Trip Essentials

Yes!  In fact over 50% of our tour guests are solo travelers.

We offer you the option of sharing a twin room with another trip guest at no additional charge or if you prefer more privacy, we can upgrade you to a private room. Please see the “Book This Trip Now” section of the trip page for private room upgrade costs.

Most trips require a 3-4 person minimum to make a trip viable. 

Each trip is led by two full-time, guides with expert local knowledge. This allows us to split into smaller ability groups and provide a more personalized experience. (In the rare case of fewer than 4 guests, the trip may be guided by one guide.)

All trip prices, deposits, and cancellation fees are charged in U.S. Dollars (USD). Any prices displayed in other currencies are for reference only and may vary with exchange rates applied by the Client’s bank or credit card provider.

Of course! Join a second PowderQuest tour in a different location or dive deeper into culturally rich Japan or South America.

South America Extensions
From Easter Island, known for the giant stone Moai statues, to the salt flats, volcanoes and geysers of the World’s driest desert, South America is stunning to explore.

Organic vineyards, vibrant Buenos Aires and Santiago, or postcard-worthy Valparaiso on the Pacific Coast, we help you explore the gems of the South.

Contact us to get started.

On select trips, yes!  Travelers with companions who do not ski or snowboard can still experience our favorite destinations. Contact us for info.

Activities include discovering the local culture, shopping, hiking, snowshoeing, massages, spas, and enjoying the hotel amenities. In the evening, re-join the group for drinks and dinners.

The price of our tours includes hotel, dinners with wine, and other activities off snow so our price per person is the same for riders and non-riders.

Most of our tours are designed for adults however we do have some special trips that are ideal for families with teens. Please contact us for suggestions.

Some tours include domestic flights. See itinerary for details.

You are responsible for the cost of your international arrival and departure flights. We suggest apps such as Google Flights or Hopper to get started.

Prefer a travel agent to secure good rates from North America? Contact us for recommendations.

All travelers are required to have a passport, valid for at least 6 months with several pages for entry -departure stamps. You may also need proof of departing flight. Bring a passport photocopy to keep separate from the original.

For USA passport holders, visas are generally not required to travel to Japan, Chile, Argentina, Norway or Canada. However it is always recommended to double check.

For current requirements regarding visas for other passports, please check with your government’s travel website or consulate of the country where you will visiting.

For example, Australians: e-visa’s have recently been required to enter Chile, but this often changes. 

For all our guided trips, medical travel insurance is required, and trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended.

Yes! All PowderQuest alumni who have travelled on a guided tour with us in the past receive a special discount on our South American guided adventures. For other deals and offers reach out to our sales team. 1-307-213-9094.

Please review our terms and conditions. If you need to cancel or change, please contact us as soon as possible.

We suggest an “all mountain” ski capable of performing well in variable snow conditions.
We break it down below based on destination and trip style.
Unfamiliar with some of this gear or have more questions? Contact us.

JAPAN and CANADA

Backcountry Touring Trips 

• skis with a waist width of 105-120mm + touring bindings + skins
• touring bindings can be frame style or tech style ( Dynafit, ATK, Fritchi etc.)
• skins should be synthetic, cut specifically for your ski, and with good glue

SOUTH AMERICA

Bring your own skis, tuned and ready to ride.
Rentals are not available except for a small fleet of backcountry touring skis.

All Mountain and Advanced Off Piste Trips

• skis with a waist width of 85-110mm
• head to a little above head high are preferred
• some guests bring a couple pairs, but this is completely optional

Backcountry Trips

• skis with a waist of 95-120mm + touring bindings + skins
• touring bindings can be frame style or a lighter tech style (Dynafit, ATK, Fritchi etc.)
• a tech binding and lighter backcountry ski is recommended for the Patagonia Hut to Hut and Chile Volcanoes tours due to longer days in the backcountry
• make sure your binding is compatible with ski crampons (an attachment we use when climbing firm snow)
• skins should be synthetic, cut specifically for your ski, and with good glue
• limited rentals available

We suggest an “all mountain” style snowboard capable of performing well in variable snow conditions.
We break it down below based on trip style and where you are traveling with us.
Unfamiliar with some of this gear or have more questions? Contact us.

JAPAN and CANADA

Backcountry Touring Trips 

• splitboard + touring bindings + skins
• skins should be synthetic, cut specifically for your board, and with good glue

SOUTH AMERICA

Bring your own board, tuned and ready to ride.

All Mountain and Advanced Off Piste Trips

• freeride style board capable of riding well in variable snow conditions

Backcountry Trips

• splitboard + touring bindings + skins
• skins should be synthetic, cut specifically for your board, and with good glue
• make sure your binding is compatible with splitboard crampons (an attachment we use when climbing firm snow)

With 2 guides and our small groups, we are able to manage most group splits. In addition we request all our potential guests to review the required abilities to determine which tour best fits their level and expectations.

We can accommodate most requests, however Japan can be a challenge for certain diets, especially vegan. If you require a vegan diet, please contact us regarding options in Japan. 

We encourage you to tip your guides if you feel you have received outstanding service. A typical gratuity is 10% of your tour price. Unless you want to tip separately, the guides will divide the gratuities among themselves. While USD cash is preferred, there are other options to make tipping easier. Most guides accept gratuity via PayPal.