Burnie Glacier Lodge Canada 2024

Burnie Glacier Lodge 15-22th of March 2024. 1 Space Available

Canada and particularly British Columbia is famous around the world for the quality and quantity of its snow, large snow falls make for reliable and solid snowpack and cold temperatures keep the snow pristine for us to enjoy.

There are many ways to enjoy this white gold but one of the unique ways the Canadians have developed is to build remote mountain lodges that are accessed by helicopter, once at the lodge we will be one our own. Just our group and a cook to look after us.

There are a many different lodges to choose from in Canada, but we chose Burnie for a number of reasons, it’s one of the most Northerly Lodge in British Columbia so we are as close as possible to guaranteeing great snow quality, the access is simple with a helicopter ride straight from Smithers Airport, no need to rent a car or use complicated logistics to reach a trail head. Finally, all the conversations I had with Christoph the owner and fellow IFMGA guide felt like we were on the same wavelength regarding skiing, safety, and client experience.

The plan is to meet in Smithers where we will spend the night before flying to the hut the next morning, we will then spend 6 days ski touring from the hut enjoying high alpine terrain above the hut if the weather is good and great tree skiing below the hut if the weather isn’t so good. We will return to the hut each evening where we can relax in the sauna or have a beer beside the fire before enjoying a home cooked meal. We will have a cook with us to look after us.

Group

The maximum group size is 10 guests with 2 guides, Bruce Goodlad and a local Canadian guide.

The lodge

The lodge has three stories, one of which is buried in the winter. There are two bedrooms that are good for couples. The other rooms have three and four beds. Linen is provided.  While the walls are simple wood walls, all rooms have doors and windows.

There is a comfortable dinning and relaxing area where we can relive the days experience and a sauna to relax the body ready for the next days adventures.

Getting to Smithers

Smithers is an hour and half hours flight from Vancouver, on the way to the hut it would be worth adding some skiing on the way, this would split the journey and make the most of the international flight. Bruce will be happy to propose some extra days nearer the time.

On the way home we should be back in Smithers about 1400 so it should be possible to fly to Vancouver that afternoon / evening and connect internationally.

Looking at flights the best prices look to be fly to Vancouver on one ticket then fly on using another, joined up tickets come back as really expensive for some reason. Bruce will advise on flights

Cost £3950

What’s included

1 nights B&B accommodation in Smithers.

7 nights full board accommodation in the lodge.

Helicopter access to and from the lodge.

Not included

Flights to and from Smithers

Alcohol at the lodge

Insurance

Tips (Bruce doesn’t expect a tip but culturally tips are expected in Canada currently about 11% of the total trip price. While this seems crazy to Europeans it’s the way things are done there. Bruce will advise on how to manage this.)