Canada’s Best Backcountry Ski and Snowboard Guides

Helping connect you to the best ski guides and snowboard guides in british columbia and alberta.

Backcountry skiing and snowboarding is epic in Canada and for good reason. Huge, steep mountains, topped with over 40 feet of annual snowfall make for some unforgettable backcountry ski trips in the winter.

Ski touring and splitboarding can be intimidating activities to dive into, so going with a qualified backcountry ski guide or backcountry snowboard guide can be the difference between a stressful day and one of the best ski trips of your life.

We’ve made it easy for you to find and plan your trip with the best ski guides and snowboard guides in Canada with this list below. Each of the backcountry ski companies on this list are in some of the best places to backcountry ski in Canada and are some of the top ski operators in Canada.

What makes the best backcountry ski guides in canada?

location, location, location

Yes, the age old motto applies to backcountry skiing as well. We have picked out these backcountry ski operators based on the quality of their operations, and also where they are located to ensure that you have the ultimate skiing experience. We’re looking for locations with epic powder and mountains that command respect. Not so much convenient airports and glitzy shops nearby. Here are some of the best ski resorts in Canada for powder skiing.

experienced professional guides

There is a huge difference between a ski or snowboard guide that can keep the group moving efficiently and have an adaptable plan that delivers the goods and a guide that is behind the curve, resulting in less powder slashes for you. The backcountry ski guides on this list are highly skilled and able to keep your ski trip moving smoothly.

safety

Safety should definitely be a top priority when going ski touring in British Columbia. These ski guides are highly trained and have developed a professional plan and operation that is designed to keep you safe.

innovative backcountry ski experiences

While the common day of ski touring in BC is usually departing from a resort base with your guide, or meeting at a trailhead, many of these backcountry ski companies in Canada have really unique and innovative experiences available to you. Perhaps try a 3 day adventure, staying in expedition tents in the backcountry, or take a quick heli ride to a remote and untracked tenure, or stay in a cabin as a basecamp while you explore the ski zones in all directions. Most of the ski guides on this page offer a variety of custom day guiding as well as guided hut trips and ski touring traverses.

Backcountry ski and snowboard guiding companies in canada

Adrenaline Descents

golden, british columbia

Adrenaline Descents is a backcountry ski company based in Golden, British Columbia. They have some of the best ski guides in Golden and know the Kicking Horse sidecountry ski touring routes like the back of their hands.

They can also do custom guiding on hut trips in BC and can guide you through Rogers Pass and the Canadian Rockies.

Adrenaline Descents truly unique backcountry ski experience is their multiday ski guiding, whichis based in a remote expedition camp in the mountains near Golden. Take a sled up into a remote valley and do 2-3 days of guided skiing while staying in warm tents, staying cozy by the wood stove. This is such a great way to get away from the bustle and immerse yourself in a backcountry skiing experience.

Flow Guiding Service

golden, british columbia

Flow Guiding Service, based in Golden BC are true local experts at finding you those epic lines the Dogtooth Range are known for. You can hire Flow Guiding Service to take you out for a day adventure, or help you plan and go on a guided hut ski trip in BC as well.

Flow Guiding Service are not just backcountry ski guides, but also expert abckcountry skiing instructors. They offer a full range of AST courses to help you hone your own safety skills and knowledge in the backcountry.

revelstoke backcountry guides

revelstoke, british columbia

Revelstoke Backcountry Guides are the best backcountry ski company in Revelstoke, British Columbia. They have a range of offerings, each tailored to maximize your day and provide a top notch guided ski touring experience near Revelstoke Mountain Resort.

Hire Revelstoke Backcountry Guides for a day of ski touring in the Revelstoke Mountain Resort sidecountry, made easier with their exclusive early lift access to get you to the goods earlier.

You can also head out for a bigger day of ski touring and splitboarding in Rogers Pass with them, exploring some of the best backcountry ski routes in Canada’s ski touring capital!

If neither of those are epic enough, they offer a really badass day of heli -accessed ski touring in their own tenure near Revelstoke. This is the ultimate way to escape the masses, and well.. everyone for that matter, skiing far in the backcountry in a powdery untracked world.

high country ski guides

golden, british columbia

High Country Ski Guides are one of the top ski guiding companies based in Golden, British Columbia. While Ian, their lead guide, is not out guiding powder hungry skiers around, he is ensuring avalanche safety for the highways and mountain operations, so you can be assured, he knows what he is doing.

High Country Ski Guides offer guided day touring as well as a variety of hut based mutliday ski touring trips. Join them on a guided ski trip to Icefall Lodge or Golden Alpine Holidays, where you spend an amazing several days exploring the best backcountry powder stashes with some of Canada’s best ski guides.

capow

revelstoke, british columbia

Capow is pretty epic as far as backcountry ski and snowboard guiding companies in BC go. The most notable thing they do differently is bring a fun and relaxed tone to backcountry skiing in Canada.

Join them for some basecamp stays at Blanket Glacier Chalet, complete with guided ski touring and splitboarding each day and a sauna to get rowdy (or relax) in. Staying in the “Eh Frame” means you get to stay in the alpine and enjoy your time exploring the gems, rather than slogging each day to get up high.

They also offer a female ski touring week to help women get more into backcountry skiing. If you are planning on learning more about avalanche terrain and safe travel in the backcountry, their BL-AST course would be a great choice for you.

Mount Assiniboine Lodge

canmore, alberta

Ski touring from Mount Assiniboine Lodge is definitely worthy of being on every backcountry skiers bucketlist. The views are unmistakable; Mt Assiniboine is like the Matterhorn of the Canadian Rockies, and the ski terrain is extensive.

To experience ski touring at Mount Assiniboine Lodge you can take a helicopter from Canmore to get bumped to the lodge location in Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park. Get settled into their rustic, yet elegant lodge, enjoying some fine cuisine and all the luxuries of a backcountry ski lodge.

The Mt Assiniboine Lodge ski guides are experts and know the area like the back of their hand. You can join them for guided ski touring in the area, or opt to explore on your own. Ambitious skiers could even tour to the lodge or back out. Just make sure you know what you are getting yourself into!

canadian adventure company

valemont, british columbia

Canadian Adventure Company is based in the Canadian Rockies at Mallard Mountain Lodge. Their lodge is right smack in the middle of nowhere, so this is a great place to socially distance yourself, and be sure to not find any crowds or tracked out snow.

Mallard Mountain Lodge is accessed by helicopter from Valemont, BC. The snow is cold, fluffy Rockies snow, and lots of it. The terrain is a perfect mix of rolling alpine terrain and intense, steep mountains.

You can customize your trip, creating a fully catered package, or a self-catered package to suit your desires. You can also join their expert Canadian ski guides, or venture out on your own self-guided ski touring days.

kootenay backcountry guides

nelson, british columbia

The powder skiing around Nelson is epic and so is the ski touring! Make sure you get the most of it by joining Kootenay Backcountry Guides for a fully guided day ski touring near Nelson.

Kootenay Backcountry Guides is one of the best Canadian ski guide companies in BC, providing a superior level of safety and professionalism.

Join them for a group date in the Whitewater Ski Resort sidecountry, or head up to Kootenay Pass for the endless terrain up there.

You can also hire their ski guides for a custom day built around you and your group. They also offer some really great AST courses in Nelson, helping skiers and snowboarders educate themselves on avalanche safety.

The banner photo on this page is from Kootenay Backcountry Guides

Summit mountain guides

nelson, british columbia

Summit Mountain Guides are experts at all things mountain travel. They are an excellent guiding company for a variety of experiences and locations.

With Summit Mountain Guides you can explore Lake Louise area, Rogers Pass, Nelson area and even access some heli-assited ski touring with them. They also help plan and guide hut trips all over BC.

Altus Mountain Guides

squamish, British Columbia

Altus Mountain Guides are a top notch guiding company in Squamish, British Columbia. They specialize in rock and snow. They teach AST courses, intro to backcountry courses, offer custom guided ski touring days, guided ski traverses and hut trips, and are the guides behind Phantom Heli, a new heli ski operation based in the coast mountains.

Yamnuska Mountain Adventures

canmore, alberta

Yamnuska Mountain Adventures are based in Canmore, Alberta and are local guiding experts in the Canadian Rockies.

They have two focuses: one on guiding and one on instructing.

Hire Yamnuska Mountain Adventures for a custom day of guided skiing and snowboarding in the backcountry of the Canadian Rockies, or the sidecountry of Lake Louise ski resort.

They also host a backcountry ski touring camp in Rogers Pass, using Revelstoke as a basecamp each year.

Mountain addicts

fernie, british columbia

Mountain Addicts are a ski guiding company based in Fernie, British Columbia. They offer some of the best guided backcountry skiing in the area with their team of expert ski guides.

They offer several intro to ski touring and splitboarding courses, as well as a course specially offered for women.

They also offer AST courses to help you learn about avalanche safety in the mountains.

You can also hire them for a custom day of guided ski touring in Fernie.

skookum backcountry adventures

Whitehorse, yukon

Skookum Backcountry Adventures are based in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. That’s right…. Way up north, where no one thnks to go ski touring in Canada.

They offer some base camp style, mutliday ski touring expeditions, which area really amazing. With abundant powder, literally zero tracks and towering mountains you probably didn’t even know existed, this place is sure to surprise you!

Skookum Backcountry Adventures are one of the best backcountry ski guiding companies in Canada and should definitely be on your bucketlist.

about the author

Alex Ross- Lead Guide/ Founder

Let’s just say Alex didn’t want to work a real job when he grew up. He had his heart set on avoiding any kind of accounting, human resources, compliance, marketing and business administration, in order to be free for his dream job as a ski guide. Now he guides people on skis, but mostly does accounting, human resources, compliance, marketing and business administration work!