Ice Climbing in the Canadian Rockies
We were in Banff last week for the Mountain Film Festival and managed to sneak out for a few pitches of Ice climbing. Conditions were quite mild owing to a Chinook passing along the front ranges but we headed up to the Stanley Headwall, finding tons of climbable ice in this refrigerator box of…
GoPro Skiing footage from last winter.
Here is a little teaser from last winter at Mike Wiegele Heli Skiing. Video of Crosby Johnston Heli Skiing
Apron Climb Diedre 5.8 ***
Earlier this spring I had this fun day of climbing on Diedre with Kendall and Nikki. Was the perfect Squamish climbing day on the Apron. Long friendly corners on splitter granite stone for 7 pitches. First climbed in 1962 by the Squamish local Jim Sinclair and the late Jim Baldwin. A truly lovely rock climb…
Angels’s Crest: 5.10b 13 pitches / Squamish Rock Climbing
On October 9 th I had the pleasure to get in one of the last days of guiding before the rain. Angeles Crest is one of the well know Squamish classic multi pitch rock climbs. Angel’s Crest rock climb is one of my favourite climbs in Squamish. It is one of the best positions you…
Moonlight on the Alps from Albert Premier Hut Chamonix, France.
This was a magic night up at the Albert Premier Hut Chamonix, France. Everyone else seemed to be sleeping and it was a full moon! Very beautiful night to be outside for some cool photos. photos: Crosby Johnston
Mt Garibaldi North East Face
Just got back from a two day trip up to the Summit of Mt. Garibaldi via the North East face from Brohm Ridge. What a treat to get into the high alpine in OCTOBER! Conditions on Garibaldi where next to perfect for a guided trip to 2670m or 8760ft. Last night on Mt. Garibaldi there…
Showcase Spire, Whistler – Blackcomb, BC
An outing on Showcase Spire off of Blackcomb Mountain is one of the best mini adventures imaginable! With a civilized approach and an ambiance that makes you wonder where this beauty has been hiding all your life, Showcase Spire is not to be missed! I had the pleasure of climbing this gem on the weekend…
Teddy Bear’s Picnic
Yet another great day of climbing here in Squamish. I joined forces with Rockies crushers Josh Lavigne, Simon Meiss and Chris Brazeau to throw a lap on Teddy Bear’s Picnic. First established by Jeremy Blumel and Adam Diamond and climbed integral a few years back by Will Standhope, Teddy Bear’s hosts some of the…
Rock climbing in Squamish Prow Wall
A day out rock climbing in Squamish. More photos: Altus Mountain Guides Facebook photo: Crosby Johnston
Squamish Buttress and Smoke Bluff rock climbing
Over the last two day I had the pleasure to rock guide the Classic 5.10c Squamish Buttress rock climb and in the Smoke Bluffs. The splitter granite stone and Howe Sound vistas are still as stunning as ever. The love of Squamish rock climbing is never ending. What a treat to do some rock guiding…
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.