3 Trips to Push Your Limits
Ski Mountaineering in the Rockies, AB
Yamnuska Mountain Adventures offers a six-day, hut-based winter-mountaineering course that covers the skills you need to get started in ski mountaineering. Problem solving, route finding and crevasse rescue are all covered — and more. Learn while exploring snow-covered peaks and feel the freedom of big mountain skiing in the Rockies.
The Skinny: Starting from Canmore, AB, ski in to Bow Hut, homebase for the trip. No prior ski mountaineering experience is required but you must be physically fit and a strong intermediate downhill skier. Cost includes hut accommodation, most meals, instruction and an avalanche safety session.
More Info: $1,575; yamnuska.com
Dogsledding in a Boreal Forest, SK
Search for the elusive grey wolf, bond with Alaskan huskies, immerse yourself in dogsledding lessons and sleep in a prospector’s tent. Within the 200-sq-km boreal landscape of Saskatchewan’s Anglin Lake Recreation Area, you can customize your sledding experience to your heart’s content. Incorporate snowshoeing or cross-country skiing and relax in the lovely Elk Ridge Resort for three of your four nights.
The Skinny: Located 75 km from Prince Albert, SK. No previous experience required, but guests must be physically fit. Cost includes some meals, most gear and some clothing. Age restrictions.
More Info: From $1,885; sundogs.sk.ca
Cat-Skiing in the Selkirks, BC
Imagine six days of wilderness skiing in alpine bowls, deep steeps, mellow terrain and trees. With an average daily ski of between 4,000 and 5,000 vertical metres in some of the deepest powder in the world, cat-skiing in the Selkirks is a dream. Knowledgeable and passionate guides will lead the way each day and the lodge’s sauna will relax your tired muscles at night.
The Skinny: Singles or groups. Seven-night accommodation includes all meals, avalanche orientation and group instruction. The lodge near Trout Lake, south of Revelstoke, BC, can be reached by vehicle or bus. Expert boarders and intermediate-to-advanced skiers only.
More Info: $5,265; greatnorthernsnowcat.com
This article originally appeared in our Winter 2014 issue.
