Backcountry Skiing From the Best Lodges in British Columbia

Things to know about hut-based ski trips in BC

• How do I get to the lodges in British Columbia?

  If your lodge is accessed from Whistler or Squamish, aim to fly into Vancouver International Airport. Then, rent a car or take a shuttle for the 1-2 hour drive there.

  If you’re meeting your guide in Golden or Revelstoke, fly into Calgary International Airport 3-5 hours away. Then, take a car or shuttle.

  In case you need to make a local flight, Air Canada and Central Mountain Air service most regional airports, such as Northwest or Smithers. If you’re looking for bus transportation, Rider Express offers shuttle services all over Canada.

• What’s the best month for skiing in British Columbia?

  The best season for backcountry skiing in British Columbia is between January and April.

  January: January is the coldest month in Canada, especially in BC’s interior. The snowfall in ski spots like Whistler and Revelstoke often surpasses 100 cm. However, the weather is stormy, the temperatures often fall below -15°C and the days are only 8 hours long, meaning less time on the slopes. We recommend sticking to the treeline, and leaving the high altitude areas for warmer seasons. 

  February-March: While you’ll still get tons of fresh snow, the period between February and mid-March sees the days getting 10+ hours of sunlight and the temperatures stay between 5-10°C. This means more skiing and easier accessibility to alpine terrain!

  March-April: Ideal for alpine touring. The skies are clear, there’s practically no precipitation, and the powder on glaciated terrain stays excellent well into the month of May. And with 13+ hours of daily sunlight, t’s not uncommon to have ski days go on into the late PMs!

• Is British Columbia’s backcountry safe?

  Winters in Canada can get really harsh. When you’re skiing out of British Columbia’s backcountry lodges, heavy snowfall, icy rain, high wind, and extremely low temperatures are very common. However, if you plan right, pack well, and you check the weather report as often as possible, you’ll have a great time on the slopes!

  To deal with the temperatures, make sure to bring quality outerwear, plenty of clothes for layering (preferably woolen), and thermal underwear. Always choose wool over cotton. Also, durable waterproof shoes with thick soles are a good idea, since the soil gets colder than the air.

  Wind chill is a huge danger in British Columbia, as even a strong breeze can cut right through your clothing and cause frostbite. Bring wind-resistant outerwear and make sure to check the weather report for wind chill warnings. 

  Wet clothing, wind chill, and long exposure to extremely low temperatures are all precursors to hypothermia. If you feel that your skin or tissue starts freezing, warm up immediately and tell your medically-trained guide.

• How fit do I need to be for a hut-based ski tour in British Columbia?

  A strong level of physical fitness is required for these adventures. If you want to embark on a backcountry ski tour in British Columbia’s lodges, you should be able to manage controlled descents in challenging conditions, tour for multiple days in a row, and be fit enough to skin in variable terrain for hours on end. If you can do all of this while carrying a loaded daypack, you should be good to go.

• Can I ski in BC’s lodges if I’ve never backcountry skied before?

  Apart from the beginner-friendly ski tour at Kees & Claire Hut, ski trips based out of BC’s backcountry huts are meant for solid intermediate to advanced skiers with prior backcountry skiing experience. The majority of the runs will be of intermediate difficulty with some advanced pitches, steeper tree runs, and rugged alpine snow conditions involving hard and sastrugi surfaces.

  If you’re an intermediate backcountry skier looking to improve your skills, your guide will oversee your runs, help you polish your technique, and teach you how to manage the terrain. And if you’re completely new to backcountry skiing, a more forgiving slackcountry ski tour in Whistler or a similarly accessible location with a private guide is the way to go.

• What do I need to bring to my hut-based ski trip in BC?

  When it comes to backcountry ski touring gear, we recommend you bring:

  • Touring skis or splitboard with skins and strap
  • Touring boots and poles
  • Helmet
  • Ski and boot crampons
  • Skin wax (or a candle)
  • Binding repair items for your specific setup
  • Avalanche safety equipment (can be rented):
    • Digital, 3-antenna avalanche transceiver or beacon
    • Lightweight snow shovel
    • Avalanche probe
    • Ice ax (optional, depending on the terrain)

  For glacier traversal gear, we recommend bringing:

  • 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)

  For your off-time in the hut, plan to bring:

  • Comfortable clothing for lounging around the lodge
  • Slippers
  • Alcoholic beverages (optional)
  • A bathing suit
  • Headlamp
  • Toiletries

  For personal items, we recommend bringing:

  • 20-30L ski pack
  • 50L duffel
  • Sunglasses and ski goggles
  • Sun and lip cream
  • Face mask
  • Wind and waterproof shell jacket with hood (Gore-Tex recommended)
  • Ski pants (Gore-Tex recommended)
  • Multipurpose stretch nylon or ‘Schoeller’ type pants
  • Waterproof breathable pants (i.e. Gore-Tex)
  • Down jacket or vest
  • Synthetic or wool base layers
  • Long underwear
  • Mid-insulation fleece of puffy jacket
  • Warm outer puffy jacket
  • Toque (wool or synthetic)
  • Brimmed cap for sun protection
  • Face warmer (scarf, neck tube, face mask, buff, etc.)
  • Light gloves and insulated gloves or mitts
  • One triple-action locking carabiner or two conventional locking carabiners
  • Repair kit and Leatherman for your equipment (can be shared between several people)
  • Water bottle and 1L of water
  • Thermos with a warm beverage — optional
  • Lunch for day one
  • First aid kit
  • Camera — optional