Guiding Services in Squamish

Guiding Services in Squamish

Squamish didn't earn the title "Outdoor Recreation Captial of Canada" for no reason. Surrounded by hundreds of magnificent peaks, the exploration possibilities are endless. 

Ready for a taste of the Squamish backcountry? Check out this list of guiding services, courses and clinics to help get you out there. 

Meet the Mountaineers:

Altus Mountain Guides

A mountain guide service based out of Squamish and Whistler specialising in custom mountain adventures. Trips and courses are catered for the beginner to the expert adventurer.

Why did you start your guiding company?

"Altus Mountain Guides was designed and built upon a foundation of three core goals: to Recreate, Elevate and Actuate.  RECREATE (because if you’re not having fun it’s not worth doing), to ELEVATE guided experiences by developing new, higher-end adventures for skiers and climbers and to ACTUATE sustainable career opportunities for our community of Certified Guides to do what they love- share their passion with our guests."

Canada West Mountain School

Owned and operated by Squamish-based ACMG Mountain Guide Brian Jones, Canada West Mountain School has been teaching people to be self-sufficient in the backcountry since 1982.   

Which course do you offer in and around Squamish that every backcountry enthusiast should take? 

"Anyone that wants to go out and play in the backcountry in the Sea to Sky needs to have backcountry awareness, our AST1 is a minimum. It opens up doors and gives you the confidence to go out explore the backcountry." - Brian Jones

Mountain Skills Academy and Adventures

Specialists in the mountain disciplines of backcountry skiing, rock climbing, ice climbing, mountaineering, hiking and mountain safety, Mountain Skills Academy and Adventures has been faithful to its namesake teaching mountain skills since 1991. 

Which course do you offer in and around Squamish that every backcountry enthusiast should take? 

"The best course for outdoor enthusiasts of all types and seasons is our navigation course. If your cell phone runs out of power on the trail, it's key to have a map and compass on hand and to know how to use them!" - Joelle Tiessen 

Rise Mountain Adventures

Local and woman-owned, Rise Mountain Adventures will take you to discover some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes with fun, safe, and inspiring hiking tours and courses. Their fully ACMG Certified Hiking Guides cater to every ability and experience level and operate to the highest safety and customer service standards available.

Why did you start your guiding company?

"We are proud to be one of the few woman-owned and operated guiding companies in the Sea to Sky region. We wanted to provide opportunities for under-represented groups in the outdoors- including folks from diverse social, cultural, and economic backgrounds and with varying abilities. As local guides, we live, work, and breathe the outdoors- we hope everyone and anyone can get to experience an unforgettable outdoor adventure." 

Courses

Mountaineering Essentials / Intro to Mountaineering

This course is an excellent introduction to the skills required for moderate alpine objectives and is designed to challenge you and give you the skills to travel safely in hazardous terrain. Spend several days in the field covering all aspects of basic mountaineering techniques.
Where: Squamish and Whistler
Contact: Altus Mountian Guides, Canada West Mountain School or Mountain Skills Academy

Avalanche Skills Training Level 1 (AST)

A course for skiers and snowboarders (and snowshoers!) who plan to venture into the backcountry. This essential course will teach you how to identify hazards and how to manage them. Know before you go!
Where: Squamish and Whistler
Contact: Altus Mountian Guides, Canada West Mountain School or Mountain Skills Academy

Mountain Navigation 

Build your toolkit of mountain skills with a comprehensive two-day mountain navigation course. In this class, you will learn to recognise changing hazards and navigate with a map and compass.
Where: Squamish
Contact: Canada West Mountain School, Mountain Skills Academy, Rise Mountain Adventures

Crevasse Rescue

This technical course is ideal for those who want to strengthen their glacier travel and crevasse rescue skills. You will spend one day in Squamish learning advanced rescue skills and rope techniques applicable to all rope rescue systems, followed by a second day in an alpine region to apply your rope rescue skills in a glacier environment.
Where: Squamish and Whistler 
Contact: Altus Mountian Guides, Canada West Mountain School

Wilderness Survival

Learn essential survival skills in this practical and fun 2.5-day course. Includes shelter building, fire building, wilderness travel and basic first aid skills.
Where: Sea to Sky area
Contact: Rise Mountain Adventures

Introduction to Backcountry Camping

Learn how to plan and enjoy a backcountry camping trip! Perfect for those new to hiking and/or those who want to learn how to travel independently. There's even a 'women only' weekend!
Where: Sea to Sky area
Contact: Rise Mountain Adventures

Tours / Traverses

Altus Mountian Guides, Canada West Mountain School and Mountain Skills Academy all offer an array of backcountry tours for skiing, snowboarding, hiking, trail running, climbing and mountaineering. We reccommend visiting their websites to learn more about what each company offers. 

Here are a few select tours to give you an idea of some of the offerings available:

Tantalus Range Ski Mountaineering Trip

Four days, five peaks and steep ski runs up to 1500 metres in length. This Alaskan style terrain includes a mix of low angle glacial skiing and steep open faces and couloirs. The four-day guided ski trip includes an ACMG guide, meals, all technical gear (ropes, anchors, axe, crampons), heli flight in and out of hut and hut fees.
Where: Tantalus Range
Contact: Altus Mountian Guides, Canada West Mountain School and Mountain Skills Academy

Garibaldi Neve Traverse

Skiing across remote glaciers around Mount Garibaldi and over to Garibaldi Lake is the best way to appreciate the rugged beauty of the Southern Coast Mountains. Start at the trailhead to the Elfin Lakes/Paul Ridge area and traverse in a northerly direction to the glaciers of the Neve, underneath the North face of Mt Garibaldi, the Glacier Pikes, Sentinel Glacier, and Garibaldi Lake before descending the trail to Rubble Creek just south of Whistler.
Where: Squamish
Contact: Canada West Mountain School

Sky Pilot Day Tour

Sky Pilot offers an excellent challenge for mountaineers. The complex terrain is difficult, but the views are worth the effort! Start the day with a lift up the Sea to Sky Gondola and gain up to 1100 meters of elevation. Highly trained guides lead you on an exhilarating trip right on Squamish's doorstep!
Where: Sea to Sky Gondola
Contact: Canada West Mountain School and Mountain Skills Academy

Elfin Lakes Tour

A mellow tour with 880 meters of elevation gain. Explore Paul Ridge's rolling meadows and continue towards the Elfin Lakes Shelter. Available for a single day or weekend trip.
Where: Garibaldi Provincial Park
Contact: Canada West Mountain School, Mountain Skills Academy, Rise Mountain Adventures

Backcountry Snowshoeing to Elfin Lakes

A full day adventure (22 km round trip) starting on a wide trail ascending a gentle grade up to the Red Heather day hut where you stop for lunch or use as a turnaround point for a shorter tour (10 km). There is a great panoramic view of Tantalus up a little higher and then follow the winter route up another 6 km to get right to the lakes. 
Where: Garibaldi Provincial Park
Contact: Mountain Skills Academy