Arctic Foxes might be new to ski touring/splitboarding but are not new to skiing and snowboarding. They are confident on a blue square in bounds and can ride the occasional black diamond but take their time. Arctic Foxes are welcome on AST-1 courses, Backcountry 101 courses and Private Guided Tours. If booking or joining a private guided tour with other participants, Arctic Foxes should inform their group of their skills, so the rest of the group is aware of their preferences. If you are below the Arctic Fox level, you should be booking a Private Guided Tour or a Backcountry 101 and reach out to let us know. 

Flying Squirrels have ridden powder in bounds and out of bounds and have tasted what deep powder can be. Flying Squirrels can ride tree runs but enjoy open bowls more. They are confident on a black diamond runs in bounds; however,  cliffs and steep chutes might not be their thing. Flying Squirrels are primarily looking for a good time with their squirrel friends and can join most of our courses and tours.

Lynx are confident and capable backcountry skiers/riders. They can hang with anyone in the backcountry. Small cliffs and chutes are no big deal to Lynx, as is deep powder on steep slopes. You often find Lynx hiding deep in steep forests or cruising alpine ridges.

The Wolverine’s desire for steep and deep is never quite satisfied. Pillows, cliffs, steep chutes; whatever the mountain throws at them, they take on with an aggressive attack. Encountering a person with both a wolverine level ski/snowboard skill and fitness level is as rare as encountering a wolverine in the flesh. 

Arctic Foxes are looking for a casual day with plenty of snack-stops at viewpoints. They are unsure how much vertical or KM they can walk during a hike. Generally speaking, Arctic Foxes can walk up to 6km if it is not on a steep trail, and 4-6 hours of hiking seems like a big day. If anyone in your group is at an Arctic Fox fitness level, rest assured we can plan a day that suits your needs while showing incredible locations.

Flying Squirrels are looking for adventure at a casual pace. They love hiking and feel confident they can hike for 6-8 hours. This involves walking 8-12km and climbing up to 800 vertical meters. While carrying a pack. Flying Squirrels keep in shape and want a relaxed day of hiking, hanging with friends, and having a good time. Flying Squirrels know what Strava is but could care less about how far and fast they go.

Lynxes enjoy long walks to spectacular places. Although they are fit and ready for adventure on the less-trodden trail, they do not measure their lives on how far and fast they go. 12-20 KM of distance with 1000 vertical meters is a typical day for you, and this would be an 8-10 hour day of walking. Lynxes are not obsessed with Strava stats but know what it means to have a full day traveling in spectacular mountains.

Wolverines are concerned that our guides may not be at their fitness level. They have charts and graphs measuring their heart rates and begin getting bored when their heart rate is below 150 bpm. They constantly look at their altimeter watch and judge their day's quality based on how far and fast they traveled. Wolverines should reach out and specifically request a guide that enjoys going up steep mountain trails with the goal of going as fast and far as possible.