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Northern BC is like nothing you've ever experienced - big mountains, rich culture & more bears than people!

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There are many terrain options including tree skiing.

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The view is beyond anything you've ever seen.

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The ultimate backcountry experience in the mountains of northwestern BC.

What to Bring

What to Bring for Skiing to the Burnie Glacier Chalet

Rental skis, skins, ski crampons, beacons, probes and shovels are available, but we recommend you bring your own as we may not have your size. Your luggage will be weighed and cannot be heavier than 15 kg (33 lb.) excluding skis, snowshoes, or snowboards. Bring ski clothing and a set of comfortable clothes to change into.

You do not need a sleeping bag. Bedding is provided.

Avoid bringing a large ski bag with lots of stuff in it. Those bags are awkward to fit into the Dash-8 airplane that serves Smithers and will be the first to be left behind. Use a small ski bag only, or use Air Canada's plastic wrap.

Please leave your ski bags at the hangar or the hotel. They take up a lot of space and are unnecessary.
Do bring:

Large day backpack (at least 30 litres) and duffel
2-3 sets ski underwear -merino or poly, no cotton!
3-4 pairs of socks
2 light fleece sweaters
1 pile or fleece jacket
1 shell jacket with hood (water resistant and breathable, hard or soft shell)
ski pants and gaiters if necessary - most ski pants have built-in gaiters now

insulated overpants
light down jacket or puffy
personal first aid kit and medications
glacier sunglasses
ski goggles
warm hat or toque, balaclava
sun hat, sun protection for skin and lips
good warm ski gloves, thinner gloves for climbing, warm mitts
thermos bottle
map and compass (optional, 1: 50,000 93 L/5 Burnie Lake, a 1:25,000 map is available at the lodge and
at Interior Stationery in Smithers), camera
toothbrush, sponge, soap etc.
slippers or camp booties, snow boots
headlamp
casual clothes for wearing at the chalet
skis, skins, ski crampons, ski strap (available)

We recommend that you bring ski crampons, particularly if you come after the middle of March.
We have some available, but not for all bindings and sizes.

harness (available), 1 locking carabiner (available), 1 normal carabiner
transceiver, probe, shovel (available)
ski mountaineering boots
light ice axe (available)

 
 

My husband and I did the second half of the Donjek River route with Christoph Dietzfelbinger of Bear Mountaineering in 2010. This was our first trip with him but not our last, as we intend to do another in 2011. The trip was a complete success thanks to his expertise, organization, and personality. The equipment and food were great, his enthusiasm and experience inspire confidence, and Christoph is a charming and interesting fireside companion. We both unreservedly recommend Bear Mountaineering to anyone wanting guided wilderness travel in western Canada. 

Noni Fenwick-Wilson and Stirling Fraser, Comox BC