Whistler Inbounds and Out of Bounds Conditions 2025/26

[ChrisC]

I noticed the harness.

Just wondering: Do you travel/ascend in rope teams when on Glaciers in BC Backcountry?

I know it seems like a hassle, another potential obstacle, there is a deep Spring snow-pack, and your weight is more distributed with skis.

For Climbing - sure. But I have rarely seen skiers ever do that - only a harness for a potential crevasse rescue.

View attachment 51486
Skiing down the crux

 

[takeahike46er]

I noticed the harness.

Just wondering: Do you travel/ascend in rope teams when on Glaciers in BC Backcountry?

Generally not, but it depends on the objective. If I’m out to ski fun laps and visibility is poor and/or I’m uncertain of the glacier, I’d rather opt for a plan B that doesn’t require glacier travel than to have to rope up. It’s a pain. Traverses are a different story.

As you noted, harnesses are worn for crevasse rescue.