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Fall 2022 Newsletter

Our 2023 newsletter has some stories, an intro to our new office manager, a brief message from Tom, a rundown of our upcoming trips and 2024 lodge trip availability, and an invitation to visit us at the Banff Film Festival!

Jorg & Phil Planning the next day

Ski Touring Trip Planning Forms

The most important decisions of the day happen before you even put your skis on. Your goals for the day are a distillation of all that’s important: group composition, current conditions, weather forecast, avalanche problems, avalanche forecast, and the unique combination of skills, aspirations and risk tolerances of your group members. Here are a few forms that serve as checklists to frame your own decision making.

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2020 Burnie Glacier Chalet

Jan 11-18, 2020

Like last January we had incredible snow conditions: deep light Selkirk powder, and first tracks in the truest sense: being the first group on an regular ski program at Selkirk this season, most of the runs we did hadn’t been skied yet this winter!

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Trip Rating

We aim to provide trips throughout the season that are appropriate to skiers of various skill levels, and we try to make sure that a group isn’t made up of individuals who don’t fit in. Ideally a group is all consistent in their goals, technical abilities, and physical fitness. It doesn’t always work out that way, so most of our trips consist of two guides (usually two experienced IFMGA mountain guides, but sometimes an assistant depending on the trip).

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Selkirk Lodge

Jan 11-18, 2020

Like last January we had incredible snow conditions: deep light Selkirk powder, and first tracks in the truest sense: being the first group on an regular ski program at Selkirk this season, most of the runs we did hadn’t been skied yet this winter!

Valhalla Home Run

Valhalla Lodge

March 8-15, 2020

It was a blissful week in paradise. With no internet connection for the majority of the week we were unaware that the world was rapidly falling apart …

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Sportube Series 3 Transport Case

If you’re looking for a great way to transport several pairs of skis then have a look at the Sportube 3, which can fit up to 4 pairs of skis equipped with tech bindings (not the larger frame or alpine bindings!), up to 185 or even 188 cm long, as well as poles.

Photo by Jenny Hill on Unsplash

Interval Training

Do interval training the day before a strength workout and you will benefit from a natural hormonal increase that is about as good as steroids, and it makes you feel great too (though not when you’re doing it).

Fischer Hannibal on the scales

Gara Titan Binding

The Gara Titan (aka Titan Vario) is a really great little binding.  It was designed for Skimo racing but it’s capable of so much more. If you want something that’s burly and light and you’re not worried about the safety concerns of releasability and lack of a good brake then this binding is highly recommended.

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Fischer Hannibal 96 Skis

The Fischer Hannibal has been out for a few years. It’s touted as a lightweight well-crafted touring ski. I haven’t skied on the 2019 or earlier model so I can’t comment personally. But I got my hands on a pair of 185s last winter and had a good chance to put them through their paces.

Photo by Jenny Hill on Unsplash

Walk to Run

If you are recovering from an injury or if you have never run before, here’s a program to get you started from the humblest of beginnings.