Backcountry Skiing & Splitboarding

Learn from the Sea to Sky's leading Backcountry Ski Experts.

At Mountain Skills Academy & Adventures, taking people into the mountains is how it all started. We are pleased to be one of the go-to guiding companies for Squamish & Whistler Mountaineering. We love to take people into the high mountains on treks they will always remember. Our top guides know the terrain and the best route options.

Backcountry Skiing & Splitboarding

Nov - Apr

Introduction to Backcountry

Duration: 1 Day

Prerequisites: Average Fitness & Intermediate Skier

There is no better place in the world to learn backcountry skiing than Whistler and our guides will ensure you have an enjoyable and educational day.

More info

MOST POPULAR!

Winter Crevasse Rescue & Glacier Travel

Duration: 2 Days

Prerequisites: Strong Intermediate Ski/Board Level

From experience garnered worldwide and testing many different systems, ours combines the best elements of safety, lightness and ease of use.

Nov - Apr

Avalanche Skills Training

Learn from the Sea to Sky’s leading avalanche skills educator. Receive the latest Avalanche Skills Training (AST) safety and rescue skills with our expert instruction.

Nov - Apr

Women's INTRO TO BACKCOUNTRY

Duration: 1 Day

Prerequisites: Average Fitness & Intermediate Skier

There is no better place in the world to learn backcountry skiing than Whistler and our guides will ensure you have an enjoyable and educational day.

More info

Nov - Apr

Women's Crevasse Rescue & Glacier Travel

Duration: 2 Days

Prerequisites: Strong Intermediate Ski/Board Level

Backcountry skiers and alpine climbers learn the three all-important skills: rope ascension, crevasse rescue and glacier travel. This is a great next step to start getting into more complex terrain.

Nov - Apr

Winter Crevasse Rescue Refresher

Duration: 1 Day

Prerequisites: Previous Crevasse Rescue Course

This one day course reviews the rope skills you previously learned in the full 2 day Crevasse Rescue and Glacier Travel course.

Nov - Apr

Ski Mountaineering

Duration: 2 Days

Prerequisites: See Course Page

This is a fast-paced course that takes backcountry skiers and snowboarders to the next level – winter ski mountaineering.

Nov - Apr

Women's Ski Mountaineering

Duration: 2 Days

Prerequisites: See Course Page

This is a fast-paced course that takes backcountry skiers and snowboarders to the next level – winter ski mountaineering.

Nov - Apr

SKI CLINICS

A clinic is not a course, it is building and refining skills so that they are applied in an efficient and effective manner, which then leads to a strong structured foundation for a safe, rewarding trip and rapid future progression.

Nov - Apr

Foundation Backcountry

Duration: 1 Day

Prerequisites: Average Fitness & Intermediate Skier

The Foundation Backcountry Clinic is designed help refine your technique and further develop your backcountry decision making skills.

More info

Nov - Apr

Advanced Backcountry

Duration: 1 Day

Prerequisites: Very Good Fitness & AST 1 (AST 2 Asset)

A “fast-track” clinic specifically designed to take intermediate skills to the next level.

Nov - Apr

Expert Backcountry

Duration: 1 Day

Prerequisites: See Clinic Page

This clinic is designed to perfect crevasse rescue, snowpack testing and companion rescue to the expert level.

Nov - Apr

ADVANCED CREVASSE RESCUE

Duration: 1 Day

Prerequisites: See Clinic Page

Self-reliance of small teams is key when travelling in glaciated terrain because any problem encountered has the potential to be severely magnified.

NEW PRODUCT!

POWDER PUNCH CARD

Duration: 5 Days

Prerequisites: Average Fitness & Intermediate Skier

Experience the true backcountry this winter with a cost-effective hole punch card valid for the whole season!

More info

Nov - Apr

Introduction to backcoutry

Duration: 1 Day

Prerequisites: Average Fitness & Intermediate Skier

There is no better place in the world to learn backcountry skiing than Whistler and our guides will ensure you have an enjoyable and educational day.

More info

Nov - Apr

Foundation Guided Backcountry

Duration: 1 Day

Prerequisites: Good Fitness & Intermediate Skier

Spend the day with one of MSAA’s professional guide’s to build upon your skills and create a foundation for you to head out deeper into the backcountry.

More info

Nov - Apr

Whistler Guided Backcountry

Duration: 1 Day

Prerequisites: Good Fitness & Advanced Skier

Enjoy the backcountry terrain beyond the Whistler Blackcomb ski area boundaries. Start your day with a lift assist, then leave those lift lines behind.

More info

Nov - Apr

Coast Guided Backcountry

Duration: 1 Day

Prerequisites: Very Good Fitness & Intermediate Skier

Head to the Coast Mountains, with options ranging from Squamish to Pemberton, for a truly off-the-beaten-track adventure.

Nov - Apr

HELI-ACCESSED SKI TOURING

Duration: 1 Day

Prerequisites: Good Fitness & Advanced Skier

Heli-accessed touring is a great option to gain some elevation, without going for the full heli-ski experience. Our expert guides will take you out for the best backcountry experience.

Nov - Apr

PRIVATE GUIDING & INSTRUCTION

Duration: 1 Day

Prerequisites: Depending on Objective

You choose the objective and let us know what you’d like to cover and how hard (or relaxed) you would like the day to be. Get some friends together and design a day that’s all about you!

Mar - Apr

SPEARHEAD TRAVERSE

Duration: 3 Days

Prerequisites: Very Good Fitness & Touring Experience

Challenge yourself with a Spearhead Traverse ski tour in the backcountry of Whistler! Travel and camp across 13 glaciers all above 2,000 metres.

More info

Nov - Apr

Women's Spearhead Traverse

Duration: 3 Days

Prerequisites: Very Good Fitness & Touring Experience

Challenge yourself with a Spearhead Traverse ski tour in the backcountry of Whistler! Travel and camp across 13 glaciers all above 2,000 metres.

Dec - Apr

KEES & CLAIRE HUT TRIP

Duration: 3 Days

Prerequisites: Very Good Fitness & Touring Experience

Tour some of the best backcountry the southern Coast Mountains have to offer on these exhilarating overnight trips with a professional ski guide.

Dec - Apr

Wendy Thompson Hut Trip

Duration: 3 Days

Prerequisites: Good Fitness & Touring Experience

The Wendy Thompson hut is located in the Marriott Basin, north of Whistler, B.C providing world class skiing opportunities and high peaks.

April

MT. MEAGER BACKCOUNTRY BASECAMP

Duration: 4 Days

Prerequisites: Very Good Fitness & Touring Experience

Tour some of the best backcountry the southern Coast Mountains have to offer on these exhilarating overnight trips with a professional ski guide.

Dec - Apr

CUSTOM OVERNIGHT HUT TRIP

Duration: Custom

Prerequisites: Very Good Fitness & Touring Experience

Tour some of the best backcountry the southern Coast Mountains have to offer on these exhilarating overnight trips with a professional ski guide.

UNSURE WHICH COURSE TO TAKE?

Have a question about one of our courses, guided trips or tour? Speak with one of our expert guides today.