Some of the finest backcountry ski terrain in Southwestern BC lies east of Pemberton where Highway 99 climbs through the Cayoosh Range and runs past Duffey Lake. The highway gives easy access to numerous avalanche paths, open ridges, meadows, glaciers, and attractive alpine basins that offer superb mid-winter backcountry skiing. Ski trips start at higher elevations from the paved highway and range from sleuthing for powder near the road to high-alpine ski ascents. Many descents offer long rewarding runs of up to 1,200m. Most trips are one or two days.
Coast Mountain Backcountry Skiing Access
Spectacular Skiing & Mountaineering
Deep in the heart of the Coast Mountains, the area drained by the Birkenhead River offers superb backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering. High alpine basins, small glaciers, long avalanche paths, and subalpine glades are reasons to come here. With a huge vertical rise above the surrounding valleys, these alpine areas are typically more difficult to reach than in the adjacent Duffey Lake area. Most trips require several days and are typically best in March or April. Highlights range from a week of powder skiing at McGillivray Pass Lodge to a weekend ski ascent of Birkenhead Mountain to a delightful four or five days on the Owl-Tenquille Traverse.
Heli-skiing & Riding
Blackcomb Helicopters offers access to world-class heli-skiing and riding in the Pemberton area. With nearly one million acres of terrain, over 375 mapped runs, and an average annual snowfall of 14-18 metres, every day offers a new adventure and new powder to explore.
Huts at Popular Backcountry Ski Destinations:
- Wendy Thompson Hut: At Marriott Basin, off Duffey Lake Road, operated by the Alpine Club of Canada, Whistler Section
- Keith’s Hut: At Cerise Creek, off Duffey Lake Road, operated by Keith Flavelle’s family and friends
- Brian Waddington Hut: By Birkenhead Provincial Park, operated by the Varsity Outdoor Club
- North Creek Hut: Near Bralorne but winter access is from Pemberton, operated by the BC Mountaineering Club
Heli-Tours to the Backcountry
Enjoy a full day of back-country heli assisted ski touring or snowboarding in the zones you’ve always dreamed of getting to.
Snowmobile Skiing & Snowboarding
Rent a sled or book a snowmobile tour, either way Broken Boundary can help you access the backcountry for some epic skiing and riding.
Guided Ski-Touring & Split-Boarding Trips
Whitecap Alpine is an outdoor adventure backcountry lodge that gives guests access to safely explore the stunning wilderness of the South Chilcotin mountains.
info@tourismpembertonbc.com
PO Box 602
Pemberton, BC V0N 2L0
Canada
