Burnie Glacier Chalet

Inussuit Lodge offers a superb base for a week of exploratory ski touring in the mountains and fjords of West Greenland. Set in a remote wilderness near Maniitsoq, the lodge gives us access to an enormous variety of largely untracked terrain, with alpine summits rising directly above the sea, broad glaciers, long valleys, and descents running almost to the water.

Each day we use local boats to travel through the fjords and reach the best skiing for the conditions, effectively turning the coastline into our trailhead. This mobility opens up a huge area and allows us to choose objectives according to weather, snow quality, and the ambitions of the group. Expect long, scenic ski tours, summit-to-sea descents, and the exploratory character that makes Greenland such an exceptional ski destination.

Inussuit Lodge itself is comfortable, secluded, and ideally positioned for a small group. Breakfast, packed lunches, and dinner are provided, leaving us free to focus each day on skiing and exploring one of the least developed mountain regions in the Arctic.

Ski Touring in Northern Norway

Northern Norway is world-famous for its “Fjell til Fjord” skiing—peaks rising directly from the sea. Seiland House offers some of the best terrain in the region, set on a remote island north of 70° latitude in the Norwegian Sea. Despite its arctic location, access is simple: daily flights from Oslo to Alta followed by a short ferry ride bring you straight into this hidden gem.

If you’re looking for an exotic European destination with a reliable snowpack, Seiland delivers:

• Remote arctic fjords and mountains bordering a national park
• Exclusive access—escape the crowds of Lofoten and Lyngen
• Superb hospitality with local cuisine, wood-fired hot tub, and sauna
• Ski directly above the lodge or take a short boat ride across Altnesfjord or to nearby Stjernøya Island

Sea-to-Summit Adventures

Much of Seiland’s terrain is accessible only by boat. The highlight is Seilandstuva, the island’s highest peak, with sweeping views over Norway’s northernmost glaciers and unforgettable descents straight to the sea. Across the Stjernsund Strait, a 20-minute crossing brings us to Stjernøya (Sami: Stierdná), home to dramatic fjords and tours such as Rottenhallen, the island’s tallest peak.

A typical day begins from Seiland House’s dock by motorboat. Tours gain 800–1300 m of vertical (3–5 hours of ascent) and often descend via different routes, finishing in another fjord where the boat collects us for the return—true “sea-to-summit” skiing.

Culture and History

Unlike Svalbard, which has no indigenous history, Northern Norway has been home to both Norse settlers and the indigenous Sámi for thousands of years. Seiland itself sits at the crossroads of two Sámi traditions: reindeer herding and coastal fishing. The island still serves as summer pasture for reindeer, isolated from mainland predators such as wolverine and lynx.

The name Seiland is ancient, derived from Proto-Norse Sai-aujo (“sea-island”). In Norse times it transformed first to Sæ-ey, later shortened to Sei, with land (“island”) added afterwards. The Northern Sámi name Sievju likely reflects an old loan of this form.

Nearby Stjernøya also carries an ancient name. Its Sami form Stierdná means “star,” inspired by the deep fjords and long, thin peninsulas on the island’s north end that suggested star-like rays to Viking sailors.

Helicopter-Accessed Ski Touring Lodge | 12 Guests Per Week

Burnie Glacier Chalet is a small, helicopter-accessed ski touring lodge in the Howson Range of northern British Columbia, set in a glaciated basin with direct access to surrounding alpine terrain. Each week is limited to 12 guests.

Above the lodge, terrain rises directly into glaciated alpine, where single objectives of 1200-1500 m are common. The surrounding tenure sits within Tazdli Wyiez Bin / Burnie-Shea Provincial Park, ensuring long-term protection of the operating area.

Terrain and Snowpack

Burnie sits in one of the most concentrated ski touring zones in the Coast Mountains. The terrain ranges from glaciated alpine bowls and long fall-line descents to 800 m tree runs directly behind the lodge, ideal for storm skiing.

The maritime snowpack is deep and reliable, supporting consistent mid-winter powder skiing and stable spring conditions. Burnie stands out among ski touring lodges for its terrain and vertical potential, with objectives selected daily based on weather, stability, and the group’s pace.

Position Within Canadian Ski Lodges

Burnie is widely regarded as one of the strongest ski touring lodges in Canada, combining terrain quality, snow reliability, and logistical simplicity.

Despite its location in northern British Columbia, Burnie is straightforward to access. Guests fly to Smithers, where the helicopter base is located directly at the airport for a simple transfer to the lodge.

As John Baldwin notes in Exploring the Coast Mountains on Skis:

“A deluxe backcountry ski chalet offering unparalleled ski mountaineering in the spectacular Howson Range.”

Ownership and Operations

The chalet was established in 2001 by Christoph Dietzfelbinger and operated continuously for over two decades. It is now owned and operated by Tom Wolfe and Deborah Lantz of Sawback Alpine Adventures, with a continued focus on small groups, high-quality guiding, and consistent execution.

Here’s a recent post that talks about the transition, including an interview with Tom. Enjoy!

Close to Golden, British Columbia, nestled in the Esplanade Range just east of Rogers Pass is a string of perfectly situated ski chalets: Golden Alpine Holidays. Sunrise Lodge is one of the “original three” built by Alison Dakin and Brad Harrison back in the 1990s. Sunrise Lodge is located at the headwaters of Wisted Creek and offers stunning views of Rockies to the west and Purcells to the south. Sunrise is the southern gateway to the amazing Esplanade range, including Meadow, Vista and Sentry Lodges. Consensus among those who’ve spent time at all four Esplanade Range Huts though is that Sunrise is the best for midwinter skiing: best terrain, best for storm skiing, and best snowpack of the bunch!

Tucked high on a granite shoulder of Mount Woden at roughly 6 900 ft / 2 100 m, Valhalla Mountain Lodge (VML) looks straight into the powder‑catching bowls of the central Selkirks, just north of Valhalla Provincial Park and about 70 km from Nelson, British Columbia. Guests rendezvous in the hamlet of Burton on the Arrow Lakes and load an A‑Star for a 12‑minute hop up to the lodge each Saturday, a schedule chosen to match the area’s notoriously tight weather windows. VML was one of the province’s first purpose‑built backcountry ski lodges. Construction began in the mid‑1980s after two tree‑planter‑turned‑ski‑bums—Brian “Bomber” Cross and Leo Jansma—secured a remote‑touring tenure and packed lumber in by helicopter and on foot. Both men remain equal partners and still rotate weeks as custodians, guides and unofficial storytellers.

Japan has formed a legendary reputation for deep powder skiing in early winter. The saying “Don’t Leave Powder to Find Powder” is common in western Canada – why leave Canada when we have the best skiing in the world? Well, Japan is a strong contender, and when you add the incredible cultural experience to the mix it rises to the top of any serious skier’s bucket list.

In 2026 we are once again offering two Japan ski trips: JP26-1 starts and finishes at New Chitose airport and explores the iconic Niseko and Furano areas. JP26-2 starts in Yuzawa, a short train ride north of Tokyo, and finishes in Hakuba town. Take your pick — or, better yet, if you can’t decide between the two, join us for both for a 3-week JaPOW trip of a lifetime.

One of the side-effects of the strong popularity of skiing in Japan has been the erosion of the cultural experience. Hearing complaints of “I was skiing tracks with a bunch of Australians” I decided to seek the advice of Japan-born Whistler-based Jun Yanagisawa. I met Jun heli-skiing in northern BC and immediately admired his gracious Japanese manners, sense of humour, and powerful, elegant ski technique. Born and raised in Tokyo, Jun was an avid skier from childhood. In search of wilderness, Jun eventually immigrated to Whistler, British Columbia where he has worked for close to 30 years in the ski and tourism industry, moving between his native Japan and western Canada’s heli- and ski-touring.

I said to Jun, “Let’s do a Japan trip together, but let’s see some weird funky Japanese culture!” Jun said, “Leave it to me Tom-san!”

The result has been a series of trips that has pleased and delighted our guests. Please join us next season to experience it for yourself!

This is a grand tour of the best of the Japan Alps, a rugged alpine range north of Tokyo, legendary for its deep powder snow and made famous by snow monkeys and the 18th Olympic Winter Games in 1988.

Japan has formed a legendary reputation for deep powder skiing in early winter. The saying “Don’t Leave Powder to Find Powder” is common in western Canada – why leave Canada when we have the best skiing in the world? Well, Japan is a strong contender, and when you add the incredible cultural experience to the mix it rises to the top of any serious skier’s bucket list.

In 2027 we are once again offering two Japan ski trips:

• JP27-1 → Hokkaido Ski Tour
  Starts and finishes at New Chitose Airport and explores the iconic Niseko and Furano areas.

• JP27-2 → Japan Alps Ski Tour
  Starts in Yuzawa, a short train ride north of Tokyo, and finishes in Hakuba town.

Take your pick - or better yet, if you cannot decide between the two, join us for both for a three-week JaPOW trip of a lifetime.

One of the side-effects of the strong popularity of skiing in Japan has been the erosion of the cultural experience. Hearing complaints of “I was skiing tracks with a bunch of Australians,” I decided to seek the advice of Japan-born Whistler-based Jun Yanagisawa. I met Jun heli-skiing in northern BC and immediately admired his gracious Japanese manners, sense of humour, and powerful, elegant ski technique.

Born and raised in Tokyo, Jun was an avid skier from childhood. In search of wilderness, Jun eventually immigrated to Whistler, British Columbia where he has worked for close to 30 years in the ski and tourism industry, moving between his native Japan and western Canada’s heli- and ski-touring.

I said to Jun, “Let’s do a Japan trip together, but let’s see some weird funky Japanese culture!”

Jun said, “Leave it to me Tom-san!”

Since that whacky and inspiring first trip with Jun our Japan program has developed and refined year after year into a sampling of some of the best skiing Japan has to offer at authentic ryokans, offering a glimpse at a side of Japanese culture that is slowly fading.

• Quick snapshot → Why ski touring in Japan is so special

Our friend and JaPOW Trip Coordinator Satoshi Kawano sums it up perfectly in about 20 seconds: deep powder skiing, hot onsens, incredible food, and the strangely wonderful world of Japanese convenience stores. Enjoy!

• Reference → Tsubame Highland Lodge – Staying at the Wild Side of Myoko

This blog post on Snow-Forecast highlights what I mean by that last paragraph. It shows why Japan trips are so special but also hints at the changes already underway. It also showcases one of the lodges we’ve enjoyed using over the years. Hopefully it doesn’t change - but I know it will.

Burnie Glacier Chalet in the Summer!

Mountain summits, old growth forests, kaleidoscope colours of volcanic rock, turquoise blue lakes, sprawling glaciers, and thigh high wildflower meadows.

Where are we?

Burnie Glacier Chalet is a beautiful but simple backcountry lodge nestled on the edge of the remote Howson Range southwest of Smithers, British Columbia. It is in the Kwees House territory of the Wet’suwet’en.

Accessible by floatplanes in the summer (and helicopters in winter), the lodge is perched just above 1000 m in a U‑shaped alpine bowl ringed by 2500‑ to 2700‑metre glaciated peaks. The surrounding valley system was protected in 2008 as Tazdli Wyiez Bin / Burnie‑Shea Provincial Park, ensuring the operating area remains protected for generations to come.

What's happening?

Experience wilderness lodge living, catered nourishing meals, daily hiking, adventure tours not far from the lodge, music and art based programs, forest bathing too! Here's a sampler of this summer's programs (see Tour Plan tab above for more details / swipe right or left for mobile):

Sing and Sourdough with Pharis Romero and Shannon O'Donovan! Dates under Booking link and see Tour Plan tab for more details.

• Click here to go to the Sing and Sourdough page!

Forest Bathing and Alpine Hiking (Shinrin-yoku! Nourishing Nature Rest and Recovery) with Ronna Schneberger (2027 dates to be decided);

• See Tour Plan tab for more details.
• Click here to go to the Forest Bathing page!

Plein Air! Both Informal, and Formal with Instruction options. Dates under booking link and see Tour Plan tab for more details

• Click here to go to the Plein Air page!

Adventure Tours hiking, rock climbing, glacier lake dipping, glacier travel, rest, recover, repeat! various dates - see booking link for multiple date options and Tour Plan tab for more details

Alpine Hiking - Mountain tops, traverses, old growth forests to alpine summits. Views for miles and miles. Back to the cozy chalet in the evening to share great food, make new friends, and recount the day's adventures. See booking link for multiple date options and Tour Plan tab for more details and contact us to book!

Fitness, yoga, and meditation retreats - contact us to book!

Music and art residencies - contact us to book!

Group/Family Lodge rental - contact us to book!

Sing and Sourdough at the Burnie Glacier Chalet

Do you like singing? Bread? Hiking?

Join us Sept 1-5 at the beautiful Burnie Glacier Chalet for a unique and very fun experience!

Two talented and creative forces joining up for one incredible Burnie program! Shannon O'Donovan and Pharis Romero are offering an entirely unique and creative bundling of baking and singing in our favourite backcountry setting!

Watch, learn, and enjoy a variety of sourdough delights with the wild backdrop of a backcountry setting with Chef Shannon. Then tune up your harmonies or simply find your voice with down to earth and multi-Juno decorated, local vocalist/musician Pharis Romero. And to top it off, travel the local trails by the cascading Burnie Glacier, surrounding peaks, wildflowers and turquoise lakes with an ACMG certified hiking guide.

What to expect:

A unique, intimate, and VERY FUN experience in a wilderness lodge setting - The beautiful Burnie Glacier Chalet. Take a break from the outside world and join us for inspiring and playful instruction for both your singing and your sourdough skills - at any stage in your development - based out of our cozy backcountry lodge. Comfy beds, beautiful views, catered nourishing meals, daily hiking, glacial lake dips, and a relaxing sauna, await you.

Sample itinerary of our program:

Day 1:

Sept 1 Take the extremely scenic float plane to Burnie Lake

1. 8:30 am Meet at Telkwa Alpine Lakes Air for 9 am flight in to Burnie Lake
2. 9:30 am Enjoy the lakefront/meander!
3. 10:30 am Wander up to the lodge (gentle 4 km hike) and get settled into your rooms
4. 12:00 am Lunchtime and lodge welcome
5. 1:00 pm Singing with Pharis
6. 3:00 pm Free-time
7. 5:00 pm Appy and Sourdough chat with Shannon
8. 6:30 pm Dinner
9. 8:00 pm Freetime/Bedtime/Get to know each other

See Tour Plan tab above (mobiles swipe right/left on the Tab Bar above) for full sample itinerary

A Creative, Delicious, and Adventurous program!

We'll make music, we'll make bread! (other delights too), and we'll hike around and explore. Space is limited for this intimate retreat—grab your spot today!

More about Singing with Pharis:

Daily singing time will include instruction in some of the basics (breathing and resonance, as needed, when needed!) alongside ear training specifically for singers. We will do some deep dives into being a successful harmony singing chameleon, communicating the message of your song, and expanding your repertoire of easily remembered and shared songs. Master classes and individual instruction will also be available as time and group needs permit. And most important of all, we’ll just sing together!

More about Sourdough with Shannon:

Chef Shannon O'Donovan really elevates mountain baking. Her sourdough breads are crafted with love, skill, and carefully harnessed sourdough magic. She'll show us how she feeds, forms, and finishes her creations with ongoing and ample opportunities to enjoy the results!

More about Hiking with Deb:

Explore the beautiful trails and terrain surrounding Burnie Glacier Chalet. Gems near and farther afield will delight you. Mountain lakes, old growth forests, sprawling glaciers, lookouts and even a summit option or two.