Backcountry Skiing at Valhalla Mountain Lodge

Things to know

• What’s included?

  Included:

  • • An experienced, certified ski guide with extensive knowledge of the area
    • A full week of backcountry ski touring
    • Helicopter transportation to and from the lodge
    • Accommodation at Valhalla Mountain Lodge
    • An in-house chef and all meals at the lodge
    • Sauna

  Not included:

  • • Technical backcountry ski touring equipment
    • Trip insurance
    • Dinner at Arrow Lakes Tavern on Friday evening
    • Transportation to and from Nakusp and heli staging area
    • Accommodation in Nakusp
    • Alcoholic beverages
• How fit do I need to be?

  In order to enjoy this Valhalla Mountain guided backcountry adventure, 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 Valhalla Mountain ski touring adventure is reserved for solid intermediate to advanced skiers with previous experience in backcountry skiing. You should be happy with days in the 1300-1500 m range. Ski runs will be on average of intermediate difficulty but there will often be pitches of advanced difficulty as well as steeper tree runs and rugged alpine snow conditions involving hard and sastrugi surfaces. You have to be comfortable with 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?

  Snow safety gear (can be rented):

  • • Digital avalanche beacon with good batteries (and spares)
    • Shovel
    • Probe (2.4m or longer preferred)

  Ski touring gear (can be rented):

  • • Skis or split board
    • Ski strap
    • Ski or snowboard boots
    • Poles
    • Climbing skins
    • Skin wax (or a candle)
    • Any binding repair items to fix your specific travel setup
    • Ski helmet (optional)

  Glacier gear:

  • • Harness – fitted for over your ski clothing (Cilao, BD, Petzl and Camp make some good lightweight ski touring harnesses)
    • Locking carabiners (x2)
    • Non locking carabiners (x2)
    • 6mm by 5m prusik cord (optional)
    • 120cm sewn climbing sling (optional)

  Personal Items:

  • • Wool or synthetic ski socks and liner socks
    • Long underwear top – synthetic or wool
    • Light fleece or wool sweater
    • Wind shell – nylon or ‘Schoeller’ type jacket
    • Waterproof breathable jacket (i.e. Gore-Tex)
    • Warm insulated jacket – down or synthetic
    • Long underwear bottoms – synthetic or wool
    • Multipurpose stretch nylon or ‘Schoeller’ type pants
    • Waterproof breathable pants (i.e. Gore-Tex)
    • Warm hat – wool or synthetic
    • 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
    • Handkerchief for blocking the sun (optional)
    • Ski pack (30-40 litres)
    • Sunglasses (having both orange and dark lenses helps for travel in all conditions)
    • Goggles (orange lenses)
    • Sunscreen and lip cream (SPF 30+)
    • Head lamp with good batteries
    • Insulated water bottle or thermos (1-2 L) (if you bring a hydration system bring a regular water bottle as a spare)
    • Lunch bag or container
    • Personal blister kit (i.e: Leukotape-P and Bandaid or Second Skin blister pads)
    • Pocket knife (optional)
    • Camera (optional)

  Hut gear:

  • • 30-40 L small duffle bag for flying into the lodge
    • Shoes for inside the hut
    • Winter boots for travel around outside of the hut
    • Hut clothing
    • Towel for the shower
    • Personal medications and toiletries
    • Ear plugs
    • Reading material
    • Chargers for electronic devices (normal AC power is available for charging devices).

  Please Note: All bedding, pillows and duvets are supplied by the lodge

  Group Gear (supplied by the guides):

  • • Altimeter
    • Map and compass
    • GPS
    • Snow study kit
    • Snow and/or bush saw
    • First aid kit
    • Emergency tarp
    • Emergency toboggan
    • Group repair kit
    • Radio & satellite phone or inReach device
    • Ropes for glacier travel

  Note: Make sure your equipment doesn’t weigh over 45 pounds per person. If you are over the allowable gear weight, the helicopter will have to make an extra flight. The cost for this is $400.00 CAD (cash only) and payable prior to the flight.

• 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 can be rented from ROAM
  • Alpine touring or telemark skis, touring boots and poles can be rented from ROAM
  • Splitboards can be rented from ROAM

  Ski rental locations are in Nelson, 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:

  • • The Valhalla Mountain Lodge can accommodate up to 11 guests at a time with certified two backcountry guides leading groups on daily ski tours from the hut each day.
    • All pricing is per person.

  Min. age requirements:

  • • 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

  Most people fly into Kelowna International Airport 3.5 hours away. From there, you need to rent a car to Nakusp, the meeting point for your Valhalla adventure.

  The evening before your Valhalla Mountain ski trip, you’ll have dinner with your guides at the Arrow Lakes Tavern at 6:30 pm on Saturday night. At that time, you’ll discuss the logistics of the next day in detail. 

  There’s plenty of options for an overnight stay in Nakusp. Here’s a few that we can recommend:

  • The Lodge at Arrow Lakes 
  • Selkirk Inn
  • Canyon Court Motel 

  On Saturday morning you must be present at Arrow Lakes Tavern for breakfast and a pre-trip meeting at 7:00 am sharp. During this meeting, your group will be given waivers to sign. The guides will guide you to the heli staging area, in nearby Burton, a 30-minute drive south of Nakusp on Highway 23. Your group is expected to be at the heli staging by 09:00 am. The guides will organize the helicopter logistics. Once you arrive at the lodge you will be given an orientation in regards to the use of the facilities.

• 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!

• Deposits and cancellation policy

  A deposit of 50% of the total price is due with your booking unless otherwise indicated. 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.