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Thread: BC Backcountry Lodge Review
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12-11-2023, 06:56 PM #51
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12-29-2023, 05:41 AM #52
Arctos Guides......
The goat stuff, by far....!
many thanks.....
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01-10-2024, 01:41 PM #53
Love this thread.
Question, has anyone skied Durrand Glacier Hut and their small Haute-route hut system outside of Revy? I read about them in a recent Backcountry article and it has certain appeal to be honest. I researched and contacted them, and they strongly advise using provided packs & rescue gear, which I wasn't wild about as you have a pretty limited (it appears) carry weight on the heli ride in. The accommodations sound very solid, and their terrain sounds intriguing and expansive. Also appears to maybe be guided-only? I dunno, if some of you all said the terrain and accommodations are so sick it negates the gear and guided bit, I'd probably plunk down for next season.Last edited by SILENCER; 01-11-2024 at 02:49 PM.
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01-10-2024, 02:41 PM #54Registered User
- Join Date
- Sep 2006
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- Rossland BC
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- 1,886
Blogging at www.kootenayskier.wordpress.com
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01-11-2024, 05:03 PM #55
This was great advice. The article I read did mention the accident in 2003, but more research shows a more complex story, Wylie's book, etc. Also, his reputation for driving hard and such. His operating tract sounds immense, and I also just read he lobbied to have helis banned from regular flight over his terrain to preserve the experience. I am no farther or closer to ruling this in or out, just wiser at this point. Again, there is still some appeal to his operation. Overall though, I'm curious how SME's terrain compares to the ones that Arctos lists above so well. Sounds glaciated and big, I can gather this much. Just curious if anyone here has skied with SME before.
Thanks man.
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01-11-2024, 08:07 PM #56
I've skied SME. I'd go again but only if guaranteed I didn't have to ski with Ruedi. Have been told I can specifically request Joey or Fiorina etc.
The terrain is stupendous.
Pics are from a few years ago. Keep scrolling through for pictures
http://www.leelau.net/sharonandlee/sme-woolsey-peak/
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01-11-2024, 09:13 PM #57Registered User
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- Mar 2008
- Location
- northern BC
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- 31,335
never been
he gave my ski bro one of them red SME fleece cuz bro ( ER physician ) fixed a dislocated Shoulder on a skier which saved all kinds of problems & a chopper ride
I have done a fair amount of skiing with joe the snow shoveller but joe woudn't say shit if he stepped in itLee Lau - xxx-er is the laziest Asian canuck I know
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01-12-2024, 02:08 PM #58
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01-12-2024, 06:24 PM #59
I’ve never been, and from the stories, I don’t think I could tour with Rudy either.
https://www.icefall.ca/skiing/icefall-ski-traverse
While I haven’t done the traverse, ice fall lodge is in an amazing spot, and might be worth considering.
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01-13-2024, 01:07 PM #60Registered User
- Join Date
- Sep 2022
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- 64
Due to the cold temps, the exchange is delayed here at Snowfall Lodge today, so I’ll make use of the down time and add another review.
We just wrapped a week of guided skiing here at Snowfall Lodge.
Over the week, we had over 100cm of storm snow followed by temperatures plummeting to -32C. Needless to say, we didn’t get to experience as much of the alpine as I would have liked; but the tree line and tree skiing we did get to do was fantastic. Lots of old growth tree lanes, pillows and the opportunity to ski runs in excess of 1000m. Home drainage runs with wide open fall line made for excellent powder skiing.
Normally, they run groups of 18 guests and three guides plus staff here. IMO, that would be tight quarters. We had a group of twelve guests two guides + lodge staff and the accommodations were nice. The lodge has a similar layout to Icefall lodge and also has a wood fired sauna with two bucket showers. The sauna is great! Classic out houses with views to the south.
The terrain is big and there is quite a bit of glaciated alpine terrain to explore. If there was a touchy PWL or a large avalanche cycle, it would be a challenging place to ski for the week as there is very little accessible high hazard skiing. However if you’re looking for big terrain out the front door, this place has got it.
The only downfall to Snowfall IMO, is the group size or the overall cost if you want to go as a smaller group.
Overall Score 4.8
Accommodations 4
Terrain 4.8
Value 4Last edited by Arctos Guides; 01-15-2024 at 08:39 AM.
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05-10-2024, 11:29 AM #61
Bump. I've read TR's and threads, mostly from Lee, Zenith and Arctos. Looking for some recs to help me wade through the many great options:
My wife and I are looking to head up to BC for a heli-in, guided hut trip 3/21-28 of 2026. We're both strong, fit skiers and tourers, solid touring+glacier experience and are looking for a not-super-rustic trip experience with solid amenities (this is a splurge). We've done hut trips in CO and Europe, but this would be our first time skiing backcountry in BC. We're probably biased to terrain variety over gnar/big line accessibility, but skiing that stuff would be great.
She's a savvy trip planner and has done some looking but wants me to make the call. She's proposed VMT, Icefall Lodge, Battle Abbey and Sentry. I am feeling good about Sol, Powder Creek, Hilda, Selkirk Lodge, and SME - Durrand as well.
What's the spot for a late March trip with upside late-season snow quality, reasonable storm skiing options and solid hut+amentity situation?
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05-10-2024, 07:03 PM #62Registered User
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- Mar 2008
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- northern BC
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I think you might want to check & see see what is actulay available
Lee Lau - xxx-er is the laziest Asian canuck I know
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05-10-2024, 08:05 PM #63
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05-10-2024, 09:24 PM #64
Go for places which also have glaciers. Selkirk Lodge, Battle Abbey, SME. These have superb glaciers skiing and metric tonne of tree skiing too. Icefall has terrain and skiing but isn't even close in terms of luxury. All things being equal pamper yourselves with triple ply t-p and indoor toilets
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05-11-2024, 11:54 AM #65
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05-11-2024, 03:34 PM #66
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05-11-2024, 04:37 PM #67
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05-11-2024, 05:09 PM #68
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