Return helicopter flight to basecamp from Bluff Lake, BC

Guiding fees

All dinners and breakfasts at basecamp

3 days of extra dinners and breakfasts in case we get stuck at basecamp due to bad weather

Large kitchen / dining tent with cooking equipment: stoves, pots, etc.

Group safety equipment: first aid, rescue toboggan, inreach, repair kit, ropes, etc.

Travel to / from Bluff Lake, BC

Accommodation and meals at Bluff Lake

Lunches and snacks

Personal equipment and winter camping gear

Travel / mountain rescue insurance

This is a sample itinerary for a 9 day trip (which gives us 6 full days of skiing from our Basecamp). This itinerary can be adjusted in length to suit your timeframe.

Day 1: Meet at White Saddle Country Inn (Bluff Lake, BC) at 5pm for a gear check and pre-trip meeting with the whole team. Have dinner and stay here overnight.

Day 2: Helicopter flight into the range. Set up basecamp.

Days 3-8: Ski mountaineering day trips on the many objectives surrounding camp.

Day 9: Pack up camp. Helicopter flight back to Bluff Lake.

Please note: Flying into this area requires good weather. If the weather isn’t cooperating, we may have to wait a day or two at Bluff Lake before flying in, or we may be able to get dropped off in another part of the range at a lower elevation and set up a basecamp there instead.
On the flip side there is a real possibility of getting stuck in basecamp for a few days when trying to fly out at the end of the trip. We will bring extra food and fuel for this eventuality, that’s just the nature of trips into these high places.

You must be a competent ski tourer or split boarder able to consistently perform kick turns and comfortably ascend 1000m elevation gain in a day.

You must be able to ski or snowboard while maintaining control in all types of snow conditions on steep and exposed slopes up to 40 degrees.

Previous glacier experience is not mandatory, we will teach you the techniques you need to know during the trip.

When you sign up for this expedition you will receive a detailed information package with gear list, travel advice, etc. You can also check out some of the FAQ below:

How fit do I need to be?

You should be fit enough to ski tour all day carrying a daypack for several days in a row. We can tailor each day according to group fitness but you should aim to be able to ascend 1000m vertical per day. If you are at this level of fitness you will enjoy the trip a lot more. We will have a comfy basecamp set-up so if you need to take a day off mid-trip you will have a nice place to hang out for the day.

How experienced do I need to be?

You must have a good amount of previous experience ski touring or splitboarding and be comfortable skinning and skiing/riding in all types of snow conditions. Previous glacier travel experience is not mandatory, we will teach you all the techniques you need to know during the expedition.

Can you accommodate dietary restrictions?

Yes, absolutely! As long as you let us know ahead of time we can make sure you get nutritious meals that meet your dietary restrictions.

What is the basecamp set-up like?

We will provide a large dome tent that we can use for cooking, dining and hanging out if the weather is bad. These are big enough to stand up and walk around inside. We will also set-up a camp toilet for everyone to use, with snow walls for privacy. You are responsible for bringing a 4-season winter camping tent to sleep in, or sharing with someone else. As space is limited in the helicopter we will all have to share tents with other team members.

Can I charge my electronic devices?

We will not have group charging facilities. The best option is to bring a USB powerbank to keep your devices charged.

Is there internet or cell service?

There is no internet or cell service once we arrive at basecamp. We will have an Inreach that will be used solely for our daily safety check-ins and requesting assistance in an emergency. As we need to conserve battery power on our Inreach in case it is needed in an emergency it will not be available for your personal use. If you would like to keep in touch with your loved ones back home please bring your own Inreach or similar satellite communication device.