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Coast Range Skiing

Description:

Booking mid-winter ski trips is sometimes tough because weather and snowpack conditions can be so unpredictable and can so often times limit what is possible. Booking a trip to the Coastal Range in British Columbia around Squamish, Whistler, and Pemberton is an excellent solution to this problem. Because of this area's great accessibility (lifts, huts, helicopters), great terrain, and ample amounts of snowfall, it offers excellent options for all conditions.  If weather allows we'll fly into the Tantalus Range just outside of Squamish, BC and stay 2 nights in the Jim Haberl Hut. If weather is too stormy for reliable flying, then we'll utilize  the lifts in Whistler/Blackcomb to access amazing backcountry skiing in the Alpine, or we'll journey into Keith's Hut underneath the formidable Mt. Joffree for truly amazing mid elevation powder skiing.

Price: $2990/person for 1:1;  2000/person for 2:1; 1700/person 3:1

Trip Length: 4 days

Dates:  March 1-4, March 8-11, March 15-18, March 22-25 Custom dates available 

Max Ratio 5:1, Minimum Ratio 1:1

Prerequisites:

  • Avy level 1 or equivalent. 10 days backcountry skiing experience. 

  • Comfort skiing black diamond terrain in powder conditions

  • Fitness to ascend and descend 2500' per day carrying a lightweight pack
  • Comfort and familiarity with your equipment

Click Here for Gear List

Picture by Jeff Dobronyi. Taken on the Overlord Glacier mid way between Blackcomb and Whistler on the Spearhead traverse. 

Picture by Jeff Dobronyi. Taken on the Overlord Glacier mid way between Blackcomb and Whistler on the Spearhead traverse. 

Whats not included:

  • Travel to and from Vancouver, BC
  • Food whilst in town
  • Accommodation expenses beyond that of a mountain hut if staying in town
  • Personal backcountry skiing and overnight equipment
  • Incidentals 
  • Travel insurance 
  • Additional helicopter access beyond 1 round trip into Jim Haberl Hut
  • Additional lift tickets beyond 2 "backcountry tickets" at Whistler Blackcomb and 1 Sea to sky round trip ticket

 

Whats Included

  • 3 days of skiing some of the best terrain on the continent 
  • IFMGA Licensed Guide with local experience and knowledge, guide's travel expenses. 
  • All Transportation Vancouver airport - Vancouver Airport
  • Helicopter access/egress into Tantalus range, Single ride lift tickets at Whistler/Blackcomb or Sea to Sky gondola 
  • Lodging and food while in the mountains/huts or hut fee portion of accommodation in Squamish
  • Group gear, permits, insurance, logistical support, etc. 

*a note on whats included: This is the baseline of what our priced packages include. Due to the nature of backcountry skiing and travel, unforeseeable expenses can come up and will be addressed on a case by case bases to settle upon something that is fair for both parties involved. For example, if we do not go into a mountain hut there is the difference in cost between hut fees and in town accommodations. There are also the options of add ons such as full day tickets at the ski areas, or heli bumps out of Pemberton. 

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Ideal Itinerary  

If the we luck out and the weather is clear, calm and dry, we'll be able to fly into the Tantalus range for an amazing alpine skiing experience.

  1. Fly into Vancouver afternoon/evening before the trip. Stay in Squamish (lodging not included). Pack food and gear for travel next day.
    • Many lodging options in Squamish are available ranging from affordable hostels and vacation rentals, to mid range chain hotels, to luxury mountain suites. We can help arrange these bookings if you'd like.
  2. Travel to Blacktusk Helicopters outside of Squamish. Fly into the Jim Haberl Hut in the high alpine of the Tantalus. Risk Management briefing and training. Ski laps on the beautiful glacier directly below the hut. 
  3. Ski the North face of Serratus, a couloir on Alpha, or similar depending on conditions and group abilities 
  4. Ski whatever we haven't skied yet. Be ready for helicopter flight in the late afternoon. Drive to Vancouver airport and catch flights home. 

Example Backup Itinerary 

If the weather does not allow for the helicopters to fly, but we can still have hopes of skiing in the alpine then we'll utilize the Gondola in Squamish and the lifts at Whistler and Blackcomb. 

  1. Fly into Vancouver afternoon/evening before the trip. Stay in Squamish
    • Trip cost covers accommodation up to cost of the Jim Haberl Hut. If staying in Squamish many lodging options are available ranging from affordable hostels and vacation rentals, mid range chain hotels, to luxury mountain suites. We will help arrange these bookings. 
  2. Ski tour the incredible terrain outside of Whistler known as the Musical Bumps. 
  3. Ride the Squamish Sea to Sky gondola first thing in the morning. A little bit of legwork will get us to the excellent terrain around Sky Pilot and Habrich
  4. Ramp up the intensity a little bit with a day skiing the steep and glaciated terrain just outside of Blackcomb ski area. Drive to Vancouver to catch evening flights. 

Or...

In the event that the weather forecast doesn't seem to want to allow us to get into the beautiful alpine, we'll go pursue the incredible mid and low elevation skiing outside of Pemberton. This is also an excellent option if you're more in the mood for a quiet hut trip instead of the hustle of the lifts/helicopters.

  1. Fly into Vancouver afternoon/evening before the trip. Stay in Squamish. Pack food and gear for typical hut trip
  2. Wake up early and drive 2 hours to the trailhead to Keith's Hut just outside of Pemberton. Skin into Keiths hut ~2.5 hours. Get settled, go ski powder. 
  3. Venture up onto the anniversary glacier and ski off the summit of Joffree or Matier
  4. Wake up early to ski a mid elevation peak or get a couple more powder laps in. Pack up and ski out to car. Drive to Vancouver airport to catch flights.