Trip Logistics

Risks

There are inherent risks associated with the activities we partake in. We are in a remote, uncontrolled environment. It is important that you understand and acknowledge the risks by reading and signing a liability waiver. You will be presented a paper copy of this waiver to sign on the first day of your trip. Please contact us if you have any questions.

The waiver lists many possible risks. Avalanches are statistically the most dangerous for backcountry skiing. At our lodges, you are in a remote setting far from anyone else. This means that in the event of an accident, outside help will not be readily available. It is the group you are skiing with that you will rely on for rescue in the case of an avalanche. Guided groups do an avalanche training exercise to practice self rescue at the start of the trip.
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Other significant risks include tree wells, crevasses and icefalls. Tree wells are a hazard any time we ski in the trees. While the trees appear harmless, it can be difficult to get out on your own if you fall in headfirst. People ski in pairs while in the trees.

We often ski on glaciers unroped. A fall into a crevasse can injure or kill you. Having skis on reduces the risk of a fall by distributing weight over a larger area.
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Icefalls are unpredictable and can collapse or fall onto ski runs without warning. We try to minimize time underneath icefalls but other factors such as an injury or lost ski can increase our exposure time.

Access to the lodge is by helicopter. In the event of an accident, outside help may be prevented from reaching you due to poor weather for flying or darkness. 
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Guides try to reduce risk through terrain selection; the runs they ski and where they set the uptrack. They do not eliminate risk. They will try to get you the best skiing for the conditions during your trip. They do not have perfect information and avalanche forecasting is not an exact science.

You will be in an uncontrolled wilderness setting and there are risks involved with going on a trip.

Waivers

All visitors to the lodge will be required to sign a waiver. Depending on the season you are visiting, please be sure to carefully read either the winter waiver or summer waiver carefully as it outlines some of the risks involved in a trip. You do not need to print it out and sign it. We will have waivers that you can sign at staging.

Transportation

For transportation from the Calgary airport to the staging in Donald you can contact Corin Lohmann at corin.lohmann@gmail.com This option works well with a group travelling together. Prices vary depending on the group size. The other option is to rent a car at the Calgary airport. there is parking for vehicles at staging.
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Icefall Lodge is based out of Golden BC. The staging area is 15 minutes west of Golden on the Trans Canada Highway. It is north of the highway on Donald Cemetery Road. The normal exchange for Icefall Lodge is 8:30 am  MST time.
Alexandra Cabin is the same staging as Icefall lodge and starts at noon.
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Snowfall Lodge is based out of Revelstoke. The staging area is south of Revelstoke near Beaton. The staging area is 6 km from Beaton on the Fish River FSR. It takes about 2 hours to get from Revelstoke to Beaton, including the ferry ride from Shelter Bay to Galena. The normal exchange for Snowfall Lodge is 9 am PST time. You are responsible for your own transportation to the helicopter staging area. There is limited public transportation available, and usually, the best option is renting a vehicle if you aren’t driving your own vehicle.You are responsible for your own transportation to the helicopter staging area.

Communication

There is satellite internet at the lodge available for limited use, as well as a base radio and repeater. There is no cell service.

Helicopter Flights

All winter trips are fly-in, fly-out, usually one week with a Saturday exchange.
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Staging area: For Icefall Lodge and the Alexandra Cabin, the Heli Staging Area is in Donald, 20 minutes west of Golden, BC, on the Trans Canada Highway. Turn north on Donald Cemetery Rd, between the railway tracks and the Columbia River. For Snowfall Lodge, staging is in Beaton, about 2 hours south of Revelstoke. From Beaton, take the Fish River Road to km 6.
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Weight limit: Because space is limited on the helicopter, we limit your personal gear to 2 small packs, each under 40 litres. Your combined weight allowance, including skis and beverages, is 55 pounds. Do not bring large, wheeled  or rigid duffel bags. See the gear list below for required items.

Time: 15 minutes one way, 30 minutes return
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Cost: Generally, the helicopter flight is included in the package. However any extra helicopter flights due to excess baggage, late arrival or special flights mid-week are the responsibility of the individual.

Poor weather: If we are unable to fly on the designated day, you are responsible for your own accommodation but will not be charged extra if you are unable to fly out of the lodge. It is good to leave a day leeway with any transportation arrangements, especially flights.

Payment

For Canadians, payment by e-transfer is preferred.
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For other nationalities you can pay by bank transfer. We can also send you an invoice through Flywire which you can pay by domestic bank transfer (cheapest) or credit card.

We do not take credit cards except through Flywire.

Booking Policy

A deposit of $800 per person is required to book a trip unless otherwise emailed. The balance is due four months before the start of the trip.  If payments are not received on schedule, Icefall Lodge may cancel your booking in which case your deposit will be forfeited.
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It is recommended that you buy cancellation insurance at the time you book the trip.

http://www.lifestylefinancial.ca/index.php/travelinsurance/blbca
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We do not give refunds if you can’t make the trip. You are responsible if you miss your trip for any reason, including but not limited to, missed, delayed or cancelled flights, road closures, Customs and Immigration Canada, personal or business reasons. Icefall Lodge reserves the right to cancel a trip, in which case you will be refunded.

You may have another individual go in your place provided they have sufficient skills for the week. If another person is taking your place on the trip you need to inform us in writing. Any replacement is responsible for following the payment schedule in the booking policy.

Gear List

Winter Gear List:
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- Skis with alpine touring bindings
- Alpine touring boots with walk and ski mode
- Ski poles
- Climbing skins (make sure they are cut to your ski)
- Avalanche transceiver.
- Shovel
- Probe
- Gortex Jacket and Pants
- Ski touring or mountaineering pants
- Long underwear tops and bottoms
- Gaitors, unless integrated into your pants
- Scarf or neck gaitor
- Fleece or wool pullover or jacket
- Ski socks
- Camera
- Day Pack
- Water Bottle
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Lip Stuff
- Goggles
- Sun Hat
- Warm Hat
- Gloves
- Headlamp
- Toothbrush
- Towel
- Hut Clothes
- Earplugs
- Drinks, preferably in cans not bottles
- Ski crampons may be necessary some weeks
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Please make sure you have worn your boots on several tours before this trip and that they are comfortable. If you have a problem with blisters make sure that you bring moleskin or second skin and apply it before problems develop.

Cancellation

We do not give refunds if you can’t make the trip. You are responsible if you miss your trip for any reason, including but not limited to, missed, delayed or cancelled flights, road closures, Customs and Immigration Canada, personal or business reasons. Icefall Lodge reserves the right to cancel or reschedule a trip, in which case you will be refunded. It is recommended that you buy cancellation insurance at the time you book the trip.

http://www.lifestylefinancial.ca/index.php/travelinsurance/blbca

You may have another individual go in your place provided they have sufficient skills for the week. If another person is taking your place on the trip you need to inform us in writing. Any replacement is responsible for following the payment schedule in the booking policy.