An Epic Powder Location
Each year we receive up to 14+ metres (550+ inches) of some the finest, driest, snow on the planet. It falls on terrain perfectly suited to shredding powder: perfectly spaced trees to wide open bowls, it’s all here.
Catskiing
Welcome to your backcountry dream. Located in the heart of all things steep and deep, Retallack offers some of the best cat-accessed powder skiing and snowboarding in the known universe.550
Inches of snow per year
4200
vertical feet (our longest run)
8
Average runs per day
Terrain & Snow
Retallack is located in the heart of the Selkirk Mountains, renowned for some of the best ski and snowboard terrain in the world. We receive up to 14+ metres (45 feet) of snow per year, blanketing our open bowls, glades, and tree skiing in a deep, consistently stable snowpack that on average amounts to 3 to 4 metres (10–13 ft). For the most part, the terrain at Retallack is steep and possesses numerous features that are only suitable for advanced to expert skiers. Retallack is famous for its consistent powder snow, steep tree skiing (which includes 800-year-old cedars), and pillow lines.
Retallack prides itself on our primo location. Our operating area is approximately 40 square kms (10,000 acres) on three main mountain peaks: Reco, Wishful and Texas. These peaks and their long alpine ridge lines (Reco is 7 km long) form perfect snowcat access drop off points at elevations between 7,000 and 8,500 feet. Our lowest pick-up is at 3,000 feet. Our runs are as long as 4,200 feet, so we certainly rival helicopter skiing operations when it comes to vertical drop. The average run length is 1,800 feet of consistent fall line skiing. We have access to provide runs on all aspects, with the majority of terrain on eastern and western exposures, allowing us the opportunity to ride great powder snow until early April.
Rise and Shine
After a hearty breakfast, on the first day of your trip, our professional guides will take you through a backcountry safety program followed by transceiver training. Then it’s time to board one of our comfortable snowcats and begin your climb to the alpine. We operate two snowcats for our 24 guests. Each group has their own snowcat, guide, tail guide, and driver. With 10,000 acres to choose from, you’re sure to find plenty of fresh powder.
Your day Skiing in the Selkirk's
Skiing and boarding starts at 8 a.m. and the last run gets you back to Retallack Lodge, located at 3,000 feet, around 4 pm. Lunches, snacks, and hot and cold drinks are provided on the cat to ensure you don’t miss out on staking your powder claim. You’ll normally ski or board eight to 15 runs per day. Our longest run is 4,200 vertical feet—longer than a top to bottom run at Whistler. We are proud to offer our guests a full range of Armada powder skis and select snowboards to help you maximize your riding experience.
Après Skiing
After enjoying après cat-ski with hot soup and hors d’oeuvres paired with your favourite beverage, you can enjoy a hot tub, sauna, or massage before sitting down to an exquisite gourmet dinner. The best part is, after a good night’s sleep on our goose down bedecked beds, you’ll get to experience this all over again.
You’ll think you stepped into an epic ski or snowboard movie. Your friendly guides will give you tips and tricks for skiing efficiently and safely in the land of giants: Retallack trees. Due to its sudden rise, elevation and geographical location, the Selkirk Mountain Range receives moisture laden clouds from the Pacific on a very regular basis that dump dry snow in large amounts. Retallack can receive as much as 100 cm (3.5 ft) of snow in one storm cycle.
Temperatures are more moderate than the Rockies to the east with nighttime lows seldom below -25 degrees Celsius, and colder than the Coast with daytime highs staying below freezing, even on northern aspects late into the spring. This allows us to almost guarantee continual powder skiing.
Toward the end of March, we can find good powder skiing in the morning and nice spring skiing in the afternoon. The BC Interior is world-renowned for its snow quality. In combination with the protected slopes at Retallack, you can expect very good skiing and snow conditions throughout the season.