Backcountry Skiing at Valhalla Mountain Touring

Things to know

• Covid measures in Valhalla, British Columbia

  57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity. You can view the detailed Valhalla Mountain Touring COVID-19 Response Plan. For more information on COVID-19 measures in BC, please refer to the official website of the Government of British Columbia.

  Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

• What’s included?

  What you get in this adventure:

  • • An experienced, certified ski guide with extensive knowledge of the area
    • Three, four or seven days of backcountry ski touring
    • Meals and snacks
    • Lodging
    • Snowcat transportation from Hills, B.C. to the lodge

  What’s not included:

  • • Technical backcountry ski touring equipment
    • Trip insurance
    • Transportation to and from the staging area in Hills, BC
• How fit do I need to be?

  In order to enjoy this backcountry adventure, you need to have a very good level of fitness. You will be skiing 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 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 with a private guide and learn the fundamentals of backcountry skiing. Check out our backcountry ski tours in Whistler, Revelstoke, and Rogers Pass, BC.

• 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

  For personal items, we recommend bringing:

  • • Helmet (optional)
    • Headlamp
    • Sunglasses or ski goggles
    • Gloves and hat
    • Ball cap
    • Hardshell jacket and pants
    • Wind and waterproof shell jacket with hood (Gore-tex recommended)
    • Ski pants (Gore-tex recommended)
    • Down jacket or vest (synthetic)
    • Synthetic or wool base layers, underwear and ski socks
    • Water bottle
    • First-aid kit
    • Sunscreen
    • Daypack large enough to carry all items listed (at least a 25L backpack)
    • Camera (optional)
    • Towels and toiletries
    • Bathing suit (optional, for sauna)
    • Lodge clothes and shoes/slippers
    • Books, alcohol and musical instruments can also be brought along due to the snowcat access
• 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 or Ripping Giraffe Boardshop
    • Alpine touring or telemark skis, touring boots and poles can be rented from ROAM or Ripping Giraffe Boardshop.
    • Splitboards can be rented from ROAM or Ripping Giraffe Boardshop.

  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 Touring lodge can accommodate up to 14 guests at a time. Therefore, your group size can range from 1-14 people.
    • All pricing is per person. The cost does not change as your group size increases.

  Age requirements:

  • • Everybody over the age of 18 is welcome to book this 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

  The closest town to the Valhalla Mountain Touring lodge is New Denver, BC. To get there, most people fly into Calgary International Airport which is 6.5 hours away, or into Kelowna International Airport, which is just under 4 hours away. Renting a car from the airport is your best bet.

  The snowcat staging area is in the small community of Hills, on Hwy 6 between New Denver and Nakusp, BC. To get to the staging area on Bonanza Rd in Hills, drive approximately 13 km north of New Denver or 30 km south of Nakusp on Hwy 6. Turn left (if coming from New Denver) or right (if coming from Nakusp) on Bonanza Rd and go 1 km to the bridge. This is where the snowcat will be waiting unless you receive other instructions prior to your ski trip.

  To get to staging, allow 20 minutes from New Denver, 30 minutes from Nakusp, 2 hours from Nelson and 2.5 hours from Revelstoke. If you are traveling from Revelstoke, the Shelter Bay ferry is 45 minutes from Revelstoke, and leaves every hour, on the hour, 6am to 11pm.

  Please arrive at the staging area at 10:30 am at the start of your trip.

  Note: The highway between Calgary and Revelstoke frequently closes during winter storms, so keep in mind you might need some extra time and check here for current road conditions if this is your route.

• Deposits and cancellation policy

  A non-refundable 30% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. The remaining amount is paid 90 days prior to departure. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies.

  • • If the Client wants to cancel, Guide may allow the Client to transfer your spot to a replacement guest (subject to the Guide’s notification and approval).
    • If Client unable to come at the last minute for any reason and are unable to find a replacement for your spot there will be no refunds or credits given. Trips will not be cancelled due to weather, snow conditions or wildfire smoke.

  Please note that booking fees are non-refundable in all cases and will be deducted from the refund amount.

• Travel and Medical Protection
  57hours partners with Redpoint Travel Protection, offering you a fully integrated program with a single point of contact for all your needs, from emergency services to travel assistance and protection claims. We highly recommend purchasing a comprehensive protection policy from Redpoint, which will protect you both before and during your travels. Before your departure, your investment is protected by the trip cancellation benefit. Once you depart, your policy provides coverage for trip interruption, medical assistance and rescue, baggage loss, trip delay, and more. Once you complete booking with 57hours, we'll create bespoke quote for you (and your group), making sure you're fully protected for the adventure ahead.