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Backcountry Skiing

The gateway to big terrain and deep powder – backcountry skiing in Arrow Slocan is a powder paradise.

Legendary West Kootenay winters deliver heaps of snow to the mountains that cradle the region. Arrow Slocan’s quiet waterfront communities are the gateway to untracked terrain and cozy backcountry lodges. Choose from tall mountain peaks, alpine bowls and couloirs or naturally gladed backcountry skiing.

Arrow Slocan is home to the Monashee Mountains, as well as Selkirk Range that includes both the Valhalla and Valkyr Ranges. The region’s four backcountry lodges each have access to unique terrain in remote locations. This makes for excellent access to backcountry skiing experiences. Need a guide to show you the goods? We have that too.

Valhalla Mountain Touring - ski tour in winter
Valhalla Mountain Touring – get the goods

Valhalla Mountain Touring

(604) 848-1462

The snowcat accessed 14 person lodge is located at an elevation of 1720 meters to the west of Hills, BC in the heart of the Selkirk Mountains, just north of Valhalla Provincial Park.

Over 19,000 skiable acres of alpine bowls, glades and chutes are just a skin track away from the lodge, allowing a new backcountry skiing adventure every day of the trip. The peaks and ridges soar to 2500 meters providing for continuous descents of over 800 meters back down to the lodge. Enjoy the 360 views of the Bugaboos, Kokanee Glacier, rugged South Valhallas and many other majestic Selkirk Peaks.

VMT offer guided and catered backcountry skiing adventures in winter and summer.

Valkyr Adventures

(250) 269-7237

Three unique lodges are accessed by helicopter and located in the Valkyr Mountain Range near Burton, BC.

Hilda Hut, Valkyr and the LQ Outpost backcountry lodges are all dotted within Valkyr Adventures’ tenure. Valkyr Adventures offer guided and catered or self-guided and un-catered backcountry skiing adventures in winter and hiking in summer.

  • Valkyr Lodge (elevation 2,208 meters) is located on Naumulten Mountain and features a selection of alpine and open treeline skiing in 8 unique ski zones on 3 peaks, covering over 4,000 hectares of spectacular backcountry skiing terrain.
  • Hilda Hut (elevation 1920 meters) is located on Mount Hilda and features steep open and technical treed terrain, large alpine features and long challenging ski tours. Includes three mountains and over 4,000 hectares of terrain.
  • LQ Outpost (elevation 2,200 meters) is located on Mount Lequereux and features open alpine and steep old growth glades. Ski terrain is primarily advanced on all aspects of Lequereux, with moderate terrain toward the east flank of Mount Hilda.
Valhalla Mountain Touring - backcountry skiing
Valhalla Mountain Touring – backcountry skiing at its finest

Sol Mountain Lodge

250-674-3707
info@solmountain.com

This off-grid, fly-in lodge is set deep in the heart of the Monashee Mountain range. The catered and guided backcountry skiing trips take guests up into the alpine for big powder turns and through treeline for pillows, chutes and old growth tree skiing within easy access of the lodge.

The lodge has all the amenities of home, and more! Guests have private rooms, with indoor bathrooms, showers, a dry room for gear, wood-stove heated sauna, yoga and stretching studio. Enjoy the stand-up bar where you can lean into après.

In summer, the lodge is the perfect base for hiking and mountain biking excursions on their extensive trail network.

Ice Creek Lodge

1-250-355-2647

Ice Creek Lodge was built in 2002 and includes 4 private bedrooms, running water, a mountain shower, wood-fire sauna, a wood-burning fireplace, electricity and a fully-equipped kitchen.

The lodge is a helicopter ride away from world-class terrain featuring couloirs, natural pipes, and powder-hoarding bowls. Experienced guides deliver a quintessential backcountry experience. Seasoned cooks ensure your taste buds are equally satisfied.

The Devils Range alone is over 25 km East to West, with numerous pocket snowfields and small glaciers tucked into the high North facing cols. The towering granite spires of the Valhallas offer incredible climbing opportunities with a wide range of grades and levels of commitment required.

There are 5 and 7 night guided and catered ski touring packages to choose from. Multi-night backcountry skill development programs are also available and geared toward the recreational and professional athlete.

CMH Kootenay  

1-800-661-0252 
sales@cmhheli.com 

With 290+ runs over 1,155 sq.km across both the Selkirk and Monashee Ranges CMH Kootenay is defined by its fun, featured lines, varied terrain, predictable storm cycles (average annual snowfall of 59 ft) and in-town location at the Lodge at Arrow Lakes in downtown Nakusp.  

This is an excellent destination for anyone looking to step up their all-mountain game on a Steep Shots and Powder Drops heli-skiing trip – a program where pro athletes coach our guests to pick better lines, tackle bigger features, and shred like a pro for their own personal highlight reel. 

Get above it all at CMH Kootenay

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Looking to explore elsewhere in the region? There is always the option to hire a certified guide.

Arctos Guides

(778) 802-9155

Arctos Guides is based in Slocan, BC and operates in the Valhalla, Kokanee and Goat Ranges – all the sub-ranges of the Selkirk and Columbia Mountains. Certified by the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides, they offer backcountry ski touring services.

Get out deep into the backcountry with Arctos Guides

Backcountry Skiing – Important to Know

Travel into the backcountry has its inherent risks. Proper gear and training are required to play safe. Choose a certified professional guide or operator for your adventure.

Backcountry lodge trips and ski tour guided adventures require a confident intermediate to advanced level of skiing or snowboarding ability with experience in deep powder. Individual operators can provide advice and guidance on what will work for you.