Backcountry Skiing in the Kootenays
British Columbia, Canada

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Heli Skiing : Cat Skiing : Ski Mountaineering in the Kootenays EH

British Columbia, (BC) Canada backcountry skiing provides an opportunity to explore and discover the many mountain ranges located in the Kootenay region during the winter season. There are various levels of backcountry skiing in the Kootenays including heli skiing, cat skiing and ski mountaineering.

Heli skiing involves helicopters flying skiers into remote locations. Cat skiing involves large snowcats. A snowcat is a tractor like vehicle with an enclosed cab operating on dual tracks (like a tank) designed to travel over deep snow and forge backcountry wilderness trails for skiing and snowmobiling.

Another form of backcountry skiing is called ski mountaineering. Mountaineering, in some cases, involves self propelled transportation like snowshoeing and telemark skiing in order to reach ski mountaineering destinations. Some locations are better accessed via helicopters and snowcats.

There are day trips and there are multi-day adventures provided by the various backcountry ski operators. Operators, in many cases, provide lessons, equipment and preparation. Operators will check the weather conditions, avalanche reports and destination routes.

Many multi day skiing adventures are fitted with accommodations. Accommodations include full service lodges, self contained cottages and remote wilderness cabins. Located in the deep backcountry wilderness regions are overnight accommodations called alpine huts which are basic lodgings (warming huts) for skiers provided and managed by local alpine clubs.

Some of the regions and most popular backcountry skiing destinations in the Kootenays include the Bonnington Mountain Range near Nelson and Castlegar, BC; the Whitewater Mountain near Nelson, BC; the Goat Range near Kaslo, BC; the Kootenay Pass near Creston, BC and the mountains located along Rogers Pass near Golden and Revelstoke, BC.