Ski Mountaineering on Garibaldi Neve Traverse

Things to know

• Covid measures on Garibaldi Neve Traverse, British Columbia

  57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity. 

  We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures on Garibaldi Neve Traverse, British Columbia, please refer to British Columbia’s Travel and COVID-19 website.

  Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

• What’s included?

  What you get in this adventure:

  • • An experienced, certified ski guide with extensive knowledge of the area
    • Three days of backcountry ski touring and ski mountaineering
    • Camping in tents
    • Ride up to the start
    • Breakfasts and dinners in the field
    • Group safety equipment
    • Group winter camping equipment (stoves, etc.)
    • Pre-trip planning and support
    • Permits and insurance
    • Black Sheep Adventure sports hat

  What’s not included:

  • • Technical backcountry ski touring equipment
    • Lunches and snacks
    • Transportation in the valley
    • Accommodation in the valley
    • Ski lift tickets
    • Extra days due to weather conditions
• How fit do I need to be?

  In order to enjoy this backcountry adventure, you need to have a moderate level of fitness and some backcountry skiing experience. All participants should feel comfortable on challenging black-level resort runs and be able to carry a loaded daypack while hiking uphill.

• What if I’ve never ski mountaineered before?

  This adventure is suited for intermediate to advanced downhill skiers with previous skiing and riding experience in the backcountry. Winter experience is not needed. In order to keep up with your guide’s pace, you should be comfortable hiking uphill every day and navigating steep, ungroomed, and treed terrain. If you’re not an advanced skier, we recommend checking out Intro to backcountry skiing in Whistler.

• What equipment do I need to bring?

  For technical backcountry ski touring gear, you will need to bring:

  • • Alpine touring skis, telemark skis or splitboard with skins (can be rented)
    • Touring boots and poles (can be rented)
    • Ski and boot crampons
    • Light mountaineering axe
    • 2 locking carabiners
    • Avalanche safety equipment (can be rented):
      • Digital, 3-antenna avalanche transceiver or beacon
      • Lightweight snow shovel
      • Avalanche probe
      • Harness for glacier travel (for advanced touring)

  For personal items, we recommend bringing:

  • • Helmet
    • Sunglasses and ski goggles
    • Face warmer
    • Light and insulated gloves
    • Wind and waterproof shell jacket with hood (Gore-Tex recommended)
    • Light jacket
    • Warm puffy jacket
    • Ski pants (Gore-Tex recommended)
    • Synthetic or wool base layers, underwear and socks
    • Down or synthetic booties
    • Wool or synthetic toque
    • Brimmed cap
    • Sleeping bag (-7 to -12 °C) and sleeping pad (winter rated)
    • Tent
    • One triple-action locking carabiner or two conventional locking carabiners
    • Repair kit and Leatherman for your equipment (can be shared between several people)
    • Water bottle and 1.5L of water
    • Thermos with a warm beverage — optional
    • Lunches and food you can eat on-the-go
    • First aid kit
    • Sunscreen
    • Lip balm
    • Bowl, cup, spoon, and fork
    • Daypack large enough to carry all items listed (around a 50-70L backpack)
    • Headlamp
    • Camera — optional
• Can I rent equipment?

  All mandatory gear can be rented if you don’t have your own. You can rent: 

  • • Avalanche safety pack, including backpack, beacon, shovel and probe from Escape Route
    • Alpine touring or telemark skis, touring boots and poles can be rented from Escape Route
    • Splitboards can be rented from Escape Route

  Ski rental locations are in Whistler and should be picked up the night prior to your outing. If you need to rent gear, let us know and we can help make arrangements.

• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes:

  • • For this adventure, the max client-to-guide ratio is 4:1. All prices are per person.
    • Cost is per person and it doesn’t decrease as the group grows.

  Ski touring on Garibaldi Neve Traverse can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

  Min. age requirements:

  • • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
    • Minors as young as 10 may be permitted to join this tour on a case-by-case basis.

  If your group has skiers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

• Getting there and meeting location

  To get to Garibaldi Neve Traverse, most people fly into Vancouver International Airport just under two hours away from Mt. Garibaldi. From there, you can rent a car or take a shuttle service.

  Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, you’ll meet your guide at a predetermined location the day before the first day to review gear and sign waivers. On Day 1, you’ll be transferred to Brohm Ridge and start skiing. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group.

• Deposits and cancellation policy
  • • BlackSheep Adventure Sports requires a 20% deposit for trips/courses at the time of booking unless otherwise specified.
    • Final payments are due 30 days prior to the departure date unless otherwise specified. Failure to make this final payment by the deadline will result in forfeiture of the trip and deposit.
    • If booking a trip within 30 days of the departure date, full payment is due upon booking.

  Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies. 

  • • BlackSheep Adventure Sports reserves the right to modify or cancel any trip or course at any time due to unfavorable weather conditions, injury / illness, or other reason without penalty. Guests will be notified as soon as possible. Cancellations initiated by BlackSheep because of unforeseen circumstances (lodge closures, highway closures, covid lockdowns or closures, extreme weather events, etc.) are refundable less any sunk costs. Travel insurance is highly recommended for all bigger trips as there are often costs that are not eligible for refund.
    • Deposits are non-refundable but transferable at the discretion of BlackSheep so long as the cancellation is made more than 30 days prior to the trip or course or is initiated by BlackSheep.
    • Cancellations to TRIPS made less than 30 days before the date for any reason are non-refundable but potentially transferable to another trip or date at the discretion of BlackSheep:
      • Any such transfers are subject to a 25% administration fee.
      • No more than 1 transfer will be offered
      • BlackSheep will accept a substitute guest should you not be able to attend, provided they meet the skill level requirement for the trip or course. BlackSheep reserves the right to determine if the substitute guest meets these requirements. Any such substitutions are subject to a 15% administration fee.
    • Cancellations to COURSES made less than 30 days before the departure date for any reason are non-refundable and non-transferable.
    • Cancellations made 30 or more days before the trip or course departure are refundable less any sunk costs and a 10% admin fee. The 10% admin fee is waived if the refundable amount is put towards another trip.
    • Cancellations due to COVID-19 related border closures or travel restrictions are transferable to another guided product less any charges that we incur from third parties such as lodges, credit card companies and so on and will attract a 10% admin fee. Travel insurance is highly recommended to mitigate these risks.