Banff, Lake Louise, Whistler, Rogers Pass in the Selkirk Mountains. Skiing in Canada is reknown around the world. From remote glacier traverses on the Coast to powder skiing in the interior ranges of British Columbia to hut to hut ski touring and off-piste runs in the Canadian Rockies, we have it all.
I have worked as a ski patroller and a heli-ski guide but these days I prefer ski touring. Moving under my own power with a small group of companions, we search for the best snow on the best line, away from the crowds.
Pick the type of ski experience you want to try, and click on one of the links below or contact me to learn more… Trips are scheduled throughout the winter, or choose a privately guided experience for you or your group.
BACKCOUNTRY SKI LODGES
There are over two dozen lodges in BC that offer comfortable accommodations and great skiing in remote backcountry locations accessed by helicopter. Skiing in small groups enables us to choose the best terrain and snow. This year we are going to Sorcerer (my all time favourite) and Whitecap.
Sorcerer Lodge, March 3 – 10
Coming home after a great day
Only a few spots left!
Sorcerer Lodge is a longtime favourite backcountry ski destination. Located just east of the famous Rogers Pass in the Selkirk Mountains, Sorcerer is known for its varied terrain and consistent, deep snowfalls. It has excellent tree and glacier skiing and in good weather we are able to ski up a peak or two. The lodge is comfortable, with electric lighting, a cozy living room and a great sauna!
Difficulty: If you have a regular fitness routine and are comfortable skiing on advanced runs at your local ski area you should be able to enjoy this ski touring week.
Dates: March 3-10, 2012; 8 days.
Price: C$2175. Price includes helicopter transport to and from the lodge, lodge accommodations, guiding, cook, and food. It does not include 5% GST tax.
Contact me for more details.
Whitecap Lodge, March 17 – 24
Alpine powder
Sold out!
Whitecap Lodge is in the Chilcotin Mountains north of Whistler and Pemberton. Combining a coastal-depth snowpack with colder interior temperatures means great skiing in the trees and the alpine.
We base out of a family-owned log cabin that has all the amenities including electricity, sauna and shower. Two guides allow us flexibility in splitting the group up if necessary, so different ability levels may be accommodated.
Difficulty: If you have a regular fitness routine and are comfortable skiing on advanced runs at your local ski area you should be able to enjoy this ski touring week.
Dates: March 17-24, 2012; 8 days.
Price: C$2275. Price includes helicopter transport to and from the lodge, lodge accommodations, guiding, cook, and food. It does not include 5% GST tax.
AUSTRIA SKI WEEK
I will be in the Alps this winter and will be skiing with guests in Austria the first week of February.
Austria Ski Week, Jan 30 - Feb 3
Glacier tour
This is a hut based trip in the Tyrolean Alps. We will tour, ski and enjoy the European atmosphere! There are many tours available, from short trips off-piste to longer glacier tours and summit climbs.
Difficulty: If you have a regular fitness routine and are comfortable skiing on advanced runs at your local ski area you should be able to enjoy this ski touring week.
Dates: Jan 30-Feb 3, 2012. 5 days.
Price: C$1500. Price includes guiding and guide expenses. It does not include your accommodation, food or lift tickets.
Contact me for more details.
WAPTA TRAVERSE
This is the premier hut to hut traverse in Canada. Moderate length days, great scenery, peak climbs and straightforward skiing make this a popular tour. The Wapta is a great trip for those who have not tried a ski traverse before.
Wapta Traverse, April 20 - 23
The Niles-Daly col
The first day brings us to Bow Hut, one of the most comfortable in the Alpine Club of Canada’s hut system with separate cooking and sleeping facilities and a wood heater to keep things toasty. This takes about 5 hours from the road. From here we continue over the St Nick-Olive Col and we can climb the 3000 meter Mt Olive along the way, it is an easy ridge scramble. The second night sees us at Balfour Hut, preparing for the crux of the trip: Balfour High Col. We cross this col the next day and head to the Scott Duncan Hut for the last night. We can do a ski run or scramble up an easy peak along the way. The last day we ski out via Sherbrooke Lake. Since this is a hut based trip we can go with lighter packs.
Difficulty: If you have a regular fitness routine and are comfortable skiing on intermediate runs at your local ski area you should be able to enjoy this hut trip.
Dates: April 20-23, 2012. 4 days.
Price: C$840. Price includes guiding, food, hut fees, park fees. It does not include 5% GST tax.
Contact me for more details.
SKI TRAVERSES AND EXPEDITIONS
Every spring we put our house on our backs and travel through some wild terrain on our skis. Taking anywhere from two days to two weeks, this is a great way to explore the Canadian mountains. This season we are planning two trips: a 2-day Spearhead Traverse in the Whistler area and a 5-day trip on a new route through the southern Rockies.
Spearhead Traverse, March 26 – 27
Fun turns on the Decker Glacier
This is the classic traverse in the Coast Range. We start at the Blackcomb ski area and head into the heavily glaciated Spearhead Range. We get some good runs off of cols and summits before making camp. The next day we finish things off by skiing around Fissile Peak and over the Musical Bumps to get to Whistler ski area and a run down to the village. Beer and burgers at Black’s Pub will ensue!
Difficulty: If you have a regular fitness routine and are comfortable skiing on advanced runs at your local ski area you should be able to enjoy this ski traverse.
Date: March 26-27, 2012. 2 days.
Price: C$500. Price includes guiding, food, and group camping gear. It does not include 5% GST tax.
Contact me for more details.
New Ski Traverse, April 29 – May 5
Ski traversing in the Rockies
This never-skied-before trip goes right along the Great Divide in the southern Rockies. We will go over seven passes, several glaciers and right over a 3000m peak! There is also the option of climbing another 3300 m peak along the way. The trip starts and finishes on roads so no helicopter support is required. Travel time will be 6 days but plan on keeping a Saturday to Sunday window open so we can have some flexibility to take advantage of the best weather window.
Difficulty: If you have a regular fitness routine, are comfortable skiing on advanced runs at your local ski area and have some backcountry camping experience you should be able to enjoy this ski traverse.
Date: April 28-May 5 , 2012. Trip is 6 days of travel, but we will keep a 9 day window open to start when weather and conditions are at their best.
Price: C$1975 (subject to change slightly). This includes guiding, food, and group camping gear. It does not include 5% GST tax.
Contact me for more details.
ROGERS PASS POWDER SKIING
Trips are based from the Glacier Park Lodge at the summit of the Pass. With a winter-long “skier’s special” on rooms and meals, the hotel provides a comfortable and inexpensive base to explore the scores of nearby runs. A half-dozen major valleys are accessible from the hotel or in a few minutes’ drive along the highway. The skiing varies from 1200 meter long glacier runs from high passes to the valley bottom, to shorter 200-500 meter shots through the trees that we use on those days when it’s snowing and visibility is poor at higher elevations. Famous runs include The Seven Steps of Paradise, Grizzly Shoulder, Sapphire Col, Bonney Trees and The Dome.
Rogers Pass Powder Intro, Jan 30 – Feb 2
Open bowl skiing in Rogers Pass
This is our introduction to powder skiing and Rogers Pass. We will have a couple of medium length days and one or two short days, depending on what the group would like. The skiing will be in the gentler open bowls and wide glades through the forest. If you are new to powder skiing or want some shorter days, this is the trip for you! Balu Pass, Lookout Col, Dispatcher’s Bowl and the Triangle Moraine are some of the great runs we may go after.
Difficulty: If you have a regular fitness routine and are comfortable skiing on intermediate to advanced runs at your local ski area you should be able to enjoy ski touring in Rogers Pass.
Date: Jan 30 – Feb 2, 2012
Price: $620. Price includes a fully certified guide, a tail guide, and their transport, breakfasts/lunches and accommodation. You are responsible for your food, transport and accommodation as well as dinner for the guides. Price does not include 5% GST tax.
Ask for the skier’s special at the Glacier Park Lodge.
Group discounts available. Contact me for details.
Rogers Pass Powder Pigs, Feb 11 – 14
A face shot in a secret place
This is our Rogers Pass trip for skiers who want bigger days or who are more experienced powder skiers. We choose longer, more challenging runs that may include skiing through the trees or steeper terrain. If you are a Powder Pig then you better come on this trip! The Little Sifton Traverse, Bonney Trees, Sapphire Col, McGill Shoulder and Perly Rock are some of the famous Rogers Pass runs we can try for.
Date: Feb 11 – 14, 2012
Price: $620. Price includes a fully certified guide, a tail guide, and their transport, breakfasts/lunches and accommodation. You are responsible for your food, transport and accommodation as well as dinner for the guides. Price does not include 5% GST tax.
Ask for the skier’s special at the Glacier Park Lodge.
Group discounts available. Contact me for details.
BANFF – LAKE LOUISE TOURING
Try a day tour or some off-piste skiing around Lake Louise or Sunshine Village.
Banff - Lake Louise Touring Info
Powder turns at Black Prince
Never tried ski touring before? Get out for an afternoon or a day to check it out. Or take the lifts to some untracked stashes with a minimum of effort. More experienced? Then there are many longer tours to glaciers, cols and summits. Contact us for some ideas on how to spice up your ski trip.
Difficulty: If you have a regular fitness routine and are comfortable skiing on intermediate runs at your local ski area you should be able to enjoy these ski tours.
Date: Available for customized trips.
Price: Custom pricing starting at $375/day. Contact me for details.
