Extremely Canadian

What Extremely Canadian does

Extremely Canadian is a Whistler, BC-based ski and snowboard instruction and guided mountaineering company founded in 1994 by Peter Smart. The company operates exclusively as a service business without proprietary technology, generating revenue through five program categories: in-bounds steep skiing and snowboarding clinics (1-day, 2-day, teen, snowboard freeride, private, and women's-specific We Rise programs); backcountry tours (introductory groups, private, overnight, and women's Wild Tracks tours); formal avalanche skills training (AST 1+, AST 2, companion rescue, crevasse rescue, and youth Big Mountain Awareness) certified against the Avalanche Canada curriculum; youth programs for ages 10-18; and a multi-destination international World Tour program covering Japan, Italy, France, Argentina, and Canada. The company is staffed by certified ACMG guides (including an IFMGA Mountain Guide), CAA-certified avalanche professionals, CSGA-, CSIA-, and CASI-certified instructors, and operates seasonally from December to April at its Carleton Lodge base in Whistler Village.

Business operations are direct-to-consumer with bookings made via the website (powered by third-party Xola booking software), phone, and email inquiry. Core operating partner is Whistler Blackcomb, whose terrain hosts all in-bounds programs and serves as the launch point for backcountry tours. All prices are quoted in Canadian dollars, ranging from $939 CAD for youth private courses to $10,995 CAD for the Las Lenas (Argentina) World Tour, with World Tour bookings requiring $1,500-$2,000 CAD deposits and full payment 90 days prior to departure. The company does not hold any patents, trademarks, or proprietary technology assets, has no public funding history, and is privately held without disclosed revenue. Headcount is estimated at 11-50 employees, consistent with a small seasonal operator.

Name

Extremely Canadian

Legal name

Extremely Canadian

Website

https://extremelycanadian.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Extremely Canadian is a Whistler, BC-based ski and snowboard instruction and guided mountaineering company founded in 1994, serving advanced skiers and snowboarders through in-bounds steep skiing clinics, backcountry tours, Avalanche Canada-certified avalanche courses, and international World Tour trips across four continents.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ski Instruction & Mountain Guiding

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Skiing Facilities (713920)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Winter Sports Schools & Activity Centers (Ski, Snowboard, Snowmobile) (THAAAKAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Guided Backcountry & Off-Piste Services (Ski Touring, Splitboarding, Heli/Cat Skiing) (THAAAJAD), Winter & Mountain Guides (Ski, Snowshoe, Avalanche, Ice Climbing) (THAAALAF), Mountain Safety & Patrol Services (Avalanche Training, Rescue, Medical) (THAAAJAI), Winter Activity & Experience Operators (Ice Climbing, Dog Sledding, Fat Biking, Ice Skating) (THAAAJAJ)

Keywords

• Ski instruction
• Backcountry guiding
• Avalanche training
• Mountain coaching
• Ski clinics

Headquarters

HQ city

Whistler

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Ski & Snowboard Clinics: In-bounds steep skiing and snowboarding instruction programs including 1-day and 2-day clinics, teen programs, and private clinics. Operated at Whistler Blackcomb resort.
2. Backcountry Tours: Backcountry touring experiences ranging from introductory group tours to private customized adventures and overnight trips in Whistler Blackcomb backcountry.
3. Avalanche & Skills Courses: Formal avalanche safety training courses including AST 1+, AST 2, Companion Rescue Refresher, and Crevasse Rescue/Glacier Travel courses based on Avalanche Canada curriculum.
4. World Tour Trips: International ski adventure trips to destinations including Japan (Hokkaido, Hakuba, Gunma, Otaru, Myoko Kogen), Europe (La Grave, Courmayeur, Alagna), Argentina (Las Lenas), and Canada (Kananaskis, Sunshine Village). Multi-day all-inclusive packages with guiding, accommodation, and lift tickets.
5. Youth Programs: Big Mountain Awareness camps for youth ages 10-15 and Teen Steep Skiing Clinics for ages 13-18.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Extremely Canadian is a Whistler-based ski training center that delivers steep-skiing and snowboard clinics, backcountry ski touring, and avalanche safety courses, plus multi-day guided ski trips to destinations in Japan, the Alps, and South America. Offerings are sold to individual recreational skiers, snowboarders, and backcountry enthusiasts and are led by certified guides.

Product overview

Extremely Canadian is a ski and snowboard instruction and touring company offering a comprehensive portfolio of programs centered at Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia. The company provides four main service categories: (1) Inbounds Adventures including steep skiing clinics (2-day, 1-day, and teen programs), snowboard freeride camps, private steep clinics, and women's We Rise camps; (2) Backcountry Tours including intro backcountry groups, private tours, overnight trips, and women's Wild Tracks days; (3) Avalanche & Skills Courses including AST 1+, AST 2, companion rescue refreshers, crevasse rescue/glacier travel, and youth Big Mountain Awareness; and (4) World Tour Trips featuring international destinations including Japan (Hokkaido, Hakuba, Gunma, Otaru, Myoko Kogen), Europe (La Grave, Courmayeur, Alagna, Yoga & Ski Retreat), South America (Las Lenas), and Canada (KPOW Kananaskis, Sunshine Village). The company operates from Carleton Lodge in Whistler Village with a team of certified ACMG guides, professional coaches, and instructors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 2-Day Steep Skiing Clinics Two-day on-piste steep-skiing clinic for advanced to expert skiers seeking to refine technique in challenging terrain.
• 1-Day Steep Skiing Clinics Single-day steep-skiing clinic focused on advanced technique development for skiers.
• Teen Steep Skiing Clinics Steep-skiing clinic tailored for teenagers seeking advanced on-piste coaching.
• Snowboard Freeride Camps Multi-day freeride camps for advanced to expert snowboarders focused on big-mountain technique and terrain.
• Private Steep Clinics One-on-one or small-group private steep-skiing coaching customized to the participant's goals.
• We Rise Camp (Rossignol Women's Inbounds) Women-only inbounds ski camp in partnership with Rossignol for advanced female skiers.
• Intro Backcountry Group Group introductory backcountry ski touring experience for skiers new to lift-accessed or gate-controlled off-piste skiing.
• Private Backcountry Tour Private guided backcountry ski tour customized to terrain, conditions, and group ability.
• Overnight Backcountry Trips Multi-day overnight backcountry hut-based ski touring trips for advanced backcountry skiers.
• Wild Tracks Women's Backcountry Day Women-only guided backcountry ski day focused on skill development and mentorship.
• Avalanche Skills Training 1+ (AST 1+) Entry-level avalanche safety training course covering terrain, weather, and rescue fundamentals for backcountry users.
• Avalanche Skills Training 2 (AST 2) Intermediate avalanche training course building on AST 1 with advanced decision-making and companion rescue.
• Companion Rescue Skills Refresher Short refresher course focused on companion avalanche rescue skills for backcountry skiers.
• Crevasse Rescue & Glacier Travel Specialized training course covering glacier travel, rope work, and crevasse rescue techniques.
• Big Mountain Awareness (Kids) Big-mountain safety and awareness course aimed at younger skiers in freeride terrain.
• Hokkaido World Tour Multi-day guided ski trip to Hokkaido, Japan, exploring deep-powder destinations.
• Hakuba World Tour Multi-day guided ski trip to Hakuba, Japan, featuring steep tree skiing and resort terrain.
• Gunma World Tour Multi-day guided ski trip to Gunma, Japan.
• Otaru World Tour Multi-day guided ski trip to Otaru, Japan.
• Myoko Kogen World Tour Multi-day guided ski trip to Myoko Kogen, Japan, known for deep snow and tree skiing.
• La Grave World Tour Multi-day guided ski trip to La Grave, France, for off-piste and freeride skiing.
• Courmayeur World Tour Multi-day guided ski trip to Courmayeur in the Italian Alps.
• Alagna World Tour Multi-day guided ski trip to Alagna in the Italian Alps, focused on freeride and ski touring.
• Yoga & Ski Retreat Combined yoga and ski retreat combining guided skiing with wellness programming.
• Las Lenas World Tour Multi-day guided ski trip to Las Leñas, Argentina, in the South American winter season.
• KPOW Kananaskis World Tour Multi-day guided ski touring trip in Kananaskis Country, Alberta.
• Sunshine Village World Tour Multi-day guided ski trip to Sunshine Village in Banff National Park, scheduled for 2027.

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Whistler BlackcombcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary operating partner and venue for all in-bounds programs. Extremely Canadian operates from Carleton Lodge and utilizes Whistler Blackcomb's terrain for steep skiing clinics, backcountry tours originating from the resort, and avalanche courses. The company is closely associated with the resort's off-piste and backcountry offerings.
• Avalanche CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAST 1+ and AST 2 courses follow Avalanche Canada curriculum and certification standards. The company is an approved provider of avalanche safety training based on the national organization's established framework.
• Columbia SportswearminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Supplier designation. Columbia logo appears on website as official supplier partner. Staff gear recommendations include Columbia products (Arctic Crest Down Vest, Platinum Peak II Jacket).
• Mountain HardwearminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Supplier designation. Mountain Hardwear logo appears on website as official supplier partner.
• RossignolminorGTM or Marketing PartnerStaff gear recommendations include Rossignol skis (Sender Soul 102, Sender 110 Free). We Rise Inbounds program hosted with Rossignol.
• Smith OpticsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerStaff gear recommendations include Smith Vantage MIPS Helmet and Smith 4D MAG goggles.
• KPOW / Fortress MountaincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKPOW (Kananaskis Powder) is a cat-skiing operation at Fortress Mountain in Alberta. Extremely Canadian partners for World Tour cat-skiing experiences, combining KPOW's terrain with ExCan's coaching and guiding services.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Canadian Mountain Holidays (CMH): Canada's largest heli-skiing operator based in British Columbia, offering ACMG-certified guided skiing and backcountry experiences. Directly comparable as a BC-based, ACMG-certified guided skiing operation serving advanced/expert skiers with multi-day packages.
• Coast Mountain Guides: Whistler-based ACMG-certified guide operation offering backcountry skiing, avalanche training, and ski touring. Direct competitor in the same Whistler backcountry and avalanche skills training market.
• RK Heliski: BC heli-ski operator in the Selkirk and Monashee ranges offering guided skiing packages for advanced skiers. Comparable small-group guided ski experience model targeting the same premium adventure-travel segment.
• Mica Heli-Skiing: BC-based guided heli-skiing operation offering multi-day packages for advanced skiers. Comparable in delivery model (small group guided skiing, premium pricing, multi-day packages) and target market.
• Altus Mountain Guides: ACMG-certified mountain guide company offering backcountry skiing, avalanche training, and ski touring courses. Direct competitor in the same Whistler/BC market for guided backcountry programs and AST-level avalanche skills training.
• Last Frontier Heliskiing: BC-based heli-ski operator offering guided deep-powder skiing experiences for advanced skiers. Comparable business model of multi-day, all-inclusive guided ski adventures targeting the same advanced/expert customer segment.
• Mountain Skills Academy & Adventures: Whistler-based provider of AST 1, AST 2, and backcountry ski touring courses with ACMG-certified guides. Direct peer in avalanche skills training and intro backcountry programs in the same Whistler market.

Emerging players

• KPOW Cat-Skiing (Fortress Mountain): Kananaskis cat-skiing operation at Fortress Mountain, Alberta, partnered with Extremely Canadian for World Tour trips. Comparable in delivering guided powder skiing experiences and as a partner in Extremely Canadian's World Tour portfolio.

Broad incumbents

• Arc'teryx Academy: Outdoor brand-led mountain skills program offering guided skiing, climbing, and backcountry courses. Comparable as a premium mountain instruction offering, but backed by a major apparel brand rather than independent guide credentials.
• Whistler Blackcomb Ski & Snowboard School: The resort's own ski school offering lessons across all ability levels from beginner through advanced. Functions as a broad incumbent — overlapping terrain and beginner-to-advanced instruction but not specializing in the steep/off-piste niche Extremely Canadian occupies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/p/DV92FN-Dcsq
• Xx.com/extremelycdn
• Facebookfacebook.com/ExtremelyCanadian
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/extremely-canadian

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Extremely Canadian