January 15-18, 2016, Ymir Lodge, BC
1/15/16
Canada BC
2925
4
We had a fantastic time during a recent trip to the Ymir Lodge located in southeast BC, just south of Nelson. I have never stayed in any of the backcountry huts in Canada before, but was thoroughly impressed with this first experience!
The lodge is situated at 6200' near tree line, with easy access to several nearby peaks and cirques. We experienced great skiing conditions and were stoked to have deep, soft snow with good stability during our stay. There is great skiing right out the back door, and we frequently used established skin tracks to take laps on the closest slopes. When the visibility was poor, we stuck to the gladed slopes, but did take advantage of some bigger steep lines in Qua Bowl down to Qua Lake when the clouds cleared. Our group of 12 primarily toured in smaller groups, meeting up for lunch back at the lodge midday before heading out for more laps until dusk.
We were super comfortable in the roomy lodge which has a huge kitchen, living area, and several bedrooms upstairs. The sauna is an old converted yurt, which we took full advantage of each night. Trevor, the owner of the lodge and ski operation provided maps and beta for ski touring options. He and the other lodge host (Tyler) worked hard to make sure we were all having fun and didn't have to worry about less fun things like cleaning the dishes. We elected to do our trip self catered and self guided, but he also offers guiding services and full catering. Access is via a short helicopter ride, which we all loved! Needless to say, we can't wait to return!
Seeman Peak with the lodge just left of center.
Ridge-top skinning with endless lines on either side.
Qua Peak
After a long day of breaking trail in deep powder, there is nothing better than skinning right up to the front door!
The lodge is situated at 6200' near tree line, with easy access to several nearby peaks and cirques. We experienced great skiing conditions and were stoked to have deep, soft snow with good stability during our stay. There is great skiing right out the back door, and we frequently used established skin tracks to take laps on the closest slopes. When the visibility was poor, we stuck to the gladed slopes, but did take advantage of some bigger steep lines in Qua Bowl down to Qua Lake when the clouds cleared. Our group of 12 primarily toured in smaller groups, meeting up for lunch back at the lodge midday before heading out for more laps until dusk.
We were super comfortable in the roomy lodge which has a huge kitchen, living area, and several bedrooms upstairs. The sauna is an old converted yurt, which we took full advantage of each night. Trevor, the owner of the lodge and ski operation provided maps and beta for ski touring options. He and the other lodge host (Tyler) worked hard to make sure we were all having fun and didn't have to worry about less fun things like cleaning the dishes. We elected to do our trip self catered and self guided, but he also offers guiding services and full catering. Access is via a short helicopter ride, which we all loved! Needless to say, we can't wait to return!
Seeman Peak with the lodge just left of center.
Ridge-top skinning with endless lines on either side.
Qua Peak
After a long day of breaking trail in deep powder, there is nothing better than skinning right up to the front door!
Great trip report and photos. It is nice that you had the lodge for the end of the day and the sauna. In the past, we did a self guided. The week before we arrived the other yurt burned down. BUT we slept in the yurt which had a smoking stove that had the stovepipe close to the yurt. Not good. Terrain was great. ;)
Awesome - that's come a LONG way since we stayed in the yurt (as Zap describes), which had inadequate heat , garbage everywhere and a bunch of bear damage - the yurts had a pretty rough summer/fall that season. The new lodge looks awesome!
Go pro!?
Way to go Trevor and gang, that place looks deeeeeeluxe! We stayed in the yurts as well, way back, right after they opened - came in after yet more stupendous tree laps to find the chimney in the yurt stove glowing orange. Sorry to hear but not shocked in burned down. Awesome folks and terrain! Back then, we were as haphazardly freeform as the operation was. Bet Ymir is also more "grownup" now.
Reply to this TR
Please login first: