Top of the World
Elevation: 2,080m
Specializing in backcountry safety, Sun Peaks Backcountry Tours and Avalanche Training introduces aspiring backcountry enthusiasts to safe backcountry travel. With over three decades of backcountry experience owner, Bodie Shandro offers a variety of tours and courses to suit every experience level. "You don’t know what you don’t know, Escape, Discover, Learn” in spectacular Sun Peaks Backcountry. Sign up NOW for AST1 ZOOM classroom sessions in October, November and December. Then every weekend throughout the remainder of the season, they offer both field days and full 2 day courses.
Tree Wells & All Mountain Safety
An absolute must do, one day course for all skiers and snowboarders who venture off of groomed runs. Learn about how tree wells form, safe riding in the trees, what to do if you fall in a tree well and how to rescue someone. Additionally, this course will introduce you to often overlooked hazards that one may encounter such as cold exposure injuries, variable snow conditions and more.
| Time | Daily 9:30am to 3:30pm |
|---|---|
| Rate | $299/person * single lift pass not included. |
Introduction to Backcountry Touring
Are you looking to escape the crowds and new to backcountry touring, then Introduction to Backcountry Touring is for you. This course introduces students to the fundamentals of safe backcountry travel including trip planning, understanding the Avalanche Canada Forecast, hazard analysis, companion rescue, tree well safety as well as equipment familiarization, and backcountry touring techniques. Each student will be provided with a Transceiver, probe, shovel and pack. No special boots are required.
| Time | Daily 9:30am to 3:30pm |
|---|---|
| Rate | $299/person *single lift pass not included. |
| Note | * Powder skis and skins, snowboards and snowshoe rentals available upon request. |
Guided Backcountry Tours
This one-day tour on Tod Mountain will allow you to explore Sun Peaks backcountry along with a local professional guide. AST1 or previous backcountry experience required. Ski what you see on your favourite summer hikes. Each participant will be provided with a Transceiver, probe, shovel and pack. No special boots are required.
| Time | Daily 9:30am- 3:30pm |
|---|---|
| Rate | $299/person *single lift pass not included. |
| Note | * Powder skis and skins, snowboards and snowshoe rentals available upon request. |
Avalanche Skills Training 1
If you enjoy venturing off trails, out of bounds, or into the backcountry, then this AST1 is must take to learn to travel safely in the mountains. Participants will learn about avalanche formation and release, how to identify avalanche terrain, the basics of trip planning, optimal use of tools and resources like the avalanche forecasts to mitigate your avalanche risk, use appropriate travel techniques in avalanche terrain, and an introduction to companion rescue. Transceiver, probe, shovel and pack provided. No special boots are required.
2 day course with optional day 1 via ZOOM. *special snowshoe courses available upon request
| Time | Offered every weekend of the season |
|---|---|
| Rate | $329 * single lift pass not included |
| Note | * Powder skis and skins, snowboards and snowshoe rentals available upon request. |
Companion Rescue
Have you completed your AST1 and are looking for the next step in your avalanche safety knowledge, then this course is for you. The one-day Companion Rescue Course will refresh your existing avalanche safety knowledge and teach you how to deal with multiple burials, close-proximity multiple burials, deep burials, coordinate group rescues, and search without transceivers. Discussion topics also include airbags, new shovelling techniques, and avalanche incident triage.
| Dates | Offered upon request |
|---|---|
| Rate | $159 * single lift pass not included |
Heli Cat Trip Warm Up
Arrive at your heli or cat ski trip of a lifetime better prepared, mentally, physically and more safely. Warm up and fine tune your riding or skiing, develop an awareness of mountain hazards, learn tree well safety, companion rescue as well as helicopter and snowcat safety.
| Rate | $299 * single lift pass not included |
|---|
The Ultimate Backcountry Bundle
5 Days to Backcountry Confidence
Your ultimate backcountry bundle includes:
- Avalanche Canada "Avalanche Skills Training 1" (AST 1) Certification (2 days)
- Avalanche Canada Companion Rescue Certification (1 day)
- Introduction to gear, transitions, and touring (1 day)
- One day touring in Sun Peaks' spectacular backcountry
| Rate | $998 (*$26 single lift passes, and gratuity not included) |
|---|
| Phone | 250.318.0722 |
|---|---|
| bodie@sunpeaksbackcountry.com |
Fall 2024 / Winter 2025
Sign up NOW for AST1 ZOOM classroom (day 1 sessions)
Please call or email to register.
250.318.0722
bodie@sunpeaksbackcountry.com
Book Now
Participant Testimonials:
My wife and I spent the first week of February at Sun Peaks enjoying the sunshine, some ice and then thankfully some great snow.
Your mountain and village were very enjoyable, providing a great mix of terrain and in 5 Mile you have the best advertised “long run” I have ridden in Canada. But the main reason that I am writing is to compliment Bodie and his AST 1 course held at Sun Peaks.
Having the ability to take an AST 1 course on hill, as an addition to our vacation was a real bonus. While this may not be an official Sun Peaks activity, just providing the location and facilities to allow the course should be commended. It’s something many other mountain resorts could learn from.
Bodie was a fantastic teacher. On his zoom day of learning, he demonstrated that he is a skilled communicator, downloading hours of information in a clear and organized manner.
His ability to talk through the AST syllabus in an engaging and inspiring way was very impressive. This continued in person, as he held the attention of a diverse group of students easily and effectively. He got us all through the course with an understanding of the need to respect the dangers of avalanches but without scaring us all too much.
I’d again like to thank Sun Peaks for a wonderful week in the mountains and giving me the opportunity to educate myself on avalanche safety on your hill with Bodie.
Thanks,
Duncan from Toronto
I came to Sun Peaks for a week and wanted to explore some of its legendary backcountry.
We hired a guide Bodie Shandro and with the weather being what it was we weren’t expecting much. We had an unbelievable day out with Bodie and learnt so much about snow and avalanche safety, planning routes and gear tips…. As well as finding awesome snow stashes. He is a great ambassador for your resort and probably the main reason I’m planning to come back again next year or the year after. Will most definitely be hiring him again
Yours,
Jeremy from Australia
I just wanted to let you know what a fabulous day my daughter Ruby (15) and I had with Bodie from Sun Peaks Backcountry.
His approach was friendly and warm. We learned a heck of a lot thanks to his concise educational talking points. The pace of the trip was perfect for learning, skiing and skinning, lunch and having great chats.
We got a feel of a real backcountry experience
Regards
Mike from New Zealand