Backcountry Skiing in Gaspésie

In general, backcountry skiing involves ascending a mountain and then enjoying the thrill of gliding down powdery untracked snow.

• You can use alpine touring skis, telemark skis, a snowboard or a splitboard.

• You will generally ascend the mountain on snowshoes or on skis with climbing skins (called “skinning”), but you can also go up on a snowcat (catskiing), snowmobile or helicopter (heliskiing).

Backcountry skiing is also called off-piste, off-trail, out-of-area or wilderness skiing and encompasses alpine touring, ski mountaineering and ski touring.

In general, a skier who can ski on all the slopes of a ski resort as well as through glades, regardless of conditions, will be able to learn to backcountry ski.

You should also be able to sustain moderate and constant physical effort for at least three hours, especially if you plan to skin up the mountains.

It is important to remember that backcountry skiing involves certain risks. It is strongly recommended that you use a certified guide to learn how to backcountry ski and to enjoy this activity in complete safety.

Backcountry skiing involves certain risks and can be dangerous if you do not have enough experience as a skier, are not prepared, or do not have the proper equipment.

The level of risk varies depending on weather conditions, avalanche risk, how easy the site is to access and its proximity to rescue services. Note that cell coverage is not reliable once you are in the mountains in Gaspésie.

Avalanche Québec produces avalanche bulletins and alpine weather forecasts for the Chic-Chocs, and several companies offer guide services, training and equipment rentals.

Choose an appropriate location according to your skill level and do not hesitate to call on professionals to make the most of your outing!

List of providers offering training accredited by Avalanche Canada 

Avalanche Québec, the only avalanche centre in Eastern Canada, offers all the information you need to plan your outings in the Chic-Chocs in Gaspésie.*

• Snow and weather reports: daily snowfall and mountain weather data

• Alpine weather forecasts for the Chic-Chocs

• Avalanche bulletins for the Chic-Chocs

• Live webcam from Parc national de la Gaspésie with a view of Mont Albert

The Avalanche Québec website also offers a wide range of educational tools, including a series of video clips (in French only). For a list of providers offering training accredited by Avalanche Canada in Québec, visit the Avalanche Canada website.

*Note that this page is mostly available in French only; however, you can scroll down to “Bulletin d’Avalanche des Chic-Chocs” and click on the "English Version" tab to see the avalanche bulletin in English. You can also subscribe to an English version of the avalanche bulletin at the bottom of the page; choose "English version" from the drop-down menu and click on "Envoyer" to submit your contact information.

Backcountry skiing involves certain risks and is often practised in isolated areas. It is therefore particularly important to check whether your insurance covers this activity. Most of the time, insurers consider backcountry skiing an extreme sport, and an additional premium is required.

Membership in the Fédération québécoise de la montagne et de l’escalade (FQME), an organization that promotes backcountry skiing in Québec, includes liability, accident and disability insurance as well as emergency medical transportation, all of which are valid throughout Canada.

In addition to avoiding incurring astronomical costs for an emergency evacuation, becoming a member of the FQME gives you access to their sites and supports the organization in developing the territory and improving site accessibility.

Note that you must be a Québec resident to become an FQME member. For more information, visit the FQME website (in French only).

The outdoor activities you enjoy in Gaspésie will take place in the natural habitats of many wildlife species. In particular, the Chic-Choc Mountains are home to woodland caribou, an endangered species. It is important to keep your distance from these animals, so as not to disturb them.

Read the Sépaq recommendations regarding encounters with woodland caribou.

It is also a good idea to remember a few rules while you are out enjoying the great outdoors. Please bring back all your garbage, preserve the forest environment by avoiding cutting or damaging trees, and stay in the areas intended for backcountry skiing.