October 23, 2026
Whistler Blackcomb has set a target opening day of November 20, 2026 for the 2026/27 winter season, and the mountain is adding a new Showcase Chair that opens roughly 215 acres of alpine terrain on the Blackcomb glacier (source: Whistler.com). As lift lines start forming again, more Canadians are looking past the groomed runs and asking how to get into backcountry skiing and splitboarding for the first time.
Inside the resort boundary, ski patrol controls avalanche hazard, grooms runs, and marks the trail map for you. Step past the rope and none of that applies. Backcountry travel means climbing under your own power with touring skis or a splitboard fitted with climbing skins, reading terrain and snow conditions yourself, and making route decisions with no patrol to call. It is a genuinely different sport that borrows the downhill turns from resort skiing but adds an entirely new skill set around uphill travel, navigation, and avalanche awareness.
Buying gear and watching a few videos is not the same as learning terrain assessment and companion rescue from someone who does it professionally. For a first day in the backcountry, going out with a certified guide lets beginners build real skills in a controlled setting, ask questions as they come up, and get honest feedback on technique before heading out on their own.
Our Whistler Intro to Backcountry Ski & Splitboarding tour is built for exactly this: a full day with a professional mountain guide covering touring equipment, avalanche-awareness basics, and safe terrain selection, no previous backcountry experience required. Browse more trips on our tours page, or contact us to start planning your winter season.
