Our Blog
Beginners Guide, Backcountry Skiing & Snowboarding, Part 2
Tips for Your First Ski or Snowboard Backcountry Tour Okay, the day has arrived and you’re geared up and ready to experience the beauty of the backcountry on skiis. You’ve done the prep, your bag is packed, but what else should you be thinking about on your first ski...
Beginner’s Guide, Backcountry Skiing & Snowboarding, Part 1
The allure of the backcountry for skiers and snowboarders is a strong one. Especially for those who crave fresh turns, no lift lines, and the quiet solitude of a backcountry setting. With ski touring (and split-boarding) growing increasingly popular, it can be easy to...
Packing for a Heli-Access Backcountry Trip to Mallard Mountain Lodge
Packing for any backcountry excursion takes careful planning, but more so when heading out on a heli-access skiing or hiking adventure. With limited space for the flight, you’ll need to pay close attention to pack what’s necessary, leaving excess at home. The...
6 Reasons To Visit A Backcountry Lodge As A Solo Traveler
It’s commonly said that everything is better with friends, but we believe there’s a strong case for the backcountry solo traveler. You of course won’t be entirely solo, as you’ll have the benefit of partnering up with an experienced ski or hiking guide for your...
5 Reasons Mallard Mountain Lodge is the Ultimate Bachelorette Getaway
If the thought of a "classic" bachelorette makes you cringe, you're not alone. There's no need to don a veil and party clothes to go out for a bar night with your friends. Instead, imagine getting away, truly getting away, to the most remote backcountry lodge in...
6 Reasons Families Should Go on a Heli-Hiking Vacation
It’s proven that family vacations help form bonds and create positive, lasting experiences to share for years to come. We believe this is amplified when taking a heli-hiking vacation to the beautiful and remote backcountry of the Canadian Rockies at Mallard Mountain...
Why Visit a Backcountry Lodge vs an Alpine Hut
Looking to make incredible memories in the backcountry with your friends? The most common way to do this is by touring to a nearby Alpine Hut, but we have another, more remote option for you. Why not have a full lodge to yourself and create the ultimate backcountry...
5 Tips For Backcountry Lodge First-Timers
It’s totally normal to be excited and a little nervous before your first trip to a backcountry lodge. Here are 5 things every first timer should know.
Should I Go There? An Answer From The History Of “Earning Your Turns”
Backcountry technology has come a long, but it’s worth asking ourselves because we can, should we? Derek McManus shares his thoughts on the subject.
4 Things To Be Thinking About – A Mountain Mindset
When planning for an adventure we often focus on the tangibles like route selection equipment and clothing, but have you considered your mindset?
3 Reasons Families Should Rent This Entire Backcountry Ski Lodge In BC
Travel is thought of as an outlet for relaxation, education, and a chance to escape the mundane, but research as recent as 2016 suggests that travel has several deeper benefits for families and their relationships. A literature review in Sage Publishing, by...
Backcountry Gear 101 for Skiing & Snowboarding, Part 3: Safety Equipment
In Part 1 of this backcountry gear series we looked at soft goods and at the various pieces of clothing and ski equipment needed to begin venturing into the backcountry in the winter. In Part 2 we covered Hard Goods and the differences in performance and technology...
Backcountry Gear 101 for Skiing & Snowboarding, Part 2: Hard Goods
In Part 1 on Soft Goods, we discussed the basics of the technical clothing that is needed to venture into the backcountry, as well as the importance of selecting the right pieces. Backcountry ski touring and snowboarding (splitboarding) has seen a huge increase in...
Backcountry Gear 101 for Skiing & Snowboarding, Part 1: Soft Goods
For many people, entering into the backcountry for the first time can be a daunting task. Apart from the planning, training, and knowledge that is required to even get out the door, there is a substantial amount of gear that is essential to make skiing or riding in...
4 Reasons To Buyout This BC Backcountry ⛷ Lodge For Guys/Girls Trip
Let’s be honest, there’s nothing better than a good solid adventure with a group of your favourite people. And really, at the core of it, that’s what taking a guys or girls trip is all about. The modern guy’s or girl’s trip is not about spending time with your gender...
3 Reasons Couples Book Out Private Backcountry Ski Lodge Near Jasper
Ask anyone in a relationship “what’s the one thing you wish you could do more of?” and their answer will probably be “spend more quality time with my spouse/significant other” or “take a weekend away with my spouse/significant other”. Sound familiar? Well, here’s the...
Finding Mallard Mountain Lodge & Punchbowl
Attend any marketing or real-estate seminar and you are likely to hear a recurring theme - location, location, location - it’s all about the location. Whether you are in a New York City apartment or a farmhouse in the Canadian countryside, every location has its...
Our Origin Story: How we built Mallard Mountain Lodge
With no road access, no power, no water, and up to a 3-meter snowpack every winter, have you ever wondered what it takes to build a backcountry lodge in the mountains? A lot of passion long days (that the sunsets more than made up for). Here's how we did it! As we...
What is a Heli-Hiking Vacation?
Heli-hiking is spectacular. Let's start there. On a heli-hiking vacation not only do you get to explore Mother Nature's majesty up-close on the trail, your helicopter flight will give you a birds-eye-view as endless acres of old growth forest, rivers and wetlands...
Day Hiking Gear Checklist: What To Pack For Hiking In The Canadian Rockies
Wondering what to bring hiking? Deciding what to pack for a hiking trip is more than just lacing up your hiking boots and packing a lunch. Many of the items we recommend here are 10 essential for day hikes all over North America and you can use this post as a base...
5 Reasons Skiers From BC Should Book This Canadian Rockies Lodge For Their Birthday
Birthdays are an excuse to remind yourself of what life is all about: doing unforgettable things with amazing people in incredible places. And as more and more people continue to see the value of spending their money on transformational experiences instead of material...
7 Reasons to Pick a BC Backcountry Lodge for your Next Ski Trip
Backcountry skiing and snowboarding (splitboarding) have seen a huge surge in popularity in recent years and there are many reasons why some people prefer it to resort skiing. One of the most popular is the "escape" many feel when they walk through the backcountry and...
A-Z of Need to Know Terms for Backcountry Skiing or Snowboarding
When heading out to ski the backcountry for the first time it’s not uncommon to be bamboozled by terminology. The mountains might speak their own language, but increasing your backcountry vocabulary will help you better understand avalanche bulletins, trip reports and...
22 Essentials to Pack on Any Backcountry Skiing & Snowboarding Trip
Heading out on a backcountry skiing or snowboarding trip requires preparation. That involves checking the weather forecast and avalanche bulletin, making a trip plan, letting people know where you're going and when you'll be back, and packing all the essential gear....
6 Reasons to Take a Helicopter Access Ski Vacation in BC
Ski trips are continuing to become an increasing popular way to enjoy an active holiday. Destination ski resorts have large amenities and lift systems to maximize the amount of skiing and snowboarding one can do during their vacation, however they also often come...
How to Ski in Powder Like a Pro: In 4 Easy Steps
As skiers and snowboarders who spend almost all of our time in the Canadian Rockies, naturally we have a love affair with powder. The magical lure of deep powder skiing is everywhere, in the winter it's in movies, on posters, and in your Facebook feeds. The pros may...
7 Very Good Reasons to Hire a Ski Touring Guide for Your Next Trip
Backcountry ski touring and splitboarding opens up a whole new dimension to the sport, especially in a location as breathtaking as the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Away from piste signs and closure ropes, it’s up to you to make the decision on where to ski, how to get...
Choosing the Best Base Layer for Backcountry Skiing and Snowboarding
Staying warm and comfortable in the mountains depends on so much more than Gore-Tex and down filled jackets. When shopping for winter sports apparel, many people focus only on what’s on the outside. Style and colour are important, but in the backcountry but you need...
5 Reasons Mallard Mountain Lodge is the Most Remote Backcountry Ski Lodge in BC
Remote and backcountry used to be synonymous, and all one had to do to find some peace and quiet was to get off the beaten of trails. Now, with new technology, new information and a mass market appeal for untracked powder and pristine wilderness, this has become much...
10 Avalanche Terms Everyone Should Know for Backcountry Skiing
Avalanche safety is paramount when heading out to ski tour or splitboard in the backcountry. Being prepared means having the right tools for self-rescue (transceiver, shovel and probe), as well having as the minimum amount of education necessary to know how to manage...