Steve Casimiro, Dana Point, CA
About
Baldface
Our mission is to provide skiers and snowboarders with a fun, exciting, challenging and safe backcountry experience.
Baldface guests fly via helicopter to the mountain lodge for three- and four-day trips between mid-December and mid-April. Once at the lodge guests spend their days skiing and riding powder and their evenings enjoying gourmet meals, our full-service bar, massages, a wood-fired sauna and the company of old and new friends.
Location
Baldface Lodge is located north of Nelson, British Columbia, in the heart of the Selkirk M ountains. Detailed information on traveling to Baldface is available in our travel planning section.Skiing & Snowboarding
Skiers and snowboarders leave the lodge via twelve-person snowcats at
8:30 every morning. Depending on group abilities, guests should expect
six to twelve runs per day covering 12,000 to 20,000 vertical feet. Two
certified guides accompany each group.
The Season
Baldface operates from mid-December to
mid-April. High season rates apply from mid-January to mid-March. Some
of our biggest snowfalls occur during the shoulder season (early
January and late March).
Accommodations
Our timber-frame lodge houses the dining room,
bar, massage and lounge areas plus six double-occupancy guest rooms
with a shared bathroom. Six timber-frame chalets, a short walk from the
lodge, accommodate four guests. Each chalet has two bedrooms with a
queen and long twin bed and one bathroom. All beds at Baldface have
goose-down comforters and high-quality cotton sheets.
Meals
All meals are included in the price of your
trip. A breakfast buffet and gourmet dinner are served daily in the
lodge, as well as hot soup and hearty appetizers when you return from
skiing. Sandwiches, snacks and cold drinks are provided in the
snowcats. We are happy to accommodate any special dietary requirements.
Pricing
Prices include transportation from Nelson BC to the lodge,
accommodations, all meals, safety equipment, and skiing and
snowboarding with our certified guides.
Not included in the trip cost are massage, retail purchases, and beverages. Any additional purchases will be added to your final invoice and paid for upon check-out. For this season's rates, check out our rates and reservations section.
Not included in the trip cost are massage, retail purchases, and beverages. Any additional purchases will be added to your final invoice and paid for upon check-out. For this season's rates, check out our rates and reservations section.
Tipping
If you have been well taken care of on your
trip, tipping is customary in this industry. Cash or checks are fine or
you can use your on-file credit card.
Travel Arrangements
Guests arriving from the United States usually fly to Spokane,
Washington and take our shuttle to Nelson. Canadian and European guests
find it easier to fly through Calgary or Vancouver to Castlegar, BC. A
variety of alternate travel options are available in our travel planning section.
Arrival Time
Guests are required to check-in at the Norman Stibbs Airport in Nelson,
BC at 2 p.m. (3 p.m. after February 15). Winter travel is unpredictable
so we recommend that our guests arrive a day early. Late guests will be
charged a transportation fee of $200.
Local Ski Areas
Whitewater and Red Mountain ski areas are both
located within an hour of Nelson. A daily shuttle is available from
Nelson to Whitewater.
Ability Levels
Guests must be advanced-intermediate to expert
level skiers and snowboarders in the powder. Our terrain and conditions
vary depending on the time of your trip. We recommend that all guests
be in good physical condition. Fat skis are available for a small fee.
Snowboards are available for free. See our rental section for more
details.
Weather & Snow Conditions
Equipment & Clothing
Bring your own ski or snowboarding boots and winter clothing, including
gloves, goggles, hat and winter walking boots. Water and lunch are
provided in the cat. A detailed packing list is provided in the travel section.
Photography Program
A photographer will join your group in the
snowcat. At 5:30 each night a slideshow will showcase your powder day.
Interested guests can select photos for purchase or buy an entire CD
filled with shots of their trip.
Safety Equipment
We provide all the safety equipment you need.
Shovels and probes are carried by the guides and in a guest pack.
Before your first day in the backcountry every skier and snowboarder
will receive an avalanche transceiver and personal instruction on how
to use it.
Guides
All of our guides are certified with ACMG or CSGA and wilderness First Aid.
Booking
A 50% deposit is required to confirm your
reservation and the balance is due on November 15. Trips booked after
November 15 must be paid in full. We accept MasterCard, Visa and
American Express.
Cancellations
If you must cancel less than 45-days prior to
your trip, we cannot provide a refund. We recommend guests research
travel insurance options before arriving. Please review our fine-print policies prior to booking.
