I've also been to Retallack twice and this guy speaks the truth. I was, however, also lucky to be with a solid most of the time and have unbelievable conditions. What I've found is that if you talk to the guide and say something like, "hey, I want to jump some cliffs or pillows..." they'll do their best to point you in the right direction, while the others descend a more basic route. Not sure if this is common practice, but it worked for me. And I know I sound like a bitch for complaining about not hitting pillows/cliffs, especially while skiing mad powder, but if I'm using all the money in my savings account I'm sure as hell going to get the "full experience".
Another example. There was a full cat of guys from Utah (Mormon group or something) and I think they were in a little over their head. They were not strong skiers by any means, so the guides took them on the same 3 runs every day for two days straight (didn't see what happened on the third day). So maybe 5 runs per day. Luckily it was snowing so much that they got fresh tracks all the time and when one of the guys asked the guide at the lodge why they won't take them on new runs he replied, "Your group doesn't have strong enough skiers and I would feel unsafe taking you on to new terrain", to which my jaw kinda dropped but then I realized that he was absolutely right. Luckily, I was in the other cat the entire time. Plus they didn't party at night which is half the fun...
So the best way to do Retallack, or any cat skiing, is to "stack the cat" with your friends who you know can rip and will not be afraid to call you a pussy. But this is so hard to do because of the $$$.
Anyway,
Have you guys though about doing a Interior BC road trip and hitting Revy, Red, and Whitewater? It would be way cheaper and all of the areas are so awesome...plus Rodgers pass, as someone already mentioned. I'm also with you on Japan though, as it is my next big ski destination too.
