– The Backcountry Ski Touring Blog
  • Avalanches
  • Gear Reviews
    • Ski Reviews
    • Boot Reviews
    • Binding Reviews
    • Snowboard Splitboard
    • Book Reviews
    • Avalanche Beacon Reviews
    • Airbag Backpacks
    • Backcountry Electronics
    • Misc Gear Reviews
  • Podcast
  • Tips & Tricks
    • Ski Touring Basics
    • Boot Fitting
    • Fitness & Health
    • Gear Mods
  • Trip Reports
    • Fourteeners
    • Huts – Cabins – Lodges
    • Denali McKinley
    • 8,000 Meter Skiing
  • Stories
    • History
    • Humor
    • Land Use Issues
    • Evergreen Ski Touring
    • Poetry
  • Resources
    • All Posts Listed
    • 100 Recent Comments
    • Backcountry Skiing & Ski Touring Webcams
    • Ski Weights Comparison
    • Archives of WildSnow.com
    • Authors Page
    • Ski Touring Bindings
      • Trab TR2 Index and FAQ
      • Salomon Guardian & Tracker
      • Naxo Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Silvretta Pure Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Marker F10-12 Duke Baron
      • G3 Onyx Ski Binding FAQ
      • G3 ION Ski Touring Binding
      • Fritschi Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Fritschi Diamir Frame Bindings Mount DIY
      • Fritschi Diamir Bindings FAQ
      • Fritschi Tecton FAQ
      • Atomic Salomon Backland MTN
      • Dynafit Tri-Step Binding 2001-2003
      • Naxo randonnee alpine touring AT ski binding FAQ
      • Dynafit Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Dynafit Binding Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Review 1
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Page Two
    • History
      • Ski Touring Binding Museum
      • Trooper Traverse Intro & Index
      • Randonnee Ski Touring “AT” ski gear — What is Hip?
      • Chronology
    • Backcountry Skiing Core Glossary
    • Gear Review Policy & Disclosures

– The Backcountry Ski Touring Blog

Banner
  • Avalanches
  • Gear Reviews
    • Ski Reviews
    • Boot Reviews
    • Binding Reviews
    • Snowboard Splitboard
    • Book Reviews
    • Avalanche Beacon Reviews
    • Airbag Backpacks
    • Backcountry Electronics
    • Misc Gear Reviews
  • Podcast
  • Tips & Tricks
    • Ski Touring Basics
    • Boot Fitting
    • Fitness & Health
    • Gear Mods
  • Trip Reports
    • Fourteeners
    • Huts – Cabins – Lodges
    • Denali McKinley
    • 8,000 Meter Skiing
  • Stories
    • History
    • Humor
    • Land Use Issues
    • Evergreen Ski Touring
    • Poetry
  • Resources
    • All Posts Listed
    • 100 Recent Comments
    • Backcountry Skiing & Ski Touring Webcams
    • Ski Weights Comparison
    • Archives of WildSnow.com
    • Authors Page
    • Ski Touring Bindings
      • Trab TR2 Index and FAQ
      • Salomon Guardian & Tracker
      • Naxo Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Silvretta Pure Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Marker F10-12 Duke Baron
      • G3 Onyx Ski Binding FAQ
      • G3 ION Ski Touring Binding
      • Fritschi Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Fritschi Diamir Frame Bindings Mount DIY
      • Fritschi Diamir Bindings FAQ
      • Fritschi Tecton FAQ
      • Atomic Salomon Backland MTN
      • Dynafit Tri-Step Binding 2001-2003
      • Naxo randonnee alpine touring AT ski binding FAQ
      • Dynafit Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Dynafit Binding Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Review 1
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Page Two
    • History
      • Ski Touring Binding Museum
      • Trooper Traverse Intro & Index
      • Randonnee Ski Touring “AT” ski gear — What is Hip?
      • Chronology
    • Backcountry Skiing Core Glossary
    • Gear Review Policy & Disclosures
   

Kokanee Glacier Cabin — Canadian Flurries Trip Report

by Julia Dubinina April 24, 2018
written by Julia Dubinina April 24, 2018
Can you spot the cabin tucked away in the trees by the lake?

Can you spot the Kokanee Glacier Cabin tucked away in the trees by the lake?

Oh Canada, would my country of origin disown me if I confessed my love for you? Shhhh, please don’t tell.

Louie and I were psyched to be invited on a trip up to Kokanee this March. After wrapping up a forever week at work, we headed out to Nelson, B.C. on a Friday evening. The next morning, after final packing touches, our whole crew headed to the safety briefing at Kootenay Valley Helicopters.

Kokanee Glacier Cabin is located next to Kalso Lake in Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park. The hut was built in 2002, with funds collected primarily from donations. There is an older cabin nearby, called Slocan Chief, that was built in the late 1890s and originally used by mine workers. Starting around 1922, as Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park was established, a group of outdoor enthusiasts volunteered their time to keep the cabin standing to be used by various backcountry travelers for many years. Now it is preserved as a museum and a cozy place for a quick stop during a tour around the area.

Due to the growing interest in backcountry skiing, one must enter a lottery to be able to snag a spot at the Kokanee. If you win the lottery, the only option is to book the whole hut for a week, which in the winter accommodates 15 people total. We are lucky to have some proactive friends, who snagged possibly the ideal week! (Thanks Chris and Theresa!)

Once at the airport parking, as we got out of the car Louie and I heard loud hissing noises. Alas, I had ran over a giant nail and the tire on my 4-Runner was rapidly deflating. We eventually shared a good laugh, as we discussed our options. The day we were to return from Kokanee, we were planning to head straight to Revelstoke for our next adventure. To our luck, the Nelson Kal Tire took our car in and had no problem keeping it for a week until we returned. Whew, that worked out well.

Boys doing boy things, post discovery of nail in tire.

Boys doing boy things, post discovery of nail in tire.

Post nail-in-tire adventure, we headed back to the airport. I’d never been in a helicopter before, so I was extra excited. Sadly, the weather was foggy and the viz was low, not giving us much of a view on the flight in. I spent a good portion of the flight time checking out the various controls: holy switches, there were too many!

After arriving at the Kokanee cabin, we were greeted by the ACC custodian, Hugh, and given a brief overview of the hut. About an hour after arrival, as we were done settling in, Hugh led a safety briefing presentation followed by a group companion rescue scenario. We wrapped up the practice and headed for a quick skin in the trees to test the snow. Louie and I were extra psyched and opted to ski a few totally blower pow laps.

Packing up the heli for a flight into the cabin.

Packing up the heli for a flight into the cabin.

The crew.

The crew.

We had 6 total days of skiing at the cabin, with a possibility for a dawn patrol on the 7th day prior to flying out. Louie and I were ambitious about it originally, but 6 days of skiing paid off. We were beat and opted to rest on our last day.

The weather we experienced was nothing you’d think the end of March or sping would be, but exactly what we hoped for from the intermountain snowpack in this region in Canada. We only had about 2.5 days of clear-ish weather which allowed us to explore some of the bigger alpine terrain. For the rest of the days, we mostly skied in and around tree line. I certainly don’t have any complains; deep powder in the trees makes me a happy camper.

I have to give thanks to the weather gods — have you ever heard of Canadian flurries? They are the good stuff, or as our custodian Hugh put it, “Flurries are any amount of snow between 1 cm to 30 cm.” We got lucky and continuously experienced the upper end. It snowed a total of ~110 cm during our stay at the hut. Trail breaking was never ending.

Julia skiing on low angle wind crust on John Carter.

Me skiing on low angle wind crust on John Carter.

The areas where we adventured included: Mount John Carter, Robert Smith, Giegerich, Nansen and Pyramid. John Carter offers amazing open bowl skiing that we did not get to experience due to avalanche concerns, but we still got to get on top of it! The day myself, Theresa and Jenny (lady crew!) skied on Robert Smith, we checked out Mark’s Slot: a perfect lower angle alpine line. While ladies were out crushing, the boys were as well, skiing two couloirs up around Pyramid.

On the stormier days we skied off Generator Ridge, above Slocan Chief Cabin, in and around Griffin Creek Area between Giegerich and Nasen, as well as the area known as Enchanted Forest. Our bigger group of 15 people divided into smaller groups to explore different areas each day.

View of “moon crust under moonlight.

View of “moon crust under moonlight.

One night, a motivated member of the crew got 14 out of 15 people out for moonlight skin. It was a clear and frigid night, but oh so gorgeous. I definitely would recommend this as one of the “things you should do on a hut trip.” Unfortunately, we mostly found breakable “moon crust” on our descent but enjoyed some warm beverages and lots of laughs.

Everyone took advantage of the excellent snow conditions and skied their hearts out. In the evenings, we feasted on delicious food, played games and engaged in thoughtful conversations. There was no cell service or Wi-Fi so the time was truly refreshing. I even managed to somehow read a few real books, which, as I will shamefully admit, I had not done in a while.

The week came to end way faster than expected. As we packed up our gear and awaited for the chopper, I couldn’t help but dream about another trip. The flight back was bluebird and gorgeous, showcasing peak on peaks of many breathtaking Canadian ranges. Hope we get to come back next year!

Does this photo even need words?

Does this photo even need words?

Eric enjoying the amazing low angle pow on the last day of the trip.

Eric enjoying the amazing low angle pow on the last day of the trip.

Lee skiing off Tanal peak, with Pyramid in full glory in the background.

Lee skiing off Tanal peak, with Pyramid in full glory in the background.

A close view of couloirs the boys skied above Pyramid.

A close view of couloirs the boys skied above Pyramid.

Face shot! One of many...

Faceshot! One of many…

Trisha enjoying fresh snow in the trees.

Trisha enjoying fresh snow in the trees.

Chris getting sporty rappelling into a couloir.

Chris getting sporty rappelling into a couloir.

Did I mention there were faceshots? Kate demonstrating the blower snow quality.

Did I mention there were faceshots? Kate demonstrating the blower snow quality.

5 comments
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
previous post
Mammut Barryvox S Avalanche Beacon – Review
next post
How to ID the latest G3 ION 10-12 Ski Touring Bindings

5 comments

Christo April 24, 2018 - 9:39 am

That’s a beautiful hut and wow, nice terrain! Another place to visit for sure. Thanks for sharing.

Joe John April 25, 2018 - 12:20 pm

Thank you for sharing. Sounds awesome!

Coop April 25, 2018 - 4:40 pm

Sweet! Nice photos! Looks amazing.

Allan April 26, 2018 - 6:16 am

I passed on a trip there in 2014 and I’ll try not to do that again. Thanks for sharing your great trip and awesome snow conditions!

Lisa April 26, 2018 - 10:19 am

Beautiful photos! You guys are living right!

Comments are closed.

Recent Comments

  • Ian M. on Making Turns and Skintracks at Bluebird Backcountry
  • Jim Milstein on Food for Thought: On Slopes Above 25 Degrees, THINK
  • Sather on Food for Thought: On Slopes Above 25 Degrees, THINK
  • Ethan Ayer on Light(ish) & Robust — 2021/22 Fischer Transalp First Look
  • Andy Mason on A Tale of Two Gloves — BD Crew & OR Carbide – Review

Gear Reviews

  • Skis From the Future — 2021/22 Is All About the Freeride

    February 11, 2021
  • An Education on the Ephemeral Glide — Bases, Wax and DPS Phantom

    February 4, 2021
  • A Carbon Fibre Freeride Boot? — Pierre Gignoux Mountain Review

    February 1, 2021

Trip Reports

  • Celebrating the Low Danger, Low Angle Ski Tour

    February 16, 2021
  • Cooke City in Photos — Montana Trip Report

    January 29, 2021
  • Six Who Dared — Elk Mountains Traverse & Richard Compton Tribute

    January 7, 2021

Totally Deep Podcast

  • Griffin Post Stays Home — Totally Deep Podcast 83

    January 10, 2021
  • Risky Business — Zahan Billimoria on Solving for Z

    December 14, 2020
  • Totally Deep Podcast 81 — CAIC Director Ethan Greene

    December 9, 2020

Tips & Tricks

  • Warm Toes for Cold Smoke — Tips To Keep Your Feet Toasty

    February 8, 2021
  • The Five Pillars of Skintrack Wisdom

    December 17, 2020
  • 10 Essential Mistakes for the Backcountry Ski Touring Beginner

    December 2, 2020

Ski Touring Stories

  • Envisioning a Friendly, Busier Backcountry — Shaun Deutschlander Q&A

    January 18, 2021
  • Giving Myself the Gift of Backcountry

    January 15, 2021
  • Six Who Dared — Elk Mountains Traverse & Richard Compton Tribute

    January 7, 2021

Newsletter Sign-Up

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • About Lou Dawson
  • Authors Page
  • About
  • Contact
  • Copyright & Legal
  • Website Security

@2020 - All Rights Reserved. Designed and Developed by WildSnow


Back To Top

Read alsox

Making Turns and Skintracks at Bluebird...

February 24, 2021

Light(ish) & Robust — 2021/22 Fischer...

February 18, 2021

Celebrating the Low Danger, Low Angle...

February 16, 2021