Valkyr Lodge BC 2024

Join us at Valkyr Lodge March 3-10, 2024 in the largely unexplored Valkyr range. The lodge boasts 8 peaks and over 8,000′, with a huge variety of terrain choices. Perched at 2,210 meters on the north end of the Naumulten Mountains, there are 7 unique ski zones on 3 mountains – Naumulten, Mt Rollins and Mt. McBride.
Overview
Itinerary
Prerequisites
Inclusions
Gear

British Columbia Lodge trips are our favorite way to backcountry ski for a reason - being in expansive, remote mountains without having to rough it is the best! We focus on skiing great snow and exploring fun terrain and return home each day to freshly cooked meals and a hot sauna!

Valkyr Lodge, east of Kelowna, is a newer, plush lodge equipped with running water, plumbed showers and access to incredible snow and terrain. The lodge holds 12 guests and our team of 2 guides divides the group into ability levels based on how the team is feeling each day.
Join us and see why we love British Columbia Lodge Trips!
Plan for the trip:

  • Avalanche Rescue Skills Briefing
  • Ski the best zone based on weather, snow conditions, and group desires
  • Enjoy delicious meals from our in-Lodge cook & après ski Sauna.
  • Share the lodge with great people & live that backcountry Lodge Life!

  • Visit the Valkyr Lodge Trip Info Page Here

Here's the itinerary for your British Columbia Lodge Trip:

  • Day 0 - Arrive In British Columbia Make sure you arrive AT LEAST the day before the program to make sure your bags arrive. We advise arriving an extra day early to make sure all of your ski kit arrives in time!

  • Valkyr Lodge Runs Sunday-Sunday - These are the days we fly in/out of the lodge.

  • Day 1 - Arrive at Staging & Helicopter into the Lodge - Valkyr Lodge runs We arrive at staging in the morning, bags prepped for loading the Helicopter. After weighing in, we’ll fly into the lodge. After arrival, we'll unpack our overnight bags, do a quick avalanche rescue training and get out for a tour before dinner if time allows. After we've gotten some snow under our skis, we'll settle back into the huts, and prepare for dinner.

  • Days 2-6 - Ski Touring from the Lodge - We'll get an early start on the day, with fresh coffee and tea, and we'll prepare our lunch, snacks and gear the day before breakfast. Next, we’ll sit down to a hot meal and check in on the weather forecast and options for the day. We'll each day ski touring, covering roughly 3,000-5,000' vertical each day. We typically eat lunch and snacks on the go in the field, but depending on the group and conditions, we may opt to stop for a longer break. After skiing to our hearts content, we'll regroup at the huts, set our gear out to dry and prepare for dinner. This is a perfect time to relax in the sauna or take a little alone time to regroup before dinner.

  • Day 7 - Depart the Lodge On our last day at the lodge, we'll enjoy breakfast, pack up and load the helicopter out of the lodge. Once we’re back at the staging area, everyone is free to depart to their next destination, whether that’s the airport or more skiing in British Columbia! Helicopter flights depend on weather, so it’s a good idea to plan to fly home the following day if there are any delays.

Here are the skills and fitness you'll need for your course:

  • Advanced Resort Riding Skills - Including off-piste terrain in challenging snow conditions.

  • Intermediate Touring Experience - Including efficient gear management and skinning, transition technique, with 20+ days of backcountry experience.

  • Strong Fitness - Able to spend a long, active day outside, moving uphill at 1,000’ per hour for durations of 1-1.5 hours between breaks. Participants should be able to hike 8-10 miles, climbing 2,500 - 3,500 vertical feet throughout the course of the day. People with strong fitness typically have a strenuous workout 3-4 days a week

Here's what's included with your trip:

  • Modern, comfortable sleeping accommodations
  • Deluxe breakfast, lunch, appetizers, and dinner prepared by a professional cook.
  • Experienced IFMGA/AMGA/ACMG Trained Guide
  • Group Safety Gear - your guide will be equipped with snow science tools and a first aid kit
  • Wag Bags - For human waste disposal, in with compliance 'Leave No Trace' principles
Not Included
  • Transportation to the helicopter staging area
  • Hotels before and after the trip
  • Alcohol - Beer can be purchased at the huts
  • Gratuities for guides, cooks and caretaker

BC Lodge Ski Touring Gear List (Download the Full List Here) Ski/Split Touring Gear

  • Alpine Touring Ski or Splitboard Setup - No snowshoes
  • Alpine Touring or Splitboard Boots
  • Climbing Skins
  • Touring Backpack - with pockets for avalanche gear
  • Adjustable Touring Poles
  • Alpine Harness
  • Locking Carabiner
Avalanche Safety Gear
  • Avalanche Beacon
  • Avalanche Shovel
  • Avalanche Probe
Overnight Gear
  • Headlamp
  • Lodge Slippers
  • Clothing & Accessories
  • Technical Outerwear (jacket, bibs/pants)
  • Multiple Midlayer Options
  • Gloves
  • Helmet
  • Goggles
  • Beanie
  • Baseball Cap
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Water Bottle / Hydration Pack (2L)
  • Lunch and Snacks


Know Before you go

SKILL LEVELIntermediate Expert
ELEVATION5,000-8,000'
LocationBC - Valkyr Range

Price $2,975.00
Private Programs
Duration: 7 Days, 6 Nights
View Full Itinerary
Private Programs

Blackbird Mountain Guides offers both scheduled group programs and private programs.

Private programs are simply above and beyond what Blackbird Mountain Guides currently has scheduled. Scheduled courses are not always less expensive. Before booking a trip with Blackbird Mountain Guides, clients are encouraged to review the differences between these types of programs, and to decide what works best for them.

SCHEDULED PROGRAMS

Scheduled Programs have fixed dates, itineraries, objectives, curriculum, and costs. They typically appeal to solo individuals or small groups or who are looking to share the cost of their program with a larger group. Correspondingly, scheduled programs are less expensive for smaller groups (1-2), and they provide the opportunity to meet others with similar interests. If you have a large group (3+), Scheduled programs will often be more expensive. They can fill up quickly, and scheduling flexibility is obviously limited.

Scheduled programs will have advertised dates. All scheduled programs can be run as private programs with private dates/rates as well.

PRIVATE PROGRAMS

Private programs have scheduling freedom. They typically appeal to those who would like some flexibility in planning their own trip or course. In this regard, Itineraries and objectives can be tailored to suit current conditions as well as client goals. Private programs are normally less expensive for larger groups (3+). If you have a small group (1-2) private programs will be more expensive.

Contact us
Full Itinerary

Coming Soon!
 

British Columbia Lodge trips are our favorite way to backcountry ski for a reason - being in expansive, remote mountains without having to rough it is the best! We focus on skiing great snow and exploring fun terrain and return home each day to freshly cooked meals and a hot sauna!

Valkyr Lodge, east of Kelowna, is a newer, plush lodge equipped with running water, plumbed showers and access to incredible snow and terrain. The lodge holds 12 guests and our team of 2 guides divides the group into ability levels based on how the team is feeling each day.
Join us and see why we love British Columbia Lodge Trips!
Plan for the trip:

  • Avalanche Rescue Skills Briefing
  • Ski the best zone based on weather, snow conditions, and group desires
  • Enjoy delicious meals from our in-Lodge cook & après ski Sauna.
  • Share the lodge with great people & live that backcountry Lodge Life!

  • Visit the Valkyr Lodge Trip Info Page Here

Here's the itinerary for your British Columbia Lodge Trip:

  • Day 0 - Arrive In British Columbia Make sure you arrive AT LEAST the day before the program to make sure your bags arrive. We advise arriving an extra day early to make sure all of your ski kit arrives in time!

  • Valkyr Lodge Runs Sunday-Sunday - These are the days we fly in/out of the lodge.

  • Day 1 - Arrive at Staging & Helicopter into the Lodge - Valkyr Lodge runs We arrive at staging in the morning, bags prepped for loading the Helicopter. After weighing in, we’ll fly into the lodge. After arrival, we'll unpack our overnight bags, do a quick avalanche rescue training and get out for a tour before dinner if time allows. After we've gotten some snow under our skis, we'll settle back into the huts, and prepare for dinner.

  • Days 2-6 - Ski Touring from the Lodge - We'll get an early start on the day, with fresh coffee and tea, and we'll prepare our lunch, snacks and gear the day before breakfast. Next, we’ll sit down to a hot meal and check in on the weather forecast and options for the day. We'll each day ski touring, covering roughly 3,000-5,000' vertical each day. We typically eat lunch and snacks on the go in the field, but depending on the group and conditions, we may opt to stop for a longer break. After skiing to our hearts content, we'll regroup at the huts, set our gear out to dry and prepare for dinner. This is a perfect time to relax in the sauna or take a little alone time to regroup before dinner.

  • Day 7 - Depart the Lodge On our last day at the lodge, we'll enjoy breakfast, pack up and load the helicopter out of the lodge. Once we’re back at the staging area, everyone is free to depart to their next destination, whether that’s the airport or more skiing in British Columbia! Helicopter flights depend on weather, so it’s a good idea to plan to fly home the following day if there are any delays.

Here are the skills and fitness you'll need for your course:

  • Advanced Resort Riding Skills - Including off-piste terrain in challenging snow conditions.

  • Intermediate Touring Experience - Including efficient gear management and skinning, transition technique, with 20+ days of backcountry experience.

  • Strong Fitness - Able to spend a long, active day outside, moving uphill at 1,000’ per hour for durations of 1-1.5 hours between breaks. Participants should be able to hike 8-10 miles, climbing 2,500 - 3,500 vertical feet throughout the course of the day. People with strong fitness typically have a strenuous workout 3-4 days a week

Here's what's included with your trip:

  • Modern, comfortable sleeping accommodations
  • Deluxe breakfast, lunch, appetizers, and dinner prepared by a professional cook.
  • Experienced IFMGA/AMGA/ACMG Trained Guide
  • Group Safety Gear - your guide will be equipped with snow science tools and a first aid kit
  • Wag Bags - For human waste disposal, in with compliance 'Leave No Trace' principles
Not Included
  • Transportation to the helicopter staging area
  • Hotels before and after the trip
  • Alcohol - Beer can be purchased at the huts
  • Gratuities for guides, cooks and caretaker

BC Lodge Ski Touring Gear List (Download the Full List Here) Ski/Split Touring Gear

  • Alpine Touring Ski or Splitboard Setup - No snowshoes
  • Alpine Touring or Splitboard Boots
  • Climbing Skins
  • Touring Backpack - with pockets for avalanche gear
  • Adjustable Touring Poles
  • Alpine Harness
  • Locking Carabiner
Avalanche Safety Gear
  • Avalanche Beacon
  • Avalanche Shovel
  • Avalanche Probe
Overnight Gear
  • Headlamp
  • Lodge Slippers
  • Clothing & Accessories
  • Technical Outerwear (jacket, bibs/pants)
  • Multiple Midlayer Options
  • Gloves
  • Helmet
  • Goggles
  • Beanie
  • Baseball Cap
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Water Bottle / Hydration Pack (2L)
  • Lunch and Snacks

Book Now
Participants:

Epic Reviews From Adventurers

15 reviews
  • Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Ready for a trip to pillow town?

    Ok, this was my 2nd hut trip with Blackbird and wow was it amazing. I mean, at 50 if I had done this 25 years ago I am pretty sure my life would have gone in a very different direction.

    First and foremost, Zeb Blaise (owner and lead guide), is an absolute rockstar. He ensured that everyone made it to the lodge no matter how hard the weather and airlines tried to prevent it. He was constantly working to make sure this was an amazing experience.

    While visibility was difficult all week I still think we scored big time. With 5-10cm of fresh every day and a mix of guides and practicum's with local knowledge we were never longing for more. With the ability to self select we were able to choose from skiing bell to bell or a more mellow day but always had fun.

    I could go on about the food being fantastic and the hut's sauna for days but there is only so much room to type.

    Oh yeah, about the pillows... This is probably this best pillow terrain I've ever seen, in person, a magazine or a video part. I mean Mike Lindell would be jealous of this place. A week later and I'm still dreaming about pillow lines!

    The only real question is whether I will return to Snowfall or check out a different hut next winter...

    Jeremy R.
    Verified Buyer
    Snowfall Lodge BC - Archive 2024
  • Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Blackbird Guides - Snowfall Lodge

    In short, a once in a lifetime experience. The perfect balance between comfort (a lodge that is off the grid but has everything you need, including sauna and amazing food) and outdoor adventure (disconnected, epic snow and terrain, unreal views, the list goes on). To top it off, Blackbird guides helps to make the experience as good as it gets. They are professionals at coordinating and communicating plans, as well as true backcountry mountain guides - ensuring a safe experience, while providing education and guaranteeing epic powder turns. I have used Blackbird since they started and will continue to do so. They are at the top of their game. Don't miss this trip, or frankly, any trip Blackbird puts together. If you have the opportunity, GO!

    Greg F.
    Verified Buyer
    Snowfall Lodge BC - Archive 2024
  • Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Incredible hut trip

    Magnificent terrain to explore each day and a beautiful hut to return to each night. Couldn’t have loved this week more!

    Jennifer L.
    Verified Buyer
    Snowfall Lodge BC - Archive 2024
  • Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Another Epic Trip to BC

    Blackbird trips are something special. Amazing terrain, super knowledgeable and fun guides, great guests, and spectacular food. Snowfall had it all, from high alpine & glaciers to super fun tree and pillow skiing. Looking forward to coming back.

    Henning F.
    Verified Buyer
    Snowfall Lodge BC - Archive 2024
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