Through our exclusive arrangement with Lake Louise Ski Resort, Yamnuska Mountain Adventures is offering a world-class lift-assisted backcountry skiing and splitboarding package.
A short distance from the crowded slopes and lift queues, often referred to as “side country” or “slack country” you’ll discover hidden bowls, open slopes and forgotten valleys with acres of powder just waiting to be tracked. Whether you are ready for your first turns in powder, an expert skier looking for a challenge or simply want to get to know the area our guides will take you to safe and suitable runs with fresh snow.
Our side-country skiing utilizes the lifts at the outset to access the terrain just outside the boundary where we will do a short practical session on avalanche companion rescue before going skiing. Once in the backcountry, we will use our climbing skins and skis or split boards to run laps and move efficiently through potential areas such as West Bowl, Speed Run area, Hidden Bowl, Redoubt Bowl, Purple Bowl, Wolverine Ridge and the Tylenols to name a few.
Our Lake Louise skiing package is a great opportunity for intermediate and advanced resort skiers and splitboarders to experience backcountry skiing at its finest. We offer guiding and backcountry instruction for private groups and individuals at all levels.
Ready for a great adventure? You will be exploring the side country of the Lake Louise Ski Resort with your ACMG certified guide choosing the terrain based on the conditions, your ability and the best snow.
Sample Course Agenda & Curriculum
8:30 am meet at the Lake Louise Ski resort day lodge.
- Program introduction and briefing
- Issue and check gear for the backcountry
- Avalanche companion rescue practice
- Equipment familiarization
- Skiing!!
- Finish by 4:00 pm
Must be 18 years of age or older.
Meeting Time and Place
Our backcountry days start at 8:30 am at the Lake Louise Ski Resort on the Main Floor of the Whiskey Jack Lodge Near Guest Services.
Guides & Group Size
Our instructors are ACMG certified professional ski guides who are licensed to teach and guide in the backcountry. There will be a maximum of 6 participants per guide.
Lift Tickets
Your lift ticket can be purchased when you meet your guide at a discounted cost of $59. For Lake Louise season ticket holders there is no need to purchase a ticket. We will use the lift to access out of bounds terrain and will not be riding the lift every run. Instead, we will be using climbing skins since we will be skiing away from the lifts.
Transportation
Participants are responsible for their own transport to Lake Louise which is a 2 hour (185 km) drive west from Calgary.
Accommodation & Meals
Accommodation is not included.
A packed lunch can be supplied for the day with advanced notice. Please contact us for details. Food is not supplied. You will need to bring plenty to drink and lunch plus energy snacks. We strongly suggest bringing a Thermos and hot drink. We will not be back at the lodge for lunches and breaks during the day.
Equipment
We recommend you bring:
- Avalanche transceiver – digital transceiver with a triple antenna *
- Avalanche probe *
- Avalanche shovel – collapsible metal shovel designed for companion rescue *
- Skis/splitboard (with alpine touring bindings or telemark for those with telemark experience)
- Ski/snowboard boots (compatible with your bindings)
- Climbing skins
- Poles
- Ski Helmet (optional)
- Daypack* (30-40 litres) *
- Thermos flask and/or water bottle (1-2 litres combined volume)
- Sunscreen
- Blister kit
- Camera
- Small repair kit for bindings, skis or splitboard (this may include straps, nuts, bolts, small leatherman)
*These items are available for rent. Please advise us in advance.
Clothing
When Backcountry skiing, it is important to be able to adjust for the exertion of skiing uphill as well as the cooling-off that occurs while taking breaks. We recommend bringing clothing that can be layered to achieve comfort as you change from periods of activity to periods of rest. Cotton clothing is not appropriate as it causes rapid heat loss when wet.
We recommend you bring:
- Long underwear (top and bottoms, synthetic or wool)
- Socks – ski socks (wool or synthetic)
- Softshell jacket
- Midweight synthetic or down jacket
- Waterproof hardshell jacket
- Waterproof hardshell or softshell pants (make sure the cuff fits over ski boots)
- Heavyweight parka (big enough to put over all your other layers)
- Waterproof gloves
- Warm hat
Additional gear info:
- Skis/splitboard: There are three viable backcountry systems, Alpine Touring, Telemark, and Splitboard.
- Alpine Touring: Essentially downhill skis with a special touring binding which allows the heel to lift when going uphill and then locks down to become an alpine binding for the downhill.
- Telemark: Free-heel telemark bindings should only be used for this program if you are at least an intermediate/advanced telemark skier with backcountry experience.
- Splitboard: Snowboarders sometimes use a splitboard in the backcountry. This system is enjoyable on the descent, but frustrating on the flats. The transitions between uphill and downhill can also be very time-consuming. If using this system, please ensure that you are proficient at switching your bindings.
- Boots: Backcountry boots are different from regular alpine ski boots. In the backcountry, boots need to have an uphill mode that allows a free range of motion in the upper part of the boot. You should not use your regular ski boots for touring and walking uphill.
- Climbing skins: The glue on the base of the skin should be in good condition and the skins need to be properly fitted. Try the skins on your skis/splitboard to make sure they are the right length and width before you arrive.
- Ski poles: Backcountry poles need powder baskets on the tips.
- Avalanche beacon: A three antennae transceiver is required. Yamnuska uses the Backcountry Access Tracker 2 for all of our winter programs.
- Probe: A minimum of 240 cm in length.
- Shovel: A metal blade shovel is required.
Rental Equipment:
- Lake Louise: Wilson Mountain Sports – (1-866-929-3636)
Please book as early as practical to avoid disappointment. We require full payment on booking.
You have up to 14 days prior to your meeting time to cancel your reservation at no cost to you.
Please note that you will be required to sign our waiver before commencing the program. Please view our sample waiver copy.
There are two basic types of insurance that most travellers need to consider: Medical and Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance. We offer our guests coverage for both and highly recommend you purchase it.
Emergency Medical Expenses Insurance:
It is wise to ensure that your health plan will cover you in case of illness or accident during your trip. Obtain extra coverage if necessary. There is no charge for rescue in the national and provincial parks, however, costs such as air or ground transportation, long term care and other services are not covered.
Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance:
We recognize that our guests’ schedules may change for many reasons; business, family, flight delays, injuries and other unplanned events. For these eventualities, the Trip Cancellation/Interruption insurance is a great way to protect your investment.
For all your travel insurance requirements we recommend the Simpson Group. This agency offers a wide range of travel insurance options including Trip Cancellation/Interruption, Travel Medical and Personal Effect Loss for Canadian Travelers.
Please note that this coverage is for Canadian residents only. For guests who are not from Canada and who are interested in the ‘Visitors to Canada’ insurance package please contact the Simpson Group directly at JSimpson@simpson-group.com and reference your Yamnuska Mountain Adventure’s trip.
Dates:
Private departures available. Please contact our office to organize.
Prices:
Lift tickets $59 if purchased with the guide
1 guest $650
2 guests $700
3 guests $750
4-6 guests $225/person
Trip Cancellation Insurance is available through the Simpson Group.
For those interested in a private program, if our dates do not work for you or if there are minors in your group (accompanied by a parent or legal guardian) please contact our office directly.
Is it for you?
In this program, participants will be introduced to ‘out of bounds’ backcountry skiing in the Lake Louise Ski Resort area. Avalanche companion rescue will be touched upon, but it is recommended that participants also take an Avalanche Skills Training 1 course offered by Yamnuska if you would like to continue backcountry skiing in the future. We will conduct a lesson on basic companion rescue skills prior to entering any potential avalanche terrain.
Prerequisites
Participants are required to be at least intermediate skiers or snowboarders (i.e. must feel comfortable on blue runs in any condition) and should be ‘hiking fit’. We will use the lift to access the backcountry but most of our ‘laps’ will involve using climbing skins to go back uphill meaning a good level of fitness is required. There is a minimum age of 18. For those interested in a private program with minors (accompanied by a parent or legal guardian) please contact our office directly.
