Trip
Details and Small Print - Heli-Ski Touring
Can I do it?
Strenuous backcountry ski tour in alpine, at
times in glaciated or treed terrain on alpine touring (randonne) or
sturdy telemark equipment. You must be able to ski safely and controlled
at all times while wearing a day pack (5kg - 7kg = 11lb - 15lb) backpack.
You need to be in good physical and mental condition, ready to be
on your feet for about 7-8 hrs. on some of the days. If in doubt whether
you have the required skills, 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.
Please call ahead, so we can advise 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:
Organized transport from Calgary International Airport, but other
meeting points can be accommodated.
Climate, Weather, Temperatures:
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). But of course, it can get as cold as -30C (-22F) in a
cold mid-winter week and as warm as 10C (50F) during a warm, spring
skiing week in May.
For spring skiing weeks, 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:
Guiding by 2 ACMG and/or IFMGA certified
mountain, or assitant ski guides, transport from Calgary (or Bonff,
Golden or Revelstoke) to the helicopter staging area, helicopter
transfer in and out of the lodge, two or more helicopter lifts each
day to access ski touring terrain, lodging in double rooms, non-alcoholic
beverages, delicious 4 to 5 course dinners, a huge breakfast buffet,
afternnon snacks, pick nick lunches, use of avalanche safety equipment,
use of glacier safety equipment.
Not
Included in the Total Price Are:
Additional helicopter lifts for heli-skiing
(can possibly arranged for an additional fee on a day-to-day basis,
alcoholic beverages, travel / evacuation insurance |
