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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    N side, Terrace, BC
    Posts
    5,145

    Snowy Mountain Lodge

    So this really isn't a TR as it was just a little work trip. Apology in advance (read - feel free to skip this thread) if you're looking for rad descents or painful traverses. This absolutely pales in comparison to the wicked TR's posted here, but for me it was a great opportunity to reconnect with an old friend, and to see just what she'd been up to for the last 15 years or so. It was also about time that I'd put on an 80 litre pack again and see if my ancient fat ass could haul one of those things.

    I read a FB post from Dana that asked if anyone could lend her a hand for a few days opening the lodge. I took advantage of my new found freedom as a retiree and quickly said yeah. I'd heard about her lodge forever and never had an opportunity until now to check it out. She mentioned that there'd be a sled ride and about a 5km walk to get in. Then we'd shovel snow, haul wood, etc etc and make sure the Lodge, Yurt, Sauna/Shower were all ready for guests.

    Left Calgary and managed to get a little ski in at Marmot on the way. Conditions were great for a 50cm base. Anyway, got to Blue River and connected with Dana on the north side of town. Five minutes later we were loading up the sled for the 20+km ride to the trailhead.

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    At this point I jumped off the sled as the going got trickier with 2 on the sled and a full toboggan, Dana headed to the top of the road visible at the upper middle right. I walked there, nice stroll with no pack. Don't do that often.

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    Where we parked the sled, this is the summer trail head. With another metre (during normal lodge operating months), they take the sleds up the drainage in the background (starting much lower than we were here), then up the drainage on the left right to the lodge.

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    Dana and I start the walk in.

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    Following a 500' descent and a little shovel session, we cross the bridge.

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    Up (and across) is the way.

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    The fancy entrance sign. We are close.

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    Home. And shelter. And booze.

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    A dram or 2 of 15yr old Glenfiddich sherry wood is consumed under headlamp to celebrate the lodge still in one piece and my finally getting to Dana's Lodge.

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    Next day shoveled, hauled wood and various housekeeping duties. Had a great evening catching up. The last time I saw Dana was 21 years ago when she was an aspiring guide and I was coming out of the Seven Sisters near Terrace. Sort of a needle in a haystack meeting really, I was compassing out in a storm with close to no vis and she was coming in on a snow covered old mining road that was my handrail out. I'd first met Dana in about '93 or '94 ski bumming at Tod, she dated one of my best buddies. Great night shooting the shit.

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    Next day Dana wanted to show me some of their tenure. Although there was a somewhat supportable crust that made travel into the lodge fairly quick, we were hoping that snow in the trees about 300' above the lodge meant for some pow. Sure enough.

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    Me breaking out into the sub-alpine.

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    They've a huge tenure here. Something for everyone for sure.

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    Great pow presented itself to us for the descent. Dana was as solid as I remember her on the teles.

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    Back at the lodge, happy to have skied a run together after a damn long time. Had enough time to do a few more chores around the lodge and yurt and then crashed early to get a quick jump on the day to get out. I would have loved to spend more time here, but Dana had some shit to do IRL.

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    One last photo. I was so impressed with the Lodge and terrain! Can't wait to get back there. This would be a great hut trip, the terrain is quite complex so I would suggest a guided trip unless you're pretty damn solid. Very comfie lodge, nice sauna and very civilized shitters. And, if you still had any energy left after the trip....

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    ...you could always climb and ski Robson. It's only an hour drive.

    http://www.snowymountain.ca/about-us.htm
    “I tell you, we are here on Earth to fart around, and don't let anybody tell you different.”
    ― Kurt Vonnegut, A Man Without a Country

    www.mymountaincoop.ca

    This is OUR mountain - come join us!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    PNW -> MSO
    Posts
    7,889
    Wow, cool, Gary. Thanks for sharing.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    N side, Terrace, BC
    Posts
    5,145
    My pleasure Norseman! Thanks, hope you're getting some
    “I tell you, we are here on Earth to fart around, and don't let anybody tell you different.”
    ― Kurt Vonnegut, A Man Without a Country

    www.mymountaincoop.ca

    This is OUR mountain - come join us!

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Shuswap Highlands
    Posts
    4,345
    Beautiful up the north blue!
    I heard rumour that Dana would not be guiding this season, just caretaker for the facilities. Definitely some tricky terrain so if a guide is needed, best to confirm availability.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Posts
    934
    Amazing terrain and great snow. Beautiful lodge. I can't recommend it though. From a paying customer you will never find worse people to deal with.
    Zero communication. Imagine showing up expecting to be helicoptered in (that's what you paid for) and then get told you ar ebeing towed in by skidoo over a whooped out trail for 20 km. Oh and there is only 2 sleds so they will have to do several trips.
    Supposed to be fully catered and the chef shows up with out having any idea on what is coming food wise. No menus for her etc.
    Trip ends, next group comes in and oh guess what. They weren't told that they weren't being flown in either. Despite Dana and Steve knowing they weren't going to be for a solid month or two. Again no communication. Took me over a year and threats of acmg complaints well as lawsuits for our group to get reimbursed.

    Another friend of mine used them for a different trip at another lodge. Same shit different pile. Ran out of food for the last two days and ate potatoes and all the chocolate bars I had advised them to bring.

    Would be a great place under different management.

    Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    N side, Terrace, BC
    Posts
    5,145
    Quote Originally Posted by crashidy View Post
    Amazing terrain and great snow. Beautiful lodge. I can't recommend it though. From a paying customer you will never find worse people to deal with.
    Zero communication. Imagine showing up expecting to be helicoptered in (that's what you paid for) and then get told you ar ebeing towed in by skidoo over a whooped out trail for 20 km. Oh and there is only 2 sleds so they will have to do several trips.
    Supposed to be fully catered and the chef shows up with out having any idea on what is coming food wise. No menus for her etc.
    Trip ends, next group comes in and oh guess what. They weren't told that they weren't being flown in either. Despite Dana and Steve knowing they weren't going to be for a solid month or two. Again no communication. Took me over a year and threats of acmg complaints well as lawsuits for our group to get reimbursed.

    Another friend of mine used them for a different trip at another lodge. Same shit different pile. Ran out of food for the last two days and ate potatoes and all the chocolate bars I had advised them to bring.

    Would be a great place under different management.

    Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk
    Ouch. That doesn't sound good. Not sure what they had going on but I can see why you (and the following group) weren't happy. For the record, I brought my own food in and was ready for a walk with a big pack. Also had a bivi and a sleeping back in case we didn't make the hut.
    Quote Originally Posted by BCMtnHound View Post
    Beautiful up the north blue!

    I heard rumour that Dana would not be guiding this season, just caretaker for the facilities. Definitely some tricky terrain so if a guide is needed, best to confirm availability.
    I agree.
    “I tell you, we are here on Earth to fart around, and don't let anybody tell you different.”
    ― Kurt Vonnegut, A Man Without a Country

    www.mymountaincoop.ca

    This is OUR mountain - come join us!

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Posts
    61
    That's a totally amazing place!

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2001
    Location
    Before
    Posts
    27,911
    w000t!!!
    Merde De Glace On the Freak When Ski
    >>>200 cm Black Bamboo Sidewalled DPS Lotus 120 : Best Skis Ever <<<

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Seattle
    Posts
    5,351
    Always happy to see a TR from the great north. Keep it up!

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Seattle
    Posts
    33,546
    Thanks Gary. Looks fun.
    Quote Originally Posted by Downbound Train View Post
    And there will come a day when our ancestors look back...........

  11. #11
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    inpdx
    Posts
    20,197
    Sometimes I pretend I live near skiing, and then I come here and realize I really don't
    i'm crestfallen and inspired all at once

    thanks for posting this up GfT

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Posts
    3,269
    Catching up with an old friend from another time is always awesome, even better in a setting like that.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Not Brooklyn
    Posts
    8,319
    Good stuff. Thanks.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Alpental
    Posts
    4,166
    Looks like a great place to be
    “I have a responsibility to not be intimidated and bullied by low life losers who abuse what little power is granted to them as ski patrollers.”

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Posts
    16,337
    super cool, g. have a safe season.

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    bucks county pa
    Posts
    2,663
    golf clap all the way around ... well done and cool place to be it seems....bravo
    always forward but never straight

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    N side, Terrace, BC
    Posts
    5,145
    Thanks mags! Will keep on keeping on.
    “I tell you, we are here on Earth to fart around, and don't let anybody tell you different.”
    ― Kurt Vonnegut, A Man Without a Country

    www.mymountaincoop.ca

    This is OUR mountain - come join us!

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