Covid measures in 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 Lodge COVID-19 Response Plan here. We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re travelling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in BC, please refer to the Government of British Columbia website. 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 you get in this adventure: 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 the lodge An in-house chef and all meals at the lodge Sauna depending on the chosen lodge What’s not included: Technical backcountry ski touring equipment Trip insurance Meals outside of the lodge Transportation to and from the heli staging area Accommodation outside of the lodge Alcoholic beverages

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 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. For the protection of yourself and other group members, your guides reserve the right to deny participation to any unprepared participant at any time of the trip, in which case they cannot offer a refund. In order to accommodate diverse levels of ability and ambition as well as diverse personalities, the decision making of the guide has to be geared towards safety and finding a consensus within the whole group, which may not please each individual participant at all times.

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 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.

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 Alpine touring or telemark skis, touring boots and poles Splitboards Ski rental locations are in: Nelson, BC ( ROAM ) Golden, BC ( Higher Ground Sports ) Smithers, BC ( Local Supply CO ) Revelstoke, BC ( Revelstoke Powder Rentals ) All rentals 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 pricing

BC Lodges can accommodate from 10 to 12 guests at a time with certified two guides leading groups on day trips from the hut each day. 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: 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.

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.

Getting there and meeting location

Valhalla Mountain Lodge 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 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. Vista & Sunrise Lodge To get to Golden, most people fly into Calgary International Airport which is a 3-hour drive away. You can rent a car or take a shuttle service connecting Calgary Airport to Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. Shuttles are operated by BanffShuttle and RiderExpress . Kicking Horse River Lodge is a great place to stay the Friday night before the trip. You will meet your guides there Friday night and have breakfast there on Saturday morning. If you choose to stay here please book early. It fills quickly. The meeting place for your trip is at the Golden Alpine Holidays office . Your meeting time will be Saturday morning at 7:00 am Mountain Standard Time (MST). The helicopter staging facility is 30 minutes away from Golden. You’ll head to your tours from the lodge. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ski ability of the group. Burnie Glacier Chalet 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) in Smithers, BC at 10:30 AM to fly into the Burnie Glacier. Selkirk Lodge To get to Revelstoke, you can fly into Kelowna International Airport which is 2.5 hours away. From there, you can rent a car or take a bus to Revelstoke. Another option is to fly into Calgary International Airport which is 4.5 hours away. You can rent a car, take a bus or opt for a private transfer from the airport to your accommodation in Revelstoke. You will need to make your own way to the staging area. You will meet your guide at the staging area at 7:30 am on the first day of your trip. The staging area is at the Jumping Creek Water Bottling Plant on the Jumping Creek Forest Service Road, about 45 km east of Revelstoke. From there, a helicopter will transport you to the Selkirk Lodge.

Backcountry Skiing from the Remote Huts of British Columbia

“Unlike places such as Utah or Colorado, BC snow stays good up to two weeks after a storm! Here, skiing legendary powder is not a matter of luck, but of certainty.” — Viktor Marohnić, 57hours founder

There’s no two ways about it—British Columbia lives and breathes skiing. Known for its legendary snowfall, big alpine zones, and world-class hospitality, Canada’s backcountry capital is all pristine powder and peace of mind.

Hidden deep in the chilly heart of the Columbia ranges, ski touring lodges are your ticket to big mountain skiing. Right from the hut’s doorstep you’ll enjoy boundless areas of untracked snow and a myriad of gladed and alpine runs, all in the company of fellow snow-seekers.

Snow like nowhere else on Earth

So what makes British Columbia a backcountry skier’s dream?

Come September, when cool, moisture-laden snow clouds stack up along the west edges of the mountain ranges and the powder stashes start piling up to the peaks, there’s no better place in the world to be. Endless meadows, wide-open bowls, and dreamy pillow lines—you’ve got to ski it to believe it.

BC boasts beautiful slopes ranging from gentle glacier runs suitable in most conditions to steep tree runs for high-hazard skiing. Stormy periods are interrupted by plenty of bluebird days ideal for high-alpine ski mountaineering, and the utter remoteness means you won’t cross a single ski track.

REMOTE LOCATIONS
RELIABLE SNOWPACK
BOUNDLESS TERRAIN
COLD SMOKE POWDER
COZY HUTS FOR A BASE

Eight days of deep powder and great food

Pick your tempo and
never miss a beat

Every morning you’ll get to choose your skiing group for the day. If you’re happy with intermediate-to-advanced runs up to 1,500m, then the Classic pace is for you. But if you’re still feeling sore from the previous day or don’t feel like doing more than 1,100m, then Relaxed is the way to go.

This way every member gets the chance to make the most of their time on the snow without feeling slowed down or left out. In the brilliant BC backcountry, nothing stands between you and the perfect run, and your guides will make sure of that.

Come for the skiing,
stay for the spreads

Between hitting the slopes and hitting the sack, you’ll spend the evenings relaxing in your hut. Warm up by the wood stove and pound down some appies or, if you’ve had a hard day of carving turns, melt away your tiredness in the cedar sauna. There’s nothing like working up a good sweat to hit the body’s reset button.

Then gather around the dining table and enjoy course after course of gourmet dishes prepared by your own personal chef. It’s like dining at a high-class restaurant on top of the world. Lastly, cap off the night with a toast to a great new day in the mountains.

Experience the best backcountry skiing in the world!

WATCH THE WHOLE STORY IN OUR WEBINAR

Your mountain home
away from home

Backcountry ski huts are uniquely positioned to give you access to varied mountain terrain and cold smoke powder far removed from the resort crowds. Their features and amenities vary, but what they all have in common is great access to untouched slopes right out the door.

The hut system is based on teamwork and sharing, not extravagant luxury—like any good ski touring adventure.

Choose your backcountry ski adventure

Vista Lodge
Sunrise Lodge
Selkirk Lodge
Valhalla Mountain Lodge
Burnie Glacier Chalet

Vista Lodge

Golden, BC
Superb skiing in the Selkirk Mountains

Vista lodge is located inside a gorgeous alpine meadow at the edge of Vista Lake. It has access to five drainages offering a myriad of terrain choices. Vista is also the portal to the big alpine zones off Cherub Glacier to the west.

The lodge is equipped with AC power and a sauna, but has no internet access. It sleeps up to 12 guests plus guides and a professional chef.

One of the best features of Vista Lodge is how easy it is to get to—just 20 minutes from Golden, BC, and with no crowds in sight. Head to its stellar slopes and ski between 1,100 and 1,300m every day!

The area offers more than 150 square km of non-glaciated alpine and treeline terrain, meaning you can choose from a number of options and locations, such as the Cupola Peak (2,640m), an easy knife-edge climb from the ridge.

The Esplanade offers many opportunities, from the sunny south face to big 915m north-facing runs. You’ll never have to ski the same line twice!

Each evening, discuss goals for the next day while enjoying your favorite cocktail and gourmet dishes prepared by a professional chef, then relax in the wood-heated sauna before getting some good night’s rest.

Vista Lodge has a cozy interior that will prepare you for more than 37,400 acres of backcountry terrain.

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Sunrise Lodge

Golden, BC
Legendary runs, deep snowpack and cold smoke powder

Sunrise Lodge offers the best terrain for storm skiing and the deepest snowpack of the bunch. Enjoy stunning views of the Rockies and Purcells from one of the “original three” chalets built back in the 1990s.

This cozy and spacious lodge hosts up to 12 guests and four expert guides in eight bedrooms. It has no Wi-Fi, but you’ll spend your days exploring the backcountry and relaxing in the sauna instead.

Not far from the world-famous Rogers Pass, at the headwaters of Wisted Creek, Sunrise is the southern gateway to the astonishing Esplanade Range.

It’s got everything—exquisite pow, a great location, and a cozy interior. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better spot for ski touring in Canada.

Expect lots of alpine and gladed runs, with everything from gentle open slopes to steep pillow lines. Your guides will take you to hidden spots where fresh tracks are in endless supply.

The lodge is reached by helicopter and has no Wi-Fi, but you’ll spend your days exploring the backcountry and relaxing in the sauna anyways! Your week at Sunrise also includes delicious meals prepared by a professional chef.

Sunrise Lodge offers breathtaking views over the Rockies and Purcells.

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Selkirk Lodge

Revelstoke, BC
Unplug and explore the wilderness at your doorstep

Perched at 2,200 meters in the Albert Icefield area, Selkirk Lodge is a towering achievement in architecture, design and comfort.

With indoor plumbing, a shower, solar electricity, and internet access, you will instantly feel at home. The lodge hosts 14 people in bedrooms for up to three people.

Selkirk Lodge sees plenty of bluebird days, wonderfully steep runs, and has no crowds to speak of. It’s a great entry-level hut for those who are new to ski touring but still yearn for exhilarating runs.

The snowpack frequently reaches up to 10 feet, and the temperatures are perfectly suited for low-density cold smoke powder. The steep lines, on the other hand, are favorites among intermediate and advanced skiers.

After a helicopter ride to the location, spend eight days exploring this hidden gem known only to locals. The most popular areas for alpine runs are Ruby Peak and Big Sister Mountain. As soon as your skis carve through the first layer of untouched powder, you’ll want to stay forever.

After a big day on the slopes, enjoy a scrumptious après-ski snack while the chef whips up a hearty dinner. Finally, a good sweat in the sauna will unknot those sore muscles in time for a new day of skiing.

Selkirk Lodge is positioned in the relatively crowd-free Albert Icefield area.

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Valhalla Mountain Lodge

Nakusp, BC
Heavenly ski conditions in the heart of the Kootenays

Offering world-class skiing since 1987, Valhalla Mountain Lodge boasts terrific terrain, epic snowfall, and temperatures to die for. Both novices and experts will find enough runs here to fill a lifetime.

The lodge hosts 11 guests in 5 separate bedrooms. It offers a homely feel and warm rooms after a long day in deep powder.

With some weeks seeing over 140 cm of snowfall, the snowbelt of British Columbia is a backcountry skiing paradise. A helicopter ride will take you to the cozy Valhalla Mountain Lodge, where ten skiable basins await near the front door. From cruisy mellow runs to extreme descents, you’ll find it all.

The thrilling tree skiing, irresistible fresh powder, and nourishing solitude of Valhalla Provincial Park represent the very best of the Kootenays.

Make the most of your time by skiing through deep powder lines during the day, then kik back and relax in the soothing sauna. Finally, top it all off with a delightful meal prepared by your personal chef!

Valhalla has been the top destination for ski lovers since 1987, when most of the other backcountry lodges in the area didn’t exist. It has a homely feel, and warm rooms to nurse you back to life. Experience the perfect combo of adventure and relaxation with a week of crystal Kootenay pow!

Valhalla Mountain Lodge offers a much-welcomed homely feel when you retreat from the active nature of backcountry skiing.

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Burnie Glacier Chalet

Smithers, BC
Backcountry skiing in Canada’s northernmost ski lodge

With 700m tree runs and 1400m glacier runs, Burnie Glacier Chalet offers exciting glacier travel mixed with alpine passes and treed gulleys. The conditions around the lodge might even allow for some alpine mountaineering.

Head to this charming chalet near Smithers and enjoy your days to the fullest. It has four bedrooms, each one sleeping two to four guests.

Welcome to big mountain skiing, where a deep, stable snowpack is the norm. You’ll depart from Smithers via helicopter for eight days of pushing peaks and carving big turns through endless fields of untracked powder.

Perfectly situated for ski touring under the Burnie and Solitaire glaciers, the Chalet offers spectacularly rugged alpine terrain. Choose between gentle glacier runs, steep gladed runs, or ski mountaineering objectives in the alpine zone.

Enjoy the spectacular views of Hut Peak, Burnie Glacier, Solitaire Ski Peaks and Lakehead Peak. In the evenings, gather around the dining table for a mouth-watering meal prepared by a professional chef. Afterwards, kick back with a cold beer in the cedar sauna and rest up before a new day in the mountains.

Burnie Glacier Chalet is a great starting point for alpine climbing in British Columbia.

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Your guides

Tom Wolfe is an ACMG/IFMGA-certified mountain guide who’s been guiding since moving to Canmore in 1995, the place he calls home. He guides year-around, with winters being a mix of ski guiding at lodges, heli-ski operations, and remote backcountry destinations throughout western Canada.

Rob Coppolillo is a AMGA/IFMGA guide who runs ski and climbing trips all over the world — from the Rockies to the Dolomites. We tour at least once a year with him because he always brings out the best in us wherever we go and whatever the objective. Rob is the owner of Vetta Mountain Guides, based out of Boulder, Colorado.

Tom Wolfe is a certified mountain guide who will take you on a backcountry skiing expedition in BC.

Rob Coppolillo is a certified guide who runs ski and climbing trips around the world - including British Columbia.

Tom was professional, well equipped and well prepared! The snow conditions we experienced at Sunrise Lodge made it imperative to have a guide with experience to keep us safe yet challenged. Hope to ski with Tom and his crew again soon.

I’ve now spent 9 days in the mountains with Tom of Sawback Alpine Adventures. Tom is methodical in his snowpack analysis and does a great job of breaking down all the steps he takes to be safe. If you are keen on learning how to safely push your limits on snow, Tom does a great job on balancing safety and fun. My trips with him have always seemed to fully embrace the new slogan “send and return” where there is an equal amount of fun turns and exciting climbs as there are snowpack and weather observations.

Tom Wolf was our back country ski guide for a week at the Selkirk Lodge 1/2020. He and the other guides over delivered everyday. Tom not only knows where to ski for amazing runs but makes sure it is safe. He handles group dynamics and made sure everyone’s needs where taken care of. He is just a super fun guy to hang with besides – out skiing or around the dinner table he is super fun to talk and joke with – just like an old friend and ski buddy. As soon as Covid restrictions are lifted for us Americans I plan to book a BC ski trip with him again- He’s the real deal and one of the best.

Tom Wolfe was our guide on a Jan 2018 trip to Burnie Glacier in northern BC. We had the whole range of conditions of conditions from *cold* deep snow to near melting point conditions. He did a great job along with his assistant guide (name escapes me now – from Quebec) of finding places to ski with the existing/variable conditions, (despite having a terrible cold for part of the time, where he broke trail nearly all day in *deep* snow with no complaints). I’d recommend his guide services any time!

I feel very fortunate to have met Tom several years ago on a trip he was guiding to Burnie Glacier Chalet. I’ve now had the opportunity to ski with Tom extensively, including a week of skiing at Sunrise Lodge in the Esplanade Range this winter, and I will be skiing with him in Svalbard, Norway on his sail & ski trip in a couple of weeks, and I’ve already booked a week long trip to Selkirk Lodge with him in 2020. Having spent countless hours, days, weeks, and months skiing, climbing, and learning from IFMGA guides, I feel confident saying you can’t go wrong with Sawback Alpine Adventures and Tom Wolfe!

My family and I had the adventure of a lifetime. It was an incredible experience and Sawback did an excellent job. We would highly recommend the trip and Tom to everyone.

Backcountry Skiing from the Remote Huts of British Columbia

Snow like nowhere else on Earth