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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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Included:
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- 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:
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- Technical backcountry ski touring equipment
- Trip insurance
- Transportation to and from Smithers
- Accommodation in Smithers
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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All mandatory gear can be rented if you don’t have your own. You can rent:
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- 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.
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Group sizes and pricing
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- 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:
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- 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.
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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!
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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!
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