Trip Dates
Week long programs from December, 2010 through April, 2011. Contact us with your specific interest.
Price
$1885 per person Prices are subject to 5% GST on the full price and 8% Hotel Tax
Group Size
Minimum of 8; Maximum of 10
Skill Level
Intermediate to Advanced
Related Trips
Powder Creek Lodge
Berner Oberland Ski Tour
Haute Route Tour
Valhalla Mountain Lodge
Fly into a unique back country lodge in the Selkirk Mountains, Valhalla Mountain Range.
Celebrate the New Year and enjoy superb backcountry skiing in the comfort of a classic backcountry lodge with your friends and family. Spectacular scenery, classic lines and big terrain.
Valhalla Backcountry Lodge sits high at an elevation of 6900 feet on a large granite slab and is surrounded by ten ski able alpine basins allowing a short ski to terrain for every ability.
Enjoy ski touring with a professional guide, find the best lines and learn how to reduce avalanche risk. After a satisfying day touring in one of the alpine bases return to a gourmet meal and a relaxing sauna. The lodge accomodates guests in private bedrooms.
Itinerary
Daily guided ski touring from the lodge with a professional guide. Explore the diverse terrain, enjoy spectacular sceneray and return by afternoon to the comforts of the lodge.
Prerequisites
Ski week is best suited for moderate to advanced skiers. Guests are responsible to self evaluate their skills as groups need to be matched together based on prior experience and ability. Please contact us to discuss your background and what kind of tour would suit you best.
Equipment
Weather
Kootenay weather can vary drastically. In winter you expect temperatures to be from
-15C to –5C in the day while in spring daily temperatures could rise well above zero. Visibility may be poor or whiteout conditions when snowing heavily or clear on bluebird days. Ensure you are dressed for all variations as temperatures, wind, precipitation can change within the day.
Location
Located in the snowy Selkirk Mountain of South-Eastern British Columbia, the lodge is in the Valhalla Mountain Range in West Kootenays.
Services Included
- Pre-trip planning support
- Fully certified IFMGA guide service
- Group safety equipment (communication device, rescue kit, first aid supplies, GPS, maps)
- Helicopter flight in/out of lodge
- Gourmet Meals
Not included in price:
- Personal ski and avalanche safety equipment
- Accomodation or transport prior to meeting location
- Trip cancellation, adventure travel insurance, medical insurance
FAQ
Where can I rent Ski touring and safety equipment?
Here are a few outdoor stores in Nelson that supply good service and quality outdoor equipment and gear rental, please ensure you rent gear well in advance.
Rivers Oceans and Mountains 354-2056 www.roamshop.com
Valhalla Pure Outfitters 354-1006 www.shop.vpo.ca
Gericks 354-4622 www.gericks.com
Skis, Telemark or Split Boards?
Which should you use? If you are a downhill skier then you should use Alpine Touring gear. Only if you are already an advanced Telemark skier or Snowboarder should you bring Telemark or Split Board gear. All types of gear can be rented in Nelson prior to your day trip. There are three types of backcountry systems you can use:
Alpine Touring skis are essentially downhill skis with a special touring binding which allows the heel to lift whilst going uphill or across the flats and then ‘locks down’ to become a regular downhill safety binding. We recommend this system to anyone with a background of downhill skiing who is not already an advanced telemark skier.
Telemark skis. These should only be used for this program if you are at least an advanced-intermediate telemark skier with some backcountry experience. This system is more difficult and less forgiving than the others.
Snowboarding with a Split Board is the most effective way to snowboard in the back country. We recommend this system to advanced snowboarder over snowshoeing.
