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What type of skier should you be?

Guests must be, at minimum, strong intermediate skiers or expert snowboarders capable of dealing with deep powder snow in the backcountry.  A visit to Mustang Powder will usually entail skiing both open bowls and steep tree runs.  Powder skis make skiing deep snow much easier for any skier; however, you will still need a certain level of expertise.  Should guests arrive who are not able to keep up with the group, we reserve the right to restrict them from skiing/boarding.  No refunds will be available for these guests. 

We also try to organize groups that have similar abilities, however this is not always easy or possible.   The best way to ensure that you are with compatible skiers is to organize a whole group.

 

How steep are the runs?

Within our ski area we have a lot of both steep and moderate terrain. 

During a typical day you will likely do a variety of runs.  We will generally work our way to the far reaches of our area, and then work our way home again.  Rarely do we do more than just a few laps in the same area.  Please be aware that the stability of the snow sometimes dictates the terrain that we can ski.

 

How many runs do we ski per day?

 

We normally ski 12-17 runs per day.  On the first day of your ski holiday you will likely ski approximately 15,000 - 20,000 vertical feet (due to the morning safety briefing, beacon search and snow cat safety talk).  On subsequent days you will ski between 18,000 and 23,000 vertical feet, our record is 23,800.  At Mustang Powder we have high speed snowcats this means that it is not uncommon to ski over 20,000 vertical feet in one day.  We have a philosophy of giving our guests full ski days (about 8 hours).  If you are not sufficiently fit, it is no problem for you to sit-out some runs (and ride down in the front of the cat with the driver).  New for the 2009-2010 season along with our usual ‘Big Vert’ program, we will be offering a new ‘Extremely Big Vert’ program.  Please see our 2 ski programs section for details.

 

How many days should I come for?

 

This depends on your fitness and budget.  We mainly schedule 3,4 and 5 day trips.  Due to our remoteness, anything shorter is just too short!  We do however recommend that you arrive in the area a day or so early and ski one of the local resorts.  (Silver Star, Big White or Sun Peaks).  This is prudent since cancelled/late flights, closed highways and lost luggage are unfortunately a reality of winter travel.  Guests travelling from the East should also be aware that occasional highway closures due to avalanche control work could prevent you from arriving at our meeting place on time

 

What about snowboarders & telemark skiers?

 

We welcome everyone to come and enjoy snowcat skiing and boarding with us.  Snowboarders and telemark skiers need to be accomplished, experienced and able to handle all backcountry conditions including treed terrain.  In short, you need to be an expert.  Our guides do their best to accommodate all our guests.  There will, however, be times when traversing and even climbing uphill, will be necessary.  Collapsible poles that can be stowed in a small pack are recommended for snow boarders.

 

 

What is the weather like?

Mustang Powder Lodge is located in the Monashee Mountain Range - a very snowy location - we receive an average of about 60 feet of snowfall per year.  In December and January you can expect the daytime temperatures to be in the -5 to -15 Celsius range; in February and March you can expect 0 to -10 Celsius.  However, prior to mid February we potentially can get brief periods of very cold arctic air with temperatures in the range of -20 to -30 Celsius.  Please be prepared for all mountain weather conditions.  Well over 90% of the time you will encounter good or excellent snow and weather conditions.  Occasionally, due to warm weather and/or rain, the conditions are not that great – or just plan BAD.  Our policy is to keep snowcat skiing and try to have fun no matter what the conditions.  Please accept the fact that we cannot control the weather, and no refunds/rain checks are given for bad weather.  For historic climatic data at a location quite similar to Mustang lodge please go to the Weather Links section of our Guest Downloads and Links page.

Please note that this location is to the east of Mustang Lodge in the Selkirk mountains near Revelstoke and the Monashees will usually get more volume of snow than the Selkirks.

Do I bring my own skis?

 

Yes, if you have good fat skis and are travelling by car, you can bring them if you want.  Otherwise, no, at Mustang Powder we have a huge selection of high-performance powder ski rentals.  With many airlines now charging to bring skis on a flight, it makes sense to leave your skis at home and use some of ours that were built to ski in deep-powder.

 

What should I bring?

• Flashlight (headlamp style is best). Have it ready when you arrive at our trailhead parking lot - it is dark and remote.
• Good warm outdoor snowboots or insulated gumboots.  Put these on once you arrive at the Esso truck stop - you will be in snow from here onwards.
• Casual clothes and slippers for the lodge.
• A small unbreakable thermos for tea at lunchtime in the snowcat.
• Bathing suit for hot tub.
• Ski goggles, snow boots and normal ski clothes that are suitable for all conditions and temperatures - these should be packed at the top of you bag ready for the trip up the mountain.
• Ski Boots - we recommend that you take them on the airplane with you as carry on luggage.

We recommend that guests bring a small backpack containing a collaspible avalanche shovel and probe.   This is not mandatory – and we do have ‘guest packs’ which are shared around by the ski group.

 

What should I NOT bring?

We recommend that you do not bring a briefcase full of business/office or homework. However, if you must keep working, we do have wireless internet available at no charge throughout the lodge – so you can bring your laptop.   

Do I need to sign a waiver?

Yes, Mustang Powder is committed to providing a safe and enjoyable experience. Nevertheless, skiing and boarding in a backcountry mountain environment exposes participants to inherent risks.  Guests must be prepared to accept these risks. All guests must read and sign a Release of Liability and Waiver of Claims Agreement before the start of a holiday at Mustang Powder. Be sure to review the waiver prior to your holiday and contact us if you have any questions