CUSTOM Programs
Global | 8-14 days | Northern and Southern Hemisphere
EXPLORATORY TRIPS
Embracing the Unknown
Over the years, Tyler Reid has lead a number of exploratory international ski touring trips to mountains across the globe with small groups of repeat guests, to places like Siberia, Kazakhstan, Greenland, and Georgia.
"Onsight guiding" means leading groups in terrain that you as the guide have never seen before. For some of our guides, this skill has become second nature, honed through many seasons of guiding in uncharted terrain at Tebay Lodge in Alaska and beyond.
Whether a new line, new zone, new mountain range, or new country, when it comes to stepping into the unknown, we are right in our comfort zone. These trips are the product of meticulous research, deep connections, and extensive experience.
LAKE BAIKAL, SIBERIA
One month before Putin invaded Ukraine (at a time when the world assumed he was bluffing), Tyler and a crew of four traveled about as far as one can go, to go skiing. They found incredibly deep snow and steep British Columbia-style tree runs. The Russian people were warm and welcoming – the ones we met along the way wanted nothing to do with Putin's agenda. Needless to say, we won't be returning anytime soon, but it was an experience that transcended perceptions and expectations.
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GENRE: Backcountry powder skiing
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SIMILAR TO: A Canadian lodge week
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CHALLENGES: Russian visas, Covid restrictions at the time, minimal beta
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MORE: View our Siberia slideshow
GREENLAND, WEST COAST
Our first trip to Greenland, and our first trip aboard the 73' schooner SkyDancer was magical. Cruising north on day one, Tyler asked Captain Nick, "What's up in that fjord over there?" His reply set in motion the rest of our expedition: "I don't know – you wanna go check it out?" We made an agreement then and there to prioritize only going to unexplored places. And that's what we did.
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GENRE: Spring ski touring / ski mountaineering
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SIMILAR TO: Alaska or Norway
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CHALLENGES: Remoteness, minimal beta, poor satellite imagery/topo maps
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MORE: Experience a ski & sail adventure aboard SkyDancer: Finnmark, Norway
ALTAI MOUNTAINS, KAZAKHSTAN
One of our connections from Siberia invited us to be one of the first groups to experience this new ski touring operation in East Kazakhstan. Once again a very long journey to get there, we were rewarded with incredible powder skiing, warm hospitality, and a rich cultural experience. The Altai felt like going to Hokkaido 20 or 30 years ago. This is now one of our regular offerings. Learn more here.
GENRE: Backcountry powder skiing
SIMILAR TO: A Canadian lodge week
BETA SOURCES: Our partner Grigory Mintsev, one of the founders of Altay Mountain Lodge was there working along side us. Advanced Google Earth and Gaia GPS sessions were somewhat helpful, but maps and imagery were fairly low resolution.
ALTAI MOUNTAINS, KAZAKHSTAN
One of our connections from Siberia invited us to be one of the first groups to experience this new ski touring operation in East Kazakhstan. Once again a very long journey to get there, we were rewarded with incredible powder skiing, warm hospitality, and a rich cultural experience. The Altai felt like visiting Hokkaido 20 or 30 years ago.
GENRE: Backcountry powder skiing
SIMILAR TO: Japan
CHALLENGES: Long distance travel, no publicly available beta, low resolution maps/imagery, really cold temps on the last couple days.
MORE: This is now one of our regular offerings. Learn more here.
CAUCASUS MOUNTAINS, GEORGIA
The inspiration for this trip came from multiple trips to the Russian Caucasus to guide ski descents of Mt. Elbrus. While Elbrus is high and notable as one of the Seven Summits, the mountains across the border were much more impressive. "Like looking at the Swiss Alps from the Muir Snowfield". In February 2025, Tyler and a crew of 6 went to see what skiing in the Svaneti Region is all about.
GENRE: Big mountain ski touring / ski mountaineering
SIMILAR TO: The Alps
CHALLENGES: Long distance travel by airplane and 4WD van to reach the zone. We had some advanced beta thanks to our colleague Grigory. We arrived after a long dry spell, but still found plenty of amazing snow.
MORE: Svaneti, Georgia is now one of our regular offerings. Learn more here.
DETAILS | the logistics
GROUP SIZE
Exploratory trips are generally best with a small crew of 4-6, maximizing the ability to be nimble, while also keeping costs reasonable. Smaller or larger groups are of course possible as well.
COST INCLUDES
This varies depending on the trip, but generally included will be:
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Guiding
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Lodging
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Most meals
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Ground/air/sea logistics
NOT INCLUDED
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Flights to and from
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Alchohol
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Personal equipment
CONSIDERATIONS
Because exploratory trips require a higher level of trust in all directions, they tend to work best when the group and the guide already know one another. It is ideal if they have already shared a bigger trip together like Tebay Lodge, Hokkaido, BC, Norway, Chile, etc.
We are open to leading trips like these with new groups on a case by case basis.
WHERE NEXT?
We are always in the research and planning phases for our next adventures. We also love hearing new ideas. Either way, reach out and we can discuss possibilities.
EXPLORATORY MISSIONS
LOCATIONS
Global, with an emphasis on less traveled places.
DATES & COST
Custom
Custom dates and itineraries are available for private groups and individuals. Please contact us for more info and availability.