Ski Mountaineering 2025

Ski touring on Mount Logan

Gain the confidence and skills required for Ski Mountaineering with our ACMG Instructors on a low-ratio (1:4) course this winter! Skills covered will help you to get out and tackle some big-mountain ski objectives and traverses! 2-days of skiing and climbing in some of the big-mountain ski terrain in the South Coast Mountains working on steep snow climbing skills, route finding, winter hazard awareness, and technical winter climbing systems, avalanche hazard awareness, terrain assessment, and more. This course is conducted behind Blackcomb or Whistler mountains.

Register Today

$385.00

Ratio:
1:4
Pre Requisites:
Ski Mountaineering is conducted in alpine backcountry terrain and includes skiing in very challenging snow conditions with a pack on. Participants must be advanced or better skiing ability with previous backcountry experience.
Options:
Avi Kit (2 day)
$40.00
Lift Access (1-day)
$45.00
Lift Access (2-day)
$90.00
Categories: ,
  • $385.00 plus GST
      The cost of the course includes:
    • all Guiding/Instruction services by ACMG cerified Instructors at a 1:4 maximum ratio
    • use of all technical climbing gear as required
    • all organization and pre-trip planning
    • course materials and handouts

    The Ski Mountaineering course is held behind Whistler or Blackcomb mountains. The course fee does not include lift access. Students can use their existing ski passes, or an optional Backcountry Lift pass can be purchased.

      Participants are responsible for the following:
    • Personal gear and ski equipment (please see Gear List)
    • Avalanche safety gear, required for each person (beacon, probe, shovel)
    • Food
    • Transportation to/from Whistler
    • Lift access, as noted

  • Advanced level or better skiing or snowboarding ability with previous backcountry experience; previous Avalanche skills course (AST-1 or equivalent); participants are strongly encouraged to practice basic rope handling skills in advance of the field session (knots, belays, etc). When you register, a Pre-Trip Package will be sent to you detailing how to prepare for your Canada West Mountain School Ski Mountaineering course.

    Snowboarders must be on a Split-board and have experience split boarding with a pack on

  • Gear List - Canada West Mountain School Ski Mountaineering Course Gear List

    Please review the Gear List for Ski Mountaineering and contact our office with any questions. Each participant will receive a pre-trip training package in advance of the course to ensure everyone is properly prepared for gear and logistics.

  • This 2-day course is a skills-intensive program designed to introduce you to a variety of techniques that will give you the confidence and skills to travel into some of the big-mountain terrain in the South Coast Mountains. The course is designed to give you the best combination of learning and practice in backcountry terrain.

    The course is held in the backcountry behind Blackcomb Mountain, accessing some of the ridgelines and couloirs in the area that allow for the most effective use of time. Diseased Ridge, the Finger Chutes on the West Ridge of Decker, and Cham Chutes in the Spearheads are all areas that are often used for training areas, though specific locations will be decided based on current snow, avalanche, and weather conditions.

    The 2025 season Ski Mountaineering course is conducted as 2 separate 1-day field sessions in the Whistler/Blackcomb backcountry.

      Training topics include the following:
    • identification of winter hazards specific to ski mountaineering
    • risk management for big mountain terrain
    • avalanche hazard awareness and management
    • cornice management
    • route finding and line selection
    • steep snow climbing techniques
    • rope systems for ski mountaineering
    • rappelling and rope techniques for couloir entrances
    • techniques for managing your group
    • glacier travel and crevasse rescue review

    Gain the confidence and skills required for Ski Mountaineering so that you can head out on your own to tackle some big-mountain ski objectives and traverses!

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