Rogers Pass Ski Mountaineering: Mentored Big Mountain Week in BC, Canada
Bridge the Gap From Backcountry Skier to Independent High-Alpine Decision Maker
Six days. Three mountain ranges. Immersive learing, collaborative mentorship. This experience will drop you straight into the crucible of Western Canadian ski mountaineering and is engineered to bridge the gap between a traditional guided client and a self-sufficient expedition partner. Twice daily guides' meetings, weather and avalanche forecasting, route planning terrain and snowpack assessment--this course is designed to simulate a professional level course where students learn to not only lead, but develop the skills required to manage complex avalanche and glaciated big mountain terrain.
Rogers Pass, Glacier National Park, and the Selkirks are home to some of the best ski touring and ski mountaineering in Canada. The crest of the Selkirks (Sir Sandford, Mt Dawson, Sir Donald, and Mt Rogers) all rise above 3,000m, and its jagged, glaciated peaks provide ample opportunities for mountain enthusiasts to hone their craft of mountain travel. Eighty kilometres to the east, Golden, BC—situated in the Columbia River Valley between the Purcells and the Canadian Rockies—is the ultimate base for a big mountain ski week. Kicking Horse Mountain Resort provides easy access to the incredibly technical backcountry terrain found in the Dogtooth Range.
We feel this is the ultimate venue for development as a big mountain skier and splitboarder. Over the course of the trip, we will spend time in three different mountain ranges, assessing the snowpack, travelling on glaciers, managing technical terrain like couloirs and ridges, while collaborating on real-time operational decisions in big mountain terrain.
We'll spend time in drainages like the Asulkan Brook, Cedar Creek- Dogtooth Range, Loop Brook, and various places in the Canadian Rockies.
4 Students : 1 Guide
Small Group Learning Environment
Six Days of Small Group Learning in Big Mountain Terrain
The ultimate backcountry ski / splitboarding course on British Columbia's Powder Highway. This 6-day guided experience takes you through the decision making and technical process of exploring big mountain terrain
Trip Details & Dates
- Trip Length: six days/ six nights
- Upcoming Dates: February 15-21, 2027
- Guiding: ACMG / IFMGA certified guides (Max 4:1 student-to-guide ratio)
- Target Venues: Rogers Pass, Glacier National Park, BC, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort Slackcountry (Dogtooth Range, Purcells, BC), Yoho, Banff National Parks, BC, AB
Program Flow
Twice daily guides' meetings, tour planning and weather forecasting are a foundational part of the course.
Day 1, 2: Kicking Horse Mountain Resort Slackcountry (Dogtooth Range, Purcells, BC)
We'll begin with a companion rescue and avalanche safety refresher and the head into the field where we will ride some of the fabled couloirs of the Dogtooth Range. Under the supervision of an experienced ACMG/AMGA guide, you will get to practice technical rope systems to manage steep entrances, mandatory rappels and avalanche/ cornice hazard management.
Day 3-6: Rogers Pass, Glacier National Park, BC, Yoho, Banff National Parks, BC, AB
Over the next four days we will explore the wilds of Rogers Pass and the Canadian Rockies. Depending on the conditions, we will choose objectives and terrain best suited for positive learning experiences. Glacier travel, decision making in complex terrain, crevasse rescue and advanced terrain management will all be part of the experience.
What You Can Expect
Tour Size
1500-2400m/ 10-20km per day
Expert Guidance and Mentorship
Certified and Experienced ACMG / AMGA Guides
Group Size
4 Students : 1 Guide
Designed for experienced skiers and splitboarders
Excellent Prep for Guides' Exams or High Level Recreationists
What’s Included in Your Rogers Pass Ski Mountaineering: Mentored Big Mountain Week in BC, Canada?
- Six days of Mentorship and Guidance: Intensive, small-group leaning experience with an intimate 4:1 student-to-guide ratio led by a certified ACMG/AMGA guide.
- Comfortable Accommodations: Six days of lodging at comfortable, Golden based establishments that offer an authentic Canadian experience (based on double occupancy; private rooms available for an additional fee).
- Daily Meals: Freshly prepared breakfasts and dinners are included throughout the trip to fuel your mountain objectives.
- Ground Transportation: All group travel is covered using a rugged 4x4 vehicle tailored for mountain terrain.
- One Ride Passes at Kicking Horse
- Travel to/from Golden not included.
Who is this for and what is required of you?
- The ability to tour in complex terrain for 1500-2400m and 10-20KM /day
- Expert skier or splitboarder with lot's of backcountry experience
- Previous rope experience; or if you are interested in this course, but have limited rope experience, you can add on our online course work for an additional $300USD
- This is an excellent option for those who are looking to get into guiding or are already in the guiding stream and looking for more mentorship before their next exam.
Arctos Trip Inventory
The complete Arctos Trip Inventory
