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Backcountry Lodges Mistaya Lodge Visit their secluded tree-line lodge for all levels of hiking, skiing, [...] Read More Sol Mountain Touring Sol Mountain’s BC backcountry lodge is in the heart of the southern [...] Read More Valhalla Mountain Touring Valhalla Mountain Touring is located in the heart of the Selkirk [...] Read MoreLift Service Castle Mountain Castle Mountain. Over 3500 skiable acres. Two mountains. 78 trails. 8 [...] Read More Lake Louise Ski Area Spectacular scenery awaits at Lake Louise with uniquely beautiful terrain [...] Read More Mount Cain Situated on the north end of Vancouver Island, Mount Cain offers a unique [...] Read More Red Mountain Resort If downhill skiing or snowboarding on a mountain with epic terrain and [...] Read More |
Powder ToolsThe Powder checklist… First, lets start with Western Canadian powder. What exactly does that mean for someone traveling here to experience it? “Well, first you are going to want to go with a fat set of skis – a minimum of 100mm under foot,” explains Dan Savage, Fernie based powder guru. “They won’t need to change the length much, but they may want to look at a softer flex than what they’re used to and a lighter ski.” Basically, fatter is better when it comes to skis for powder.
Savage also notes that a common occurrence with skiers coming from the UK and Eastern locations is that they tend to ride in stiffer boots, and they can go with a more flexible boot to ski here. Because of the generally soft snow conditions, a softer boot will enable better balance. “I also recommend that people invest in a really good set of footbeds for their boots,” says Savage. “It’s all about balance.” The West’s often abundant powder also means that a good portion of the time, you’ll be skiing and riding in flat light and occasionally experiencing some serious precipitation, causing your goggles to steam. “People will want to bring extra goggles with them so they can switch back and forth over the course of the day,” says Savage. “ For lens tint, you want an amber or persimmon colour that blocks light coming in without darkening your view and provides amble contrast in low light conditions.” With all cat and heli operations modern safety equipment will be provided and the guides will train you in how to use it in case of emergency. The guides will also make all the terrain decisions to ensure your safety. Backcountry or out-of-bounds skiing is whole different experience. “Backcountry skiing has a much greater set of equipment requirements however the rule is, without proper education and experience, stay out of the backcountry” says Savage. The Canadian Avalanche Centre offers courses and they are mandatory prior to wandering off into unguided or unpatrolled terrain. Remember be safe and live to ski another day! Related Editorials
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Snowcats Baldface Lodge With 32,000 acres Baldface has every type of terrain imaginable from [...] Read More Chatter Creek Cat-Skiing Chatter Creek is one of Western Canada’s largest and most [...] Read More Island Lake Catskiing For nearly 20 years Island Lake catskiing has consistently provided guests [...] Read MoreHeli Operators Bella Coola Helisports With over 2 million total acres of jaw-dropping terrain reserved for you [...] Read More Mica Heli Skiing 72,000 hectares (close to 178,000 acres) of towering peaks deep in the [...] Read More Northern Escape Heli Skiing Northern Escape Heli Skiing is located just South of the Alaska border, in [...] Read More |
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