Glacier Ski Course

As low as:

$595.00 / person

(at 4:1 ratio)
  • STRENUOUSNESS
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  • TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY
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Add-ons

Avi Kit rental $45.00

Avalanche kit rental includes transceiver, shovel and probe. If you are bringing your own avi kit, this must include a modern, digital, 3-antenna transceiver, and a solid shovel and probe. If you do not have all three of these things then you must rent a kit from us to take part. Avi Kits once rented are non-refundable.

Mountaineering Kit Rental $45.00

Ice Axe, Crampons, Helmet, Harness, Carabiners, Cords and Sling. All these items are required to participate in the course. See the precise technical gear requirements in the 'Gear List' tab within this course information webpage. Once purchased - our rentals are non-refundable.

Island Turns and Tours Guidebook $69.00

Save on postage and have this indispensable trip planning guide delivered to you at your course. With well over 500 Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale rated Island tours, this guidebook allows you to apply the learning from your IAG/HVI course to doing real trips in the mountains.

About 


Explore the snow-covered glaciers of the Spearhead Range as you learn the skills needed to safely navigate complex and crevassed terrain. This advanced 3-day course is tent-based and utilizes the lifts at Whistler-Blackcomb to quickly access alpine terrain. Enjoy some excellent riding along the way.

Curriculum

  • Glacier formation and features
  • Recognising and managing glacial hazards
  • Roping up for glacier travel 
  • Crevasse rescue skills (i.e. ascending and descending ropes, building mechanical advantage)
  • White out navigation
  • Complex route finding and terrain management

Included in the price

  • 3 days with an ACMG guide
  • Group technical gear

Not included in the price

  • Transportation
  • Food
  • Personal equipment and gear
  • Backcountry ticket for Whistler Blackcomb
  • Avi kit (transceiver, shovel, probe – available for rent)

Questions? Check out our FAQ page or send us an email. 

Location


Setting out of Whistler-Blackcomb, this course ventures into the Spearhead Range. We have chosen an off-island location to take advantage of the heavily crevassed terrain so quickly accessible by the lifts at the resort.

Itinerary


The day-to-day itinerary for this kind of course is dictated entirely by weather, conditions, group wishes and various other factors. Your instructor will facilitate group trip planning that aims to achieve course objectives optimally given all these changing factors.

Typical courses begin the day at 08:30 and finish around 16:00. 

We will be in touch one-week prior with exact meeting times and details.

Questions? Check out our FAQ page or send us an email!

Requirements


This is an advanced-level course. As such, we have a more rigorous set of requirements to ensure participants are able to complete this course safely.  Experience in technical terrain in summer is considered an asset, but is not required. For safety reasons, and to get the most out of the course, participants should: 

  • Be familiar with common climbing knots (see list provided)
  • Hold a AST1 certificate (at minimum)
  • Feel comfortable traveling for extended days in a backcountry winter environment 
  • Be strong intermediate to advanced level skiers or boarders (in this case, it means that you should be able to easily ride the equivalent of black diamond runs in natural and variable conditions at a minimum)
  • Have a high level of fitness (able to cover 5-15 km a day and 1500m elevation, or move for 8 hrs a day (with a heavy pack if on an expedition, or a day pack if the course is roofed accommodation based)

Pre-course homework: 

We ask that you are able to confidently tie the following knots prior to attending so that we can make efficient use of everyone’s time: 

  • Figure 8 (follow through and on a bight)
  • Overhand
  • Double overhand
  • Double fisherman's
  • Clove hitch
  • Prussik 
  • Munter or Italian hitch

We recommend checking out the “Animated Knots” website for instructions. 

Questions? Check out our FAQ page, or send us an email. We are happy to help you find a suitable course or customize something to suit your needs whenever possible.

Gear List


Please be sure that all clothing and equipment is in good repair and functioning properly with boots fitted properly to bindings. 
 
Hardware

  • Ski/board touring skis, boots, skins, poles 
  • 60+ litre backpack (or something large enough to fit personal gear, group gear, and food)
  • Avalanche transceiver (modern, digital, 3-antenna), probe, shovel (available for rent as “avi kit”)

Technical Gear

The following can be provided by IAG as a “Mountaineering Kit” add-on for $15/day when you book.

  • Helmet (UIAA approved and adjustable)
  • Ice axe* (50-80cm, general mountaineering tool)
  • 3 locking carabiners (one “pear” shaped)
  • 3 non-locking carabiners (two should be matching flat stock)
  • Harness
  • 7mm accessory cord (2 x five-meter lengths)
  • Double shoulder length sewn sling (120cm length, rated to 22kn)
  • Boot and ski crampons if a spring trip

Clothing

  • Warm socks, 2 pairs
  • Base layers (top and bottom)
  • Mid-insulation layers
  • Waterproof jacket and pants (Gore-Tex or other waterproof breathable material)
  • Warm outer jacket (down or synthetic)
  • Warm toque
  • Face warmer (scarf, neck tube, face mask, buff)
  • Light gloves, 2 pairs
  • Insulated gloves or mitts, 2 pairs 

Camping gear

Some of these items can be shared between contiguous groups

  • 4-season tent
  • Winter sleeping bag (warm to -15 depending on time of year and forecast)
  • Sleeping pad (something that gets you off the ground and is rated for winter)
  • Lighters/matches
  • Pot, stove and fuel (available as a “cook kit” add-on)
  • Food (please note that all lunches should be ready-to-eat, and will likely be consumed on the go). For tasty, nutritous and locally pre-made dinners check out https://wildedgeketo.com/

Other

  • Sun protection (sunscreen, glasses, and hat)
  • Goggles
  • Camp booties or shoes
  • Small general repair kit (e.g. for sleeping pad, stove, tent, any parts specific to your bindings/equipment)
  • Small personal first aid (medication, blister kit, etc.)
  • Personal toiletries (keep to minimum)
  • Bowl, cutlery, thermos
  • Water bottles (minimum 2L capacity)
  • Camera or phone
  • Headlamp
  • Water purification
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Map and compass (compass available as a rental add-on, bring your own map for the trip location)
  • Altimetre (optional)
  • Notebook (Rite in the Rain recommended) and pencil

Your guide will bring communication and emergency devices and gear, a group first aid and repair kit, along with any shared technical gear.

Rentals

 
Avalanche Kit: We offer rental transceivers, shovels and probes as an add-on kit when you book or by request pre-trip. If you do not have your own modern, digital, three antenna transceiver, collapsible shovel, and/or probe - please request a rental kit prior to your course/trip.

Technical Gear: Our Mountaineering Kit rental includes all the items on the technical gear list, and is available for $15/day. These can be purchased when you book or requested later as an add on. If you require other items from the personal gear list, perhaps check out Sports Rent based out of Victoria, Blue Toque Sports based in Courtenay, and/or on social media to name a few. 

Touring Gear: 'Ski Tak Hut' in Courtenay (https://www.skitakhut.com/pages/rentals) offers backcountry ski and splitboard rentals. Clients on IAG courses and trips are eligible to receive a unique 25% discount code towards their gear rentals from Ski Tak Hut - for the duration of their course/trip with us. These discount codes are distributed directly by IAG to our clients upon request. Rentals from Ski Tak Hut can be ordered online using the unique discount code. Note you will be asked to show the booking confirmation you received from us when you pick up your gear.

Winter 4x4 Vehicle(s): 'Far Out Wilderness' (https://faroutwilderness.com/ski-tours-winter-4x4/) is a 4x4 vehicle rental service in Victoria that offers clients access to a fleet of rugged, reliable, and fully-equipped vehicles designed to conquer the most challenging winter terrain. Their vehicles come with snow tires with the 3 peak mountain symbol, chains, and ski racks. They also provide emergency equipment, including SOS, SPOT messenger systems, GPS, tire pump, toe rope, tire pressure gauge, a map to BC's backcountry roads, and a first aid kit. Everything you need to get safely to the ski slopes! Upon request, IAG clients can receive a 5% discount code towards their rentals from 'Far Out Wilderness'.

Questions about gear? Check out our FAQ page for details or send us an email.

Testimonials

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