Avalanche Training at Journeyman Lodge

Elevate your backcountry skills in the heart of the wilderness

Overview

This five-day backcountry adventure combines in-depth avalanche safety training with hands-on skiing experience in the remote wilderness surrounding Journeyman Lodge. After a day of classroom learning in Whistler, you’ll head into the Callaghan Valley for four nights at the lodge, where you’ll apply your avalanche training skills in real-world conditions. With expert guidance, you’ll explore over 9,000 hectares of varied terrain, including alpine bowls, glaciers, glades, and powder-filled slopes.

Evenings at the lodge are spent with debriefs by the fire, relaxing with a beer, and unwinding in the sauna. Thanks to the lodge’s unique microclimate, you’ll enjoy light, dry champagne powder—perfect for honing your backcountry skills in one of the most stunning and untouched settings the region has to offer.

Location

Situated just south of Whistler in the secluded Callaghan Valley, approximately an hour’s drive from North Vancouver, the lodge’s staging area is conveniently accessible. From this point, you will be transported to the lodge in true alpine style, either by snowcat or snowmobile, offering an exhilarating start to your backcountry experience.

Terrain

The diverse and varied terrain is one of the key reasons we selected Journeyman Lodge for this avalanche training course. With over 9,000 hectares of pristine backcountry accessible from the lodge, you’ll find yourself surrounded by glaciated peaks on three sides. The terrain offers something for every level of backcountry enthusiast, from expansive high-alpine bowls and thrilling glacier skiing to perfectly spaced glades, pillow lines, and rolling powder fields.

Positioned in its own unique microclimate, the lodge enjoys significantly colder temperatures than Whistler, resulting in light, dry champagne powder—despite its proximity to the coast. This rare combination of epic terrain and ideal snow conditions makes Journeyman Lodge the perfect base for an unforgettable backcountry experience.

Itinerary

Day 1: Whistler Classroom Day
Your adventure begins with a full day of classroom instruction in Whistler, where you’ll dive into the curriculum and theoretical groundwork for the days ahead. After signing waivers, your guide will review the essential knowledge from your AST1 course, ensuring a solid foundation before introducing the AST2 course material. The day will include short morning and afternoon breaks, along with a lunch break to recharge. The session will conclude with a debrief, followed by homework, informative handouts, and a curated list of resources to support your learning.

Day 2: Journey to the Lodge and Backcountry Introduction
In the morning, you’ll make your way to the Journeyman Lodge staging area, located just 20 minutes south of Whistler village (detailed directions will be provided). Upon arrival, you’ll be whisked away to the remote lodge via snowmobile, snowcat, or 4×4, adding an exhilarating touch to your arrival. Once settled in and unpacked, you’ll attend a briefing before stepping directly into the epic backcountry for the skiing portion of the AST2 course, surrounded by breathtaking wilderness.

Day 3: Backcountry Skills in Action
Your day begins with a detailed morning briefing, during which your guide will review current weather patterns, snow conditions, and potential avalanche risks. Following a thorough gear check, you’ll head out into the backcountry, applying the theory you’ve learned as you begin to navigate the terrain. Under the watchful eye of your ACMG guide, you’ll practice essential skills such as route selection and snowpack evaluation. After a full day on the mountain, you’ll return to the lodge around 4:30pm for a relaxed debrief by the fire. Here, you can reflect on the day’s experiences, enjoy a well-deserved beer, and complete your homework, preparing you for the following day.

Day 4: Advanced Backcountry Exploration
Today offers another opportunity to build on your skills, with a morning briefing covering the latest weather and snow conditions, followed by another gear check. You’ll venture further into the wilderness, with your guide offering real-time feedback as you refine your decision-making and backcountry navigation skills. By the end of the day, you’ll have gained deeper confidence in evaluating terrain and managing avalanche risks. Back at the lodge, you’ll unwind with a debrief, sharing stories from the day. The evening offers time to relax in the sauna and enjoy a stretching session, ensuring you’re ready for the adventures yet to come.

Day 5: Guided Free-Skiing in the Wilderness
Today is all about enjoying the incredible terrain surrounding Journeyman Lodge, as you put your skills to the test on a guided free-skiing day. With expert guidance, you’ll explore the untouched slopes, honing your abilities in real-world conditions, with the freedom to carve through some of the most stunning, untracked snow the region has to offer.

Day 6: Farewell Ski and Departure
An early start ensures you make the most of your final day in the backcountry. After a hearty breakfast, you’ll pack up and prepare for departure, but not before one last opportunity to hit the slopes. If conditions allow, you’ll enjoy a final morning ski with your guide, savouring the last of your time in this remote paradise, before bidding farewell to the lodge and heading back to reality.