Looking to go off the grid and escape the daily grind? If you’re a skier, heading to a backcountry lodge in British Columbia might be the best thing you could do. And it certainly doesn’t hurt if it happens to be the luxurious Purcell Mountain Lodge, accessed by helicopter and renowned for its world-class champagne powder! This all-inclusive ski touring adventure will knock your socks off. Expect gourmet meals prepared by a chef, customizable daily ski tours with an ACMG guide, and let’s not forget about all the comfort the lodge provides, including a relaxing sauna… It doesn’t get better than waking up to the views of the Canadian Rockies, enjoying some of the best ski terrain and powder in the world, and all of that while living that backcountry high life. Sounds like your kind of getaway? Let’s make it happen!
Fabulous lodge and wonderful staff. Skiing amongst majestic mountains, and weather was perfect. Chef Yousef cooked awesome meals and the guide Al was incredibly knowledgeable. Overall the staff and the rest of the folks who skied that week were really good as well. Overall well worth the trip and going back again next year!
Fantastic experience, great hosts and guides. Wonderful food! Food was a highlight! Weather cooperated and we had four days of perfect conditions! Heli bump! The best lodge and touring experience ever!
What you get on this adventure:
What’s not included:
The best thing about heli-accessed ski touring from the Purcell Mountain Lodge is that there are incredible options for all skill levels. That said, you need to have a very good level of fitness and you need to be an experienced resort skier. Previous backcountry skiing experience is preferable, but it is not mandatory. At breakfast time guides will talk about a few guided options for the day. Choices range from gentle to more challenging runs. Your day can be as leisurely or challenging as you wish. Guided guests wanting to explore the terrain on their own must discuss with the lead guide. Additionally, all participants will participate in an avalanche safety orientation before heading out on their first tour. If you are a beginner in the backcountry, your guide will teach you some basic skills which are sufficient for easier runs. You’ll be able to discuss your plans and preferences/abilities with your guide prior to the start of the tour.
For technical backcountry ski and safety equipment, you will need to bring:
For the Purcell Mountain Lodge, you will need to bring:
For personal items, we recommend bringing:
Please keep in mind that helicopters have a very limited capacity. For your safety, we must limit your personal soft shell luggage to a maximum of 35 lbs (13.5 kg). Additional cargo space is for gear, transportation of food and lodge supplies. No hard shell and no wheel baggage permitted!
You can rent avalanche safety gear from your guide during the booking process. When it comes to ski touring equipment, you can easily avoid bringing your own by renting it in Calgary or olden. We recommend University of Calgary Outdoor Center if renting in Calgary and Higher Ground Mountain Sport if renting in Golden. Make sure to double check everything is working properly prior to leaving the rental location.
Group sizes and pricing
Heli-accessed ski touring from the Purcell Mountain Lodge in British Columbia can be arranged for private groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements
If your group has skiers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
To get to the town of Golden, which is the starting point of your adventure, most people fly into Calgary International Airport. From there, it’s a three-hour drive to the town of Golden.
The meeting point is the Alpine Helicopters Base (204 Fisher Road Golden, B.C. V0A 1H0), where you are expected to arrive around 8am for a helicopter flight to your lodge. Our Stager & Expediter will greet you at the hangar on departure day. Arriving on time allows for time to weigh baggage, read and fill out and sign the release of liability waiver, and receive a helicopter safety talk.
We recommend arriving in Golden a day prior to the tour to ensure you start the adventure fully rested and prepared!
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both emergency medical and travel insurance.
With medical insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the mountain, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more. Travel insurance covers canceled flights, natural disasters and other scenarios that may interrupt your travel plans.
We also expect you to respect local regulations and take measures to protect yourselves, your guides, and the communities you’re traveling to.
If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!
Full tour price to secure your place is due upon booking. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies.
For an older person who has skied at many of the backcountry lodges in complex terrain in BC, Purcell Lodge is a fabulous step down. It offers rolling terrain for mellow days where you can ski alone (with a radio to keep you safe) and absorb the views across to the Selkirks, great tree skiing, and terrain that will satisfy your needs of steep and deep when you feel more energetic. There is an added bonus offered at no other lodge I know, of a heli-bump to a nearby peak to access the beautiful powder bowls. The Lodge itself is deluxe and rivals any new Lodge. Treat yourself and you won’t regret it.