Big Mountain Challenge (Experts Only)

True Experts Only: Ski Couloirs, Big Faces And Steep Lines.

If you like to ski or board more challenging terrain, then this is the program for you. Whether it's couloirs, big faces or steep lines, Bella Coola is the ideal place to push your envelope. The terrain is impressive, as showcased in any number of ski movies, and the snowpack is on average more stable then most anywhere else in the world.

Trip Highlights

• Ski and board more challenging terrain
• Enjoy heli accessed warm up runs before hitting the bigger slopes
• Small cohesive groups of skiers with two or more guides
• All inclusive accommodation at either the Tweedsmuir or at Bella Coola's Mountain Lodge
• Learn and practice basic mountaineering skills

The best time to book this program is during the month of April. The days are longer, the weather is more settled and most importantly the snow pack has firmed up. It is at this time of year that the steeper slopes are in the best shape, while at the same time still likely to have a covering of fresh powder.

The program runs for a minimum one week and will start with some regular heli skiing so that your guide can asses everybody's ability level. After all, they want to make sure to challenge you, but don't want to get you in over your head. Weather permitting this will be on the afternoon of your arrival day.

In addition to the opening half day of skiing the program includes a further five full days of skiing/boarding, with a guaranteed 7 runs per day. The first 5 runs will be warm ups, and then after lunch the idea is to go ski a couple of proper objectives. These can be couloirs or a big mountain faces. The runs may include some hiking, climbing and rappelling to get into position. Our estimate is that you will ski 15,000 or so vertical feet (5,000 v.m.) per day. In any case, over the course of your week the program we guarantee a minimum of 75,000 vertical feet of skiing regardless of how many runs you do per day. 

We are anticipating that one of the days you are in the valley will be a rest or a weather day and that is why we have only included 5 and half days of skiing. To ski the bigger slopes requires flying into the alpine and if the weather is bad this may not be possible. However, if it is blue skies everyday and the group does want to ski and snowboard every day then it is easy to do so and we simply bill out the extra flying time at $2,580 per hour of flying divided by the number of skiers in the heli group.

One of the Lead Guides for the group is Jia Condon, one of Canada's most accomplished ski mountaineers and adventurers. He has many first descents to his name, years of guiding experience, as well as tons of stories and one heck of a slide show to share with you. In addition, there will be a second guide with the group to help out. 

Accommodation is at "Bella Coola's Mountain Lodge" during the first two weeks of April and at Tweedsmuir Park Lodge during the last two weeks of April. For costs see the rates and dates section below.