Heli skiing : Cat skiing : Ski mountaineering in the North British Columbia EH
Backcountry skiing provides an opportunity to explore and discover the many wilderness mountain ranges located in the Northern BC region during the winter season. There are various levels of backcountry skiing in the Kootenays including heli skiing, cat skiing and ski mountaineering.
Heli skiing involves helicopters flying backcountry skiers into remote locations. Cat skiing involves large snowcats. A snowcat is a tractor like vehicle with an enclosed cab operating on dual tracks (like a tank) designed to travel over deep snow and forge backcountry wilderness trails for skiing and snowmobiling.
Another form of backcountry skiing is called ski mountaineering. Mountaineering, in some cases, involves self propelled transportation like snowshoeing and telemark skiing in order to reach ski mountaineering destinations. Some locations are better accessed via helicopters and snowcats.
There are day trips and there are multi-day adventures provided by the various backcountry ski operators. Services vary per operator and may include lessons, equipment, meals, accommodations and trip plan preparation. Operators will also check for current weather conditions, avalanche reports and accessibility of backcountry routes.
Many multi day skiing adventures are fitted with accommodations. Accommodations include full service lodges, self contained cottages and remote wilderness cabins. Located in the deep backcountry wilderness regions are overnight accommodations called alpine huts which are basic lodgings (warming huts) for skiers provided and managed by local alpine clubs.
Some of the most popular backcountry skiing destinations located in the Northern British Columbia mountain ranges and parks are based out of Terrace, Smithers, Stewart, Kispoix and Prince George, BC, Canada. |
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