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Has anyone been to Retallack?

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johnnypsunami
Posts: 5024 - Karma: 221
Thinking about going this winter. What do you guys think, is it worth it?
Jan 13 2013 5:27PM
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ILLinoisance
Posts: 3527 - Karma: 5,398
Don't forget to bring a faux-Jamaican accent.
Jan 13 2013 5:47PM
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JuliusJ
Posts: 3778 - Karma: 2,106
my dad took me there as a graduation present. it was unreal. if you're able to afford it, its worth it. guides come and hang with you and everyone who's there is just beyond stoked.
Jan 13 2013 7:10PM
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grown-ninja
Posts: 3031 - Karma: 175
When's the best time to go, I'm looking early march? Ive been thinking about going next year depending on a lot of things specificly a work bonus?
Jan 13 2013 7:44PM
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johnnypsunami
Posts: 5024 - Karma: 221
wow - nice graduation present. did you meet the infamous Karl the Gnarl?
Jan 13 2013 9:11PM
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JuliusJ
Posts: 3778 - Karma: 2,106
yeah was very stoked to say the least. i unfortunately didn't. he wasnt working then, but they did read some of the poetry he writes while driving the cat, it was actually pretty good
Jan 13 2013 9:51PM
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Chubz.
Posts: 13918 - Karma: 25,661
do you need to be experienced in the back country to even consider going here? I'm sure the stuff that tanner hits is like pro shit. I'm interested in going on a pow trip with in the next few years and really looking at retallack or revy.
Jan 13 2013 10:02PM
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johnnypsunami
Posts: 5024 - Karma: 221
My dad has been going Cat skiing out at Monashee for the last 3 years. He is a good skier, but for the average person who goes, they don't take you down the pillow lines that Tanner hits. My dad said that if you really ask the guides and they can tell you know what you're doing they may let you drop some smaller cliffs and stuff if you want.

Anyways, to answer your question: you don't have to be a pro skier to go cat skiing, but you have to be comfortable skiing deep snow.
Jan 17 2013 9:39AM
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Capernicus
Posts: 382 - Karma: 218
Yes. I went in 2011 and 2012, early March, by myself (I promise I have friends, haha).

Go for it. You will not regret it.

I'm actually going to make a thread about it.
Jan 17 2013 11:22AM
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Drail
Posts: 14012 - Karma: 10,010
Retallack is awesome. I live just down the road from there and ski in the area a few times a year. One time actually paid to ride around in the cat for a day and it was well worth it. We got the cat for cheep because it hadn't snowed in like 3 weeks, but with a bit of boot packing we were still able to find soft untracked snow.

The beauty of Retallack is that it has long runs (for cat skiing) in two (mostly) north facing drainages with really playful terrain. If you have a strong group and the stability allows it you can be popping pillows by your third run, having a blast.

We aren't having the greatest winter snowpack wise, but it is hovering around the 200cm mark across the region so it's by no means a shitty snow year. Conditions are usually soft (with a high probability of blower pow) until mid April, so yeah - March should be popping.
Jan 17 2013 2:04PM
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schmies
Posts: 2032 - Karma: 511
Great terrain, great staff and always a fun time. Do it. Do it Do it.
Jan 17 2013 3:28PM
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johnnypsunami
Posts: 5024 - Karma: 221
I was actually thinking of going by myself too. I don't have many friends who A) are that into skiing and B) have the money to shell out for a few days at Retallack. How did you find going solo?

schmies, good to know this year isn't that great right now - what time would you recommend going?
Jan 17 2013 10:47PM
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S.A.M.
Posts: 148 - Karma: 50
I think they're already pretty much booked solid for the season
Jan 18 2013 1:13AM
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p-fo
Posts: 9372 - Karma: 6,155
I have wanted to go there so badly ever since I saw the Massive. I dream about hitting shit like that.
Jan 18 2013 2:04AM
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MasterDebater
Posts: 992 - Karma: 27
Amen.
Jan 18 2013 2:35AM
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philskier
Posts: 207 - Karma: 624
Something like this:

Jan 19 2013 6:31PM
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Pudge
Posts: 3718 - Karma: 3,117
How much would one expect to pay on an average stay there?
Jan 19 2013 9:57PM
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deepfriedtwinkie
Posts: 434 - Karma: 389
I think its like 700 a day
Jan 19 2013 10:16PM
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Capernicus
Posts: 382 - Karma: 218
I'll eventually make a thread and elaborate on my experience but going alone is fine.

The biggest risk is getting put in a weaker ski group which means you won't be hitting as many pillows/cliffs as you would like and you might get one less run per day. But you can talk to the guides and be like "I want to hit some cliffs" and they'll try to accommodate you or point out certain features on the run.

Also, I've found that it's so much easier to get pumped up for cliffs/etc. with friends compared to "strangers" but if you can hype yourself up it shouldn't be a problem. Plus it's Retallack.

Other than that, the vibe is great and everyone gets along at the lodge. You'll meet many interesting people and make a lot of friends. The staff are some of the best people I've met.

Go for it.

Early March has been $$$ for me. Late Feb is also good. Hell, it's always good.


Jan 21 2013 4:46PM
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grown-ninja
Posts: 3031 - Karma: 175
500 and change in early march...when im looking to go next year. 
Jan 22 2013 3:20PM
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