slackcountry Archives - The Uptrack

Montana Peak, Revelstoke: Big Mountain Lines For Christmas

Olivier Denis-Larocque — Sun, 28 Dec 2025 21:47:45 +0000

Montana Peak is a broad ridge feature just south of Mt Mackenzie. Accessed using the Revelstoke Mountain Resort lift infrastructure, its popular west and SW faces are a perfect objective for ski tourers and splitboarders alike. If you can deal with the technical uptrack through wind ribs and tight trees, the vast treeline feature offers a 300m open descent to the bottom of Montana Bowl. The run that is typically carried on through Montana Trees, adding an extra 170m of vertical loss for a total of 470m. Alternatively, you can gain Roscoe Col to the south and climb Kokanee Ridge for another treeline/alpine lap. As for avalanche concerns, Montana Peak’s two distinct faces are wide, interconnected slopes with a 30-35 degree angle and convex features. Perfect for skiing but also capable of producing large avalanches. On a sunny day, you’ll witness an army of skiers and snowboarders heading for the peak. Don’t succumb to the powder fever and assess the slope before dropping in.

This route is accessed using the Revelstoke Mountain Resort (RMR) lift system. You must buy a lift ticket to complete this trip.

RMR TICKETS

MOUNTAIN CONDITIONS

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.

The Montana Peak SW Face (lower half). Video: The Uptrack

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

For more epic trips, check out the Uptrack’s Route Map. It’s your one-stop shop for Rogers Pass ski touring beta.

ROUTE MAP

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

Montana Trees, Revelstoke: One Hella Deep December

Olivier Denis-Larocque — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 21:25:25 +0000

Born during the golden years of the now-defunct cat ski operation neighbouring Revelstoke Mountain Resort (RMR), Montana Trees is an easily accessible slackcountry run that offers quality gladed tree skiing in a sheltered elevation band. A short jaunt away from RMR’s roped boundary, the run requires a 15-minute traverse across the Mt Mackenzie South Path and is entered by skiing the mellow treeline slopes above the forest. Due to its proximity to the resort, Montana Trees sees significant traffic. Thankfully, you’ll soon realize with some exploration that it’s a huge zone with many variations. Make sure to hit it right after a storm for the best possible powder skiing experience and the least tracks.

This route is accessed using the Revelstoke Mountain Resort (RMR) lift system. You must buy a lift ticket to complete this trip.

RMR TICKETS

MOUNTAIN CONDITIONS

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.

Skiing Short Stop in blower conditions with the Ferreol Surfeur 112. Video: The Uptrack

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

For more epic trips, check out the Uptrack’s Route Map. It’s your one-stop shop for Rogers Pass ski touring beta.

ROUTE MAP

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

Greely Trees, Revelstoke: Slackcountry Tree Skiing At Its Best

Olivier Denis-Larocque — Sat, 14 Jun 2025 23:16:47 +0000

Greely Trees is a fantastic old-growth forest, offering some of the best natural tree skiing close to Revelstoke Mountain Resort. Accessed using the resort’s lift system, this magical area lies just NE of Greely Bowl’s boundary. As such, the route is within the realm of the RMR slackcountry. The forgiving uptrack is shared with the Highway Bowl exit, making it a popular trail. Given its old-growth status, the trees are evenly spaced, and the booters are plentiful, allowing for a playful, uninterrupted descent. I often stop the descent short in an open boulder field at 1500m elevation – 100 meters above the Highway Bowl creek (or the Selkirk Tangiers Heli pickup flags). Below that, the forest is much bushier with a thin coverage due to its low elevation. Since this area is so easily accessible, don’t forget your climbing skins. How often have I heard of patrollers performing a rescue below the resort’s boundary because some tourist forgot to bring their skins?

This route is accessed using the Revelstoke Mountain Resort (RMR) lift system. You must buy a lift ticket to complete this trip.

RMR TICKETS

MOUNTAIN CONDITIONS

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

For more epic trips, check out the Uptrack’s Route Map. It’s your one-stop shop for Rogers Pass ski touring beta.

ROUTE MAP

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