Blanket New Years Powder

We started the New Year in the snow again. With the lowest temperature down to -26oC we didn't stay out quite as long as in previous years but still climbed a cumulative elevation gain of 10,000 meters over the week.

Unfortunately, this was our last visit at Blanket Glacier Chalet. Al, the owner, retired and has handed over the business to his son Marty. Since the interest in backcountry/powder skiing increased significantlyover the last several years Marty has many guests who are happy to pay for guiding and catering which almost doubles the price we pay for a self-guided self-catered week. But we are going skiing again, with the same group and at the same time, just at a different location in the Valkyr Mountains near Nakusp.

Blanket Pow 2017

It was so good, we signed up again! This was our 5th year at Blanket. A couple of new experiences: (1) so much snow on the first two days that it was difficult to ski anything but steep slopes (and staying away from obvious avalanche prone areas... as we had over 1 m fresh snow in 3 days). (2) Temperatures of -30oC on the last evening. Heated toilet seats came to mind during the morning visit to Contemplation Point!

After spending way too much time editing videos years ago I decided to focus on still images. But the great image quality of the new GoPros and a good deal on one were just too tempting. Here is a quick edit of the skiing:



Blanket 2016/17 from Wetcoast Views on Vimeo.

Blanket New Year 2016!

What a great way to start 2016 with a week of back country skiing at Blanket Glacier Chalet (across the valley from the Revelstoke ski hill). Amazing powder snow, stable avalanche conditions, great weather, a super group to ski with, yummy food... and over 10,000 meters climbed during the week. This was our fourth ski trip to Blanket and just like the ones before it did not disappoint.

Blanket Powder and New Year

We were a little worried about low snow levels this year but Blanket delivered as always. We had some snowy days, some sunny days, lots of pow and good times with friends.

This time we came with a strong Westcoast contingent of 6 skiers almost outnumbering the Alberta crowd.

We didn't quite make our goal of 10,000 meter elevation gain during the week. I'm attributing this to new hot spots I'm suddenly getting from my boots and not age-induced tardiness!

Little did we know that this would be the best pow for the 2014/15 season...

Blanket Glacier Chalet 2013/14

After the December drought and lack of snow we were not sure what to expect from our second visit at Blanket Glacier Chalet. But there was no reason for disappointment! Temperatures were warmer than last year, but still cold enough (-4 to -8 oC) for lots snow to fall. During our week it was almost 100 cm.

We didn’t quite reach our elevation gains from last year with over 10.000 meters climbed during the week, but got very close (250 meters short). Most days it snowed heavy which made the sauna look simply too tempting at the end of a long skiing day. We still got a couple of +1600 meter days in. Just like last year our fellow skiers (most from Alberta) were very keen and lots of fun to ski and hang out with.

Before the hut trip we skied at the Revy ski hill and crosscountry. And we almost had to stay longer. On the day we flew out of Blanket Highway 1 was closed due to avalanches, west and east of Revy. But when the highway opened we decided to leave. The line up at the ski lift was over two hundred meter long. Hard to get enthusiastic about lift line-ups after 7 days of untracked pow!

To the photgrapher's delight bright colors are in fashion again!

Pete enjoying some Monashee pow

Coming back to Blanket Glacier Chalet after a long ski day

Blanket Glacier: New Years 2013

Back from skiing and New Years at Blanket Glacier Chalet near Revelstoke. Sweet terrain with plenty of tree skiing (from steep to mellow; north, west and south exposure), great snow, stable avy conditions and an excellent crew. Several of our new skiing buddies were in their late 50s, but fit and keen. They dragged us lazy bums out of the cabin as soon as daylight broke (9 AM Alberta time) every day for a total of over 10.000 meter vertical for the week ... on a couple of days we did close to 1800 m. And that’s with extra 2 kg backpack weight of our new avy airbags. We haven't done this much vertical in a long time! Early starts combined with sweet pow and a great group did the trick. A good start to the New Year. Now we just have to keep the well earned fitness up, but its difficult to get motivated back in the Vancouver rain.

Pete below Pollux. Caribou Ridge across the valley.

Off to another powder day

Last run in evening light

Blanket Glacier Chalet

Between the layers