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Glacier Travel and Crevasse Rescue Course

The Glacier Travel and Crevasse Rescue course is essential for any skier or rider looking to venture into glaciated terrain.

Location
Squamish / Whistler
Duration
2 Days
Difficulty
Intermediate
Guest Ratio
6 to 1

Starting at $375 per person

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Skills to Avoid Crevasses and What to Do if You Don’t

Learn to travel safely on glaciated terrain and perform crevasse rescue over two days with ACMG-certified guides.

You’ll cover glacier assessment, roping up, and both roped and unroped rescue technique - the skills needed to venture onto glaciers as a skier or splitboarder. This course builds directly on AST 1: it’s the natural next step once you’ve got avalanche training and some touring experience under your belt.

Courses available in Squamish & Vancouver, BC, upon request.

What does this course cover?

Level
  1. Beginner
  2. Intermediate
  3. Advanced

Part of the Intermediate skill set.

Our Crevasse Rescue and Glacier Travel course covers the gear necessary for glacier travel and rescue and a wide range of glacier travel techniques, glaciology and how to perform crevasse rescue in various scenarios.

By the end of two days you’ll be able to assess glacier hazard, rope up correctly for glacier travel, and run a crevasse rescue - roped or unroped:

  • Understanding the required gear
  • Snow anchors
  • Haul: drop loop, 3:1, 6:1
  • Rappel and rope climbing
  • Lowering/belay into to steep line or cornice
  • Setting up rappel in snow
  • Roping up for glacier travel
  • Understanding glacier, an alpine environment, crevasse formation, bergschrund formation
  • Identify mountain hazard
  • Snow assessments in big and or steep terrain
  • Assessing glaciers
  • Navigation
  • Route planning
  • Managing cornices

This course includes free access to our online course where you can review all topics covered in this course beforehand. A value of $45.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites required

Is this course for me?

This is an intermediate-level course for skiers and snowboarders who already tour in the backcountry and want to safely access glaciated terrain. It’s not an entry point - you’ll need prior ski touring experience and AST 1 (or equivalent avalanche training) is recommended before you register.

Prerequisites:

  • Previous ski touring experience
  • Excellent Ski or Board Ability (Black Diamonds)
  • Good Fitness (500 - 1000m/day)
  • AST 1 or equivalent recommended

Add Ons

  • W/B Lift Ticket
  • $45/day

Includes

  • 2 Full Days of Instruction with ACMG Guide
  • Group technical gear (ropes); harness and crevasse rescue kit available on request
  • Access to our Glacier Travel & Crevasse Rescue online course

Does Not Include

  • Avalanche Rescue Equipment
  • Whistler Blackcomb Backcountry Lift Ticket
  • Lunch

Itinerary

Day 1 - Crevasse Rescue and Rope Skills (Squamish)

  • Understanding the required gear
  • Snow anchors
  • Haul: drop loop, 3:1, 6:1
  • Rappel and rope climbing
  • Lowering/belay into to steep line or cornice
  • Setting up rappel in snow
  • Roping up for glacier travel

Day 2 - Glacier Travel (Whistler)

  • Understanding glacier, an alpine environment, crevasse formation, bergschrund formation
  • Identify mountain hazard
  • Snow assessments in big and or steep terrain
  • Assessing glaciers
  • Navigation
  • Route planning
  • Managing cornices

2026/ 2027 Season

  1. Custom Course (groups up to 6)$1595 per person + GSTBook
  2. Nov. 28 - 29$425 per person + GSTBook
  3. Dec. 2 - 3 (mid week)$375 per person + GSTBook
  4. Dec. 5 - 6$425 per person + GSTBook
  5. Dec. 12 - 13$425 per person + GSTBook
  6. Dec. 16 - 17 (mid week)$375 per person + GSTBook
  7. Jan. 2 - 3$425 per person + GSTBook
  8. Jan. 13 - 14 (mid week)$375 per person + GSTBook
  9. Jan. 16 - 17$425 per person + GSTBook
  10. Jan. 23 - 24$425 per person + GSTBook
  11. Feb. 3 - 4 (mid week)$375 per person + GSTBook
  12. Feb. 6 - 7$425 per person + GSTBook
  13. Feb. 17 - 18 (mid week)$375 per person + GSTBook
  14. Feb. 20 - 21$425 per person + GSTBook
  15. Mar. 6 - 7$425 per person + GSTBook
  16. Mar. 10 - 11 (mid week)$375 per person + GSTBook
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Frequently Asked Questions

Itinerary

Day 1

9 am-11 am: Meet & review knots, theory, and rope work.

11 am-4 pm: Head to Smoke Bluffs to simulate crevasse rescue scenarios and practice rope skills on rock

Students should be prepared to spend the entire day outside in the elements. Warm layers, sturdy footwear, gloves, and hard shells are recommended. Ski gear will not be required this day, but mountaineering gear (harness and crevasse rescue kits) will be used.

Day 2

8 am-9 am: Meet at Handlebar, review conditions and discuss the trip plan.

9 am-4 pm: Take the gondola up and tour into the Whistler/Blackcomb backcountry, where we cover glacier travel topics and practice a crevasse rescue on snow.

All ski touring, avalanche safety gear and mountaineering gear (harness, crevasse rescue kit, and axe) will be required.

Gear List

Avalanche Gear

Avalanche beacon
Probe
Shovel

Hardware

Backcountry skis or split-board (skis, skins, poles)
General mountaineering axe (steel); we have a few on hand
Harness
30-litre backpack or large enough to carry personal and some group gear
Rope - We will provide but feel free to bring whatever rope you would be using personally, so you can practice with it.

Crevasse rescue kit

1 x 1.5m 7mm cord
2 x 5m 7mm cord
2 x double length sling
4 locking carabiners
2 non-locking carabiner
Belay device
Pulley (optional)
Ice screw (16cm min)
Ski strap
Harness and crevasse rescue kit are available on request if you don’t have your own.

Clothing

Waterproof/breathable jacket and pants
Lightweight, breathable jacket and pants (for uphill skinning/climbing)
Insulated jacket (synthetic insulated jacket is strongly recommended)
Lightweight gloves for climbing/skinning
Warm gloves
Warm hats
Balaclava or other types of neck warmer

Miscellaneous

Sunglasses
Goggles
Sunscreen
Sun hat
Ski strap
Small personal ski repair kit
Personal first aid, medication
Camera
Lunch/Water

Please arrive in the morning with food and drink for the day.

Booking Policy

Please take a moment to read and understand our policies before booking! Booking, payment, cancellation and weather policies, as well as FAQ, may be found here.

Do I need AST 1 to take this course?

No, but it’s recommended. Glacier Travel and Crevasse Rescue builds on the AST 1 certification (or equivalent avalanche training) plus prior ski touring experience. It’s a follow-on course, not an entry point - if you’re new to backcountry travel, start with AST 1 or the Intro Backcountry Touring Course first.

Check out our online AST 1 course as a great starting point or to get up to speed for this course.

What will I learn?

Glacier formation and hazard assessment, roping up for glacier travel, snow anchors and haul systems (3:1, 6:1), rappelling, rope climbing, and crevasse rescue both roped and unroped. Day 2 also covers bergschrund identification, snow evaluation, navigation, and cornice management.

Where does the course take place?

Day 1 is in Squamish, with rope skills and rescue scenarios practiced at the Smoke Bluffs. Day 2 moves to Whistler backcountry terrain, where you’ll practice glacier travel and a full crevasse rescue scenario on snow.

Custom locations are available.

What's the guide-to-student ratio?

Six students per ACMG-certified guide.

How much does the course cost?

$375 per person plus GST for midweek courses and $425 for weekend courses. Custom group courses for up to 6 people are available at $1595 per group plus GST. A Whistler Blackcomb backcountry lift ticket and lunch aren’t included.

What gear do I need to bring?

Avalanche gear (transceiver, probe, shovel), a backcountry ski or splitboard setup, mountaineering axe, harness, and a 30L pack, plus a crevasse rescue kit (cord, slings, carabiners, belay device, pulley, ice screw) and appropriate winter clothing. Full gear list is on the course page.

Is this course suitable for snowboarders?

Yes. The course is designed for both skiers and snowboarders heading into glaciated backcountry terrain, provided you meet the touring-experience prerequisite (AST 1 recommended).

Can I book a private or custom-date course?

Yes. Custom group courses for up to 6 people are available at $1595 per group plus GST - contact Altus to arrange dates.

Can I take this course on snowshoes?

Unfortunately no, because of the location it is not easily accessed on snowshoes.

We recommend a custom course ($1595) for up to 6 people. We can tailor the course to a location that is best for snowshoe travel.

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