that supply good service, quality outdoor equipment, and gear rental. Please ensure you rent gear well in advance.
Nelson:
Rivers Oceans and Mountains phone 250-354-2056
Valhalla Pure Outfitters phone 250-354-1006
Gericks phone 250-354-4622
Sacred Ride phone 250-354-3831
Revelstoke:
Revelstoke Powder Rentals 1(866) 604-SNOW
Valhalla Pure Outfitters (250) 837 5517
Golden:
Higher Ground Sports (250) 344-7980
Lake Louise:
Wilson Mountain Sports (403) 522-3636
Calgary:
Outdoor Center (University of Calgary)
Skis, Telemark or Split Boards?
Which should you use? If you are a downhill skier then you should use Alpine Touring gear. Only if you are already an advanced Telemark skier or Snowboarder should you bring Telemark or Split Board gear. All types of gear can be rented prior to your day trip. There are three types of backcountry systems you can use:
Alpine Touring skis are essentially downhill skis with a special touring binding which allows the heel to lift whilst going uphill or across the flats and then ‘locks down’ to become a regular downhill safety binding. We recommend this system to anyone with a background of downhill skiing who is not already an advanced telemark skier.
Telemark skis. These should only be used for this program if you are at least an advanced-intermediate telemark skier with some backcountry experience. This system is more difficult and less forgiving than the others.
Snowboarding with a Split Board is the most effective way to snowboard in the backcountry. We recommend this system to advanced snowboarder over snowshoeing.
