Talus Lodge Ski Touring
Canada / Canadian Rockies / British Columbia
Canadian Rockies, Access from Canmore AB, Canada
3 – 4 night ski touring trip in one of BC’s most scenic backcountry skiing destinations with helicopter access
Join us for 3 or 4 night ski touring trips in this remote, scenic wilderness area: Just our group and nothing else but mountain scenery, powder skiing, camaraderie and a lovely timber frame lodge with panoramic windows.
The trip is based at Talus Lodge (2,300 m / 7,435 ft), a quick, scenic, 12-minute helicopter ride from the town of Canmore, AB or a 6-minute ride from Mt. Shark nordic ski area in the Kananaskis Provincial Parks area. Talus Lodge straddles the BC-Alberta border, but the skiing is mostly on the BC side of the Divide with great views of Mt. Assiniboine, “the Matterhorn of the Rockies”. Optionally, strong groups can also approach the lodge on skis either from the Burstall Pass trailhead from the Alberta side of the Continental Divide or Settlers Road on the British Columbia side.
The ski terrain is offers a mix of high alpine, tree line with several open bowls and excellent tree skiing. Runs of up to 800 m / 2600 ft allow for plenty of turns in the powdery Rockies snow pack. After your ski touring day with a light pack, you will come back to a cozy lodge, hot (and cold) drinks, delicious meals and a wood-fired sauna. It’s hard to beat!
2027 Pricing
Please Inquire
HIGHLIGHTS
- Over 3m / 10ft average settled snowpack at tree line
- Colder temperatures = fluffier snow
- Up to 800m / 2,620ft vertical ski runs
- Breathtaking Canadian Rockies scenery
- Comfortable hut, double rooms, great sauna
- 1½ hours from Calgary International Airport to staging area
- Ski in the afternoon on your travel day
DIFFICULTY
- Intermediate skiing
- Good fitness required
- Light daypacks
- Some open terrain
- Mostly tree skiing
Trip Details
Meeting Point
Two options: 1) Meet the evening before the first day of the trip at the OnTop Chalet in Canmore for a trip briefing and dinner with the group and guides. 2) On demand, we also offer organized van transport from Calgary Airport (YYC) to Canmore and Banff, Alberta. The staging area for Talus Lodge flights is at Alpine Helicopters in Canmore, Alta, a 5-minute drive from downtown Canmore. Departure time for the first helicopter shuttle to Talus Lodge is at 10:00 with a 09:15 meeting at the Alpine Helicopter helipad.
Weather/Climate
In the East Kootenay Range, in late winter, (from February to March), when Talus Lodge operates, heavy snowfall at altitude can be frequent, allowing for excellent powder skiing. During a typical ski touring week, you should be prepared for moderate snowfall and temps from -10C (14F) to -20C (-4F). But of course, it can get as cold as -30C (-22F).
For spring skiing weeks, powder snow (dry, cold snow) usually preserves well on the many northerly aspects even if it hasn’t snowed in days. At the same time, the southerly aspects will start to corn up (melt-freeze cycle) with sunny weather, which yields nice spring skiing, if the descents are well timed with the daytime heating. Unfortunately, as with any backcountry skiing, we can’t exclude (but do our best to avoid) the “in-between stages” of powder and corn: Crud a.k.a breakable crusts!
Medical/Rescue and Trip Cancellation Insurance
We strongly recommend the purchase of a travel insurance package that does cover adventure travel. Common policies sold by travel agents or policies included in your credit card contract tend to exclude “mountaineering” if you read through the fine print. We recommend an adventure travel policy on our website at http://ontopmountaineering.com/travel-insurance/ which our clients had good experiences with in the past. *NEW: we now recommend including covid-19/pandemic coverage with your insurance policy.
Inclusions
Included – Regular trip package
- Guiding and instruction by an internationally (UIAGM / IFMGA / ACMG) certified mountain or ski guide
- 3- and 4-night double room lodging in Talus Lodge
- 3-4 multi-course dinners and breakfast (meals are professionally cooked by a Talus Lodge chef)
- Lunch supplies
- Non-alcoholic beverages (juices, tea and electrolyte beverages)
- Helicopter transfer to and from the lodge
- Equipment rental (harnesses, Barryvox Pulse transceivers)
- All trip organization
Not Included
- Airfare
- Ski touring equipment (can be rented)
- Snacks
- Non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages
- Any additional cost due to changes in the itinerary, may they be caused by weather, mountain conditions or personal preferences.
- Insurance
Add Ons
- Transport to staging area
- Rental of ski equipment
- Rental of avalanche safety equipment ($100 for the avalanche safety items, $50 for the harness and carabiners).
Gear List
Talus Lodge Gear List as Downloadable .PDF
Please download a PDF copy to use as a checklist when preparing for your trip.
Technical Equipment
Bring the following, or rent it (see ‘Trip Info Links’ at the bottom of the page):
- Alpine touring (or telemark*) skis and ski boots
- Collapsible, lightweight ski poles
- Climbing skins (stick-on), fitted to your skis
- Ski crampons for March and April trips (rent these with rented skis, or purchase your own for your own skis)
*Only bring telemark skis if you are an advanced telemark skier with backcountry experience.
If you do not have one or more of the following items, you can rent them from one of the listed retailers or from OnTop. Please book in advance.
- Digital, 3-antenna avalanche transceiver
- Lightweight snow shovel
- Avalanche probe (two to three meters long)
Bring the following:
- Two small or a medium size duffel bag, or backpack, to transport your things in the helicopter
- Daypack for ski touring (30-45 liters)
- General repair kit and Leatherman (can be shared between several people)
Clothing
Temperatures in the Western Canadian mountain ranges vary hugely. Between December and February, temperatures can be well below 0°C during the day and drop as low as –30°C overnight. Between March and May, it can be above freezing during the day with overnight lows not normally going below –10°C. Having several clothing layering options is important.
- Wind and waterproof shell jacket with hood (Gore-Tex or similar)
- Wind and waterproof over-pants (Gore-Tex or similar)
- Ski touring pants (eg. lined Schoeller fabric or similar)
- Thick fleece or wool pullover, or PrimaLoft jacket
- Medium weight fleece shirt
- Thin synthetic or wool underwear, top and bottoms
- Two or more pairs of gloves (lightweight and heavier weight)
- Scarf or neck gaiter (eg. Buff)
- Socks (synthetic or wool, thick outer and thin liners)
- Wool or fleece hat that covers your ears
- Gaiters that fit over your ski boot (unless pants seal tightly to your boots)
- Sun hat, preferably with a wide rim
- Bandana (optional)
Around the lodge
Space and weight on the helicopter are limited. Please keep personal items to a minimum.
- Clothing for the hut and for sleeping
- Extra underwear and socks
- Light down jacket or vest
- Earplugs (optional)
- Light hut slippers or Crocs
- Toiletries
- Towel and sauna-wear (optional)
- Games, books, etc. (optional)
Other items
- Sunglasses with high UV protection
- Ski goggles with high UV protection
- Sunscreen and lip protection with high SPF
- One-litre water bottle with insulator. Water bladders not recommended
- Thermos (optional)
- Headlamp with spare battery
- Snacks (eg. candy bars, dried fruit, nuts, etc.)
- Personal first aid kit and other needs (eg. blister kit, prescription medicine, anti-inflammatory, contact lenses, prescription glasses, etc.)
- Pocket knife (optional)
- Health and travel insurance documents
- Ziploc bags to keep important items dry (optional)
- Rain cover specific to your pack, or large plastic bag
- Camera with spare batteries (optional)
- Compass, maps, GPS (optional)
- Ski wax / skin wax (optional)
- Hand sanitizer or sanitary hand wipes
FAQ
Do I need to sign a Release of Liability & Assumption of Risk Agreement (a.ka. liability waiver)?
Yes, you do. Mountaineering, skiing, climbing, hiking, via ferrata and all other wilderness and adventure travel activities are inherently risky with potential for injuries or even death.
It is very important to us that you are aware of those risks before you start the booking process, which includes filling out a booking form and paying a deposit.
With signing the liability waiver, you confirm that you understand the potential risks and hazards, and are willing to accept the risks, which includes giving up legal rights you may have.
This would also be the time to ask questions or address concerns before you book.
For your reference here is a link to our Liability Waiver. Our booking terms & cancellation policy with more details can be found here
What kind of Equipment is adequate for this trip?
You need either sturdy telemark equipment or (more common in Canada) alpine touring equipment – either is available for rental at our base in Canmore, Banff or Golden, BC. Please call ahead, so we can advice you and set you up with the right equipment for you. As with all our trips, we will provide you with a detailed equipment list with your booking confirmation.
Can I Do It?
Strenuous backcountry ski tour in alpine, mostly glaciated terrain.
You need to be at least an intermediate skier, who can safely and controlled descend even in difficult snow conditions with a day touring backpack!
You need to be in good physical and mental condition, ready to be on your feet for about 7-8 hrs each day.
However, on some days, there will be an option for shorter days with relax time at the hut! If in doubt, give us a call!
2027 SCHEDULED DEPARTURES
Individual, Couple and Small Group Bookings:
Please enquire regarding dates
3 Nights: Midweek Monday through Thursday
4 Nights “Weekend Warrior” Thursday – Monday
2027 CUSTOM DEPARTURES
Please contact us for details
2027 PRICES
Please enquire for pricing.
25% non-refundable deposit due at the time of booking.
Final payment due 90 days before trip start date.
GROUP TRIP SIZE
max 14 Clients: 2 Guides
TRIP INCLUSIONS
Included
- 3-4 nights Purcell Mountain Lodge
- Guide & Expenses (if guided)
- Fully catered (as per choice)
- Helicopter transfers (every Monday & Friday)
Add-Ons:
- Transport to staging area
- Rental of ski equipment
- Rental of avalanche safety equipment
($100 for the avalanche safety items, $50 for the harness and carabiners).
For a full list of services included, not included, and add-ons, please select our “Trip Inclusions” Tab.
