Extremely Canadian
50°07′ N 122°57′ WGuideEnglish spokenSeasonal
Extremely Canadian suits strong skiers and snowboarders who want an AST 1 or a first guided tour in Whistler Blackcomb's backcountry. Its 2.5-day AST 1 is posted at $392 a person for 2026/27, before taxes and a fee it doesn't price. Its groups expect riders who handle ungroomed black diamond runs, and lift tickets cost extra on every program.
Photo Extremely Canadian · From their own site
What they offer
| Offering | From | Duration | Months |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avalanche Skills Training 1Lift tickets and backcountry rentals with avalanche gear cost extra, and students can buy lift tickets at $87 a day. Posted for 2026/27 at $392 a person, or $2,369 for a private course, before taxes and a fee Extremely Canadian doesn't name or price. | – | 2.5 days: an online evening session from 6 to 8 pm, then two field days | 20 November 2026 to 18 April 2027 |
| Avalanche Skills Training 2Posted for 2026/27 at $795 a person before taxes and a fee Extremely Canadian doesn't name or price. | – | 4 days, on split weekends or in a row | 12 December 2026 to 15 April 2027 |
| Intro to Backcountry group dayAn ACMG guide leads, and no avalanche course is needed. Riders must be 16 or older and able to ride ungroomed black diamond runs. Posted for 2026/27 at $330 a person before taxes and a fee Extremely Canadian doesn't name or price. | – | Full day from 8:30 am | Wednesdays and Saturdays, 12 December 2026 to 10 April 2027 |
| Two-Day Steeps Skiing ClinicFor skiers 19 and older who can handle ungroomed black diamonds, with video analysis and an après at Merlin's Grill. Posted for 2026/27 at $698 a person before taxes and a fee Extremely Canadian doesn't name or price. | – | 2 days from 8:45 am to last chair | 12 December 2026 to 10 April 2027 |
Extremely Canadian has run steep-skiing clinics at Whistler Blackcomb for more than 30 years, and Peter Smart and Jill Dunnigan own and operate it. Groups meet at Carleton Lodge in Whistler Village, where the desk opens daily from 2 to 6 pm between December and April.
Its AST 1 starts with an online evening session from 6 to 8 pm and spends the next two full days in the backcountry off the lifts. Courses start most weeks from 20 November 2026 to 16 April 2027, posted at $392 a person or $2,369 for a private group. Every Extremely Canadian price adds taxes and a fee the company doesn't price, so ask for the total. You pay separately for lift tickets and touring gear, and students can buy lift tickets at $87 a day. Book the Intro to Backcountry day together with the AST 1+ and Extremely Canadian takes 25% off.
The Intro to Backcountry day runs on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 12 December to 10 April, posted at $330. An ACMG guide leads it, so no avalanche course is required. Expect an hour or more of climbing for 400 to 600 metres of gain, and about 1,600 metres of riding back down. Group days take riders 16 and older.
Inbounds, the Two-Day Steeps Skiing Clinic is posted at $698 and meets at Carleton Lodge at 8:45 am. Coaches add video analysis, and the clinic includes an après with nachos at Merlin's Grill. It is for skiers 19 and older, and teens have a clinic of their own.
Worth knowing
- Extremely Canadian sends guests to Evo Backcountry for touring rentals, with a discount when you book with them.
- Sign the Whistler Blackcomb backcountry waiver before the day, and the resort waiver as well if you want the discounted lift ticket.
- Call 604-938-9656 to book while the online calendar fills in, as the contact page asked in October 2026.
Quick answers about Extremely Canadian
Do I need an AST 1 for Extremely Canadian's Intro to Backcountry?
No. Extremely Canadian's Intro to Backcountry day needs no avalanche course, because an ACMG guide leads the group.
Is the lift ticket included in Extremely Canadian programs?
No. Lift tickets cost extra on every Extremely Canadian program, and guests can buy discounted tickets at $87 a day.
Does Extremely Canadian speak English?
Yes. Extremely Canadian works in English.
Is Extremely Canadian open all year?
Extremely Canadian opens for part of the year. Programs for 2026/27 run from 20 November 2026 to 18 April 2027. In October 2026 the contact page said online booking would soon carry all the season's dates and asked guests to call.
Within 12 km
Places to stay nearby
Within 12 km
