Trip Details and Small Print -Sorcerer Lodge Ski Touring

Can I do it?
Strenuous backcountry ski tour in alpine, mostly glaciated terrain. 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 evening before the first day of the trip at 5PM in Parson (20 min south of the town of Golden, BC) at the Timber Inn for a trip briefing and dinner with the group and guides. 2) On Demand, we also offer organized van transport from Calgary Airport or Canmore and Banff, AB to the Timber Inn in Parson. From there, we will all drive together to the staging area, which is located just a couple of kilometers east of Heather Mountain Lodge at the Transcanada Highway (Hwy 1), about 30 min or 55km west of the town of Golden, BC or 20 min northeast of Rogers Pass. Departure time for the first helicopter shuttle to Sorcerer Lodge is scheduled for 7.45 at Saturday morning.

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: 8 days guiding and instruction by an internationally (UIAGM / IFMGA / ACMG) certified mountain or ski guide, 7 nights bunk bed lodging in the Sorcerer Lodge, 7 multi-course dinners and breakfast (meals are professionally precooked and will be prepared with assistance of the group members in the hut), lunch sandwich supplies, non-alcoholic beverages (juices, tea and electrolyte beverages), helicopter transfer to and from the lodge, equipment rental (harnesses, Orthovox F-1 transceivers), all trip organisation.

Additional lodging / transport package from Calgary ("Pre / Post Trip Package"): Two nights double room in Canmore or Parson, 1 post trip dinner home cooked at the Wilz House or in a restaurant in Canmore, airport transfer from Calgary airport to Canmore or Golden and return, van transport from Canmore or golden to the helicopter staging area and return.

Not Included in the Total Price Are:
Airfare, Ski touring equipment (can be rented),Snacks, Alcoholic beverages (should be purchased by each participant individually), optional single room supplement for Pre / Post trip package in Canmore or Parson.