The Mount Waddington ski expedition in the Canadian Coast Range is a ski trip of superlatives. Everything is big, grand, vast. At 13,300 feet, Mount Waddington is the highest mountain in British Columbia and is a big price for alpinists. The slightly lower North West summit is an equally big price for ski mountaineers. The ski touring terrain is vast - the possibilities endless. We will access our basecamp via helicopter and conduct our outings from there.
2027 Dates: April 29 to May 8
The Mount Waddington ski expedition in the Canadian Coast Range is a ski trip of superlatives. Everything is big, grand, vast. At 13,300 feet, Mount Waddington is the highest mountain in British Columbia and is a big price for alpinists. The slightly lower North West summit is an equally big price for ski mountaineers. The ski touring terrain is vast - the possibilities endless. We will access our basecamp via helicopter and conduct our outings from there.
The weather in the BC Coast Range:
It is a well known fact that the weather in the Canadian Coast Range can be stormy and a bad weather forecast could leave one stranded in the Waddington Mountains for days, or prevent you from flying to the Dais Glacier in the first place. No worries though - we have a world class alternative ready for you.
Our alternative location:
Nirvana Pass: If the weather is not cooperating, we can fly to Nirvana Pass in the Pantheon Range instead. Nirvana Pass is located a bit further north and more importantly further east, which means that it is a bit more protected from the coastal storms. What is a mystery to all the Pro Guiding Service guides is why this place is not more famous. It is arguably one of the best ski touring areas we have ever guided in. The possibilities are truly endless.
Overall Difficulty Level:Â Very difficult
Skills Required:Â Â Advanced skiing ability and substantial prior ski touring experienceÂ
Fitness Level:Â Very strenuous due to climbing and ski touring at high altitude with big overnight packs
Day 1; getting to Tatla Lake: We need to get to Tatla Lake and quite often we end up driving there together from the Seattle area. The drive takes all day. Once in Tatla Lake, we organize our gear, have dinner, and generally get ready for the next day.
Day 2; flying into Base Camp: From Tatla Lake , we drive the last 24 kilometers down a dirt road to the heli base of White Saddle Air. The transfer from the Heli Base to the mountains could be quick or a substantial patience game. In short, this day is dedicated to flying into the field and getting a nice base camp established on the Dias Glacier. We may or may not have time to go for a short tour in the afternoon.
Day 3; a warm up tour: From our base camp we have a great options to get comfortable with our vast surroundings. We could go up Cavalier Mountain, Regal Dome or several other great "warm up options".
Day 4 and 5; the North West summit of Mount Waddington: We will access this spectacular ski summit via the upper Dais Glacier and the Angel Glacier. We tour up the upper reaches of of the Dias Glacier, then up the Dias Couloir and establish a camp near Councillor Peak. This is a strenuous day, but the ambiance of the upper section of Mount Waddington is beyond description. On the summit day we will ascend those slopes of the Angel Glacier, summit and return all the way back to our base camp on the Dais Glacier. It is important to note that skiing from the North West summit of Mount Waddington is a serious undertaking in a very seri0us mountain environment. In other words, several things (weather, conditions, fitness etc.) all have to line up to make this objective safe and reasonable. In the past we have also opted for a summit of Mount Munday instead, which offers less overhead hazard and is considered one of best ski tours in the BC Coast Range.
Day 6 to 8; all the other peaks: We can now shift our attention to day tours on the endless terrain near our base camp. This may include ascents of Brokenhead, Fireworks Peak, Sir Chris Spencer, Mount Finality and much more.
Day 9 and 10; getting ready to fly out: Â It is time to get ready for the flight out. We will have been in communication with the Heli base throughout the week. Just like with the flight in, we will fully depend on the pilots ability to navigate the weather conditions. This means that we might have to fly out a day or two early or even a day of two later than planned. Please take this into consideration when scheduling "important meetings" the days after the official trip ends.
Snow Travel Equipment
Safety Gear
Technical Gear
PGS Supplied
Although tipping is not a requirement, it is considered standard practice in the guiding industry and is appreciated by our guides. We generally recommend roughly 10%-15% of your course or trip cost or a flat amount that you are comfortable with.
