The Best  Backcountry, Cross Country or Nordic Skiing Destinations in Canada:

These destination ideas are sponsored by these national and international sponsors:  Infinity Ski Poles, Backcountry Access,   Rossignol.  I thank them for their assistance.

If you know of quality cross country or backcountry skiing destinations that should be listed - please contact me at knicol@swgc.mun.ca

Videos of Nordic, Cross Country and Backcountry Ski Destinations in Canada

We recently were invited to Airport Nordic Ski Club to do some ski clinics with some of their ski instructors and jackrabbit leaders and also had a chance to view their scenic trail system. They have 16 km of trails which wind through a forest of spruce and fir. There are fine views of Mt Peyton on clear day and some trails have good vistas of Gander Lake. They have excellent grooming for both classic and skating and their club seems to be growing in leaps and bounds. They now have about 300 members which is up significantly from just a few years ago. They have 4 km of trails lit for night skiing and they are just a few minutes from Gander so many people come out to ski on their lunch hour. They welcome visitors so if you are traveling through be sure to pack your skis or snowshoes and try out their trails. For more information: http://airportnordic.ca/   For more photos see GANDER

Sorcerer Lodge has a great setting with views from the lodge of tall peaks and glaciers. It is accessed by a 10 minute helicopter ride out of Golden, B.C. and the lodge sits at about 6750 feet (roughly at treeline). There is good tree skiing to be had for those days when you can't get on to the glaciers but my favourite day had to be when we went to Perfect Glacier. "It gets that name for a reason" said Tannis Dakin, Sorcerer's owner who accompanied us on our trip. "The snow is generally very good and the views are spectacular". Our group of 9 AT and Telemark skiers arrived mostly from the Eastern US and Canada and we even had a fellow from Scotland join us. The lodge has 3 spacious bedrooms, one smaller bedroom and a loft for sleeping and a great sauna for relaxing after a hard day of face shots and skinning. For more info: http://www.sorcererlodge.com/ and for more pictures see: Sorcerer Lodge

  Cross Country Skiing in Golden, B.C.

Golden, B.C. has great skiing of all sorts from superb alpine skiing at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort to a slew of backcountry lodges and helicopter skiing operations. It also has a very nice cross country ski facility and we recently visited there in late January. That is a good time to go since you can also ski in one of their premier events- the Huckleberry Loppet. They have 33 km of trails at their main facility which also sports a fine new lodge that wasn't quite finished when we were there. The trails are wide and groomed for both skating and classic skiing and it is hard to keep your eye on the trail given the scenery that surrounds you. Be sure to ski the Raven and Caribou trails and bring your camera if you want to take pictures of striking mountain scenery. They also groom for classic skiing 6 km at the Golden Golf Course which is closer to town. For more info: http://www.goldennordicclub.ca/ and for more pictures see:          Golden Nordic.

Sol Mountain Touring is a relatively new operation in the Monashee Mountains of central B.C. and is certainly worth looking into for mixed groups. There is great terrain for AT or Telemark skiing but there is fine x-country skiing right out the front door. On the trip just before ours there there 5 families from Calgary and area that were enjoying the 4 plus meter snowpack with everything from children's sleds to telemark skis. This is not to take away from the superb terrain for turns both above and below treeline. There are also some easily accessible peaks that can be ski toured right to the summit including Sol Mountain-the mountain for which the place is named. Add to this gourmet food, comfortable private rooms and numerous bathrooms with showers and you have a place to return to again and again. For more info contact www.solmountain.com  and for more pictures click Sol.  

Wells Gray Adventures offers something unique in the world of ski touring-3 cabins in a protected provincial park. No need to worry about snowmobiles or helicopter skiing operations infringing on your skiing. Wells Gray Adventures offers a variety of options for winter trips and I recently joined them for a guided 7 day trip. Although it was late March, 2008 we had exceptional powder skiing on north facing slopes and after we had skied out one area we moved 7 km to a second cabin and had 3 days of great skiing there. Our group had skiers Vermont to Seattle and points in between and were an equal split of telemarkers and AT skiers. One of the big selling points of Wells Gray Adventures is that it must be the best bargain in the backcountry ski world today-7 days of guided skiing, with all food and accommodation (including 2 drinks with every dinner) for around $1050 plus tax. You can also rent the cabins in a self guided - self catered option for much less. For more information see: www.skihike.com   For more pics click Wells Gray

 
Cross Country Skiing at Helmcken Falls Lodge, B.C. from Keith Nicol on Vimeo.

Helmcken Lodge is located adjacent to Wells Gray Park just north of Kamloops and near the community of Clearwater in interior B.C. It has some fine x-country ski trails but what makes the place unique in my books are the numerous waterfalls that spill over ledges of recent- geologically speaking- lava flows. Helmcken Falls is the most impressive but Dawson and Spahats Falls are very scenic. And the ski trail along the Murtle River must be one of the prettiest in B.C. Helmcken Lodge has large wooden cabins and the fine meals in the main lodge are worth going to all on their own. We were there at the tail end of the 2008 season but had new snow to ski on and great views of the Trophy Mountains. For more information see: www.helmckenfalls.com and for more photos click Helmcken

Purcell Lodge is luxury accommodation and great skiing in the heart of the Purcell's. It is accessed by a especially scenic 15 minute helicopter ride from Golden, B.C. Last year when my wife and I were trying to find a backcountry lodge that would combine both our interests-mine for steep and deep and hers for ski touring over gentle alpine meadows - and we couldn't have done better than Purcell Lodge. Everyday, 3 guided tours head out and the guests can decide what they feel like that day. Even in last year's snow drought, conditions at New Year's were very good and we skied deep powder every day. Purcell Lodge is the ideal backcountry choice for couple or groups where there is a wide variation in ability. And the food and accommodations are first class. For more information check them out at: www.purcell.com

For those skiers visiting the Whistler, B.C. area that want a variety of backcountry options then take a look at Callaghan Country Lodge. Its higher elevation means that its snow is generally drier than typical Whistler snow and it falls in abundance. It must be one of the only backcountry lodges with groomed tracks and it offers lots of good ski touring options as well. Like Purcell Lodge it is ideal for groups or couples with differing interests or abilities-snowshoeing, alpine touring, telemarking or track skiing-its all here.  The spacious 5000 square foot lodge has a variety of room styles with a chef that provides gourmet meals. The lodge is nestled in old growth yellow cedars and offers commanding views of the surrounding peaks. For more information check out www.callaghancountry.com.

Silver Star is one of the best choices in North America for early season x-country skiing and is also the site of Canada's most popular Master Ski Camps. With its early snow and consistent weather its no wonder ski teams from across the continent descend on Silver Star from mid November to mid December. The Master Ski Camps are a great way for anyone from beginners to experts to improve their technique and get in some early season mileage. For more info on these camps contact Glenn Bond at www.xccamps.ca They have some new innovative pricing in effect now and this makes them even a better bargain. Of course this area is a fine area for skiing anytime through the winter with its consistent snow and comfortable winter temperatures.

Selkirk Lodge is located outside of Revelstoke , B.C. in one of the nicest settings I have seen for a backcountry lodge. The mountains are in your face and they are spectacular. I spent a week there a few years ago and we were blessed with sunshine every day. The terrain is challenging--best suited to advanced telemarkers or those with alpine touring gear. The runs are on glaciers, open bowls and everything in between. There is not alot of tree skiing since the lodge is located just above treeline so you want to hope for good weather. But when the sun shines as it did for us you couldn't have asked for a better place to ski. The view from the lodge itself is drop jaw quality in all directions. It was my first visit to a B.C. backcountry lodge and it certainly won't be my last. For for information contact Selkirk Lodge at 1-800-663-7080 or check out their web site at www.selkirklodge.com