AST 2
AST Level 2 in Whistler takes you to bigger mountains, further places, wilder terrain. If you’re looking to take it a few steps further, this course is for you. Experience five days of hands-on Avalanche Skills Training in the backcountry, immersed in the challenging terrain to push your knowledge beyond its limit. We offer intimate group sizes taught by professional mountain guides who are committed to teaching you the skills required to be safe, have a blast, and further elevate your backcountry career.
Backcountry Progression
Backcountry Progression The next step The Backcountry Progression course is designed to bridge the gap between the traditional recreational offerings and the highly technical professional-level courses. We have created the most advanced avalanche skills training course available that meets that objective. In turn, professional candidates can feel confident taking that next step. This course caters…
Custom AST Course
AST Level 1 Whistler is two full days of introductory Avalanche Skills Training. You may be taking your first steps outside the resort’s boundaries. You may be an experienced mountain rider seeking a more solid foundation. Whatever your current level, this course will teach you everything you need to know – so you can enjoy the backcountry safely and self-assured.
Black Tusk
Black Tusk is a great hiking or mountaineering trip that takes you into the wonderful Garibaldi park. Altus will provide a Guide to take you up the mountain. To summit Black Tuck easy rock scrabbling is required to reach the summit. Harness and Rope are required for other than expert climbers.
Mt Robson via Patterson Spur – Mouse Ridge and Kain Face.
Had the pleasure of summiting Mt. Robson July 30th with one client via the Patterson Spur to gain the Resplendent Robson col. The new climbers trail that starts at Kinney Lake, works nicely to access that side of the mountain. This took 10 hours with a fit client from the car park to the RR…
Ski Pilot Mountain VIDEO
Above the Sea to Sky gondola in Squamish BC is a perfect quick alpine summit – The Sky pilot Mountain. Here is a quick edit to show what this climb is like. Filmed during an intro mountaineering course June 2015
Squamish Buttress via Banana Peel VIDEO – Squamish Multi Pitch Climbing
Joined up with Altus Mountain Guides partner and guide Paul McSorley and Helen B to film a lap up the most traveled multi pitch climb on the Squamish Chief. The Squamish Buttress via Banana peel. 12 pitches of climbing up to 5.10c.
Squamish Multi Pitch Climbing – Sunset Strip 5.10d
Another classic day of Squamish multi pitch climbing! The summer of rock guiding keeps us plenty busy with many laps of the Chief, courses and trips in and around Squamish. How ever it always a treat to step the the technical level up and guide some of the harder multi pitch climbs!!
Mt Garibaldi NE Ridge Summited!
Summited Mt Garibaldi NE Ridge yesterday via the North East Ridge with two clients. What a beautiful perfect summit day! No wind, warm temps and BLUE SKY! Was a pleasure to climb the mountain with long time Squamish residents Maren and Espen Bruun, of Paws in Hand. They didn’t stop smiling all day! The access…
Mt. Clemenceau Ski Tour / Glamping trip.
Mt. Clemenceau Ski Tour: Scott Thumbler and I just returned from a wonderful spring ski touring trip from May 11th to the 15th…
What is Backcountry Skiing?
Do you have a craving to ski on ungroomed, all-natural snow in some of the most beautiful wilderness mountains' have to offer? If your answer is yes, then backcountry skiing can provide the adventure you're looking for.
Backcountry skiing generally occurs in sparsely populated areas outside designated ski resorts - truly making it an adventure. Human power is frequently the means of access and ascent, but some adventures may require helicopters and ski lifts may be used so long as the land accessed is backcountry.
Types of Backcountry Skiing
According to Wikipedia, backcountry skiing can include:
- Frontcountry: off-trail within ski area boundaries where ski lifts and emergency services are close at hand.
- Slackcountry: terrain outside of the ski area boundary that is accessed from a lift without having to use skins or bootpack. Usually this also includes area with access back to the lift as well. For purists, this could also include where people use a car as a shuttle.
- Sidecountry: terrain outside marked ski area boundaries yet accessible via ski lift. Typically sidecountry requires the skier to hike, skin, or climb within ski area boundaries to reach or return from the sidecountry area, or both.
- Backcountry: skiing in remote areas not within ski area boundaries. Ski patrol, marked ski runs, grooming, snowmaking, and ski lifts are absent.
Want to Try Backcountry Skiing?
Give Altus Mountain Guides a call to start your adventure today +1.604.848.8543
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Altus mountain guides is a group of motivated professionals dedicated to providing our clients with outstanding quality in the mountains with safe adventurous trips. From our base in Squamish and Whistler BC we provide you access to the most amazing mountain experiences the West Coast has to offer. Our exciting itineraries showcase the Coast Range but reach beyond to the interior ranges of the Selkirkʼs and Purcellʼs and onto the Rockies. We also offer trips internationally from the historic and classic European Alps to the windswept wilds of Patagonia.