Backcountry Tours and Avalanche Training

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.  

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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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.