Trip Details and Small Print - Fairy Meadows Ski Touring

Can I do it?
You need to be at least an intermediate skier, who can safely and controlled descend even in difficult snow conditions with a day touring backpack! You need to be in good physical and mental condition, ready to be on your feet for about 7-8 hrs each day. However, on some days, there will be an option for shorter days with relax time at the hut! If in doubt, give us a call!

Equipment:
You need either sturdy telemark equipment or (more common in Canada) alpine touring equipment - either is available for rental at our base in Canmore, Banff or Golden, BC. Please call ahead, so we can advice you and set you up with the right equipment for you. As with all our trips, we will provide you with a detailed equipment list with your booking confirmation.

Meeting Point:
Two options: 1) Meet the first day of the trip at 10AM at the helicopter staging area just a couple of kilometers east of Heather Mountain Lodge at the Transcanada Highway (Hwy 1), about 30 min west of the town of Golden, BC or 20 min northeast of Rogers Pass or 2) meet in Canmore at 5pm the evening before the trip starts. We offer a supplementary transport and lodging package from Calgary Airport and back. See below.

Climate, Weather, Temperatures, Snow Conditions:
The Selkirk Range in BC's Columbia Ranges are primarily influenced by a moist, maritime climate (very much in contrast to Canadian Rockies) with moderate winter temps. During a typical ski touring week, you should be prepared for heavy snowfall and temps from -1C (30F) to -15C (5F).

For this spring skiing week, powder snow (dry, cold snow) usually preserves well on the many northerly aspects even if it hasn't snowed in days. At the same time, the southerly aspects will start to corn up (melt-freeze cycle) with sunny weather, which yields nice spring skiing, if the descents are well timed with the day time heating. Unfortunately, as with any backcountry skiing, we can't exclude (but do our best to avoid) the "in-between stages" of powder and corn: Crud a.k.a breakable crusts!

Services Included in the Total Price:
Regular trip package: 7 days guiding and instruction by an internationally (UIAGM / IFMGA / ACMG) certified mountain or ski guide, 7 nights dormitory lodging in the Fairy Meadows Hut, 7 multi-course dinners and breakfast (meals are professionally pre-cooked and will be prepared with assistance of the group members in the hut), helicopter transfer to and from the hut, equipment rental (harnesses, Orthovox F-1 transceivers).

Additional lodging / transport package from Calgary: Two nights lodging double room in Canmore, airport transfer from Calgary airport to Canmore (1.5 hrs), van shuttle to the Fairy Meadows Hut helicopter staging area ( 3 hrs) and back to Canmore and to Calgary the next day.

Not Included in the Total Price Are:
Airfare, Ski touring equipment (can be rented),Alcoholic beverages
Optional Single Room for Hotel / Motel lodging in Canmore.