Guided Backcountry Skiing and Ski Touring in Squamish and Garibaldi Park
Aurora Backcountry guides backcountry skiing and ski touring in Squamish, part of our Sea to Sky guiding. Squamish offers two kinds of trips. In the cold winter months, the Sea to Sky Gondola gets you to world-class tree skiing close to town. In the southern part of Garibaldi Provincial Park, we run more advanced trips, many of them in spring. ACMG-certified guides lead every day, and all our guides have 10+ years of experience.
Sea to Sky Gondola ski touring: tree skiing close to town
The Sea to Sky Gondola is our quick, close-to-town option. Heavy snowfall makes for world-class tree skiing, and the gondola gets us there. It is best in December, January, February and sometimes March, when the powder and colder temperatures are there.
We normally meet at 8:30 am and catch the first gondola at 9 am. You buy your own Sea to Sky Gondola ticket.
Garibaldi Provincial Park: Elfin Lakes, the Névé and Mount Garibaldi
Squamish skiing also includes the southern part of Garibaldi Provincial Park, separate from the Sea to Sky Gondola area. Areas we guide here include:
- Mount Garibaldi
- Red Heather to Elfin Lakes
- The Névé Traverse
- Mamquam Mountain and other peaks deeper in the park
Garibaldi trips and the Névé Traverse
We do a lot of our Garibaldi skiing in spring, when the days are longer. These are usually more advanced trips.
Multi-day trips on the Névé Traverse are popular. There is also a very challenging goal: the Névé in a day. Lots of people like to see what they are capable of, and we are here to help.
On overnights we always sleep in tents, never in huts. Winter camping is awesome.
A guided ski touring day in Squamish
Your guide sets the logistics for each day and adds the meet points to the Aurora app. There are many ways into Garibaldi Park. Common starting points are the Diamond Head parking lot and the Rubble Creek trailhead, and we also go in by Brohm Ridge.
The road into Garibaldi Park needs winter tires. The Aurora van is a 4x4 with winter tires and chains, a benefit to every pass holder. On the way up there is a chain-up parking lot that needs winter tires only. We can meet you there and drive you the rest of the way in the van.
Squamish days suit solid intermediate skiers and snowboarders, or better.
Questions about Squamish
Is Garibaldi Park part of the Sea to Sky Gondola area?
No. The southern part of Garibaldi Provincial Park, with Mount Garibaldi, Elfin Lakes and the Névé, is a separate area. Common starting points are the Diamond Head parking lot and the Rubble Creek trailhead.
Do I need a Sea to Sky Gondola ticket?
On gondola days, yes. You buy your own ticket. Garibaldi Park days do not use the gondola.
When is the best time for ski touring in Squamish?
Gondola tree skiing is best from December to February, and sometimes in March. In Garibaldi Park, we do a lot of our skiing in spring, when the days are longer.
Do you guide the Névé Traverse?
Yes. Multi-day Névé Traverse trips are popular. The Névé in a day is a very challenging goal, and we are here to help.
Do I need chains to drive to the Diamond Head parking lot?
Not if you meet us at the chain-up parking lot. It needs winter tires only, and we drive you the rest of the way in our van, which has chains. If you drive to the Diamond Head parking lot yourself, have chains with you in case we need them.
What time do gondola days start?
We normally meet at 8:30 am and catch the first gondola at 9 am. Your guide adds the meet point to the Aurora app.
More questions? Read the general FAQ.
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