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Thread: Snowy Mountain Lodge
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12-12-2018, 01:57 PM #1
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.
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.
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.
Dana and I start the walk in.
Following a 500' descent and a little shovel session, we cross the bridge.
Up (and across) is the way.
The fancy entrance sign. We are close.
Home. And shelter. And booze.
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.
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.
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.
Me breaking out into the sub-alpine.
They've a huge tenure here. Something for everyone for sure.
Great pow presented itself to us for the descent. Dana was as solid as I remember her on the teles.
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.
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....
...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!
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12-12-2018, 02:03 PM #2
Wow, cool, Gary. Thanks for sharing.
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12-12-2018, 02:15 PM #3
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!
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12-12-2018, 02:41 PM #4
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.
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12-12-2018, 02:56 PM #5Registered User
- Join Date
- Dec 2004
- Posts
- 938
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
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12-12-2018, 03:10 PM #6
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.
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!
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12-12-2018, 06:38 PM #7Banned
- Join Date
- Nov 2017
- Posts
- 61
That's a totally amazing place!
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12-12-2018, 06:51 PM #8
w000t!!!
Merde De Glace On the Freak When Ski
>>>200 cm Black Bamboo Sidewalled DPS Lotus 120 : Best Skis Ever <<<
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12-12-2018, 07:01 PM #9
Always happy to see a TR from the great north. Keep it up!
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12-12-2018, 07:09 PM #10
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12-12-2018, 07:16 PM #11
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
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12-13-2018, 11:57 AM #12Registered User
- Join Date
- Mar 2009
- Posts
- 3,281
Catching up with an old friend from another time is always awesome, even better in a setting like that.
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12-16-2018, 08:57 PM #13
Good stuff. Thanks.
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12-16-2018, 10:28 PM #14
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.”
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12-16-2018, 11:41 PM #15
super cool, g. have a safe season.
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12-17-2018, 10:55 AM #16
golf clap all the way around ... well done and cool place to be it seems....bravo
always forward but never straight
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12-18-2018, 09:15 AM #17
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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