Whistler Alpine Guides Bureau

Our guide Eric perfectly assessed our group’s abilities and risk tolerance, and safely facilitated a perfect day of backcountry touring. Everyone’s gear functioned well, and was ready to go.

Another incredible trip with MSA! We took the ShareShed Meetup ice climbing and everyone loved it. Thanks again!

Decided to take a couple days off work and join some friends for a last minute slackcountry day (s) at Whistler. Called Whistler Alpine about renting a splitboard and associated gear and they were super friendly and helpful. Showed up the next day at 8am and everything was ready. Checked all the gear and it looked great. They briefly showed me how to transition from boarding to touring mode and I was good to go in under 10 minutes.
Met my friends at the gondola and we headed up. After a couple lifts and a traverse it was time to skin up and tour. I was stoked to not have to deal with snowshoes and a board on my back. Split the board in half and went to attach the bindings. But wait they didn’t fit, called my friends over and they were mistyfied. How can they not fit? We tried other peoples bindings and nothing work. Frustrated we gave up. I decided it wasn’t worth ruining their day. I would hike back in and snowboard down. My friends
On the way down I realized I was fortunate we hadn’t driven somewhere or didn’t have more then a 600m hike out.
So I head back to the rental shop and walk in forlorne but polite. Explain the situation and the person working (the same that had sent me out that morning) seemed shocked, and didn’t seem to believe me at first. We both look and sure enough they don’t fit. Not even apologetic she explains that this is the only one of this size. No problem she will give me the right set of bindings amd I will be on my way happy as a clam. I can catch up with my friends she said. It was now 11:55am. I was taken aback, am I to go and find them alone, in terrain I am not familiar with? I explained that was not a possibility, I had accepted the fact my day was over and I will board inbounds alone on some groomers. She then ask if I would be going tomorrow. I explained I was not sure (at this point I was overly frustrated with the complete lack of apology for the error). She said they would make a note and I can come in another time on a credit, like this was a big favour. I explained I will gladly take the credit, however I will also require a complete refund. This was completely objectionable as they cannot be giving things away for free. When I tried to explained that I had taken a day off, got up at 5:30am, driven up here, paid for a lift ticket, and had to hike out I was far worse off. She replied saying well you could have bought a back country pass from us.
I simply replied thank you I’ll take my refund. To which she explained would take 3 days.
I will probably go tomorrow but I will certainly take my business elsewhere. As I will do, and recommend my friends do, when I take courses or require other services.
I fully understand I should have gone fully over the gear and not wait until being out there. However, the staff did that with me quickly before I left and they said it was good to go.

We went on the Whistler Via Ferrata. It was super exciting! Our guide Erin was knowledgeable, confident, and encouraging. She explained everything before we took the next step. I felt as safe as I could be, hanging from a vertical cliff. She even took pictures while we were climbing. I’m looking forward to see it on their facebook website:
Their official website is here where you can book a guided tour:
Remember to bring wool socks for the hiking boots they provide. I was wearing my tennis shoes and completely forgot to bring them. It wasn’t too bad, though with my tennis socks. Bring a lot of water, sun glasses, and sun screen! They even provide backpacks.
When you take the gondola all the way up, walk to their office where you’d see some «book Via Ferrata here» signs. The office door was locked when we arrived 15 minute prior to the departure time as instructed. So just be patient and wait there, your guide will show up.