Valkyr Pow

Great skiing this year at Valkyr Lodge! Lots of surface hoar when we arrive and new snow on top of this makes for slippery conditions. We trigger some remotes in the trees but work our way around everything and get good turns (mostly Stoney trees and Sunset area). An American couple who joined our group last minute was more 'adventurous' and went into the alpine where they kicked off a class 3. Luckily no involvement. They skied more conservative for the rest of the week. Last day we get lots of wind and sleep in. The total elevation gain of 8000m wasn't quite up to our best years (over 10,000m) but given the conditions still a very nice week!

Our home for the week - Naumulten Lodge

Pete testing the pow

Yes, we were here before (2007)... proof of it hanging on the wall in the lodge

Skiing at Namulten - Valkyr range

Our visits to Blanket Glacier Chalet have come to an end. Al, the owner, retired and has handed over the business to his son Marty. As the interest in back country / powder skiing increases, Marty gets enough guests that are happy to pay for guiding and catering. But this almost doubles the price from what we pay for our self-guided self-catered weeks.

But still we went skiing, with the same group and at the same time, just a different location: in the Valkyr Mountains near Nakusp. Unfortunately this years snow pack was somewhat underwhelming, everywhere. We still got out every day and had lots of turns but the motivation to climb and ski the customary 10,000 meter was not there. In any way, a good trip with good friends and we'll try again next year!

Valkyr Pow - February 18 to 25

Back to Valkyr Adventures for another excellent ski trip with a great gang! Fantastic sunshine, blue skies, starry nights and a lunar eclipse thrown in for extra entertainment. Although nothing fresh came down while we were at the Lodge, we found lots of protected and fluffy pow in northwest exposures. New untouched slopes every day from Stoney and Heart Trees, Viking, Grizzly, Fish Lake to the Time Piece Ridge. Pete and Greg explored almost every chute they could find. The days were completed by gourmet dinners, sauna and Martin’s stories (watch those shovels)! And after a ‘powder day’ (what powder?) last weekend at Whistler – I gained new appreciation for the excellent snow at Valkyr.


Above the clouds and above Lower Arrow Lake


Heli-in and out


Greg scouting the next runs from the lodge



Kath and Dave having some powder fun


Donna and Dave, on to the next adventure


The Gang in front - Naumulten Mt (2475m) in the back


Apres Ski Valkyr Style


Sunset and Sauna


Lunar Eclipse


Another day at the office


Mt Rollins and Rollins Pass


Heart Trees after our visit


Getting ready to drop into Fish Lake


Waiting for the heli-out (Donna, Katherine, Tim, Greg, Claudia, Pete, Geoff, Dave and Martin)


Lower Arrow Lake


Pete, Dave and Martin's friendly Llamas (very snuggly and "snorty")

Skiing in the Valkyrs – Jan 29 to Feb 5

The yearly ski trip took us to Valkyr Adventures cozy lodge high above Lower Arrow Lake. The lodge is at over 2000 meters, which was high enough to enjoy some great snow even after the recent warm cycle. Great to get away from the city and play in the pow, bask in some sunshine and relax in the sauna with good friends!


Valkyr Adventures


Stu farming the POW


De-skinning high above Lower Arrow Lake


Flying Pete


The Moon


A Weeks Work: all our routes are marked on the map