Included: An experienced, certified ski guide with extensive knowledge of the area A full week of backcountry ski touring An in-house chef and all meals at the chalet Lodge accommodation Airport shuttle in Smithers Helicopter transportation to and from the chalet Group gear 5% GST Not included: Technical backcountry ski touring equipment Trip insurance Transportation to and from Smithers Accommodation in Smithers

How fit do I need to be?

In order to enjoy this guided backcountry adventure based in Burnie Glacier Chalet, you need to have a very good level of fitness. You will be skinning for a few hours every day and skiing in variable terrain. You must be able to manage controlled descents in challenging conditions and have the stamina to ski tour for multiple days in a row. All participants should be very experienced on groomers and be able to carry a loaded daypack.

What if I’ve never backcountry skied before?

This adventure is reserved for solid intermediate to advanced skiers with previous experience in backcountry skiing. You have to be comfortable multiple hours of skinning, steep descents, diving into deep powder and navigating between trees to fully enjoy the terrain. Days are customized to the experience level of the group, but backcountry experience is necessary. For those looking to take their first foray into backcountry skiing, there is plenty of terrain in the surrounding area to spend the day at with a private guide and learn the fundamentals of backcountry skiing.

Waiver and release of liability

Liability waivers are a standard part of all guided outdoor adventures. Recently, the requirements have become a bit more rigorous for ACMG guides—meaning that you’ll need to agree to the signing of the waiver at the time of booking. Prior to booking, we ask you to review the waiver . During the checkout process, you’ll have to acknowledge the risks and agree to the signing of the waiver. You are required to bring a printed copy on the trip. Please note that signing and agreeing to the terms of the waiver is required in order to join this adventure. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us prior to booking.

What equipment do I need to bring?

For technical backcountry ski touring gear, you will need to bring: Alpine touring skis, telemark skis or splitboard with skins (can be rented) Touring boots and poles (can be rented) Avalanche safety equipment (can be rented): Digital, 3-antenna avalanche transceiver or beacon Lightweight snow shovel Avalanche probe Light-weight ice axe — optional Ski crampons (may be available to borrow from guide, but check ahead) Harness for glacier travel For personal items, we recommend bringing: Helmet — optional Sunglasses or ski goggles Winter hat Brimmed cap for sun protection Face warmer – scarf, neck tube or balaclava — optional Light gloves – wool, synthetic or leather Insulated gloves or mitts with waterproof outer shell Spare gloves or mitts Wind and waterproof shell jacket with hood (Gore-tex recommended) Warm insulated jacket – down or synthetic Light fleece or wool sweater Multipurpose stretch nylon or ‘Schoeller’ type pants and jacket Waterproof breathable pants (i.e. Gore-Tex) Synthetic or wool base layers, underwear bottoms and top Wool or synthetic ski socks and liner socks Two locking carabiners Skin wax (or a candle) Two non-locking carabiners Prussik cord – 5m x 6mm — optional Sewn sling – 120cm — optional Binding repair kit to fix your personal travel setup Head lamp with good batteries Water bottle and 1L of water Thermos with a warm beverage — optional Lunch bag or container Pocket knife First-aid kit Sunscreen Daypack large enough to carry all items listed (around a 30-40L backpack) Duffle bag Shoes or sandals Winter boots for travel to the outhouse Hut clothing Towels and swimsuit for sauna Camera — optional Note: Please do not transport your skis/poles in ski bags. Leave your ski bags at your hotel in Smithers. The helicopters have limited space and ski bags take up too much room.

Can I rent equipment?

All mandatory gear can be rented if you don’t have your own. You can rent: Avalanche safety pack, including backpack, beacon, shovel and probe from Local Supply CO Alpine touring or telemark skis, touring boots and poles can be rented from Local Supply CO Splitboards can be rented from Local Supply CO Ski rental location is in Smithers, BC, and should be picked up the night prior to your outing. If you need to rent gear, let us know and we can help make arrangements.

Group sizes and age requirements

Group sizes and pricing This tour can accommodate up to 11 skiers. Cost is per person and it doesn’t decrease as the group grows. If joining alone, you’ll be placed with peers that share a similar level of experience. Min. age requirement: Everybody over the age of 18 is welcome to book this backcountry skiing adventure. Minors may be permitted to join private tours on a case-by-case basis. If you plan to ski with anyone under the age of 18, please contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Getting there and meeting location

To get to Burnie, most people fly into Smithers Regional Airport . The airlines that service Smithers are Air Canada (Jazz) and Central Mountain Air. A free shuttle will take you from the airport to your hotel in Smithers (we recommend the Storknest Inn ). You can also fly into Northwest Regional Airport in Terrace, BC which is a 2.5 hour drive from Smithers. From there, you will need to rent a car. On the morning of your adventure, you are scheduled to meet at the Silver King hangar (next to the airport, tel: 250-877-1989) in Smithers, BC at 10:30 am on Friday to fly into the Burnie Glacier. Burnie Glacier Chalet is not the only hut you can access in British Columbia, as we partnered up with other backcountry ski huts for you to explore the powdery slopes of this amazing region!

Safety measures and insurance

We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection . To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible , simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner ! Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered. Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!

Check out Early bird options for best sellers here

Burnie Glacier Chalet Backcountry Skiing

Smithers | British Columbia

Backcountry Skiing at Burnie Glacier Chalet

8 days | Moderate | 5.00

From $3,030 ()

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Welcome to big mountain skiing, where a deep, stable snowpack is the norm. At the Burnie Glacier Chalet near Smithers in British Columbia, you’ll have tons of memories of incredible runs, wonderful food, and the magic of lodge living. Burnie Glacier Chalet offers exciting glacier travel mixed with alpine passes and treed gulleys. Choose between gentle glacier runs, steep gladed runs, or ski mountaineering objectives in the alpine zone. Get ready for eight days of a helicopter-accessed snowy adventure at the Burnie Glacier Chalet, one of the areas with the best powder in the world!

Adventure Highlights

Canada’s northernmost ski lodge with 700m tree runs and 1400m glacier runs
Perfectly situated for ski touring under the Burnie and Solitaire glaciers
The conditions around the lodge might even allow for some alpine mountaineering!

Duration

8 days

Season

Late November through mid-April

Group size

Up to 11 people

Accommodation

The luxury Burnie Glacier Chalet

The adventure, day by day

Download itineraries

Tempted by the big lines and the adventure of backcountry skiing? You’ll depart Smithers via helicopter for eight days of backcountry skiing and mountaineering in Northern Canada, pushing peaks and carving big turns through massive slopes of untouched powder. In the evenings, find yourself lounging around the beautiful dining table while wood crackles in the cookstove and a dinner simmers on top. Get ready to indulge in a gourmet meal or kick back with a cold beer in the cedar sauna at the Burnie Glacier Chalet after daily ski touring.

Day 1: Arrival

On Saturday morning, you’ll meet with your guides at 7 AM and head to the staging area. Then, it’s a helicopter ride to the mountain lodge, where you’ll get situated and have a safety briefing before heading out for a day of ski touring in the area. With miles upon miles of terrain, there will be plenty to explore over the coming week.

Days 2 to 7: Ski the slopes around the chalet

Be prepared to spend whole days out with the group during your Burnie Glacier Chalet ski trip. The guides will make every effort to accommodate each member, but also try to set a pace and choose objectives that work for the whole group. Try to make an effort to accommodate the group’s needs and be as organized and punctual as possible. It’s best if everyone can get out the door on time and have a smooth day on the slopes.

You will spend the next six days touring the surrounding backcountry terrain. Your days will be customized to match the skill level and objectives of your group. Depending on the objectives, your days may start earlier and end later, but they will generally look like this:

You’ll wake up at 7:30 AM, have breakfast and get ready. Gear up, go over safety considerations, put on your climbing skins, and climb above the Burnie Glacier Chalet, beginning your daily ski tour in the agreed-upon location. You’ll explore new terrain or revisit favorite runs from previous outings. Depending on the group, you will ski between 1,100 and 1,500 meters per day. At 11 AM, you should be at the skiing location for the day, where you’ll spend the day shredding powder and stopping for lunch and breaks as needed. Your guide will plan each day according to the weather and avalanche conditions in the backcountry, as well as the group’s wishes and goals for the day.

As the sun starts to set around 5 PM, you’ll go back to your lodge for a gourmet dinner prepared by a professional chef. Depending on the lodge, you could steam in the sauna, do some yoga, or just warm up next to the fireplace while admiring the starry sky from the deck. Enjoy your favorite beverage, discuss goals for the next day, get to know your group, and retreat to your bedroom for some well-deserved rest.

Day 8: Departure

After breakfast, pack up your gear and prepare for a helicopter ride back to the staging area, where your cars will be waiting. Say farewell the Burnie Glacier Chalet, your backcountry guides, and to British Columbia as you head back to civilization.

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Backcountry Skiing at Burnie Glacier Chalet

Adventure Brochure

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Meet your guides

Seasoned pros, local legends, and passionate adventurers—your trip is in the best hands.

5.00

Tom

IFMGA/ACMG Mountain Guide

Tom is an ACMG/IFMGA-certified mountain guide who’s been guiding since moving to Canmore in 1995, the place he calls home. His winters consist of a mix of ski guiding at lodges, heli-ski operations, and remote backcountry destinations throughout western Canada. During the warmer months, Tom spends his days on water. He is a certified Paddle Canada Moving Water Canoe Instructor and Wilderness Canoe Guide.

What others say about this adventure

5.00 (5 reviews)

Craig S.

Amazing time at Burnie Glacier

Tom Wolfe was our guide in a Jan 2018 trip to Burnie Glacier in northern BC. We had the whole range of conditions of conditions from *cold* deep snow to near melting point conditions. He did a great job along with his assistant guide (name escapes me now – from Quebec) of finding places to ski with the existing/variable conditions, (despite having a terrible cold for part of the time, where he broke trail nearly all day in *deep* snow with no complaints). I’d recommend his guide services any time!

Lee L.

Wonderful experience!

Not only is Tom competent he is fun to travel with in the mountains. We saw things we would never have seen if we had gone self-guided in the Burnie Glacier area. Wonderful experience.

Cooper C.

You can’t go wrong with Sawback Alpine Adventures!

I feel very fortunate to have met Tom several years ago on a trip he was guiding to Burnie Glacier Chalet. I’ve now had the opportunity to ski with Tom extensively, including a week of skiing at Sunrise Lodge in the Esplanade Range this winter, and I will be skiing with him in Svalbard, Norway on his sail & ski trip in a couple of weeks, and I’ve already booked a week long trip to Selkirk Lodge with him in 2020. Having spent countless hours, days, weeks, and months skiing, climbing, and learning from IFMGA guides, I feel confident saying you can’t go wrong with Sawback Alpine Adventures and Tom Wolfe!

Show all reviews

Craig S.

Amazing time at Burnie Glacier

Lee L.

Wonderful experience!

Not only is Tom competent he is fun to travel with in the mountains. We saw things we would never have seen if we had gone self-guided in the Burnie Glacier area. Wonderful experience.

Cooper C.

You can’t go wrong with Sawback Alpine Adventures!

Marc F.

Great job!

I’ve now spent 9 days in the mountains with Tom of Sawback Alpine Adventures. Tom is methodical in his snowpack analysis and does a great job of breaking down all the steps he takes to be safe. If you are keen on learning how to safely push your limits on snow, Tom does a great job on balancing safety and fun. My trips with him have always seemed to fully embrace the new slogan “send and return” where there is an equal amount of fun turns and exciting climbs as there are snowpack and weather observations.

Marilyn F.

Excellent customer service!

Tom, the guide, plus the assistant guides were so courteous and attentive to the needs, not only of myself, but of everyone in the group. Tom knows how to provide excellent customer service!

Things to know

Included:
- - An experienced, certified ski guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  - A full week of backcountry ski touring
  - An in-house chef and all meals at the chalet
  - Lodge accommodation
  - Airport shuttle in Smithers
  - Helicopter transportation to and from the chalet
  - Group gear
  - 5% GST
Not included:
- - Technical backcountry ski touring equipment
  - Trip insurance
  - Transportation to and from Smithers
  - Accommodation in Smithers
In order to enjoy this guided backcountry adventure based in Burnie Glacier Chalet, you need to have a very good level of fitness. You will be skinning for a few hours every day and skiing in variable terrain. You must be able to manage controlled descents in challenging conditions and have the stamina to ski tour for multiple days in a row. All participants should be very experienced on groomers and be able to carry a loaded daypack.
This adventure is reserved for solid intermediate to advanced skiers with previous experience in backcountry skiing. You have to be comfortable multiple hours of skinning, steep descents, diving into deep powder and navigating between trees to fully enjoy the terrain. Days are customized to the experience level of the group, but backcountry experience is necessary.

For those looking to take their first foray into backcountry skiing, there is plenty of terrain in the surrounding area to spend the day at with a private guide and learn the fundamentals of backcountry skiing.
Liability waivers are a standard part of all guided outdoor adventures. Recently, the requirements have become a bit more rigorous for ACMG guides—meaning that you’ll need to agree to the signing of the waiver at the time of booking.

Prior to booking, we ask you to review the waiver. During the checkout process, you’ll have to acknowledge the risks and agree to the signing of the waiver. You are required to bring a printed copy on the trip.

Please note that signing and agreeing to the terms of the waiver is required in order to join this adventure. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us prior to booking.
For technical backcountry ski touring gear, you will need to bring:
- Alpine touring skis, telemark skis or splitboard with skins (can be rented)
- Touring boots and poles (can be rented)
- Avalanche safety equipment (can be rented):
  - Digital, 3-antenna avalanche transceiver or beacon
  - Lightweight snow shovel
  - Avalanche probe
  - Light-weight ice axe — optional
  - Ski crampons (may be available to borrow from guide, but check ahead)
  - Harness for glacier travel
For personal items, we recommend bringing:
- Helmet — optional
- Sunglasses or ski goggles
- Winter hat
- Brimmed cap for sun protection
- Face warmer – scarf, neck tube or balaclava — optional
- Light gloves – wool, synthetic or leather
- Insulated gloves or mitts with waterproof outer shell
- Spare gloves or mitts
- Wind and waterproof shell jacket with hood (Gore-tex recommended)
- Warm insulated jacket – down or synthetic
- Light fleece or wool sweater
- Multipurpose stretch nylon or ‘Schoeller’ type pants and jacket
- Waterproof breathable pants (i.e. Gore-Tex)
- Synthetic or wool base layers, underwear bottoms and top
- Wool or synthetic ski socks and liner socks
- Two locking carabiners
- Skin wax (or a candle)
- Two non-locking carabiners
- Prussik cord – 5m x 6mm — optional
- Sewn sling – 120cm — optional
- Binding repair kit to fix your personal travel setup
- Head lamp with good batteries
- Water bottle and 1L of water
- Thermos with a warm beverage — optional
- Lunch bag or container
- Pocket knife
- First-aid kit
- Sunscreen
- Daypack large enough to carry all items listed (around a 30-40L backpack)
- Duffle bag
- Shoes or sandals
- Winter boots for travel to the outhouse
- Hut clothing
- Towels and swimsuit for sauna
- Camera — optional
Note: Please do not transport your skis/poles in ski bags. Leave your ski bags at your hotel in Smithers. The helicopters have limited space and ski bags take up too much room.
All mandatory gear can be rented if you don’t have your own. You can rent:
- - Avalanche safety pack, including backpack, beacon, shovel and probe from Local Supply CO
  - Alpine touring or telemark skis, touring boots and poles can be rented from Local Supply CO
  - Splitboards can be rented from Local Supply CO
Ski rental location is in Smithers, BC, and should be picked up the night prior to your outing. If you need to rent gear, let us know and we can help make arrangements.
Group sizes and pricing
- - This tour can accommodate up to 11 skiers.
  - Cost is per person and it doesn’t decrease as the group grows.
  - If joining alone, you’ll be placed with peers that share a similar level of experience.
Min. age requirement:
- - Everybody over the age of 18 is welcome to book this backcountry skiing adventure.
  - Minors may be permitted to join private tours on a case-by-case basis.
If you plan to ski with anyone under the age of 18, please contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
To get to Burnie, most people fly into Smithers Regional Airport. The airlines that service Smithers are Air Canada (Jazz) and Central Mountain Air. A free shuttle will take you from the airport to your hotel in Smithers (we recommend the Storknest Inn).

You can also fly into Northwest Regional Airport in Terrace, BC which is a 2.5 hour drive from Smithers. From there, you will need to rent a car.

On the morning of your adventure, you are scheduled to meet at the Silver King hangar (next to the airport, tel: 250-877-1989) in Smithers, BC at 10:30 am on Friday to fly into the Burnie Glacier.

Burnie Glacier Chalet is not the only hut you can access in British Columbia, as we partnered up with other backcountry ski huts for you to explore the powdery slopes of this amazing region!
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!

Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!
A 50% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. Once your guide confirms your booking, your trip departure is guaranteed. Final payments are due 120 days before your trip starts.

If you need to cancel a reservation, please do so in writing (best by e-mail). Once your booking is confirmed, you and Sawback Alpine Adventures enter into financial obligations and they cannot refund payments or release you from your contractual obligations. Therefore, it is highly recommended buying cancellation insurance to cover your losses for the case that you can’t participate or have to interrupt your trip “for any reason”.

Sawback Alpine Adventures do reserve the right to change guides, particular lodging or the itinerary or venue should unforeseen circumstances (guide sickness, hut or route closing etc.) force them to do so or should the physical condition of the participants, weather or mountain conditions make a continuation as planned too risky. Sawback Alpine Adventures will not be deemed to be in default for any delay or failure to perform their obligations under this agreement resulting from acts of God, the elements, war, acts of government, civil or military authorities, natural calamities, catastrophe, fire, flood, accidents, epidemics, shortage of transportation, or any other like events beyond our reasonable control.

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Our team is here to answer your questions and plan with you.

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