The Best Backcountry Ski Lodges In Canada

Planning a backcountry skiing trip in Canada is an exciting process with tons of different opportunities for the perfect backcountry ski adventure! One of the best types of backcountry ski trips is a backcountry hut based trip.

Planning a backcountry hut ski trip in Canada is perfect for a variety of reasons, mostly revolving around staying in the area you want to ski and spending less time travelling to and from the goods each day.

There are a variety of backcountry lodges, cabins and huts available around Western Canada, each offering its own level of comfort and amenities. Some are dorm style, some offer separate rooms, some are catered and some are self catered. Some backcountry ski lodges are only accessible by helicopter, while others can be accessed by snowmobile or even by ski touring in and out.

Since there are so many backcountry lodges and ski cabins in British Columbia and Alberta, we have put this guide together to help make it easier to plan your backcountry skiing trip in Canada!

The Best Backcountry ski lodges and huts in british columbia

Here is our list of the best backcountry ski touring lodges in BC and Alberta. This is a list of lodges that are run by individuals for profit and don’t include the backcountry ski huts and chalets offered by the Alpine Club of Canada and various other mountain clubs. Naturally we didn’t list the secret shelters that people have built for themselves and their friends in their sacred powder stashes. If you think we missed a backcountry ski lodge, please let us know!

icefall lodge

Icefall Lodge is situated near Golden, British Columbia and with its “skiing first, business second” motto, it is one of the best backcountry ski lodges in British Columbia. With over 50,000 acres of skiable terrain, there is plenty to choose from.

Icefall Lodge expanded some years ago with a series of new huts, which allow you to plan a ski traverse, or stay in the Icefall Lodge or Snowfall lodge as a basecamp for your ski touring/ splitboarding trip in BC.

Trip Duration: 1 week trips in Icefall Lodge
Typical Cost: $2600 for a week, including return heli transfer, for a guided and catered trip.

sorcerer lodge

Sorcerer Lodge is a backcountry ski and snowboard lodge located at the north end of Glacier National Park in BC. The ski lodge sits above Wizard Lake and features views of Nordic Glacier. Sorcerer Lodge is a smaller ski touring lodge, with a capacity of 8 guests, making for a small group experience.

Sorcerer Lodge offers guided backcountry skiing and catering on all individual bookings. This backcountry lodge is a short helicopter ride from Golden, British Columbia.

Trip Duration: 7 night/ 8 days- shorter trips available
Typical Cost: $3400 for a 7 night guided and catered trip with flights included.

Battle abbey

Battle Abbey is a really cool backcountry ski lodge in British Columbia. They have over 10,000 acres of skiable terrain, consisting of intermediate to advanced ski area in the selkirk mountains of BC.

Battle Abbey ski hut is located a short helicopter flight SW of Golden, BC in the Selkirk Mountains.

Trip Duration: 5 days
Typical Cost: $2865 for 5 day guided and catered package, including flights.

Skier at a backcountry ski lodge in British Columbia

boulder hut

Boulder Hut is one of the original backcountry ski touring lodges in British Columbia. Located deep in the Purcell mountain range near Kimberly, Boulder Hut offers 15,000 acres of backcountry ski and snowboard terrain for intermediate and advanced skiers.

Boulder Hut offers a full and half week guided and catered package in their Canadian backcountry ski lodge.

Trip Duration: 1 week, 1/2 week trips available
Typical Cost: $2800 for a week, including return heli transfer, for a guided and catered trip.

sol mountain lodge

Sol Mountain Lodge is a premier ski touring lodge near Revelstoke in British Columbia. Sol offers 30,000 acres of guided ski touring with terrain ranging from open shoulders, to steep chutes, bowls and trees. The ski lodge is located deep in the Monashee Mountain Range, which is known for plentiful and fluffy powder skiing conditions each winter.

Sol Mountain Lodge offer varying trip lengths, on a guided and catered trip style. The lodge is a short helicopter flight from Revelstoke.

Trip Duration: 5-7 nights
Typical Cost: $2950 for 6 night, including return heli transfer, for a guided and catered trip.

Purcell Mountain Lodge

Purcell Mountain Lodge is a backcountry skiing lodge located near Golden, British Columbia. The lodge is situated at the base of Bald Mountain, near Glacier National Park.

The lodge is remarkably comfortable with all the features you could hope for from a luxurious mountain home. Chef’s create daily inspired creations for you to feast on, and there is a cash bar with local wines and craft beers for you to enjoy while you relax at the end of a guided ski tour.

Purcell Mountain Lodge offers a 4 or 5 day backcountry ski package. All trip packages to Purcell Mountain Lodge are guided and catered.

Trip Duration: 4 or 5 days
Typical Cost: $2400 for a 5 day trip, including return heli transfer, for a guided and catered trip.

Backcountry skier near a ski touring hut in Canada.

campbell icefield chalet

Campbell Icefield Chalet is one of the top ski chalets in BC. This ski chalet is located on the Western slope of the Rockies, near Golden BC. The lodge is a short helicopter flight from Golden.
Skiers can enjoy 5000 hectares of backcountry ski terrain, surrounding the lodge, as well as plenty of mountaineering or snowshoeing options.

The Campbell Icefield Chalet allows you to create your own package, with guided or self guided options, plus catered or self-catered options.

Trip Duration: 1 week trips
Typical Cost: $3000- $7500 for 10-15 guests self guided and catered. (unclear if this includes flights or not).

mistaya backcountry lodge

Mistaya Lodge is a backcountry ski lodge in the Canadian Rockies. The lodge is family owned and operated by a passionate family of skiers and hikers.

Mistaya Lodge offers a week long guided and catered ski experience in the Rockies. The lodge is located up the Wild Cat Creek Basin, a 20 minute flight NE of Golden, BC.

Trip Duration: 1 week trips
Typical Cost: $3600 for a week, including return heli transfer, for a guided and catered trip.

mallard mountain lodge

Mallard Mountain lodge is a a ski and snowboard touring lodge tucked in the Rockies near Valemont, British Columbia. The lodge typically hosts 6-8 skiers and snowboarders, so there is plenty of room to breathe and you don’t have to worry about anyone ever poaching your line!

They offer a variety of backcountry ski trip lodge options, from all inclusive, to self catered and guided.

Trip Duration: 1 week trips
Typical Cost: $3975 for a week, including return heli transfer, for a guided and catered trip.

amiskwi ski lodge

Amiskwi Lodge is located in the Rockies, NW of Field BC, and NE of Golden, BC. The backcountry lodge is the perfect basecamp for a variety of ski touring and backcountry snowboarding missions. This backcountry ski cabin can sleep approximately 14 guests and offers entirely self catered and guided ski trips in BC.

Amiskwi Lodge is accessible by helicopter only, with flights from Golden.

Trip Duration: 7 days
Typical Cost: $1180 for a week, including return heli transfer. (self guided and catered)

burnie glacier chalet

Burnie Glacier Chalet is a backountry ski and mountaineering lodge thatclaims to be the furthest NW ski lodge in BC. The lodge is located in the Howson Mountain Range, east of Terrace, bC.

Burnie Glacier Chalet sleeps 11 guests with 2 guides and a cook in a cozy, post and beam timber frame lodge.

Being located so close to Burnie Glacier means easy access to several world class ski zones and a variety of mountaineering and climbing opportunities in the summer.

Trip Duration: 1 week
Typical Cost: $3000 for a week, including return heli transfer, for a guided and catered trip.

Backcountry ski terrain near a ski lodge in British Columbia.

blanket glacier chalet

Blanket Glacier Chalet is a backcountry ski cabin located near Revelstoke, British Columbia. The lodge is accessible via a short helicopter ride and sits right at the start of some pretty epic alpine terrain.

The chalet is a small and rustic a-frame, with a lot of character and a wood fired sauna to relax in after a day of guided skiing.

Backcountry skiing at Blanket Glacier is a epic opportunity to explore an endless amount of surrounding peaks, headwalls, chutes and trees that are all around Blanket Glacier. This is an incredible place to backcountry ski in Canada and is a backcountry ski lodge that offers a lot of fun.

Trip Duration: 4 or 5 day trips
Typical Cost: $2000/ 5 days, including return heli transfer, for a guided and catered trip.

callaghan country wilderness ski touring lodge

Callaghan Country Wilderness Lodge has some really cool options to choose from on your backcountry ski trip, which is what makes it one of the best ski touring lodges in Canada.

You can choose between flying in, getting in with a snowmobile, or ski touring the 13 km to get to the lodge.

You can build your own package as well, opting for an all inclusive and guided ski touring package, or pay on a nightly rate that includes all meals.

Try a completely self-propelled adventure, or go for a fully guided week to have everything taken care of for you.

Callaghan Country Wilderness Lodge is located just SW of Whistler, in the coast mountains of British Columbia, which means they get tons of snow (albeit heavier snow than the interior).

Golden Alpine Holidays- backcountry ski lodges

Golden Alpine Holidays form a group of backcountry lodges and ski touring cabins near Golden, BC. Golden Alpine Holidays run 4 separate backcountry ski lodges, all within the Northern end of the Selkirk Mountains and the Esplanade Range. This is just West of Kinbasket Lake and on the edge of the Columbia Mountains. The area is renown for very deep snow, that is dry and super light and fluffy.

Their 4 lodges are:

Sentry Lodge: featured in several ski movies, the terrain around Sentry is an incredible mix of steep trees, pillows and alpine terrain. Come see for yourself!
Sunrise Lodge: The original of the GAH lodges. Sunrise Lodge is at the northern end of the Esplanade Range and features a perfect variety of tree skiing and alpine terrain.
Vista Lodge: Near Vista Lake and providing access to the alpine zones off Cherub Glacier. Vista Backcountry Lodge is famous for its spring skiing.
Meadow Lodge: The perfect base for some of the best pillow lines and steepest and longest alpine runs in the Esplanade Range.

Trip Duration: 1 week trips
Typical Cost: $2800 for a week, including return heli transfer, for a guided and catered trip.

Dezaiko Lodge

Dezaiko Lodge is a backcountry ski and snowboard lodge that is located roughly 80 km east of Prince George. That puts them at the 54 degrees N latitude, which means lots of cold and fluffy snow for you!

“Dezaiko” means big mountains, and you will see why the lodge is called that when you get here. The backcountry lodge is open for 7 day all inclusive guided ski trips each winter.

Oh yea, they also claim to have the best tree skiing here. Want to find out for yourself?

Trip Duration: 1 week trips
Typical Cost: $2600 for a week, including return heli transfer, for a guided and catered trip.

Guided snowboarding trip at a backcountry ski lodge in British Columbia.

hilda backcountry ski touring hut

Hilda Hut is a backcountry ski hut owned by Valkyr Adventures, who also run Valkyr Lodge below. Hilda hut is suitable for slightly more advanced skiers than the Valkyr Lodge, with access to some steeper terrain that the Selkirks are best known for.

Hilda Hut has space for 12 skiers and snowboarders, with 6 double bedrooms. There is a sauna, as well as a games table and two woodstoves. You can use the electricity provided by the lodge’s micro-hydro plant.

Mount assiniboine ski lodge

Mount Assiniboine Lodge is a backcountry ski and wilderness lodge tucked deep in the Rockies near Banff. The lodge is situated in Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park, near Og and Magog Lakes and Mount Assiniboine.

Mount Assiniboine Lodge offers a fully guided and catered ski touring experience, with helicopter access to get to the lodge. The ski terrain is mixed between alpine and tree skiing, and the scenery is the highlight of the experience here.

Trip Duration: 2-4 nights
Typical Cost: $350 per night for a guided and catered trip and roughly $450 for flights.

Valkyr backcountry lodge

Valkyr Lodge is a backcountry ski lodge located in the backcountry of the Selkirk Mountains. The Valkyr Mountain Range is known for the rugged peaks, alpine lakes and rolling alpine meadows. The lodge sits at 2210 meters in elevation and offers over 4000 hectares of backcountry skiing terrain.

Some of the highlights are skiing Naumulten Mountain, Mount Rollins and Mount McBride.

powder creek lodge

18,000 acres of epic skiing in the Purcell Mountains of British Columbia make Powder Creek Lodge one of the best backcountry ski lodges in Canada.

The lodge is a short helicopter ride from Kaslo, BC, which is near Nelson. There is a huge amount of gnarly alpine terrain, as well as softer tree ski options throughout their tenure.

You can book individually in their guided/ catered weeks, and some weeks are possible to book the entire lodge for a self guided group that is still catered.

Trip Duration: 1 week trips
Typical Cost: $2850 for a week, including return heli transfer, for a guided and catered trip.

Ski touring at a backcountry ski lodge in British Columbia.

talus ski lodge

Talus Lodge is sort of in the mmiddle of nowhere in BC, which is what makes it so special. West of Alberta, South of Mount Assiniboine, and SE of Radium is how you would describe the location of this backcountry lodge.

Talus Lodge sits in the Rockies, with space for 12 guests. The easiest way to get here is by helicopter, although you can also opt to ski tour in to the lodge. The lodge itself is one of the nicest on this list, with lovely views and a larger and more open floor plan than most backcountry lodges seem to have.

Trip Duration: 1 week trips
Typical Cost: $2600 for a week, including return heli transfer, for a guided and catered trip.

valhalla mountain lodge

Valhalla Mountain Lodge was one of the original backcountry ski lodges in British Columbia. They offer epic ski touring in 10 backcountry basins with enough terrain for you to ski your heart out.

The lodge is rustic and cozy, complete with a cedar log sauna.

You can book the entire lodge, which comes with a custodian, and you can add guiding and catering or do your own thing.

The entire lodge goes for roughly $25,000 for ten people for a week, with guiding and catering included.

valhalla mountain touring lodge

Valhalla Mountain Touring offer an amazing ski touring and splitboarding experience just north of Valhalla Provincial Park in British Columbia.

The lodge is home to 7 bedrooms, and the lodge can accommodate 12 guests. The lodge can be accessed with their own snow cat, which is an hour ride away from the staging area.

Valhalla Mountain Touring is home to 19,000 acres of epic ski terrain and they are no strangers to the infamous “cold smoke” of the Kootenays.

Trip Duration: 1 week trips
Typical Cost: $2700 for a week, including return heli transfer, for a guided and catered trip.

wells gray adventures- backcountry ski cabins

Wells Gray Adventures have three amazing cabins nestled in the heart of Wells Gray Provincial Park. The cabins are: Trophy Cabin, Fight Meadows and Discovery Cabin.

Discovery Cabin is the best cabin for backcountry skiing, since the terrain accessible from here is much more advanced than at Fight Meadows.

Trophy Cabin is also a great backcountry ski hut, with access to shorter steep runs and some longer runs that are slightly further away.

You can use a helicopter to access both these cabins, and you can actually ski out from Discovery Cabin.

Planning a backcountry ski trip here is easy with their build your own package options. You can rent a cabin for roughly $650 per night for up to 8 guests, and can choose to add a guided to your package. It is also possible to book a guided and catered option at Wells Gray Adventures.

ymir ski touring lodge

Ymir Ski Touring Lodge is an interesting and quirky backcountry touring accommodation near Nelson, BC.

The lodge is at the treeline, tucked away in the mountains behind Whitewater Ski Resort. The lodge is accessible by a short helicopter ride from Nelson.

It is not clear what the offering from Ymir Ski Touring Lodge is, but you should get in touch with them to plan an amazing ski touring trip near Nelson.

Where Will Your Next Backcountry Ski or Snowboard Trip Take You?

Bottom line is that all these huts are there for you and offer an incredible experience. We encourage you not to get too hooked on just one lodge and to try several and explore more terrain. Finding new zones and exploring new areas is the magic of backcountry skiing.

Remember that these lodges all fill early, so make sure you plan and reserve your trip far in advance.

Happy pow hunting!

The Best Backcountry Ski Lodges in Canada