The Lyells & Mons Ski Descents

Day 1: (Evening) We will meet at our office in Canmore at 6:30 pm.  After introductions, we will discuss trip objectives, review avalanche bulletins, and complete an extensive equipment check. It is ideal to sort logistics and other details the night before so that when we meet tomorrow, we can leave immediately for the helipad in Golden.  

Day 2:  We will drive the 2 hours to the Helipad in Golden, once we have completed the helicopter orientation and pre-flight logistics, we’ll be on our way to the Lyell hut which is about a 15min flight.   On arrival, we’ll drop off some gear and head straight out to ski some of the Lyells. 

Day 3:  Today we’ll aim to head out at first light and tick off some of the remaining Lyells.  Expect a long and rewarding day with amazing skiing and views. 

Day 4:  After a leisurely breakfast we’ll have a short ski uphill before starting our traverse towards the Mons hut which finishes with an excellent ski run right to the door of the hut.   

Day 5:  We will be up early for the last day and aim for one of the many classic objectives from the Mons hut.  The location will be based on conditions on that day.  From our objective, we’ll be able to ski all the way back to the Mons hut before catching our return flight back to Golden.

Meeting Time and Place

The course begins on Day 1 at 6:30 pm at the Yamnuska office. The Yamnuska office is located at #200 – 50 Lincoln Park, Canmore. See this map for location.

Location

The Lyells. Located on the Great Divide boundary of BC-Alberta. The Lyells are a subrange of the Central Icefields in the Canadian Rockies.

Guides and Group Size

The maximum guide to guest ratio is 1:6. The guides are enthusiastic and extremely talented, they hold guide certification from the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides and we are licensed to operate in the area by B.C. Parks. The maximum group size is 10.Minimum of 4 participants.

Transportation

Participants are responsible for their own transport to Canmore and during the program. Canmore is a 1 hour (100km) drive west of Calgary. Guests will typically transport the guide to Golden, BC.

The costs for the helicopter on this program account for travel to and from the location purchased with the trip.  When extra time is needed or delays occur with the helicopter for weather, environmental factors or any other unforeseen circumstances that are out of our control extra costs may be incurred.  In this event, the extra costs will be evenly distributed to all participants enrolled in the program.

Park Passes

Please note that program venues may be within National Parks and/or Kananaskis Country. For programs where transportation is not provided by Yamnuska/Canadian Rockies Hiking by Yamnuska, guests will be required to purchase their own pass.

National Park passes are available both online at https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/voyage-travel/admission and in-person at National park gates and some information centres.

Kananaskis Country conservation passes are available online at https://www.alberta.ca/kananaskis-conservation-pass.aspx

Accommodation and Meals

During the trip, we will stay at privately owned Mountain Huts that are included in the pricing for the program.  Accommodation in Canmore is not included. 

All meals, snacks, and drinks are supplied from lunch on the first day to lunch on the last. Meals are prepared by our in-house chef from fresh, nutritious ingredients and then dehydrated to make them suitable for backcountry travel. For guests with dietary restrictions, we are able to modify the program food pack to meet your individual needs.  As food pricing and preparation for these diets is more costly, we have implemented the following surcharges. For vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free, soy-free, nut-free, or any similar type of single restriction menu requests, there will be a surcharge. For a diet requiring any 2  or more restrictions, an additional surcharge will apply. For more complex diets our kitchen staff will assess the restrictions to inform you if the diet can be accommodated and what surcharge would apply.

Accommodation in Canmore before and after the program is not included. A variety of accommodation options exist in both Canmore and Banff. We recommend that you book your own pre and post-trip accommodations well in advance as all levels of accommodations in the Bow Valley fill quickly. 

Equipment and Clothing

Both huts are well equipped so we’ll be able to travel with a light pack. 

You will need to bring your own clothing, alpine touring skis, boots, poles, climbing skins, and daypack. If you have your own personal Avalanche Safety equipment, it is great to bring this along as well as some beacons have different features which we can explain during the Avalanche review session. 

The equipment and clothing you bring will have a big impact on the quality of your experience. Please be sure to bring all the items listed.  If you are unsure about anything, please don’t hesitate to call and ask us! 

Skis 

Alpine Touring skis are essentially downhill skis with a special touring binding that allows the heel to lift whilst going uphill or across the flats and then ‘locks down’ to become a regular downhill safety binding. We recommend this system to anyone with a background in downhill skiing. 

Splitboards can be used in this program. 

Both types of gear can be rented in Canmore or Calgary prior to the course. 

Equipment List 

You need to bring: 

• Skis / Splitboard We recommend a short (160 – 185cm) wide ski designed for powder. Please see the note under rental information if you are renting ski equipment. 
• Climbing skins ‘Stick-on type’ 
• Ski Poles (Splitboarders as well) 
• Ski Boots 
• Ski Helmet (required)
• Ski Crampons 
• Avalanche Transceiver – digital transceiver with triple antennae* 
• Collapsible Avalanche Probe* 
• Avalanche Shovel (lightweight collapsible metal shovel designed for companion rescue)* 
• Daypack, 45-50L* 
• Sunglasses and ski goggles 
• Water bottle (at least 1-litre capacity) and a Thermos for Hot Drinks is optional  
• Sunblock and lip cream 
• Pocket Knife
• Sleeping Bag, We recommend a small ‘3-season’ bag as the huts will be warm.  
• Headlamp with fresh batteries 
• Small Blister and Personal First-Aid Kit (‘moleskin’, plasters, and Tylenol is enough) 
• Camera 
• Small repair kit for bindings, skis, or splitboard (this may include straps, nuts, bolts, and small leatherman) 
• Sit Harness with Adjustable Leg Loops is available for rent as well from Yamnuska *
• Crevasse rescue gear consisting of x2 locking carabiners, x2 nonlocking carabiners, x2 5m 7mm prussik cords, and a belay tube.  These items are available for rent as well from Yamnuska  *
• Personal toiletries including hand sanitizer
• Ear Plugs (optional) 

 *Rentals Available for these Items 

Additional gear info:

• Skis/splitboard:  There are two viable backcountry systems, Alpine Touring and Splitboard.
• Alpine Touring:  Essentially downhill skis with a special touring binding which allows the heel to lift when going uphill and then locks down to become an alpine binding for the downhill.
• Splitboard: If you are a rider and proficient on a snowboard, the backcountry touring version is called a splitboard. This is a snowboard that can be split to make two ski-type platforms for touring on the uphill ascent. The bindings have two positions and can be switched depending on whether you are climbing or descending. Split boards also use climbing skins for the ascent. For the downhill, the board is reassembled or joined to be in snowboard (ride) mode. If you are new to this system, you will need to practice the transitions of switching the board from touring to riding and back again. Your enjoyment will be vastly greater if you are efficient and practiced with this transition. For splitboarders, regular snowboard boots will work. A splitboard specific boot will give you more comfort when in touring mode and offer extra support to make sidehilling and traversing terrain easier to manage.
• Boots:  Backcountry boots are different from regular alpine ski boots. In the backcountry, boots need to have an uphill mode that allows a free range of motion in the upper part of the boot. You should not use your regular ski boots for touring and walking uphill.
• Climbing skins:  The glue on the base of the skin should be in good condition and the skins need to be properly fitted. Try the skins on your skis/splitboard to make sure they are the right length and width before you arrive.
• Ski poles:  Backcountry poles need powder baskets on the tips.
• Avalanche Transceiver:  A three antennae transceiver is required.
• Probe:  A minimum of 240 cm in length.
• Shovel:  A metal blade shovel is required.

Clothing List

Clothing List 

We suggest layers of light, easily carried clothing that allows for fast and easy adjustment to best suit fast-changing temperature conditions.  Cotton clothing is not appropriate as it causes rapid heat loss when wet.  Feel free to call us if you have any questions about what to bring. 

• Long underwear top and bottoms (lightweight synthetic or wool) 
• Ski touring or mountaineering pants  
• Warm shirt (synthetic or wool) 
• Medium weight fleece sweater. 
• Light insulated jacket or vest 
• Waterproof jacket with hood (Gore-Tex or nylon) 
• Socks (wool outer & polypro liner), several sets. 
• Wool or fleece hat that covers your ears. 
• Waterproof ski mountaineering gloves or mitts. 
• Neck tube 
• Sunhat 
• Face Mask

Rental Information

Skis, Boots, Skins, and Poles can be rented from:

• Canmore: Gear Up – (403 678-1636)
• Calgary: M.E.C. – 830-10 Ave. S.W. Calgary (Tel: 403 363-0122)

We recommend reserving your gear in advance.

*Please note that your ‘DIN’ or ‘Release Value’ settings on your ski bindings are critical to your safety while skiing.  Our expectation is that everyone arrives on programs with their ski binding’s release value correctly set. We have noted that some ski rental shops will not set release values on touring bindings. We advise you to rent from a shop that will set release values on your ski touring bindings unless you are proficient and comfortable setting your own DIN/release value. Failure to have Release Values correctly set could result in a serious injury.

Please book as early as practical to avoid disappointment. We require a 35% deposit at the time of booking.  The final payment is due eight weeks before the start of the program.

We ask that you familiarize yourself with our detailed booking instructions and conditions.

Risk is an inherent part of all mountain activities. We strive to manage and reduce it however, it is impossible to totally eliminate. Learn more about our safety and risk management approach here.  Please note that you will be required to sign our waiver before commencing the program. Please view our sample waiver copy.

There are two basic types of insurance that most travellers need to consider: Medical and Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance. We offer our guests coverage for both and highly recommend you purchase it.

Emergency Medical Expenses Insurance:

It is wise to ensure that your health plan will cover you in case of illness or accident during your trip. Obtain extra coverage if necessary. There is no charge for rescue in the national and provincial parks, however, costs such as air or ground transportation, long-term care, and other services are not covered.

Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance:

We recognize that our guests’ schedules may change for many reasons; business, family, flight delays, injuries, and other unplanned events. For these eventualities, Trip Cancellation/Interruption insurance is a great way to protect your investment.

For all your travel insurance requirements we recommend the Simpson Group. This agency offers a wide range of travel insurance options including Trip Cancellation/Interruption, Travel Medical, and Personal Effect Loss for Canadian Travelers.

Please note that this coverage is for Canadian residents only. For guests who are not from Canada and who are interested in the ‘Visitors to Canada’ insurance package please contact the Simpson Group directly at JSimpson@simpson-group.com and reference your Yamnuska Mountain Adventure trip.