Climbing
1–2 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 95% of travellers
95% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
£60
per adult
Mountain Skills Academy & Adventures
Mountain Skills Academy & Adventures
5
Climbing ToursHiking & Camping ToursPrivate ToursNature & Wildlife ToursDay Trips
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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About
Come on an adventure with us! In the winter, we do guided backcountry ski and snowboard tours, snowshoeing, and ice climbing. In the summer, the Via Ferrata is our most popular and exciting tour! Or try a glacier tour, rock climbing, hiking, camping, or a mountaineering trip. Our highly trained, friendly guides will show you the best of our beautiful mountains in and around Whistler. Public and private tours are available daily.
Whistler, British Columbia, Canada
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2024
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Winter Sports
6+ hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 100% of travellers
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
£165
per adult
Winter Sports
4 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
£104
per adult
Climbing
4 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 100% of travellers
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
£115
per adult
Extreme Sports
6–8 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 100% of travellers
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
£121
per adult
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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5.0
651 reviews
Excellent
607
Very good
33
Average
4
Poor
2
Terrible
5
Steven M
Montreal, Canada3 contributions
Feb 2025 • Solo
I did the 2-day AST 1 course in Squamish at the beginning of February. The course was split into one classroom day and one field day. I'm from Vancouver and first time into the backcountry, so I stayed up in Squamish for one night and rented backcountry skis and boots from Valhalla. MSAA gives a 20% discount to Ride Hub and allows you to use your own boots, so I would have done this, but I wanted to try out backcountry pin boots with walk function because I have a pair of regular alpine boots.
Elodie was a great teacher, high energy, and super passionate about the material, both when in class and in field. We did a 5km hike to the Elfin lakes hut so not necessarily a difficult hike, but a sweaty one so plan your layers accordingly! I'd highly recommend the course and instructor for learning the necessary skills for entering the backcountry. I have some injuries so the hike up was difficult for me, and it's not a difficult hike. Even though I may decide not to frequent the backcountry, it was fascinating to learn about avalanches, weather forecasting, and the science of snow - things I'll be looking out for while riding inbounds at Whistler and definitely taking seriously if I do end up venturing out in the backcountry. Thanks to MSAA and Elodie for a great weekend!
Elodie was a great teacher, high energy, and super passionate about the material, both when in class and in field. We did a 5km hike to the Elfin lakes hut so not necessarily a difficult hike, but a sweaty one so plan your layers accordingly! I'd highly recommend the course and instructor for learning the necessary skills for entering the backcountry. I have some injuries so the hike up was difficult for me, and it's not a difficult hike. Even though I may decide not to frequent the backcountry, it was fascinating to learn about avalanches, weather forecasting, and the science of snow - things I'll be looking out for while riding inbounds at Whistler and definitely taking seriously if I do end up venturing out in the backcountry. Thanks to MSAA and Elodie for a great weekend!
Written 10 February 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your thoughtful review, Steve! We’re so glad you had a great experience with Elodie and found the AST1 course valuable, even beyond the backcountry. Learning about snow science and avalanche safety is incredibly useful for all mountain riders, and we appreciate you sharing your insights. Wishing you many safe and informed adventures ahead!
Written 11 February 2025
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Expedition797268
2 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
As foreigners we were having difficulties to identify the starting spot (Cheakamus lake parking). Also, we were not made aware that this is a 7 km dirt road not really suitable for a smaller rental vehicle. Lastly, we were not aware that for this parking lot a BC Permit needs to be applied for online for the day, so we had to park offsite. Was due to the early morning not a real problem.
As costumer service this could have been provided as pre-information.
As costumer service this could have been provided as pre-information.
Written 31 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your feedback. We apologize for any inconvenience during your trip. We appreciate your suggestions regarding the Cheakamus Lake starting point and the access road conditions. Additionally, we'll ensure to communicate the need for a BC Permit more clearly to future guests. Your insights are invaluable in helping us improve our customer service, and we hope to provide a smoother experience next time.
Written 4 September 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Angelo O
1 contribution
Jul 2024 • Family
Our family of 4 totally enjoyed the hike to Cheakamus Lake, especially the kids who were completely entertained by Nic who was an amazing guide. The views were gorgeous and the destination even more beautiful. MSAA was very responsive and we would 100% book with them again.
Written 4 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your positive review! We're happy that your family of 4 enjoyed the hike to Cheakamus Lake, led by Nic. It's fantastic that you all appreciated the views and found the destination even more beautiful. We're glad to hear that MSAA was very responsive, and we would be delighted to have you book with us again in the future. Thank you for choosing us for your adventure, and we look forward to welcoming you back!
Written 11 July 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jill A
3 contributions
Jan 2025 • Friends
We did our AST Refresher in Squamish with Cloe and had the best time! Cloe took the time to make you feel comfortable, safe and empowered. She has so much knowledge and is great at sharing it in a digestible way.
Written 8 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We’re so glad to hear you had such a great experience with Cloe during your AST Refresher. Her ability to create a comfortable, safe, and empowering environment while sharing her knowledge is truly exceptional. We’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to her! We hope to see you again for more adventures soon!
Written 14 January 2025
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
akd242
1 contribution
Jan 2025 • Family
I saw a video on YouTube and immediately knew I had to do this both for myself as well as a birthday gift for my son. We had three other people in our group, who were not known to us but had great camaraderie.
Cairn was an amazing guide, who was always there to encourage us and help us. One of my the young female who got really nervous and was crying, Cairn handled the situation very well. Guided her well and let her take her time. She eventually overcame her fear and was able to successfully complete the climb with the rest of us.
Cairn was an amazing guide, who was always there to encourage us and help us. One of my the young female who got really nervous and was crying, Cairn handled the situation very well. Guided her well and let her take her time. She eventually overcame her fear and was able to successfully complete the climb with the rest of us.
Written 18 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for sharing your experience! We’re thrilled you and your son had a memorable time and enjoyed the camaraderie of your group.
It’s great to hear how Cairn’s support helped everyone feel encouraged, especially guiding a group member through her fear to successfully complete the climb.
We hope to see you again for another adventure soon—thank you for celebrating with us!
Written 21 January 2025
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Francesca G
1 contribution
Aug 2024 • Business
Amazing experience! there were 7 of us and we were all enthousiastic. The weather was really terrible and in spite of that we had a wonderful time. We were completely alone on the trail and this contributed to the adventure! Our guides, Jeremy and Emil, were fantastic. You definitely should not miss that.
Written 21 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your enthusiastic review! We're thrilled you and your group had such a fantastic experience, even with the challenging weather. Jeremy and Emile will be delighted to hear your kind words. We agree—it’s an experience not to be missed!
Written 22 August 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
TravelingFamily718
New York City249 contributions
Aug 2023 • Solo
When I called Mountain Skills to learn about the difference between their two via ferrata courses at Whistler and Squamish, I was told that the Whistler course is more adventurous and much longer, lasting 4 hours versus only 2 hours at Squamish, which justified the significantly higher price. I asked about any differences between the morning and afternoon tours, and I was told that they are identical. Based on this information, I signed up for the 4-hour afternoon Whistler via ferrata.
When I showed up at the designated meeting place, I was told that so many people had signed up for this tour that we were being split into different groups. As a solo traveler, I was told that a large group would head out first, while I had to wait for a tour guide whose morning tour ran late and wasn’t ready yet. Once he finally showed up, he said that a member of our group was stuck in traffic and hadn’t yet arrived. So instead of starting at 1:30 PM as scheduled, we didn’t actually begin until 2:15.
Normally, I wouldn’t mind the delay, except that our guide then informed us that the ski lift that would bring us down after we finished stops running at 4:15, and if we didn’t rush through what was advertised as a 4-hour course in under 2 hours, we would be stuck at the top and have to do a lengthy hike to get down. As a result, we were extremely rushed and pressed for time during the entire experience, and instead of having time to take breaks and enjoy the experience, we went virtually non-stop the entire time.
I don't blame our guide for this, as he did the best he could under the circumstances. And we did in fact get to the top just before 4:15, but I was extremely exhausted, dehydrated, and disappointed that what I hoped would be a highlight of my visit to Whistler was nothing like what was advertised and promised.
When I showed up at the designated meeting place, I was told that so many people had signed up for this tour that we were being split into different groups. As a solo traveler, I was told that a large group would head out first, while I had to wait for a tour guide whose morning tour ran late and wasn’t ready yet. Once he finally showed up, he said that a member of our group was stuck in traffic and hadn’t yet arrived. So instead of starting at 1:30 PM as scheduled, we didn’t actually begin until 2:15.
Normally, I wouldn’t mind the delay, except that our guide then informed us that the ski lift that would bring us down after we finished stops running at 4:15, and if we didn’t rush through what was advertised as a 4-hour course in under 2 hours, we would be stuck at the top and have to do a lengthy hike to get down. As a result, we were extremely rushed and pressed for time during the entire experience, and instead of having time to take breaks and enjoy the experience, we went virtually non-stop the entire time.
I don't blame our guide for this, as he did the best he could under the circumstances. And we did in fact get to the top just before 4:15, but I was extremely exhausted, dehydrated, and disappointed that what I hoped would be a highlight of my visit to Whistler was nothing like what was advertised and promised.
Written 7 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kate
Lyme, NH6 contributions
Jan 2024 • Solo
This was an awesome course! Cloe was fantastic teaching our classroom day… very thorough and to the point while engaging us with her good humor and approachability. The curriculum flowed nicely with an appropriate amount of technical and practical skills, and engagement in decision making and trip planning. Day 2 on the mountain was a huge learning day in the field with Lindsay, whose energy as an instructor is palpable. She was so supportive and enthusiastic, while making sure we were each clued into all the crucial elements of planning, safety, search and rescue and reading the snow. We learned so much AND had a ton of fun, in spite of the snow not being great.
Written 27 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your positive feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you found the course awesome and enjoyed the engaging teaching style of both Cloe and Lindsay. It's fantastic to know that you appreciated the balance of technical and practical skills in the curriculum, as well as the hands-on learning experience on the mountain. We're glad you had fun and learned a lot, even in challenging snow conditions. We appreciate your kind words and look forward to continuing to support your outdoor learning journey.
Written 23 February 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Marley s
3 contributions
Dec 2022 • Friends
We did a private AST level 1 course with mountain skills academy. The first day was in class and the second day was spent up on 7th heaven doing practicals. Our instructor Cloe (who I would highly recommend) was extremely knowledgeable and experienced in the backcountry. She packed so much knowledge and information into a short time frame making it easy to stay engaged yet not overwhelming at the same time. She allowed ample time for discussion meaning no questions felt like they were left unanswered. At the end of the course Cloe even offered her contact and invited us to reach out if any questions came up which I thought was so above and beyond. Overall great experience and would highly recommend the company and Cloe if your considering taking your avalanche safety training.
Written 29 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for leaving a review, and mentioning Cloe. You’re right, Cloe is always going above and beyond. We’ll be sure to share your praises with them! – Lindsey
Written 8 February 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
KBall2022
2 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
Did the brilliant trail up to Iceberg Lake, Whistler, BC, with Glen from Mountain Skills Academy & Adventure.
We booked the guided tour hoping for a great guide with lots of local and wildlife information
and having never done a guided walk we were unsure what to expect.
The booking process was very good and emails were replied to very quickly. We got a good list of food and equipment needed and maps and co-ordinates of the trail head.
Glen was a really nice guy and did have lots of good information regarding the plant life and formation of the landscape from glaciers or erosion etc, and most importantly the bear spray after we spotted lots of fresh bear poo!!
I got the feeling Glen is quite new to the area but he is definitely passionate about Canada's outdoor persuits.
As we are confident/capable hikers with personal interest and knowledge in wildlife I must admit I am not 100% sure what we gained from walking with Glen except we had a great day with a lovely chap. So I'll take that!
We booked the guided tour hoping for a great guide with lots of local and wildlife information
and having never done a guided walk we were unsure what to expect.
The booking process was very good and emails were replied to very quickly. We got a good list of food and equipment needed and maps and co-ordinates of the trail head.
Glen was a really nice guy and did have lots of good information regarding the plant life and formation of the landscape from glaciers or erosion etc, and most importantly the bear spray after we spotted lots of fresh bear poo!!
I got the feeling Glen is quite new to the area but he is definitely passionate about Canada's outdoor persuits.
As we are confident/capable hikers with personal interest and knowledge in wildlife I must admit I am not 100% sure what we gained from walking with Glen except we had a great day with a lovely chap. So I'll take that!
Written 10 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi,
I wanted to book the Whistler Via Ferrata Tour and realised that I also need the peak to peak gondola ticket for this. Could I purchase this from yourselves? If so, how much would you charge for this?
I'd prefer to pay for the Via Ferrata and peak to peak gondola together, if possible.
Thanks!
Written 21 July 2019
Hi
Thanks for getting in touch! Yes we can provide the peak to peak gondola tickets. It's the same price as the window price at Whistler Blackcomb ($69 adults, $62 youths, $62 seniors, $35 children). If you book a morning tour, our guide will meet you at the base with the tickets. For afternoon tours, you can collect the tickets from our offices.
Thanks!!!
Written 22 July 2019
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