The MSAA Guiding Powder Punch Philosophy
![guide leading the way into the backcountry with group](https://msaadevwpenginecomfca9c.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://www.mountainskillsacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Dan-OKeefe-P2950453-1024x819.jpg)
Join a Community
Join a community of backcountry skiers and splitboarders!
![Crevasse Rescue digging t-slot](https://msaadevwpenginecomfca9c.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://www.mountainskillsacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/mikecrane_msa_2021_011-1024x683.jpg)
Get Mentorship
Receive expert mentorship from professional ACMG guides.
![Backcountry skier skiing through powder](https://msaadevwpenginecomfca9c.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://www.mountainskillsacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/mikecrane_msa_stock_045-1024x681.jpg)
Ski the best snow
Always ski the best snow and find the hidden lines.
![Group cheering when they find someone in Whistler Backcountry](https://msaadevwpenginecomfca9c.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://www.mountainskillsacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/DSC_1914-1024x819.jpg)
Save Money
Because who doesn’t like saving money?
![Student giving the thumbs up on an AST1 course](https://msaadevwpenginecomfca9c.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://www.mountainskillsacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/DSC_1652-1024x819.jpg)
Have Fun!
Most importantly have fun!
![A line of beer taps on a bar in Whistler, Canada.](https://msaadevwpenginecomfca9c.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://www.mountainskillsacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/BEER-HG.jpg)
Not to mention... discounted Beer!
Oh and did we mention discounted beer all season long!
The MSAA Guiding Powder Punch Philosophy
![guide leading the way into the backcountry with group](https://msaadevwpenginecomfca9c.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://www.mountainskillsacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Dan-OKeefe-P2950453-1024x819.jpg)
Join a Community
Join a community of backcountry skiers and splitboarders!
![Crevasse Rescue digging t-slot](https://msaadevwpenginecomfca9c.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://www.mountainskillsacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/mikecrane_msa_2021_011-1024x683.jpg)
Get Mentorship
Receive expert mentorship from professional ACMG guides.
![Backcountry skier skiing through powder](https://msaadevwpenginecomfca9c.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://www.mountainskillsacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/mikecrane_msa_stock_045-1024x681.jpg)
Ski the best snow
Always ski the best snow and find the hidden lines.
![Group cheering when they find someone in Whistler Backcountry](https://msaadevwpenginecomfca9c.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://www.mountainskillsacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/DSC_1914-1024x819.jpg)
Save Money
Because who doesn’t like saving money?
![Student giving the thumbs up on an AST1 course](https://msaadevwpenginecomfca9c.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://www.mountainskillsacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/DSC_1652-1024x819.jpg)
Have Fun!
Most importantly have fun!
![A line of beer taps on a bar in Whistler, Canada.](https://msaadevwpenginecomfca9c.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://www.mountainskillsacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/BEER-HG.jpg)
Not to mention... discounted Beer!
Oh and did we mention discount beer all season long…
Powder Punch Card Testimonials
PUNCH Card added value
-
3 or 5 DAYS OF BACKCOUNTRY GUIDING
- Weekly trips including WB touring, Duffey Lake, Sea to Sky, Heli-accessed, hut trips & more! -
1 FREE REFRESHER & DISCOUNTED CLINICS
- FREE early season refresher & access to discounted tech clinics! -
INDUSTRY DISCOUNTS
- Access to the latest industry discounts from MSAA. -
SKI GROUPS FOR YOUR ABILITY
- Choose from two skills groups to make the most out of each day -
COURSE DISCOUNTS
- Members will get 15% OFF all MSAA winter courses -
ADDITIONAL DAYS AT A DISCOUNTED RATE
- Purchase additional days for you or a buddy for $189 per person*. -
48 HOUR RESERVATION
- Reserve your guiding day with as little as 48 hours notice
*conditions apply see details below.
PUNCH Card added value
-
3 or 5 DAYS OF BACKCOUNTRY GUIDING
- Weekly trips including WB touring, Duffey Lake, Sea to Sky, Heli-accessed, hut trips & more! -
1 FREE REFRESHER & DISCOUNTED CLINICS
- FREE early season refresher & access to discounted tech clinics! -
INDUSTRY DISCOUNTS
- Access to the latest industry discounts from MSAA. -
SKI GROUPS FOR YOUR ABILITY
- Choose from two skills groups to make the most out of each day -
COURSE DISCOUNTS
- Members will get 15% OFF all MSAA winter courses -
ADDITIONAL DAYS AT A DISCOUNTED RATE
- Purchase additional days for you or a buddy for $189 per person*. -
48 HOUR RESERVATION
- Reserve your guiding day with as little as 48 hours notice
*conditions apply see details below.
PURCHASE YOUR CARD TO THE BACKCOUNTRY
Purchase the Powder Punch Card today and book your guided days for this winter season. We run backcountry tours every week throughout the season. Have a date that isn’t available? Join our community chat and request a date to be added. We will coordinate with the other card holders to make it possible.
2024/25 PUNCH CARD
Season: December - March
5-day card:
3-day card:
Price coming soon…
Photo: Backcountry Skiing in Squamish, BC
Punch Card groups
What you can expect:
With your expert MSAA, ACMG certified guide, a Foundation Group outing aims to get out into the backcountry at a relaxed pace, discover new terrain, find the best snow, and get the best runs.
Furthermore, this program offers each participant the opportunity, should they wish to have it, to receive mentorship and to develop intermediate skills such as:
- Trip Planning
- Decision-making in avalanche terrain
- Terrain selection
- Track setting
- Snowpack testing
- Powder ski and board technique
You will gain insight and refine your skills as your guide shares their decision-making process and also provide mentorship opportunities, for example, by joining, with coaching, in doing the uptrack, a snowpack test, making judgement calls and much more… We vet all participants to ensure they have the ability and fitness to enjoy a Foundation Group Powder Punch day!
Advice for the Intermediate to Advanced skier/rider:
As mentioned, we will be hunting the best lines and the best snow at a relaxed pace in moderate terrain. You can sit back and enjoy getting guided by one of the industry’s leading professionals, just as you can decide to get mentorship during the day it’s up to you. Enjoy!
Advice for the Beginner to Intermediate skier/rider:
If you are a beginner, absolutely join a Foundation Group day, but first develop your skills and fitness to be able to ski a full moderate backcountry day in varied snow conditions.
You should, at a minimum, have had several seasons of inbound experience and be able to comfortably link turns and enjoy blue to black runs in powder and various conditions. Skiers and riders should be comfortable spending all day outdoors and ascending between 2,500 – 4,000 vertical feet daily. Participants must also have some formal avalanche training such as AST 1 and know how to use their avalanche equipment (probe, shovel & transceiver).
If you are not there yet, don’t worry; we have your back. Consider taking our Intro to Backcountry Skiing. Be sure to tell your instructor you are getting your skills up to par to join the Foundation Group, and with their advice and a few outings of practice, you’ll be good to go in no time!
The intent is clear and simple: The Best Powder….The Best Lines….Rad Terrain.
The Advanced group will seek to utilize and maximize some of the best terrain that the Sea to Sky has to offer with endless powder stashes. Get away from the crowds on Big Glaciers, Ski off Summits, Endless Steep Glades. It’s about Boot Packs and Yahoos!
You have arrived! Your skills and fitness are at the level where you can get further out and ski just about any reasonable slope, and you can handle variable snow conditions. So, let’s go get the goods, shall we? Furthermore, this program offers each participant the opportunity, should they wish, to receive mentorship and develop advanced skills such as:
- Advanced Trip Planning
- Making informed decisions in complex terrain and snowpack conditions
- Mitigating alpine hazards such as crevasses, cornices and more
- Advanced terrain selection and track setting – efficiency is key
- Advanced snowpack tests, the when, the how, the where and interpretation
- Advanced ski & ride techniques such as ski cutting, boot packing, dropping in
You will gain insight and refine your skills as your guide shares their decision-making process and provides
Advice for the Intermediate to Advanced skier/rider:
Now you know what to expect it’s up to you. Either sit back in the up-track and watch the magic as you’re expertly guided to the goods. Or take part or do a bit of both. Challenge yourself and break some trail, investigate a start zone, slash a ski cut, and cut out an extended column test.
The following arsenal of skills though not mandatory, are obviously an asset for any Advanced skier or rider:
Don’t have these skills yet? No worries, you’ve got the secret weapon, your ACMG guide. Develop these skills as you go, and ask your guide for their advice and the best next steps for you. No matter what, we got your back. Just one thing though, for heaven’s sake, don’t ski down in old tracks! Enjoy!
Your Guides
![Eric Dumerac Profile Picture](https://msaadevwpenginecomfca9c.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://www.mountainskillsacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/eric.png)
Eric Dumerac
IFMGA/ACMG Mountain Guide
Eric is the owner and chief guide. He is a certified IFMGA/ACMG Mountain Guide, CAA Level II & Professional Member as well as CSIA Level II.
Eric brings high enthusiasm, a lifetime of mountain passion, and a great depth and breadth of experience and expertise to Mountain Skills Academy & Adventures.
As a professional Mountain Guide, Eric has been enjoying a very successful career. This is a high-end multi-faceted guide with expert level in Rock, Ice, Mountain and Ski guiding. He has worked in all the great ranges of the world, spending a great deal of time in the Alps but chooses Canada as his base and favourite place to live and work.
![Eric Vezeau Profile Picture](https://msaadevwpenginecomfca9c.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://www.mountainskillsacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Guide_EricV.png)
Eric Vezeau
ACMG Ski Guide
Eric is a ski guide and a hiking guide with the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG). a Professional Member of the Canadian Avalanche Association (Level 2), a mountain bike instructor PMBIA (level 1),
Eric arrived in the Whistler area almost 30 years ago and began exploring the local mountains. involved in outdoor retail stores and alpine clubs. He began teaching and guiding in the late 1990 for the company.
Eric guides year round, involved in mountaineering, hiking and mountain biking during the summer, provides guiding services for various high school programs, and local outdoor club. on is spare time Eric also enjoy sea kayaking, and various outdoor endeavours in winter and summers.
![Kurt Withers Profile Picture](https://msaadevwpenginecomfca9c.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://www.mountainskillsacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Kurt-web.png)
Kurt Withers
ACMG Apprentice Ski Guide
Kurt Withers is a ACMG Apprentice Ski Guide Candidate, Canadian Ski Guide Association Level 1, an Active member of the Canadian Avalanche Association and CSIA Level 2 Ski instructor.
For more than a decade Kurt has been exploring the mountains of British Columbia seeking out remote objectives. Gaining a deep understanding of the mountains in places that few have travelled. When not skiing Kurt can be found running ultra marathons and pursuing a passion for mountain biking. He has been in the outdoor industry for over 20 years and brings a well rounded and unique perspective to the outdoors.
Kurt has been part of the Avalanche Skills Training Instructor team since 2015 and has spent several winters guiding in the Heli Ski industry in the interior of British Columbia. This season he is working toward his Apprentice Ski Guide (ACMG) certificate as he works towards his goal of becoming a Ski Guide.
Your Guides
![Eric Dumerac Profile Picture](https://msaadevwpenginecomfca9c.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://www.mountainskillsacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/eric.png)
Eric Dumerac
IFMGA/ACMG Mountain Guide
Eric is the owner and chief guide. He is a certified IFMGA/ACMG Mountain Guide, CAA Level II & Professional Member as well as CSIA Level II.
Eric brings high enthusiasm, a lifetime of mountain passion, and a great depth and breadth of experience and expertise to Mountain Skills Academy & Adventures.
As a professional Mountain Guide, Eric has been enjoying a very successful career. This is a high-end multi-faceted guide with expert level in Rock, Ice, Mountain and Ski guiding. He has worked in all the great ranges of the world, spending a great deal of time in the Alps but chooses Canada as his base and favourite place to live and work.
![Eric Vezeau Profile Picture](https://msaadevwpenginecomfca9c.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://www.mountainskillsacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Guide_EricV.png)
Eric Vezeau
ACMG Ski Guide
Eric is a ski guide and a hiking guide with the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG). a Professional Member of the Canadian Avalanche Association (Level 2), a mountain bike instructor PMBIA (level 1),
Eric arrived in the Whistler area almost 30 years ago and began exploring the local mountains. involved in outdoor retail stores and alpine clubs. He began teaching and guiding in the late 1990 for the company.
Eric guides year round, involved in mountaineering, hiking and mountain biking during the summer, provides guiding services for various high school programs, and local outdoor club. on is spare time Eric also enjoy sea kayaking, and various outdoor endeavours in winter and summers.
![Kurt Withers Profile Picture](https://msaadevwpenginecomfca9c.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://www.mountainskillsacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Kurt-web.png)
Kurt Withers
ACMG Apprentice Ski Guide
Kurt Withers is a ACMG Apprentice Ski Guide Candidate, Canadian Ski Guide Association Level 1, an Active member of the Canadian Avalanche Association and CSIA Level 2 Ski instructor.
For more than a decade Kurt has been exploring the mountains of British Columbia seeking out remote objectives. Gaining a deep understanding of the mountains in places that few have travelled. When not skiing Kurt can be found running ultra marathons and pursuing a passion for mountain biking. He has been in the outdoor industry for over 20 years and brings a well rounded and unique perspective to the outdoors.
Kurt has been part of the Avalanche Skills Training Instructor team since 2015 and has spent several winters guiding in the Heli Ski industry in the interior of British Columbia. This season he is working toward his Apprentice Ski Guide (ACMG) certificate as he works towards his goal of becoming a Ski Guide.
FAQ
Group sizes will be a maximum of 6 skiers & snowboarders to 1 ACMG Guide for backcountry tours. Clinics will have a max ratio of 10 skiers & snowboarders depending on which clinic you choose.
Each Powder Punch Card holder receives one free pre-season refresher. The pre-season refreshers are designed to refresh your skills and learn new ones before the season starts. Several additional technical clinics will then be added throughout the season for you to choose from to level up your skills. Topics covered by the tech clinics could include:
- Track setting
- Steep and deep clinic
- Advanced Crevasse Rescue
- Advanced snow pit testing
- Advanced trip planning
- First Aid Clinic
Dates will be released soon!
The ability groups we will decided using a set of questions asked at the checkout experience. Our highly trained staff will then place skiers & snowboarders in the correct group depending on their ability, fitness level & goals.
Yes, we require at least three people for a tour to go ahead. If we do not reach this number, we will reach out to the group with alternative options including a small fee or rescheduling.
We run tours every week throughout the season, with extra days added depending on guide availability and demand.
The details
- Meeting your Powder Card guide at any three of our backcountry guiding destinations: Based on conditions reports provided by our ACMG Guides, we aim to safely run tours in Whistler, Squamish & the Duffey Lake Area. Trailheads to these areas can be accessed using ski lifts, helicopters, 4×4 shuttle and/or road. Any additional transportation method is not included within the cost of the punch card.
- MSAA Course Discount: The Powder Punch Card 15% Course discount can only be used by the original Punch Card purchaser. If MSAA staff find that the code has been miss-used by a Punch Card user all remaining tours will be revoked from their punch card with refund.
- Each Powder Punch Card is valid between Dec 10th – April 30th. Between January 1st – March 31st, MSAA will guarantee to post the minimum number of tours to cover all Powder Punch Card member credits. Depending on conditions reports from our guides MSAA will strive to provide additional tours in December and April. No refunds will be issued for unused days/credits and they may not be carried over to the following season.
- All reservations must be made before 48-hour cutoff period: To allow us to plan the tours MSAA asks that all reservations are made at least 48 hours in advanced. However, we will do our best to accommodate bookings within this period.
- Non-transferrable: the whole Powder Punch Card & individual credits cannot be transferred or redeemed by another user.
- Powder Punch Card members can reschedule or cancel free of charge up 48 hours prior to the start time (8:30am) of their respective tour
- Reservations cancelled within 48 hours of their respective tour start time (8:30am) will not be able to reschedule or have their credit refunded
- Buddy Pass: Punch Card holders may extend a guided ski day to a friend or family member for $209+tax per day. Punch card holders can only redeem two additional Buddy Passes during the season
- Additional Days: can be purchased for a rate of $189+tax per day which can be used throughout the 2024/25 ski season. Additional days cannot be transferred or redeem by another person.
- MSAA reserves the right to reschedule guided ski touring days: During the season our ACMG guides might decide to not ski due to undesirable and/or unsafe conditions such as high avalanche risk, rain, icy slopes or any conditions involving that can affect member and guide safety. If we make the hard decision to cancel a guiding day we will refund credits & make up the date later throughout the season
- Discount Disclaimer: Discounts may not be combined with other discounts, offers, coupons or promotions. Offers may not be combined with any online purchase before offer expiry and with discount codes if any.