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BACKCOUNTRY SKIINGA microclimate of abundant and supercooled white-stuff. This place is a golden gem for the powder hound... And probably Whistler's best kept secret. You're going to find some of the best powder, the best pillow lines, and the best trees possible! The icing on this powdery cake... No one else seems to have figured it out yet. Escape the crowds and hit the fresh stuff. With over 9,000 hectares of terrain there are plenty of fresh adventures to discover!
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BACKCOUNTRY SKILLS CLINICS & COURSES
Navigation Skills for Backcountry Touring
An introductory clinic covering the basics of mountain navigation with local and established ACMG Guide, Dave Sarkany. This full-day clinic will provide participants with classroom theoretical review and on-the-snow practical skills:
-printed topographic map layout to form an understanding of projection, datum, scale, distance, and contour lines
-referencing location through Lat/Long and the UTM grid
-understanding components of standard handheld compasses
-adjusting to the local magnetic declination to be able to follow a bearing off a map
-use of resection/triangulation
These skills will be brought together for modern navigation using digital maps stored on personal phones for the purpose of navigating with the units GPS/electronic compass and altimeter.
Instructor Bio: Dave Sarkany has lived in Whistler for over 30 years. He has been very active in the mountains and on the ocean throughout the region since the early 1980s and has specialized in guiding for the last 20 years. In the mountains Dave is recognized as an ACMG Ski Guide and Hiking Guide (Association of Canadian Mountain Guide) and a CAA Professional Member (Canadian Avalanche Association).
An introductory clinic covering the basics of mountain navigation with local and established ACMG Guide, Dave Sarkany. This full-day clinic will provide participants with classroom theoretical review and on-the-snow practical skills:
-printed topographic map layout to form an understanding of projection, datum, scale, distance, and contour lines
-referencing location through Lat/Long and the UTM grid
-understanding components of standard handheld compasses
-adjusting to the local magnetic declination to be able to follow a bearing off a map
-use of resection/triangulation
These skills will be brought together for modern navigation using digital maps stored on personal phones for the purpose of navigating with the units GPS/electronic compass and altimeter.
Instructor Bio: Dave Sarkany has lived in Whistler for over 30 years. He has been very active in the mountains and on the ocean throughout the region since the early 1980s and has specialized in guiding for the last 20 years. In the mountains Dave is recognized as an ACMG Ski Guide and Hiking Guide (Association of Canadian Mountain Guide) and a CAA Professional Member (Canadian Avalanche Association).
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Equipment:
Skill:
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Clinics offered Saturdays, Oct. 23rd & 30th
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$155.00 per person
*Online Bookings required
**All participants are required to sign a Waiver of Liability >>
**All Bookings are non-refundable and non-transferable, including in scenarios of late arrival
****Please call 604.938.0616 with any questions
**All participants are required to sign a Waiver of Liability >>
**All Bookings are non-refundable and non-transferable, including in scenarios of late arrival
****Please call 604.938.0616 with any questions
CALLAGHAN LAKE SNOW SHUTTLE
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Designed for day trippers; jump on the early morning grooming run to Callaghan Lake and experience new ski touring terrain. Leaves Alexander Falls at 8:30am. Reservations required.
Sat & Sun Rate is $56.50 per seat Mon & Tues Rate is $384 per charter (up to 8 seats) BOOK NOW >> |
SKI TOURER’S REFERENCE TO THE UPPER CALLAGHAN VALLEY
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Probably the best snapshot of what can happen here... A handy reference tool for exploring exciting new terrain. Contains brief descriptions of twelve separate wilderness zones including access options.
Maps and Touring Reference Tools |
ALL-INCLUSIVE OVERNIGHT SKI TOURING PACKAGES
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How about doorstep access to the best ski day ever?
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evo BACKCOUNTRY – WHISTLER VILLAGE
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evo Backcountry can be found in Whistler’s Crystal Lodge at 4154 Village Green #106, Whistler, BC V8E 1H1. This sister store is dedicated to providing the latest gear, rentals, and expert advice for hiking, camping, skiing, and splitboarding.
The team is stacked with passionate backcountry enthusiasts who welcome the opportunity to inspire, educate, and get you fired up for your own adventure in the mountains. Whether you’re a first-timer seeking advice or a seasoned pro dialing in your dream setup, evo Backcountry is our go-to helping prepare you for the journey. Check out evoRentals, an elevated rental experience. Offering an industry-leading selection of quality equipment for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels, it's faster and easier than ever to get exactly what you need. Drop-in or book an appointment online and the team will help make sure you own your next adventure! |
SKI TOURING NEWS, SECRETS OF THE CALLAGHAN DIVULGED!
Morning Glory – Callaghan Lake Provincial Park
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Ski Tour Access Distance: 3.5 km Difficulty: Advanced
Elevation Gain: 1,084 metres Terrain: Challenging Time Commitment: Long Day Since the 1960s, many an ardent mountaineer have cut their teeth on this majestic slope overlooking Callaghan Lake. For a brief few years, this was the destination for many pro, free riding movies and is now protected as a tranquil refuge for all types of free heel skiing. A spectacular north east aspect, guarded to the west by 12kms of the Powder Mountain Massif, this legendary venue is a constant producer of deep pow! A long day ski tour is possible with an early morning lift in the Nordic ski trail groomer. Cost: $56.50. See: Callaghan Lake Snowcat Shuttle >> |
Solitude Valley
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Ski Tour Access Distance: Varies 3-9km Difficulty: Advanced
Elevation Gain: 735 metres Terrain: Complex Time Commitment: Overnight Home to Journeyman Lodge and some of the wickedest skiing in the Pacific Northwest. An eight kilometre long, north-facing ridge that is the repository of all of Howe Sound’s abundant moisture, supercooled at 2,400 metre elevation and wind transported over 12 kilometres of frozen snowfield, this is the grand prize of Coastal ski touring. Cost: from $205.00 See: Overnight All-Inclusive |
Telemagique Lake Traverse
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Ski Tour Access Distance: Varies 9-19km Difficulty: Intermediate
Elevation Gain: 525 metres Terrain: Simple/Challenging Time Commitment: Full Day A relatively gentle introduction to alpine ski touring, commencing at Callaghan Lake and climbing eastward up through a small sub-alpine col for a picture perfect descent down to Telemagique Lake and then out through Madeley Lake or back up to ridge and south through a series of windrows back to Mainline trail. A very pleasant wilderness trip, excellent for honing navigation and terrain assessment skills. Cost: $56.50 See: Callaghan Lake Snowcat Shuttle >> |
Hanging Lake, Gin & Tonic Lake, Sproatt Mountain
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Ski Tour Access Distance: 3.0km Difficulty: Intermediate
Elevation Gain: 535 metres Terrain: Simple Time Commitment: Short Day Popular day tripping area located immediately above Whistler Olympic Park. Great venue for quick, convenient, economical access. Skiers are able to travel over undulating terrain to link up to Rainbow Lake and/or ski Gin Peak. Excellent area for novice skiers making transition from front country to backcountry. Cost: $15.25/vehicle (winter 2018/19 rate) See: www.ubc-voc.com/wiki/Gin_Peak |
HOURS OF OPERATION
Alexander Falls Ski Touring Centre:
Winter Season:
Midweek: 9:00am - 4:30pm Mon / Tues / Fri
Weekends & Holidays: 8:30am - 4:30pm
** PLEASE NOTE: Entry gate to parking lot is closed and locked at 4:30pm daily. Unregistered vehicles that do not vacate the premises by closing time, owners will be financially responsible for costs incurred from any search and rescue efforts to locate persons associated to the vehicle and, in addition, to any logistical issues stemming from release of vehicle. Backcountry ski tourers wishing to stay out later than closing time are advised to park at the public recreation site located 500 metres south of entrance on Callaghan Valley Road.
Alexander Falls Ski Touring Centre:
Winter Season:
Midweek: 9:00am - 4:30pm Mon / Tues / Fri
Weekends & Holidays: 8:30am - 4:30pm
** PLEASE NOTE: Entry gate to parking lot is closed and locked at 4:30pm daily. Unregistered vehicles that do not vacate the premises by closing time, owners will be financially responsible for costs incurred from any search and rescue efforts to locate persons associated to the vehicle and, in addition, to any logistical issues stemming from release of vehicle. Backcountry ski tourers wishing to stay out later than closing time are advised to park at the public recreation site located 500 metres south of entrance on Callaghan Valley Road.
Backcountry Skiing Advisory
Once you leave the groomed cross-country ski trail surfaces of Callaghan Country you have entered backcountry terrain. You are entering the wilderness and are advised to be prepared for any and all eventualities including: terrain that is uncontrolled, unmarked, and involves many risks, dangers and hazards in addition to that of avalanche. Other hazards exist and may include, but are not limited to: cornices, crevasses, cliffs, trees, tree wells, tree stumps, forest dead fall, creeks, rocks, rockfall, boulders, holes and depressions on or below the snow surface, open water, variable and difficult snow conditions, hypothermia, snow immersion, equipment failure, encounters with domestic and wild animals, nightfall, and the possibility of a medical emergency. Carry a cell phone with good batteries and be aware that there may be areas of poor reception and/or transmission. Ensure you are properly dressed and equipped with appropriate safety gear and the knowledge to use it effectively. Your safety and well being are completely your own responsibility. Rescue services are accessed by dialling 911 and requesting RCMP assistance.
THE BACKCOUNTRY IS NOT PATROLLED. NEVER SKI ALONE.
THE BACKCOUNTRY IS NOT PATROLLED. NEVER SKI ALONE.
