Steeps and Peaks Ski Mountaineering Course

Three-Day Structure

Day 1 - Equipment review, glaciology instruction, crevasse formation, glacier travel roping technique, whiteout navigation

Days 2–3 - Alpine objectives: route planning, snow stability assessment, steep snow climbing/descending, and steep skiing technique on real terrain

Daily schedule runs 8:00 AM–4:00 PM, meeting at the Whistler Blackcomb base.

The daily destination depends on conditions and the group. Common objectives include the Duffey Lake Road, the Sea to Sky Gondola area and the Whistler Blackcomb backcountry.

Avalanche Gear

Avalanche beacon
Probe
Shovel

Hardware

Backcountry skis or split-board (skis, skins, poles)
General mountaineering axe (steel)
Harness
30-litre backpack or large enough to carry personal and some group gear
Rope: we provide one, 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
Small personal ski repair kit
Personal first aid, medication
Camera
Lunch/Water

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

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.

Strong backcountry skiers ready to move into remote, heavily glaciated alpine terrain. You’ll need AST 1 (or equivalent), real alpine ski touring experience, and the ability to confidently ski double black diamond terrain - this is an expert-level course, not an introduction to backcountry skiing.

Day 1 covers glaciology, crevasse formation, and glacier roping technique before you head into alpine objectives on Days 2–3, so no prior glacier-specific course is strictly required. That said, guests with rusty glacier skills often take the standalone Glacier Travel and Crevasse Rescue online course ($45 add-on) beforehand.

The standalone Glacier Travel and Crevasse Rescue Course is a dedicated 2-day deep dive into glacier travel and rescue technique. Steeps and Peaks covers a condensed version of that on Day 1, then spends Days 2–3 on full alpine ski mountaineering objectives - route planning, steep skiing, and whiteout navigation.

Glaciology and crevasse formation, glacier travel roping technique, whiteout navigation, route planning for remote alpine terrain, snow stability assessment, steep snow climbing and descending, and steep skiing technique.

*What is covered will vary from course to course as we will tailor the day according to the group ability and conditions.

$635 per person plus GST for midweek courses and $695 for weekend courses. A Whistler Blackcomb backcountry lift ticket ($45/day) is extra on days that use the lifts; you don’t need one if you have an Epic Pass or Edge Card.

You should be confident and comfortable skiing double black diamond terrain. This course is rated expert difficulty and moves quickly into remote, exposed alpine lines, so it assumes a strong existing skiing foundation.

Want to level up your skiing? Check out our online ski skill foundations course.

Yes. Splitboarders are welcome if you are comfortable riding steep, double black diamond terrain and touring in the alpine on your splitboard.