Corvus – Women’s Split
Thanks for Signing Up! We look forward to having you join our Corvus Social Skills session soon. In the meanwhile, we have a bit of homework for you to ensure when your course comes up all of our ducks are in a row and we both have a clear expectation of the course so we…
Participant info – AST 2
Thanks for Signing Up! We look forward to having you join our AST 2 course soon. In the meanwhile, we have a bit of homework for you to ensure that when your course comes up all of our ducks are in a row and we both have a clear expectation of the course so we won’t…
Participant Info – Women’s Ski Mo
Thanks for Signing Up! We look forward to having you join our Women’s Ski Mountaineering course soon. In the meantime, we have a bit of homework for you so when your trip date arrives all our ducks are in line, expectations are clear, and we don’t waste any time getting you on the snow. To…
Whistler Conditions Update – November
After last weeks social media bombardment, it won’t come as a surprise that the early season conditions in Whistler Blackcomb have been pretty spectacular. Deep turns and face shots have filled my Instagram feed and for once, none of it was exaggerated. It really has been that good! Moisture from the south combined with cold…
Participant info – Alpine Climbing
Thanks for making your reservation! We look forward to climbing with you soon. In the meantime, we have a bit of homework for you so when your trip date arrives all our ducks are in line, expectations are clear, and we don’t waste any time getting you to the alpine. To the right is a…
Arcteryx Courses
Hi, Lovely Arcteryx team member Below are the courses, just for you! Rock, Alpine, Ski, AST. If you have any questions feel free to hit the chat icon to connect with us, or shoot us an email. ross@altusmountainguides.com Rock Climbing Intro Rock Climbing Course $75 Read more about the course Book Now Sport Climbing Course…
Hakuba – Japan
Japan – Hakuba Backcountry Big terrain, Big snow, Culture Altus Mountain Guides is very excited to offer Guided Backcountry Trips to Japan, and bookings are now available for February 2020. Ski waist-deep powder, summit volcanoes, take a soak in the natural hot springs and enjoy great food- this is going to be a trip of…
Tantalus Range
This years ski season wrap up trip is in one of the most coveted mountain ranges in BC. The Tantalus Range, although the the biggest peaks in the BC stand like a fortress guarded by the Squamish river and forbidding glaciers, teasing certainly most passenger driving the Sea to Sky highway to Whistler BC. We will be flying in to the Tantalus Range with a small group of motivated skiers and boarders with 2 of our best guides and one of Whistler top back country ski pros for 3 days of mountain skiing, learning and fun! Tantalus Range Ski Mountaineering Camp!
Mystery Creek Freeride Camp
Our first spring trips we are heading in to the rarely travel Mystery Creek Zone north of Whistler BC. Since this area is only accessed by helicopter we will have our pick of the area, big peak, expansive glaciers and ski lines for weeks. The Mystery Creek big mountain ski camp is going to be awesome!
Mt Currie – Wedge Ski Traverse
Mt Currie – Wedge Ski Traverse Pemberton to Whistler – The Fun Way This brilliant adventure starts with a short helicopter trip to the summit of Mount Currie and finishes on the slopes of Blackcomb Mountain. Located just north of Whistler, it remains a mystery why this area sees such little traffic as the ski…
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.