Backcountry Touring (ski & splitboard)

• All instruction by Professional Guide/Instructors
• Use of our avalanche beacon, probe, and shovel (if required)

Costs do not include lift access, transportation, food, accommodation, or personal equipment not listed.

Lift Access on Whistler/Blackcomb:
All participants require lift access for the Whistler/Blackcomb day. Lift access is not included in the course fee. If you do not have a Whistler/Blackcomb Pass, Canada West Mountain School can supply a Backcountry Pass (select Lift Pass option when booking).

Minimum 4 people required for the Backcountry Touring day.

Scheduled touring days for 2025-26:

• Dec 20, 2025
• Dec 22, 2025
• Dec 26, 2025
• Dec 28, 2025
• Jan 1, 2026
• Jan 10, 2026
• Jan 24, 2026
• Feb 7, 2026
• Feb 21, 2026
• Mar 7, 2026
• Mar 21, 2026

Our Backcountry Skiing course can be booked as a Private trip for any date with any size of group. Please contact us directly for details on setting up a Private program – info@themountainschool.com

The emphasis will be for you have an awesome day of backcountry touring, while building backcountry skiing and safety skills of your own. You will be moving all day through a variety of terrain, yet you will have ample to time to learn all the skills and ask questions throughout the day. Your Guide will choose objectives that are appropriate to your ski and riding level as well, of course! Here are some of the basic objectives of the day (in addition to seeking out the best skiing possible!):

• Avalanche safety –  this is not an Avalanche course, but you will review the basics throughout the day.
• Practice of avalanche response including use of transceivers, probes, shovels.
• Fine tuning ski touring techniques – tips and tricks to help you out during your day with us, and for your future adventures
• Understanding of route finding, map use, terrain management
• Track setting, uphill route choice and group management
• Downhill line selection, skier management, etc
• Situational awareness, pacing, time management, etc
• Backcountry ethics and the difference between resort skiing and backcountry skiing
• Good turns!

All of the above will be covered throughout the day in discussions, practice and actual application.

In regards to travel and terrain, we usually head into the Musical Bumps area behind Whistler; or, into the backcountry behind Blackcomb. The final decision will be made on the morning of your tour, based on current conditions and if there are any lift closures affecting access on either mountain. The Whistler Backcountry Map by John Baldwin is the best map for both these areas if you are interested, though you do not need to have this.

You will require a lift pass for the day, please confirm in advance with our office if you wish to purchase a Backcountry Lift pass, or if you already have your own pass.

Plan for a full day of touring into the backcountry, please be prepared for a lot of touring and skiing in a variety of weather and snow conditions. You will alternate between periods of uphill travel of about 1 hour, with skiing downhill. Please choose clothing that allows for ease of layering systems to adjust between uphill and downhill skiing activities.

Please review this Gear List – Backcountry Ski Touring Gear List

Plan for a full day of touring into the backcountry, please be prepared for a lot of touring and skiing in a variety of weather and snow conditions.

You will alternate between periods of uphill travel followed with skiing/riding downhill. Please choose clothing that allows for ease of layering systems to adjust between uphill and downhill skiing activities.

If you have questions regarding the equipment required for the Ski Touring course, please contact our office directly.