Member of the Month

KilaTsunami
October, 2024

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

BC in B.C.

profile picture
vinnypaz
Posts: 146 - Karma: 540
Me and a couple of buddys are going to spend the next winter in Bc. We mainly want to ski the backcountry and we are looking for recommandation for where to live to have the best access to backcountry terrain. Thanks for your advices.
Dec 14 2013 9:22PM
32 6
profile picture
will_powder
Posts: 3194 - Karma: 5,445
Rogers Pass ---> Revelstoke

Smithers

Terrace

Golden (too many sledders though)
Dec 14 2013 9:23PM
4 0
profile picture
freestyler540
Posts: 13082 - Karma: 18,718
where are you planning to go? How much money you got? how much experience you got in the back country?
Dec 14 2013 9:24PM
1 1
profile picture
Drail
Posts: 14012 - Karma: 10,010
Where you from and what kind of terrain do you want to ski?
Dec 14 2013 9:26PM
0 0
profile picture
vinnypaz
Posts: 146 - Karma: 540
i was looking between squamish and pemberton. i have about 5000$ but i'm planning to work during the winter. it will be my first experiences in the backcountry. i also want to buy a sled
Dec 14 2013 9:27PM
1 1
profile picture
vinnypaz
Posts: 146 - Karma: 540
quebec, i want to ski deep pow, pillows, trees, steep face, basically anything you find in Bc
Dec 14 2013 9:29PM
1 1
profile picture
Drail
Posts: 14012 - Karma: 10,010
If you are already planning on moving to Whistler, why did you ask us where you should move? If you're from Quebec and never skied in the backcountry before, I'm assuming you haven't spent much (or any) time skiing in the west. You should probably refocus your efforts on spending at least one season skiing in bounds getting used to what to expect out of mountain terrain, weather, and snow. Moving to BC and jumping into the backcountry sounds like a recipe for disaster on all fronts.

I'm not saying you shouldn't ever go out of bounds your first year out, but it should not be your main focus for the season.
Dec 14 2013 9:40PM
12 0
profile picture
Craigskis
Posts: 6650 - Karma: 1,645
Hate to bust your bubble, but count the sled out on that type of budget. If you don't already own all the AT touring gear a set up can easily run you at-least 1/2 your budget.

You really need to come up with a game plan as to where your going to be based out of, and how much you plan on working.

Most of the goods on the Icecap are sled accessed. While Whistler/blackcomb offers extensive touring options keep in mind there's a lot of competition for those turns in the slackcountry. An adult ski pass at Whistler was $1800 like 8 years ago, so unless you plan on getting a work sponsored pass (spirit pass) you'll still be shelling out $1400 ish Unless your under 18 if that is the case I'd recommend dropping out of school, getting a youth pass/student pass for under a grand, and graduate adhead of your peers via Whistler night school.

Touring in and around Squamish it could be done, but without a sled you're really underestimating the effort to access.

Even stuff like Sprout, Rainbow, Wedge, Blacktusk, The spearhead all could be done, but if your hiking up from the valley floor you'll be gassed out before your lap. Trust me on this.

Also getting the right avy gear, knowing how to use it, making sure the people your with knows how to use it, and make good decisions in the terrain is super key.

I respect your dream. Been there, done that, it's going to cost more than you expect so make your budgets higher than they need to be, and when your in there living the moment look for ways to cut costs.

GL
Dec 14 2013 9:40PM
4 0
profile picture
schism
Posts: 1705 - Karma: 389
If you're new to backcountry riding, I would suggest against buying sled right out of the gate. Skiing the backcountry is serious and needs to be respected. In my opinion the best way to get into backcountry skiing is to start small with resort accessed backcountry, that way you can find out if you do infact actually like earning your turns. Gain knowledge and work your way up the ladder. Don't just buy a sled and start highmarking and skiing right in an avy path.

Pemberton is a great for backcountry skiing, I liked the vibe there but I haven't actually skied anything other than whistler in that area. Revelstoke and Nelson both have a great backcountry scene. Terrace wouldn't be that great to sledski at just because a lot of the good terrain is still in Shames mountains tenure and isn't really sledable.

But yeah thats my 2 cents.
Dec 14 2013 9:45PM
3 0
profile picture
MNS
Posts: 5386 - Karma: 3,241
I'm from terrace. The BC terrain is very accessible and unreal.

Tons of terrain like this on the mountain
Click for larger image

this is the local hill. you can ski there and it van be unreal. or you can just go to the top and hike into the backcountry. There is always a packed trail to go up because so many people hike there. The back country is amazing.


this is some back country.

if you go to 1:50 in this video, there a shot of a booter in the backcountry, i think some of the stuff leading up is also shames.


Tons of people go to the mountain, ride the lift up to the top, then hike an hour, build a jump, then come back and session it the next day. At the end of a day in the BC at the mountain, you always get to look forward to a nice ride down too, no hiking to get out usually.

Also, there are tons of other spots you can go to in the area if you have a sled. But if you want a place that you can get off the chair and hike, well it's nice cause it's straight forward and if you are unsure of where to hike, you almost always bump into people in the BC.




Dec 14 2013 9:58PM
1 1
profile picture
vinnypaz
Posts: 146 - Karma: 540
Thanks for the advice.

Is it really accesible to get in the backcountry from whistler blackcomb without a sled?
Dec 14 2013 9:58PM
0 0
profile picture
MNS
Posts: 5386 - Karma: 3,241
Also, if you don't have a sled.. and you want to buy one and learn to ski in the BC.. Well you do know how to sled right? It isn't as easy as it look and you may end up spending a lot of time stuck n shit. Especially if you aren't familiar with the location.

5K really isn't enough either
Dec 14 2013 10:00PM
1 0
profile picture
vinnypaz
Posts: 146 - Karma: 540
5k with the equipement and a job isnt enough for like 6 months? i know that lodging is pretty expensive but i dont think in gonna have a whole lot of expenses
Dec 14 2013 10:06PM
0 0
profile picture
Craigskis
Posts: 6650 - Karma: 1,645

There's lots of options. Knowing how to get down, or out is the second half to that puzzle.

Again, the problem with W/B is the sheer number of people pushing out further every season. Almost everything there is shralped before noon within the boundaries because of how many good riders are there.

How much effort do you want to put into getting a line? You might find something that's an hours hike, you might do something that's a whole day for one run.

I'm not about to tell you where my honeyholes are on the Mountain some things you just have to learn for yourself (or google it).
Dec 14 2013 10:08PM
0 0
profile picture
Maximumsushi
Posts: 7837 - Karma: 3,351
Mr Faller speaks a lot of truths.

As others have said, $5000 isn't enough to buy BC gear and a sled. They can be real money pits as well, especially when you're learning how to sled. As others have mentioned, you should probably get a bit of experience before jumping in with a sled.

A touring setup is goddamn expensive in it's own right. You're going to need skis (~$750), touring bindings (~$500), a beacon (~$300), probe/shovel ($100) and skins (~$200). That's about $1850 for a pretty bare bones setup assuming you are going to use your normal boots and a duke/guardian type binding, have a pack, and forgo some telescopic poles. It's also assuming you're going to be ok with normal outerwear and not some fancy gortex.

There is definitely a lot of good BC accessible from Whistler, but there are probably better places to skin in British Columbia. As others have mentioned, it's probably a good idea to spend a season getting acquainted with skiing on bigger mountains and gnarlier terrain before hoping straight into the BC. I'm not saying stay out of the BC, but it takes some time to get comfortable out there. Whistler gets tracked pretty early, but if you're dedicated to getting up early, you can ski some really rad terrain inbounds. Try to avoid the trap of partying too much in Whistler and focus on actually skiing. It's worth it.

It's also a lot of work, I'm not sure what kind of shape you're in, but it can be a shit ton of work to skin and get around in the backcountry.

Good luck man, have fun.
Dec 14 2013 11:00PM
2 1
profile picture
Download-My-Apps
Posts: 5069 - Karma: 1,017
Are you planning on working while in BC?
Dec 14 2013 11:25PM
0 0
profile picture
Download-My-Apps
Posts: 5069 - Karma: 1,017
As others have said, you would be pretty foolish to under estimate the dangers of the mountains in BC, I've been born and raised in BC and am just starting dip my feet in the idea of the backcountry. There appears to be a lot of people that come from the east who think that its plug and play with the equipment. But you need to respect the mountains for your own safety and others. Whistler, Pemby and Squam are all great. But your money would likely go further elsewhere if you're willing to be away from the scene a little bit.
Dec 14 2013 11:29PM
1 0
profile picture
Meadows
Posts: 82 - Karma: 105
The sea to sky corridor is the best! Especially pemby.

I can sell you my sled for 5000.

2009 xp 4800km, and i just rebuilt the top end. she runs great.




Dec 15 2013 11:42AM
0 0
profile picture
galardogod
Posts: 1698 - Karma: 5,209
BC in B.C. in BC
Dec 15 2013 11:50AM
0 0
profile picture
MNS
Posts: 5386 - Karma: 3,241
Oh, if you have a sled and gear already you could last a while. I though you meant you're going to buy a sled and go ski all winter with only 5k in your pocket
Dec 15 2013 3:23PM
0 0
profile picture
D_Elgar
Posts: 210 - Karma: 391
Learn how to ski big moutain first in resort....take your ATS cause you obviously have no backcountry experience....and if you shred whistler next year and its your first time shredding out west.....you will find everything you describe inbounds in whistler backcomb and its slack country....shred the shit of the resort and get educated then maybe make your way in the backcountry....I've spend 4 years here now from Ontario and only last year starting to feel safe enough to go I'm the backcountry....one step a a time
Dec 15 2013 6:30PM
0 0
All times are Eastern (-5)