Ski Expeditions

2012 marks the launch for 360 of expedition and backcountry skiing. Recognising that many of our clients aren't just mountaineers, but also like to put on some planks and explore areas away from the teeming slopes of the Alps, where the first tracks are guaranteed, amid pristine snow unmarked by mechanisation and human scarring, we are delighted to propose three initial destinations for 2012, increasing for 2013. Additionally, if you're worried that your backcountry skiing might be a little rusty, we are also running a skills course.

Our expeditions are designed to be challenging, but exhilarating, amid breathtaking surroundings. We are collaborating with Section 8 Snowsport, one of Canada's foremost high-performance ski and snowboard coaches. Our guides are full-time backcountry instructors, normally found teaching others to become instructors themselves on Vancouver Island, they are the best of the best. We will be in small groups with several guides operating flexible itineraries enabling you to go hard or have a chilled day's skiing, depending how you feel and what the weather and snow conditions are doing. As our guides are also instructors, they are always on hand to help you reach a high level skill and confidence.

If you are a group and had other ideas in mind, whether it's exploring the Alps or going further afield into Kyrgyzstan, Iran, India, Georgia or Armenia to name but a few destinations, just brief us and we'll get you there and give you the ride of your life on the mountains. You don't even have to go that far afield to discover some spectacular, sparsely populated countries with little infrastructure to hamper our views like Iceland, Greenland and Scandinavia.

Have a look at the itineraries and feel free to call us if you have any questions. And keep an eye on this page as we'll be adding destinations over the next few months.

	Russia - Kola Peninsula The Kola Peninsula is situated high up in the Arctic Circle and is home to the Khibiny Mountains, overlooking the Barents Sea. Our nearest city is Murmansk, a short drive away. The peninsula's northerly latitude ensures a long ski season, and long skiing days with cold dry snow late into spring. Once heavily glaciated, the terrain consists of huge open rolling landscapes, ideal for touring. The classic glacial topography of deep U-shaped valleys and rolling summits creates long descents on a variety of different aspects which lets us seek out the best snow from one day to the next.
	Canada - Vancouver Island Kept secret by the Canadians, Vancouver Island has the highest annual snowfall in North America and at times the deepest snowpack in the world. We spend 5 days exploring Mount Washington with a day of heli-skiing for those who really want to get away from it, followed by a weekend at Mount Cain. From Mount Washington Mount Baker in Washington State is visible 200km to the south across the Georgia Strait, while Mount Waddington can be seen 200km to the north, the views are amongst the finest to be found in any ski area in the world.
	Chile - Andes The Andes mountain range is more commonly known for its trekking and climbing, not least for Aconcagua itself, but it also has incredible skiing potential. We spend two weeks exploring the best that Chile has to offer, exploring several dormant volcanoes and ski areas in excess of 10,000 acres, 4,000m above sea level. We balance big ski days in vast ungroomed valleys without a soul crossing our fresh tracks, with some fantastic wines to wash down sumptuous barbecues and dinners.
	Austria - Hintertux pre-season performance clinic Hintertux glacier in Austria provides a large amount of skiable terrain right through the summer months. We run a pre-season performance camp in October for you to find your ski legs and start honing your skills for the coming winter. Suitable for ambitious piste skiers and adventurous back-country skiers alike, you will be training with the best of the best. Our coaches will pay close attention to the areas you want to work on and the type of skiing you want to prepare for. These are particularly well suited to those who want to join one of our ski expeditions but are wary of their back-country skills.