miles of powder

miles of powder
mountains of fun
SNOWCAT SKIING
Nick & Ali Holmes-Smith and Tom & Carolyn Morgan
RR#2, Site 23, Comp 11, Chase, BC, Canada V0E 1M0
Phone 250-679-8125 Fax 250-679-2999 Email
monasheepowder@idmail.com
1-888-353-8877
www.monasheepowder.com
Cover photo – Anstey Lodge
Photo by Nick Holmes-Smith
Tsuius Lodge
Photo by Brad White
welcome
For enthusiastic powder skiers and snowboarders,
Monashee Powder offers exhilarating
snowcat excursions through untracked
powder.
We’re located in the Monashee’s, the most
westerly range of B.C.’s Columbia Mountains.
Renowned as the birthplace of both heli and snowcat skiing, the Columbia Mountains are blessed
with fabulous alpine bowls, steep tree runs to
valley bottom and more powder snow than you
can possibly imagine.
Our Bombardier snowcats with comfortable
passenger cabins will transport you up the
mountain. Our guides will then lead you through
the unspoiled powder, down to a snowcat pickup
point. Our large skiing areas and the
Monashees’ dependable snowfall assure
fresh powder on every run.
For your safety, all our lead guides are either
UIAGM or ACMG certified, with extensive guiding experience in B.C.’s mountains. They carefully
consider the ability level of the group so everyone
has a great run. Please be aware, though, that we
cannot eliminate all the risks of the backcountry.*
*Before skiing, you must sign a Release from Liability and
Assumption of Risks.
1
Tsuius Lodge
Photo by Lutz Sackman
2
our company
Monashee Powder Adventures has been
treating snow junkies to world-class powder
skiing since 1998. From a 12-guest tent operation, we’ve grown to two mountain lodges about
65 kilometers (40 miles) apart. Both lodges are
on the “snowy” (western edge) of the Monashee
Mountains, an area famous for consistently heavy
snowfalls. In fact, a Canadian snowfall record was
established between our two lodges.
The original lodge at Tsuius Mountain, south of the
TransCanada Highway, is accessed from Vernon, B.C.
via Highway 6 East to Cherryville. The new Anstey
Lodge, located north of the TransCanada Highway
and accessed west of Revelstoke, starts its first season
in 2004-05. Company buses and snowcats transport
guests to each lodge, so we’ve arranged convenient
meeting places along the highways.
Each lodge houses 24 guests plus staff. Our chefs
and bakers prepare exceptional meals using premium
3
local ingredients like wild B.C. salmon and organically
raised bison, and lamb. To complement the cuisine,
each fully licensed lodge serves a selection of awardwinning wines. Therapeutic massage is available, and
each lodge has an outdoor hot tub.
RESPECTING THE MOUNTAINS
For Monashee Powder Adventures, environmental
responsibility is a serious commitment. We strictly
observe the code of best practices of B.C.’s heli and
snowcat skiing industry, which we helped develop.
This code covers such issues as wildlife avoidance,
fuel storage and litter prevention.
Recognizing that B.C.’s Mountain Caribou population
has decreased over the past century, our company has
initiated and is funding an important project. Using
Anstey Lodge as a base, a full-time researcher will travel
throughout the Monashee Mountains near Revelstoke
with a mandate of maintaining a separation between
the Mountain Caribou and skiers and snowmobilers.
Tsuius Lodge
Photo by Dan Hudson
Tsuius Lodge
Photo by Graham Genge
4
Anstey
Tsuius
trip schedule
Guests arrive the evening before their trip dates.
BREAKFAST
7:00 – Wake-up call
7:30 – Full breakfast in dining room
Lunch buffet is set out early for guests to prepare
their lunches.
SAFETY BRIEFING & SNOWCAT
ORIENTATION
(Prior to skiing on your first day)
• Safety briefing, training session with avalanche
beacons and avalanche transceiver search practice
• Signing of waiver of liability
HIT THE SLOPES
On the first morning, we depart from the lodge
between 9:30 and 10:00 am. For the rest of your trip,
the cats leave at 8:30. Lunch is eaten in the snowcat
between runs. We return between 4:00 and 5:00 pm.
We often ski right back to the lodge as our last run of
the day. From December through early February, we
5
operate on Mountain Time to get people out of bed
earlier and lengthen the ski day. Our goal is to give
you as much skiing as possible while keeping you safe.
If you’re feeling tired, you can sit out some runs.
To prevent injury or incident, please give full attention
to your guide’s instructions.
APRÈS SKI
After skiing, enjoy appetizers and drinks at the bar.
Guests can then soak in the hot tub and enjoy
a massage.
DINNER
Each evening, our excellent chefs prepare a gourmet
four-course meal.
LAST DAY OF SKIING
Pack your gear first thing in the morning so you
can ski as late as possible. After skiing, we return
you to your vehicle. When booking your flight
home, please be aware that we cannot take
individuals out of the lodge early.
Tsuius Lodge
Photo by Nick Holmes-Smith
6
tsuius lodge
Located on the site of our first snowcat operation,
Tsuius (too-soo-yoos) offers 66 square
kilometers (17,000 acres) of steep, open
bowls, well-spaced trees and snow – over
60 feet a year! The lodge’s high elevation means
short morning cat rides to access the skiing.
Tsuius Mountain’s long ridgeline offers five alpine ski
zones. On clear days, we spend most of the day in
the alpine bowls, finishing some of the runs by skiing
down through the trees to the snowcat. Overall, we
spend more than half of our time skiing at ‘tree-line’
and above.
On snowy days when alpine visibility is poor, we ski in
the trees and cut-blocks – Monashee tree skiing at its
best! Some of our runs – Jagermeister, for instance –
extend through the cedar canopy forest to valley
bottom. The cut-blocks offer a terrain park experience
with humps, pillows and rolls.
ACCOMMODATION
At 1610 m (5300 feet), Tsuius Lodge is among
B.C.’s highest cat or heli skiing lodges, offering
spectacular views of the surrounding Monashee
Range. Our lodge comfortably accommodates up to
24 guests, with two or three guests per bedroom and
shared bathrooms.
At Tsuius, most trips run Friday to Sunday and
Monday to Thursday. We offer some two-day trips
early in December.
Artistic rendering of the Anstey Mountain Lodge
anstey lodge
Experience incredible powder skiing at our new
Anstey Lodge, located in the Monashee Mountains
40 miles north of Tsuius Lodge. The top of the mountain offers views of the Anstey Arm of Shuswap Lake
to the west and the rugged Monashees to the east.
With approximately 125 square kilometers
(32,000 acres), it’s one of the largest cat
skiing operations in existence. The vertical
drop of most runs is 450 to 1000 m (1500-3000 feet),
with one run exceeding 1500 m (5000 feet)!
With long ridges to provide routes for drop-off roads,
existing logging roads at valley bottom for quick
7
Photo by Lutz Sackman
pickups, abundant open bowls and fabulous
Monashee tree skiing, Anstey Lodge’s terrain is
perfect for snowcat skiing.
ACCOMMODATION
At 1750 m (5700 feet), Anstey Lodge offers outstanding views and spectacular skiing below the
lodge. Its central location allows efficient use of the
large area with snowcats.
This new lodge accommodates two guests per room,
with private bathrooms. A few single rooms will also
be available.
8
frequently asked questions
HOW GOOD A SKIER MUST I BE?
AND THE FOOD?
Guests must be, at minimum, strong intermediate
skiers capable of dealing with deep powder snow in
the backcountry. A visit to Monashee Powder will
usually include runs in open bowls and steep tree
runs. While powder skis make skiing deep snow
easier, you will still require a certain level of expertise.
We reserve the right to restrict guests unable to keep
up with the group from skiing (without refunds).
Monashee Powder employs excellent chefs. They
prepare a selection of hot and cold breakfasts daily.
Guests pack their own lunches from a buffet table
that includes a variety of sandwich fillings as well as
fresh fruit, tasty salads and pastries. To allow more
time for skiing, lunch is eaten during ascents in the
snowcat. Each evening, you’ll enjoy a delicious fourcourse gourmet dinner. Baked goods are made daily
on the mountain.
HOW MANY RUNS SHOULD
I EXPECT EACH DAY?
We normally ski 8-14 runs per day. On the first
day of your holiday, you will likely ski approximately
12,000 vertical feet. On subsequent days you will
typically ski between 13,000 and 18,000 vertical feet.
WHAT ABOUT SNOWBOARDERS
& TELEMARK SKIERS?
We welcome everyone to come and enjoy our
powder. Snowboarders and telemark skiers need
to be experts capable of handling all backcountry
conditions including treed terrain. Our guides do their
best to accommodate all our guests. Collapsible poles
that can be stowed in a small pack are recommended
for snowboarders.
WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE?
Both lodges are in very snowy locations, receiving
about 60 feet of snowfall per year. In December
and January, you can expect the daytime temperatures to be -5 to -15oC. In February and March,
0 to -10oC is normal. Brief periods of very cold Arctic
air can bring temperatures of -20 to -30oC. Please be
prepared for all mountain weather conditions.
WHAT IF I HAVE SPECIAL
DIETARY REQUIREMENTS?
Our chefs can cater to any special dietary requirements
and food allergies. We ask all guests to complete
and return the enclosed registration form so we can
be fully prepared.
CAN I BRING MY OWN BEER AND WINE?
Please do not bring beer: it is heavy and often
explodes on the snowcat ride up. You may bring wine.
(We charge a corkage fee of $10.00 per bottle.)
Tsuius Lodge
Photo by Brad White
DO YOU OFFER GROUP DISCOUNTS?
We reward the organizers among us. Fill the cat with
a group of 12 and receive one seat free! Some restrictions apply to discounted packages.
DO YOU HAVE SPECIAL POWDER SKIS?
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING?
We have a selection of ‘fat’ powder skis available for
rent. Poles are included but you must bring your own
ski boots. The majority of our guides and guests use
the wider powder skis, as they maximize enjoyment
on the slopes.
• Ski clothing suitable for all conditions
and temperatures
• Ski boots
• Ski goggles
• Casual clothes and slippers for the lodge
• Snow boots
• Bathing suit for hot tub
As you’ll access the lodge via snowcat, we ask
that you minimize the weight of your luggage.
9
10
reservations & bookings
CANCELLATION INSURANCE
REGISTRATION FORMS
We recommend that you purchase trip cancellation
Along with your statement mailed out in mid-
insurance and medical insurance if you are a visitor
October, you will receive a registration form. Please
to Canada. This will cover you in case of injury or
complete this form and promptly return it by mail
sickness prior to your ski trip. Please contact Travel
or fax. We update our records every year, so
Underwriters at 1-800-663-5389 if you have diffi-
please answer all questions even if you are a
culty finding trip cancellation insurance.
returning guest.
To book a ski holiday, call:
RESERVATION CANCELLATION
1-888-353-8877 (North America)
If you cancel your reservation prior to November 15,
250-679-8125
your deposit will be refunded if and when we fill the
250-679-2999 (fax)
spot with another person and will be subject to an
email: monasheepowder@idmail.com
administration fee of $50.00 per seat. If you cancel
A 25% deposit is required at the time of booking.
your reservation after November 15, all monies paid
REFUND POLICY
GROUP DISCOUNTS
will be refunded if and when we fill the spot with
We cannot guarantee the conditions you will encoun-
Groups of 12 skiers receive one free spot. Groups of
another person and will be subject to an administra-
ter on your ski holiday. Generally, you will encounter
24 skiers receive two free spots. As these discounts
tion fee of 5% per seat. If the seat cannot be filled,
good or excellent conditions. Occasionally, conditions
are offered in recognition of the responsibilities
you will forfeit all monies paid prior to the date of
will be ‘fair’, and very occasionally they will be poor.
assumed by the group’s organizer, the organizer must:
the cancellation. If we fill the cancelled seat at a
No refunds are provided if the quality of skiing does
reduced standby rate, we refund only the amount
not meet your expectations.
PAYMENTS
Full payment is due prior to November 15.
Payments can be made by:
• Cheque
• VISA
• Money order
• Bank wires send to:
CIBC CATT OO260 010
3201 - 30 Avenue, Vernon, B.C. V1T 2C6
250-260-6300
Account name: Monashee Powder Adventures
Account number: #6802516
Transit number: #00260
Bank number: #010
Please identify all payments with your name
paid by this last-minute guest (less the cancellation
fee). Monies on deposit will not be carried forward
to future seasons.
Collect all funds from the group members and pay
with ONE CHEQUE no later than November 15.
A snowcat can operate in virtually any type of
Payments made by VISA for discounted packages will
snow and weather, and we have a back-up snowcat
be subject to a 2.5% surcharge.
in the event of a breakdown. However, if we cannot
Provide Monashee Powder with a group list.
The reservation and cancellation policies used by
operate our snowcats, we will provide a skiing credit
Monashee Powder Adventures are standard in this
on the unused portion of the ski package. This credit
Notify us immediately by phone or e-mail of any
industry.
has no cash value and is valid until the end of
changes or additions to the group.
the following ski season. Under no circumstances is
Ensure that all group members return their
REBOOKING POLICY
Guests have first option for the same dates the following season. For example, if you ski with us on the first
Monashee Powder Adventures responsible for guest’s
inconvenience or travel expenses.
registration forms and receive a copy of the
information booklet. Additional copies are available from our office or can be downloaded from
weekend in February, you will have the first option for
EVACUATION INSURANCE
the first weekend of February next year. This option
Payments in US funds will be credited to your
Monashee Powder Adventures offers insurance to
expires on the last day of your ski holiday. To keep your
account at the current bank rate. Note that mail
cover the costs if you need to be evacuated from the
It is the responsibility of the group organizer to fill
dates, we must receive your deposit by the last day of
from the US can take as long as three weeks
mountain by helicopter, snowcat or snowmobile. The
cancellations. If Monashee Powder is asked to fill
your trip this season. The deposit for the following ski
to arrive.
cost is $5.00 per person per day. We strongly advise
spots, the group’s discount will be forfeited.
season is 25% of the total package price. No dates can
all skiers to take this policy. If you choose not to
be held without a deposit.
purchase this insurance, you will be responsible for all
and address.
Your reservation will be cancelled automatically and
your deposit forfeited if we have not received full
costs related to an evacuation not covered by medical
payment by November 15.
insurance. For evacuation insurance, please add $5.00
Trips booked after November 15 are payable in full at
www.monasheepowder.com/information.html.
EXPENSES
We accept cash, cheques, VISA or MasterCard for
liquor, merchandise, ski rentals and ski trip deposits.
per person per day to your final payment.
the time of booking.
11
12