Related: Burnt Knob, Revelstoke: The Perfect Macpherson Slidepaths

Report from January 7, 2026

On a foggy, cold January morning, Freddy and I rolled into the Revelstoke Nordic Ski Club parking lot. The dream: spend the day slashing powder turns down Fuzzy and Burnt Knob. We followed the Main Loop Trail, generally aiming for another very popular ski touring zone, the Macpherson Fingers. After 20 minutes of easy progress, we branched off the groomed trail on an unnamed skid road, traversing the east face of Mt Macpherson.

We marched up the skid road, carving a deep trail in more than 60cm of fresh powder. The hard work was only beginning. Thankfully, someone had already set a trail a few days ago, leaving a barely noticeable depression in the snow. Looking across the valley, the frosted slopes of Mt. Mackenzie (Revelstoke Mountain Resort) glistened in the sunlight as the rays pierced through the clouds. The valley fog was obscuring the town of Revelstoke. What a stunning sight!

After 3km along the gently graded ski road, we veered right and followed the south bank of Wells Creek. A narrow band of clearings led us through the dense forest into the old-growth above. At last, we could set a “guide’s” uptrack, minimizing direction changes and accelerating our uphill travel. Since we had received more than 60cm of snow in 48 hours, the uptrack looked more so like a trench than a trail.

We navigated up the big timber, utilizing natural features such as tree wells and flat-topped pillows to complete our switchbacks. Concerned about a persistent weak layer of hazardous surface hoar, we stayed away from the open, sheltered slopes right below Burnt Knob. They seemed like ideal surface hoar farms where the persistent slab problem would be found.

We continued up the forested slope to an obvious col delineating the two minor summits. We then headed north towards Fuzzy Knob, contouring past Wells Creek. While the ascent from the creek to the knob was quite short, the deep snow impeded our progress. We laughed at how ridiculous it was to break trail through the very deep snow. After much effort, we crested the hill and completed our transition at a relaxed pace, slowly recharging our exhausted batteries.

The descent was an absolute treat. We slid into the short, steep pitches right off the knob. At every turn, the unusually light snow was kissing our faces. Faceshot after faceshot, it was exhilarating. We made our way down the mature forest, effortlessly weaving through the sparse timber. Given the large quantity of new snow, we carefully planned our descent to maximize our falline skiing. Traversing was simply not an option in those deep powder conditions. At about 1050m, we traversed back to the upper end of the string of clearings we had initially ascended. Battling trenchy powder and nasty alders, punching that traverse wasn’t easy.

After such a wicked lap, we couldn’t just head home. The amazing snow conditions called for another lap, especially after spending much effort laying our uptrack. We slapped the rugs on and headed for Burnt Knob. There’s no denying it’s a step-up from our previous lap. The Burnt Knob descent takes you through two large slidepath and forces you down a convoluted system of gullies, pillows and steep, eroded slopes. Having assessed the avalanche conditions on our previous lap by ski cutting steep, unsupported features, Burnt Knob seemed like an acceptable risk at the time.

As expected, the descent from Burnt Knob was excellent. There’s nothing better than skiing a 500-meter slidepath filled with champagne powder. See the instragram reel below for a pretty good summary of the ski conditions.

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A post shared by Olivier Denis-Larocque (@theuptrack)

Route Info

4-5 h	1050m	13 km	650-1685 m

The post Fuzzy Knob, Revelstoke: Shredding Through The Big Timber appeared first on The Uptrack.

Related: Balu Pass, Rogers Pass: Old Faithful Ski Tour

Report from November 27, 2025

After two days of heavy rain to 2300m, Freddy and I figured now was a great time to kick-start our ski touring season at Rogers Pass. Fortunately, the tail end of the storm system brought 20cm of dense powder, burying the burly melt-freeze crust. With a forecasted warm spell settling in over the day, we hoped the warm snow would stick to the crust and cushion our turns. We planned on skiing a classic of the Connaught Valley, the Cheops North Bowl.

We followed the standard Connaught uptrack, aiming to gain Balu Pass. With the low elevation coverage, we stepped over rocks, roots and cautiously maneuvered over gaping streams. In the early season, it’s best to budget some extra time to navigate the valley bottoms. Surprisingly, the fresh rain crust helped shield our skis from the rocks on the trail. After two hours of continuous side-hilling, we gained Balu Pass and stumbled into old friends, Chris and Will, who happened to share the same objective.

We took a breather at the pass, snacking on granola bars and dehydrated mangoes – my all-time favourite in the backcountry. Looking south, we could see the Loop Brook, Asulkan and Illecillewaet Valleys in the distance. It got me excited about our upcoming winter and all the epic terrain at our fingertips. We mosied across Balu Pass, arriving at the foot of the Cheops West Ridge, the next leg of the ski tour.

As we climbed the broad shoulder, I probed for potential wind slabs and evaluated our snowpack. For a heavily wind-scoured feature, I was surprised to find more than 180cm of snow across the slope. Beyond, the alpine was caked in snow. The warm temperature and heavy snow had coated our mountains, filling in boulder holes, open creeks and eroded gullies. Despite the recent rain, that’s a great start for the 2025-2026 season. With Will expertly breaking trail at the front, we gained the distinct bench, marking the entrance of the Cheops North Bowl.

While the crew executed a quick transition, Will (being Will) pulled a beer out of his bag and crushed it on the spot. Not my style, but I can appreciate the effort to haul it up the hill. Will and Chris decided to ski Nicci’s Notch, an advanced line nearby. We dropped into the bowl, ski cutting the convex entrance to evaluate the wind slab’s reactivity. The warm snow offered smooth, groomer-like skiing, thankfully cushioning the crust below. While I wouldn’t call that powder skiing, it was as enjoyable as it was different from what we’re used to at Rogers Pass. The vast alpine terrain was looming overhead, making us feel very small in comparison.

As we approached the traverse under STS Couloir, we noticed a string of avalanche debris emerging from the steep couloir above. The debris had carved out the terrain, leaving great big gullies of tough ice. We carefully descended through the challenging section and raced down to the valley bottom once clear of the debris. In times of better stability and snow quality, I often ski the steep chutes directly below the bowl. They are often loaded by the downflow winds, blowing from the top of Balu Pass.

Route Info

7-8 h	1020m	11 km	1330-2250 m

The post Cheops North Bowl: Great Alpine Skiing Despite Thin Coverage appeared first on The Uptrack.

Related: Fuzzy Knob, Revelstoke: Shredding Through The Big Timber

Report from December 29, 2025

Paul and I parked at the Revelstoke Nordic Ski Lodge below Mt Macpherson for a cruisy lap down the Burnt Knob slidepaths, whichever would have the least track. Having last seen each other in the Fall, we casually walked along the Main Loop as we caught up on our busy lives. The staff at the RNSC made it easy for ski tourers to access the Macpherson NE slopes with clear signage showing the way. Within 20 minutes, we made it to the old skid road that traverses below the Fingers and, further, the two Burnt Knob slidepaths.

Arriving at the end of the skid road, made obvious by the dense jungle ahead, we began climbing more aggressively, following a series of small clearings adjacent to Wells Creek. With an existing uptrack carved in the lumpy terrain at a reasonable incline, our progress to the wide col between the two minor peaks, Burnt and Fuzzy Knob, was effortless. I reworked some of the trail, finding more efficient ways to contour through the alders and cedar forest. This reminded me how bushy the eastern Monashees can get, even with our unusually thick coverage for late December. Due to its low elevation, I typically won’t even attempt a ski tour at Mt Macpherson before January rolls around and the temperatures plummet.

As the fog lifted and the skies opened up, we reached the top of Burnt Knob. As we shovelled nuts in our hungry mouths, we scoped out the slope below. A convoluted system of gullies, wind drifts, and pillows split along a natural shoulder and led into the two beautiful slidepaths. Noticing most tracks leading into the skier’s right path (#1), we decided it was best to aim for the left one.

We also observed some noticeable wind effect along the top of the knob. As an exposed, prominent bump, this observation was no surprise after the variable winds overnight. Before starting the run, I cautiously ski cut the first steep pitch, grasping for a nearby tree. As expected, I triggered a small wind slab, 30cm thick.

With our avalanche control mission complete, we skied the top pitch, weaving through juvenile spruces and jumping off an endless stream of playful features carpeting the slope. This is typical Monashees skiing. We traversed to the skier’s left, lining ourselves up with the #2 slidepath below. The winds had compressed the snow, making the skiing challenging. While Paul, an expert snowboarder, had no problem staying afloat in the dense, creamy powder, I, on the other hand, kept having to shift my weight to the back of my skis in an effort to keep my tips up. Needless to say, the run was an absolute quad burner.

We spread our descent over three epic pitches. To my surprise, no one had skied the left path. This is awesome! Previous avalanches and meters after meters of snowfall had almost entirely covered the heinous alders. We skied nearly all the way to the old forestry trail. After a solid high five, we followed the undulating track down the skid road and back to Nordic ski club trails. What a day!

Route Info

5 h	1150 m	13 km	649-1765 m

The post Burnt Knob, Revelstoke: The Perfect Macpherson Slidepaths appeared first on The Uptrack.

Related: Montana Trees, Revelstoke: One Hella Deep December

Report from December 25, 2025

After Kaitlin and I took a brisk ride on the Stoke Chair, we arrived at the top of Revelstoke Mountain Resort, ready to go for a Christmas slackcountry mission. With no definite objective in mind, we headed south, aiming to ski an alpine line beyond the resort’s boundary. At the wind sock, I adhered my climbing skins to the Ferreol Surfeur 112 powder skis, surprised by the lack of crowds. I guess people would rather sleep in on Christmas Day!

Ferreol Surfeur 112 Ski Review

We ducked under the rope line and followed an existing uptrack contouring across the SW face of Mt Mackenzie. The views were spectacular. The sea of clouds hovering over the Columbia River to the west was lit up by the low December sun. Being so close to the winter equinox, the days are shorter, but the lighting is jaw-dropping. It was the first day we’d seen the sun in more than 3 weeks of a particularly snowy December.

We made our way towards Goat Peak, a prominent Thumb’s Up-looking mountain along the Mackenzie SE Shoulder. Battling various wind drifts and small Christmas Trees, we walked along the breezy ridge, keeping a safe distance from the large cornices above Highway Bowl to our left. Those cornices have caught experienced skiers by surprise in the past, resulting in injuries and difficult evacuations.

We pressed onwards towards the summit of Goat Peak. While you can easily traverse skier’s left through Montana trees to get to the bottom of Montana Bowl, we chose to extend our first lap with a south-facing descent from the summit into the bowl below. It’s a short detour that turns a traverse into a proper ski line. We transitioned a few meters below the peak to avoid a particularly wind-scoured section. With the clearer weather, we were granted panoramic views of Montana Peak and the surrounding area.

Ready for a ski, Kaitlin posted herself downhill of me for a photo opportunity, and I dropped in for my first descent of the day. With the high winds of the previous day, the surface snow on the upper section was wind-packed, offering a solid platform for making energetic turns. As we descended the slope, the snow quality improved into bottomless powder. We found our way through a series of wind lips, increasing our speed and confidence as we entered the large expanse of Montana Bowl.

At the bowl’s termination, we transitioned back into uphill mode, now ready for the ascent up the Montana Ridge leading up to its peak. We worked our way up the northern edge of the bowl, crossing below our fresh downhill tracks. The next section reminded me how technical this uptrack can be. With better avalanche stability, I typically track-set across the open west face. However, due to the considerable avalanche hazard in the alpine and treeline, we climbed conservatively along the ridge. Battling bushy trees, steep gullies and wind pillows, we eventually made it up Montana Peak with a scenic finish on the flat-topped feature.

With the winds whistling through our gear, we removed the climbing skins and buckled our ski boots. Lap #2 followed the distinct treed rib dividing the west from the southwest face. With the storm slab problem in mind, we opted for a supported line weaving through the sparse trees and opening up lower down Montana Bowl. Having been exposed to the recent winds, the cold snow was slightly pressed, but still skied great. 8/10 if I were to rate it. After all, backcountry skiing isn’t always about the snow quality – even for a powder snob such as me. It’s about the experience.

We continued our descent down Montana Bowl. Looking around, we felt quite small traversing underneath the boundless alpine slopes. After pushing past a flat frozen pond, we punched through the evergreens and skied down the southern-most lines of the Montana Trees area. We regrouped at the cul-de-sac where the Natural Selection Tour‘s Revelstoke chapter was held last March. We promptly made our way back to the resort, following the beginner-friendly Montana cat road.

Route Info

3 h	410 m	6 km	1860-2341 m

The post Montana Peak, Revelstoke: Big Mountain Lines For Christmas appeared first on The Uptrack.

Related: Kokanee Bowl, Radar Bowl: Unreal Lift-Accessed Ski Touring

Report from December 20, 2025

As Kaitlin and I took a bump up RMR’s Stoke Chair, we soon realized Montana Trees would be our perfect ski-date, my favourite kind of date. After unloading for the surprisingly quiet chair lift, as is expected of the resort before the Christmas break, we traversed towards the wind sock, the ever-recognizable orange fabric flapping in the moderate south winds. A few hundred meters south of the Stoke Chair, we transitioned for a frigid traverse below the Mt Mackenzie South Path. Given all the stormy action December has seen, visibility was naturally poor.

We contoured the terrain, spacing out as we traversed underneath the large SW-facing start zone. With the visibility further worsening, we felt our way along the Mackenzie South Shoulder, distinguishing Montana Trees to the west from Highway Bowl to the east. No more than 15 minutes later, we reached a vast treeline slope dotted with snow-glazed spruces. Stopping above the skier’s left of Montana Trees, where the glading is more open, we transitioned for the descent. I stabbed my Ferreol Surfeur 112 skis deep in the powder, afraid that the steady winds would blow them away.

We cautiously skied through the band of ghostly spruces and opened up the throttle in the vast treeline slope below. With its shallow incline incapable of producing avalanches, I felt perfectly comfortable party skiing it with Kaitlin in tow. After a quick regroup at the trim line marking the start of Montana Trees proper, we traversed towards a virgin hallway tucked between two denser tree bands. With temperatures plunging due to a developing Arctic outbreak, the snow quality was blower, 40cm of perfect champagne powder. As expected, the skiing was fabulous. Playing the Surfeur 112 to its strength, I was having way too much fun throwing the skis sideways, slashing powder into the air.

By the end of the Montana Trees run, the terrain benched out as we glided back to the Montana cat road, the easiest way to get back to inbounds RMR. Impressed by the top-notch skiing, we headed further south towards the Kokanee Ridge, hoping to ski another great lap. We slithered under the Natural Selection headwall, a nearly-vertical rock band where the freeride competition took place.

Following the disaffected cat road and a well-crafted uptrack, climbing Kokanee Ridge was a breeze. Wanting a shorter lap, we climbed up to 2100m and transitioned at the Natural Selection start gate.

We skied down Kokanee Ridge, passing many friendly faces as we raced down the cat road. We stopped at a notable notch leading into the Short Stop run. I tested the 40-degree treed slope by ski cutting the start zone. The snow was absolutely blower and showed no signs of reactivity. Fortunately, the band of trees cresting Kokanee Ridge had protected the terrain from the gale-force winds observed during the last storm cycle. We skied the run one-at-a-time, making sure we didn’t expose ourselves to the Natural Selection headwall to our skier’s right.

We high-fived at the bottom, now that we’re back in the safety of the Montana cat road. We stuck the rugs on our skis and toured back to the resort, traversing under the Jalapeno inbound run.

Route Info

2.5h	112m	3.2 km	1875-2180m

The post Montana Trees, Revelstoke: One Hella Deep December appeared first on The Uptrack.

Related: The Early Season Snowpack: How It Affects Your Winter

McCrae Peak

Best time to visit: Mid-October to early November

5-6 h	820 m	10.5 km	1770-2415 m

As far as early-season ski touring goes, the McCrae Peak zone is an all-time classic. Its main glacier, the McCrae glacier, offers an enjoyable yet short descent, with a challenging finish down a windy canyon. For added vertical, you can bootpack up the peak’s west face to its summit (2500m), granting you panoramic views of the surrounding Selkirk Mountains and the Monashees’ Gold Range across the Columbia Valley. Why is this such a popular early-season spot? On one hand, you’ll start your tour at an elevation of just under 1800m at the top of the McCrae forestry road. You essentially drive all the way up to the snowline, skipping the typically heinous valley bottom bushwhack. Since the McCrae FSR is part of the broader Akolkolex forestry road network, bring a VHF radio along to monitor the busy logging traffic. This is an active logging zone, requiring a 4×4 vehicle to access. Check out this post about safety on forest service roads in BC.

Related: McCrae Glacier: Season’s First Powder Turns

On the other hand, McCrae’s west shoulder is a mellow grassy meadow, with more grass than rocks, perfect for some early-season backcountry skiing. For the keen adventurer, you can complete a variety of intricate loops involving alpine bowls and steep chutes as seen in my latest trip up McCrae Peak in spring.

Joss Mountain

Best time to visit: Mid-October to early November

5-6 h	650 m	12.5 km	1490-2150 m

Peaking at 2386m, Joss Mountain is a prime early-season ski touring spot in the Monashee Mountains. The route requires a 4×4 vehicle and a VHF radio to navigate the generally well-maintained Wap Lake FSR. Beware: the journey’s last leg up one of the lesser-used branches is much steeper and rockier than the main artery. The challenging access is worth the effort, however. You’ll be rewarded with classic Monashee-style skiing, including chutes, pillows, booters and pristine alpine bowls. Thankfully, the 1-hour drive from Revelstoke and the harder access make Joss Mountain a lesser-known destination, a hidden gem. You’ll hardly cross anyone on the uptrack.

Related: Joss Mountain: Monashees: Seeking The Halloween Powder

The peak is crowned by an old fire lookout, worth the visit if you can muster the 850m ascent. With a little exploration, you’ll find that the south bowl harbours quality skiing. The ondulating alpine terrain offers a perfect opportunity to ski multiple laps, dust off the cobwebs and get your touring legs under you.

Rogers Pass

Rogers Pass winter permit required

Best time to visit: Early November to mid-April

If you’ve been lurking on The Uptrack for a while, you’ve probably figured it out. Rogers Pass is a world-class backcountry skiing destination that also delivers the goods in the early season. The ski season usually starts in early November in the Connaught Valley when there’s just enough snow for a marginal ascent and a hair-raising descent. I’m not going to sugarcoat this – October/November skiing at Rogers Pass is no joke. You’ll be hopping over sharp rocks, crossing open creeks and bashing alder bushes along the way. Nonetheless, the challenging valley bottom conditions give way to excellent skiing in the alpine bowls.

Most folks begin their season in the Connaught Valley with the Balu Pass ski tour. The gentle valley ascent, combined with the mellow open slopes at the valley’s headwaters, makes for a great first tour of the year. I’ve had some of my finest November faceshots there. For the expert skiers looking for challenging lines, a short climb from Balu Pass up the Cheops West Shoulder gets you to the entrance of Nicci’s Notch and the Cheops North Bowl on the valley’s south slope, two great options for early-season backcountry skiing.

On the north side of the Connaught Valley lies Ursus Trees, offering perfectly spaced tree skiing that can be lapped over and over again. Skiers and snowboarders with a penchant for mountaineering can easily summit Video Peak and ski down its south face. It’s a classic early-season objective. You’ll find some great alpine skiing in the vast Hospital Bowl below the peak. Beware: the valley’s lower slopes are carpeted with thick alder bushes, making progress difficult. Stick to the well-used uptracks below treeline to ease your ascent.

Dusting Off The Cobwebs

Since we’re talking about early-season backcountry skiing, it’s worth mentioning the steps you can take to get ready for the season. My latest pre-season preparation for ski touring post discusses those very steps, ranging from looking over your gear to physical conditioning for the season. I spend considerable time training my avalanche and crevasse rescue response before even clipping into my bindings for the first time of the year. You never know – you might be faced with an incident on your very first day out in the backcountry, and you must be ready for it.

Let’s be honest with ourselves: our first packing party of the year is often a rusty one. I’m slowly packing my backpack in the least effective way possible, often forgetting essential items. Well, look no further. This handy-dandy post on what to pack for a ski tour covers all the gear you’ll need for your first ski tour in October or November.

Lastly, not only is it good advice to practice avalanche safety scenarios before hitting the backcountry slopes, it’s also crucial to review the common avalanche problems encountered in October and November. This post on the early-season snowpack covers the fundamental weather mechanisms and avalanche problems that take shape in the early parts of the winter.

The post Best Early-Season Backcountry Skiing Near Revelstoke, BC appeared first on The Uptrack.

Related: How To Choose Touring Skis

Spearheaded by a trio of mechanical engineers, Ferreol worked tirelessly at designing a line of elegant skis loaded with groundbreaking tech such as triple 3P camber. Give their technology page a look – they went as far as quantifying the ski’s stiffness distribution using a calibrated testing bench. Given my engineering background, this is music to my ears. In an age where most plaster their pages with the “Innovation” buzzword, Ferreol is actually doing the thing. They took the tech much further by founding Ferreol Technologies, which developed Scalium, a cutting-edge aluminum alloy that offers a much higher strength for its weight than the competition, a market dominated by another alloy, Titanal. According to the latest media release, a few major European ski manufacturers are chomping at the bit to get their hands on the tech.

If being innovative wasn’t enough, Ferreol has made a point to bake versatility into its ski design. I’d love to have 5 pairs of skis, each dedicated to a specific snow condition. Unfortunately, my ski closet – and wallet – simply isn’t big enough. The mountains are hardly predictable. On a given day, you might ride heavenly, champagne powder on a sheltered northern aspect at 2000m, and awful windboard on a wind-exposed, southern aspect at 3000m. The reality of skiing: you’ll be shredding all kinds of snow. You’ll need a quiver-killer that can support that. Ferreol is aiming for just that – a ski that can perform in a wide range of snow conditions. Granted, I wouldn’t take an 80mm underfoot ski to revel in chest-deep powder, but I’ll take a versatile 110mm ski to rip groomers on the resort.

Related: Ferreol 2025-2026 Ski Collection

Before its inception, Ferreol saw a large gap in the market for sustainable products. Things have come a long way since 2019, but Ferreol’s commitment to delivering an eco-friendly product hasn’t changed. Striving to operate as a carbon-neutral business, the brand has substituted composite fibres for flax in the Surfeur 112. Flax fibres are a natural alternative that doesn’t compromise on performance. They also source their wood, used in the ski’s core, locally in Quebec. Living in the small, quaint town of Revelstoke, BC, I’m all for it – supporting local businesses is critical to a community’s sustainable growth.

Throughout the winter, you’ll see me riding Ferreol skis, whether I’m ski touring at Rogers Pass or heli-skiing with guests, somewhere in the Selkirk Mountains. You might even spot me blabbing on about Ferreol tech on a demo day at Revelstoke Mountain Resort. All in all, I’m more than excited to kick off this long-lasting partnership with Ferreol. If you’ve got a moment, check out their fresh 2026 ski line.

The post Ferreol X The Uptrack: A Thrilling Partnership! appeared first on The Uptrack.

Related: Highway Bowl, Revelstoke Mountain Resort: Chasing Big Lines

Report from December 10, 2019

After catching a ride on the Stoke Chair, Miles, Freddy, and I traversed the top of the lower North Bowl with ease through boot-deep powder. We then crossed over the top of Gracias Ridge and descended Greely Bowl, still within the boundary of Revelstoke Mountain Resort (RMR). December 2019 was incredibly snowy, seeing consistent daily precipitation. With much overhead exposure below the chutes spanning from the Mackenzie North Shoulder (The Doors) and large cornices forming along the ridge, we opted to remain inbounds until we reached the bowl’s terminus. This would put us a safe distance from the avalanche hazards.

We quickly transitioned for the ascent, ducked the rope line, and broke trail heading East through deep powder, spacing out as we crossed below a series of chutes, namely Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down, Split Milk, Lover’s Lane and Birthday Chute. All great ski touring routes when the avalanche hazard is decent; those weren’t in the books for today.

We continued up the Mackenzie North Shoulder, which would put us right above Greely Trees, our objective. Some call the shoulder’s treeline and alpine section the Upper Playground. After a few tricky switchbacks, we were right above our starting point. We removed our climbing skins and eagerly readied up for an amazing descent. Miles took the first line down the Upper Playground, aiming to stay on the shoulder’s crest. This would link us nicely with the forested section.

To give you a lay of the land, Greely Trees can be tricky. The terrain tends to force you down the skier’s right toward sizable cliffs and an eroded gully. It’s a great line in good avalanche stability. However, we wanted to remain in the trees, minimizing our exposure to large features, so we skied slightly off-fallline, hugging the skier’s left and avoiding the larger drops. From there, this route took us down a relatively planar, 30-degree slope littered with fun booters and manageable features.

We skied through deep powder, continuously trending skier’s left until we were funnelled through a wide trough. This led us to an open boulder field, which made for a perfect turnaround point. After skiing Highway Bowl, a few days prior, I knew the forest below the boulder field was bushy with a thin snow coverage. It was best to cut our descent short and start the ascent.

We slapped our skins on and began the 350m ascent towards the RMR boundary. We tracked through a magical old-growth forest, staring in awe at the massive 200+ year-old trees. What a sight to behold! After a short time, we gained Greely Lake (1820m), an important milestone as we make our way back to the RMR boundary. From the lake, we travelled a few hundred meters NW until we crossed back into the resort area. We effortlessly descended Baxters, a run leading back to the Ripper Chair at 1435m.

Thankfully, we made it back before the chair’s operational closure at 2:30 PM. The closure time varies from early winter to spring. To better plan your day, it’s best to check the operational hours sign at the base of the gondola and Stoke Chair in the morning. All in all, our crew had an amazing day of old-growth tree skiing, pillow popping, and cliff jumping. This route is truly one of RMR’s finest.

Route Info

3-5 h	615m	7.3 km	1430-2120 m

The post Greely Trees, Revelstoke: Slackcountry Tree Skiing At Its Best appeared first on The Uptrack.

Related: Ski Touring In Rogers Pass, BC: All You Need To Know

The Mountains and The Backcountry Terrain

The town of Revelstoke is nestled between two idyllic mountain ranges, the Monashees and the Selkirks, both sub-ranges of the Columbia Mountains. To the West, the Monashees are known for their incredible tree skiing, crammed with natural booters and steep chutes. The thick snowpack and deep powder make landing large features a breeze.

To the East, the Selkirks are better known for their ski-mountaineering potential, offering an unforgettable alpine skiing experience (glaciers, bowls and craggy peaks). Nonetheless, there’s some excellent tree skiing to be found, especially in virgin old-growth forests. On clear days, I’d rather spend my time in the Selkirks, bagging peaks and skiing alpine couloirs. For the unacquainted, Rogers Pass, another world-class ski touring mecca, is located in the Selkirks, just a short 45-minute drive from town.

The terrain’s accessibility and variety are what set Revelstoke apart from other ski touring destinations. From old-growth forest to wide-open, alpine bowls, its ski touring scene is the full package. With a valley at 500m and glacier-capped peaks cresting at 2750m, most backcountry skiing routes offer an impressive vertical, offering quad-burning powder skiing. It goes without saying: a good fitness level is required to complete most routes. Thankfully, the lift-accessed backcountry, beyond the rope line of Revelstoke Mountain Resort, opens up a plethora of friendlier alternatives.

The Climate and Snowfall

The climate is ideal for ski touring in Revelstoke. The area is the world’s only inland temperate rainforest. The snow gods love Revelstoke, dumping anywhere between 12 and 18m (40-60ft) of high-quality snow throughout the winter. Revelstoke Mountain Resort (RMR) often sees slightly lower snowfall amounts, averaging about 10m at the start of Spring. This is not the dense concrete that typically falls on the coast. The mountains around Revelstoke typically get near-champagne powder, which is quite the feat given the snow amounts that hammer the area. It’s not uncommon to find a snowpack height of 2-4m in the alpine, perfect for covering all those nasty rocks. What might be a cliff in the summer becomes a smooth slope come mid-winter.

Let’s put it that way: powder skiing and endless faceshots in the Revelstoke backcountry are guaranteed. Due to storms tracking west to east across BC, starting from the Pacific and orographic lifting, the Monashee Mountains (west of Revelstoke) see 20-30% more snowfall than the Selkirk Mountains (east of Revelstoke). After a large storm, I usually head straight for the Monashees to revel in exceptionally DEEP powder skiing and strenuous trailbreaking.

Being an inland temperate rainforest, the temperatures in town typically hover around the 0C mark. Most seasons, my shovel gathers dust in the shed’s corner. However, the picture is a little more complicated. As you rise in elevation, the temperatures tend to drop. Typical alpine temperatures range from -5 °C to -15 °C, with the odd February cold snap delivering a shivering -25 °C. Essentially, be prepared for a wide range of temperatures as you’re ski touring in the Revelstoke area.

A Long Ski Touring Season In Revelstoke

The ski touring season in Revelstoke starts in mid-October for the true keeners out there. With the forestry road network reaching as high as 1800m, you can park right by the snow in places like the McCrae Glacier or Joss Mountain. The forest service roads near Revelstoke are typically pretty rough and require a high-clearance, 4×4 vehicle equipped with a UHF radio and tire chains. It’s easy to get caught in a storm mid-tour and come back to steep, snow-covered roads. Beware of the rock sharks hidden under the shallow snowpack at that time of the year. I purposefully seek out spots with a smooth summer ground cover to avoid patching my bases like a full-time ski tech.

Related: The Early Season Snowpack: How It Affects Your Winter

The backcountry ski season ends in mid-April, though some avid adventurers drag it into May around high mountain passes such as Rogers Pass. You’ll need good hiking shoes, ski crampons and skin wax for those warm, late-spring ski tours. Expect valley bottom approaches to be extra icy. The ski resort is operational from December to late April. Its ski lifts allow you to access its amazing backcountry terrain.

Related: Planning A Spring Ski Tour: Optimize Your Peak Pursuit

The Town & The Community

Just off the Trans-Canada Highway, the town of Revelstoke is equal parts vibrant and quaint. Now with a population of more than 8000, it has a rich 130-year history as the epicentre of the logging and the railroad industries in the British Columbia Interior. Its downtown core is lined with heritage homes and restored buildings, adding to the quaint atmosphere. The Revelstoke Museum & Archives is a great place to plunge into the town’s history, starting with its foundation in 1885 during the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway. Its walls are covered with an impressive amount of old photos and literature.

You’d be wrong in thinking Revelstoke is quiet – this town is no slouch during our busy season. It’s bustling with everything from eager adventurers to eclectic hippies. You’ll find a bustling art scene, with the visual arts center and a community gallery. Revelstoke’s downtown is complete with a diverse array of restaurants, bars and even a distillery, Monashee Spirits. A few minutes out of town, you’ll stumble across the Begbie Brewery, our local beer producer. Revelstoke somehow strikes the perfect balance of adventure, amenities, and serenity, an ideal spot for adventurers and foodies alike.

The Avalanche Hazard

The avalanche hazard is always on my mind when ski touring in Revelstoke. The combination of steep terrain and considerable snowfall results in a higher avalanche likelihood. Unlike the ski resort, the Revelstoke backcountry is uncontrolled and wild! It’s no surprise that the two bodies that delve into the recreational and professional avalanche sector, Avalanche Canada and the Canadian Avalanche Association (CAA), decided to call Revelstoke home. Revelstoke sees by far the most avalanches in Canada. Consequently, its complex terrain and high avalanche likelihood make backcountry travel a serious endeavour, requiring expert terrain management and avalanche skills. In a perfect world, all backcountry skiers and splitboarders would have avalanche and first aid training. Short of that, I recommend hiring an ACMG ski or mountain guide to explore our challenging playground. They know the area best and where the powder skiing might be found. Trick statement – it’s nearly everywhere you look.

As with any other mountain range, the Selkirks and Monashees will harbour the classic avalanche problems such as storm/wind slabs and cornices. However, you’ll also find an especially nasty snow grain: surface hoar. Formed during clear, cold and relatively calm weather, surface hoar forms at the – you guessed it – snowpack’s surface in areas where there’s no tree cover. Surface hoar often appears at treeline and below treeline elevations (approximately 1400-2100m) as it requires all of the factors to grow. In the avalanche world, this leads to a persistent slab problem that can lurk for weeks, if not months and can produce large, destructive avalanches.

The Ski Touring Zones

If you’re not already sold on the great skiing around this town, here’s why. Revelstoke is surrounded by four distinct ski touring zones that consistently deliver the good times. They are either accessible by road or ski lifts, and each adds a different flavour to the ski touring or splitboarding experience. If you’re looking for a wicked ski-mountaineering trip, I recommend you pay Rogers Pass a visit.

Mt Macpherson Backcountry

I sometimes think the slopes of Mt Macpherson rose from tectonic activity for the sole purpose of offering skiers an ideal playground. Along with Mt Begbie, the two summits of the Monashees preside beautifully over Revelstoke. A short drive down Highway 23S will lead you to the Revelstoke Nordic Ski Lodge, where the adventure truly starts. With a parking lot at 650m, the skiing here begins after Christmas when the climate is cold enough for the lower slopes to be caked in snow. Most of the accessible ski touring routes are located on the peaks’ E-NE flank.

Related: Ski Touring Mt Macpherson: Glacial Day In The Womb

To the South, you’ll find the Fingers and The Womb, two very popular routes for good reasons. The Fingers offers a short approach with some featured open path skiing. By far, the most accessible route in the area, it’s very popular for pre-work ski touring laps with the dog in tow. The word says it all. Those treeless hallways are avalanche paths with frequent activity. Keep that in mind when spending a considerable time in the area. Accessed by climbing up the Fingers, The Womb is a fulfilling run consisting of a large avalanche path flanked by classic Monashee tree skiing, chock full of backcountry booters and hidden chutes. Once at its top, the summit of Mt Macpherson is an hour’s climb away – an extra 350m of vertical gain up its SE face. The two lines can be linked to form a 1560m descent.

To the North, Burnt and Fuzzy Knob, two obvious bumps, offer a mix of open path and pleasant tree skiing. The fun terrain justifies the longer trek up one of Mt Macpherson’s skid roads. Burnt Knob’s slightly longer approach rewards you with two wicked avalanche paths that can be skied in decent snowpack stability. It’s a great place to visit during a storm when the higher elevations are shrouded in fog.

Related: Burnt Knob, Revelstoke: The Perfect Macpherson Slidepaths

Mt Begbie Backcountry

Mt Begbie is by far the town’s most recognizable summit. Its vast SE shoulder, the Begbie Shoulder, is a prime ski touring zone, with quality Monashee-style glades of old-growth forests, steep treeline chutes and open cut blocks. The snowpack is typically much deeper here than across the Columbia River in the Selkirks. However, the amazing terrain comes with a downside. The access isn’t for the faint of heart. Reaching the shoulder requires at least a 1300m vertical gain. Most folks access the zone by riding a snowmobile up the Begbie Forest Service Road (FSR) and ski touring from a high point.

Related: Begbie Shoulder: Skiing A Revelstoke Classic

Climbing Mt Begbie is an absolute classic. The 2743m peak, towering over Revelstoke, can be conquered in a day on foot starting at the Mt Begbie Trailhead, but most residents benefit from using a snowmobile to climb the Mt Begbie FSR and skip the low-elevation bushwhack. Without a mechanized crutch, it’s a considerable ski-mountaineering achievement with a 2070m elevation gain. Thankfully, you’ll be rewarded with incredible summit views, a short rappel, and a fun ski descent down the Polar Bear Glacier.

Revelstoke Mountain Resort Lift-Accessed Backcountry

It’s paramount to visit the RMR backcountry when ski touring in Revelstoke. Beyond Revelstoke Mountain Resort’s rope line, located below the south slopes of Mt Mackenzie, you’ll find flawless backcountry ski terrain offering endless possibilities. From Montana Bowl to Ghost Peak, there’s something for everyone. You’ll be weaving through trees in South Bowl and skiing large alpine slopes in Montana Bowl & Kokanee Bowl. Below Montana Bowl, you’ll find some man-made tree skiing, Montana Trees, remnants of a defunct cat ski operation, which closed its doors when the resort saw its first visitors. You’ll have to purchase a lift ticket at the resort’s base to access its backcountry terrain. Beware: the avalanche hazard inbounds is controlled by professionals, while the out-of-bounds (backcountry) slopes are not! Avalanche training is paramount in such terrain.

Related: Montana Peak, Revelstoke: Big Mountain Lines For Christmas

North of the main ridge, formed by Mt Mackenzie, Montana Peak and Kokanee Peak, lies Highway Bowl. The alpine cirque offers steep, technical lines for the daring backcountry skiers and splitboarders. This also comes with its fair share of hazards. The ridge’s north aspect is crowned by a large cornice, which has caused numerous accidents over the years. Across Mt Mackenzie and the in-bounds Greely Bowl, you’ll find Greely Trees. The zone offers ultra-fun tree skiing in old-growth forest. The forest here is magical.

Related: Highway Bowl, Revelstoke Mountain Resort: Chasing Big Lines

Far from the crowded slopes of Montana Peak, you’ll stumble across Ghost Peak. Not only is its name fundamentally cool, but the summit sticks out of the landscape like a sore thumb. The day trip is not for the faint of heart. The ski-mountaineering endeavour involves a 17km, 1500m round-trip trek to its summit, crossing most peaks within the Revelstoke Mountain Resort backcountry. The ascent up its SW face typically requires ski crampons as it gets hammered by prevailing winds. It’s a classic that most Revelstoke ski bums aspire to complete.

Related: Ski Touring Ghost Peak, Revelstoke: Counting Minutes

McCrae Peak Backcountry

Located 22km SE of Revelstoke, McCrae Peak is a great early-season ski touring area when you need your powder fix in October. It’s also a fantastic option for late Spring corn turns. Accessed through the Akolkolex FSR network, the hour-long drive requires a high-clearance 4×4 vehicle equipped with a UHF radio and tire chains. Radio communication on the forestry road network is paramount to avoid potentially fatal collisions. As long as the road is snow-free, you’ll be able to access McCrae Peak’s vast backcountry terrain.

Related: McCrae Glacier: Season’s First Powder Turns

Even better, the parking lot is located at 1800m, making the area even more accessible with our scrawny early-season legs. The forested slopes offer exciting tree skiing, weaving through ancient forest. The peak is crowned by the McCrae Glacier, accessed by ascending its mellow west ridge. The ridge is bounded by smooth, grassy slopes, offering safe skiing in shallow snowpack conditions.

Any Questions?

From the ultra-accessible, uncontrolled slopes beyond the resort to the Mt McCrae’s early season hotspot to chase those October turns, ski touring in Revelstoke triggers the adventurer in all of us. If you’re unsure about the terrain ahead or lack the crucial avalanche management skills, hire an ACMG ski or mountain guide for the day. They’ll suss out the good snow and minimize your exposure to all mountain hazards. If you’re looking for accessible ski-mountaineering, I recommend driving to Roger Pass, famous for its crevassed glaciers and long alpine descent from the 3000-meter summits.

Related: 1. Rogers Pass Top Runs: Best Bang-For-Your-Buck 2. Best Couloir Skiing In Rogers Pass For All Skill Levels

I love questions about Revelstoke and Rogers Pass. Please message me through my Contact Page or via Instagram. I’ll do my best to fulfill your requests promptly and accurately! Next winter, I hope I’ll see you cruising through our stunning backcountry playground.

The post Ski Touring In Revelstoke, BC: A Backcountry Skiing Mecca appeared first on The Uptrack.

Related: Afton Southeast Couloir, Rogers Pass: High Exposure (East Variation)

Report from December 1st, 2020

Generally speaking, I’m not a big fan of ski touring in large groups, but this day was different. The crew, comprised of Rigel, Steph, Freddy, Phil, Kaitlin, and me, assembled at the Loop Brook parking lot, ready for a fun day of introductory ski-mountaineering. For some, this was their first couloir. Phil and I picked the Afton SE Couloir as it seemed like a good appetizer for the newcomers to the sport.

After a thorough gear check, we slithered along Loop Brook, engaging early up the west flank of Mt Abbott. With the season being young, the snowpack was quite shallow. We battled surface crusts and faceted snow through the steep forest, laying down technical kick-turns and using trees for belay. There’s no sugarcoating it, the forested ascent is heinous. I broke my skin tip twice by stumbling on deadfall and buried rocks. You have to stay focused and punch through the treeline.

As we emerged from the trees, we could peer across the Loop Brook Valley. Mt Green and Ross Peak were standing proud. I took the opportunity to scope out the Ross SE Couloir, an objective I completed a few days later after it had shed during a storm cycle. We took a solid break, replenishing our energy while we basked in the early-season sun. We then continued along the wind-scoured ridge leading up to Mt Afton.

Once the snow got too hard to travel on skis, we strapped our skis to our packs and started bootpacking up the Afton NW Ridge. The shallow faceted snow would let go at every step, punching through the thick wind crust to the depth of the boulders underneath. Progress was tiring and slow, but we eventually made it up the ridge. Freddy took a wild tumble down a few boulders after he lost his footing, a stark reminder to check your holds when climbing even the simplest ridge. Due to short daylight hours, some of us avoided the summit. It’s such a quick detour that I decided to complete the ascent and bag Mt Afton. This also gave me a premium view of the Afton SE Couloir and an opportunity to scope out the snow conditions.

The couloir had been battered by high southerly winds. The snow surface was visibly wind-affected, which is pretty common when ski mountaineering. I figured the wind slabs were more than 72 hours old and wouldn’t pose much of an issue. To make things worse, solar input over the last few clear days had changed the snow. This was expected, being a SE aspect. As usual, I would first assess the conditions before committing to the descent.

The sun was setting behind the Bonney Massif. At this time of the year, daylight is scarce. While I descended from the summit to join the group, the crew readied up for the short scramble into the couloir. Phil, Freddy and I led the way, looking for the easiest way through the narrow band of rocks spanning skier’s right from the couloir’s entrance. We helped the first-time couloir skiers through the scramble, assisting them as they mounted their skis. I truly wanted to avoid a ski rocket down the hard snow.

Ready for the descent, Phil launched down the line after a powerful ski cut. The skiing was challenging, to say the least. The top section was heavily wind-affected. Phil was cutting small chunks of unreactive wind slabs as he descended the couloir. I was snapping photos. The lower portion offered excellent powder skiing since the mountains across the valley provided shelter from the low-lying sun. With the hour drawing late, the Asulkan Valley was shrouded in darkness.

Once the party had skied the couloir, one at a time, we continued down the Rampart Bowl toward the valley bottom. The powder skiing here was excellent: sheltered from the wind, with no solar input and some interesting features off which to jump. This was a literal playground! We trended skier’s left towards an isolated band of trees and followed them down to the Asulkan Brook.

From there, we glided downstream along the Asulkan Trail back to the Illecilleweat parking lot. Since we had driven up with two cars, we carpooled back to the Loop Brook parking lot in the dark. I highly recommend doing so; otherwise, you’re stuck walking a few kilometres along the Trans-Canada Highway with semi-trucks blasting their horns at you!

Route Info

7-8 h	1500m	14 km	1130-2543 m

The post Afton SE Couloir, West Variation: Easing Into The Winter appeared first on The Uptrack.