ACC Gazette Section Stories: Rocky Mountain Section
Snowfall Lodge Delivers
Story by Laurie Harvey for the 2025 ACC Gazette, photos by Lynn Harvey
The Rocky Mountain Section hosts many ski camps, and most are self-catered and self-guided, but in January 2025 the section headed to Snowfall Lodge in the southern Selkirk Mountains for big ski terrain and a week that was a bit more luxurious.
Snowfall Lodge is east of Revelstoke and south of Rogers Pass with helicopter access from Beaton. The lodge sleeps 18 guests and has a very large and diverse ski touring area that covers 38 square kilometres.
Initially, I questioned doing a ski camp in early January when I’m often not in my best ski shape, the days are short, the temperatures can be on the cold side, and the snowpack questionable. But I was pleasantly surprised. January was unseasonably warm, and the snowpack was strong. Most days were pleasant with a mix of sun and cloud, with only one day where we experienced very high winds and snow.
Gabrielle Meszaros was our fabulous camp leader and was so generous with her vast knowledge and skill. She helped manage the safety of our group through practise in companion rescue and snowpack analysis, informative morning meetings, and daily check-ins, and was a terrific mentor for the entire group. The tone set for communication and group skiing and riding was inclusive and collaborative, focusing on safe practices and Gabi’s bright sense of humour always shone through. There was a lot of smilin’ going on.
In true Rocky Mountain Section style, after settling into our rooms and having a quick meeting over lunch, we met outside the lodge and participated in companion rescue practice, which is such a valuable way to start the week. We formed small groups and set out to ski various aspects and elevations to assess the snowpack. All groups returned to the lodge late afternoon feeling assured that we had stable conditions.
Snowfall offers BIG, diverse terrain and we skied everything from tight trees to moraines, pillows, boulder fields, and steep chutes. And, in recognition of International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation, we skied the East Illusion Glacier and Beowulf Glacier.
In true Rocky Mountain Section style, after settling into our rooms and having a quick meeting over lunch, we met outside the lodge and participated in companion rescue practice, which is such a valuable way to start the week. We formed small groups and set out to ski various aspects and elevations to assess the snowpack. All groups returned to the lodge late afternoon feeling assured that we had stable conditions.
Snowfall offers BIG, diverse terrain and we skied everything from tight trees to moraines, pillows, boulder fields, and steep chutes. And, in recognition of International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation, we skied the East Illusion Glacier and Beowulf Glacier.
The catering and hospitality at Snowfall moved our week from fabulous to over the top. We enjoyed a delicious, diverse and generous array of foods including plenty of fruits and vegetables, sinful desserts, and satisfying soups, appetisers and main courses. Although our group helped with dishes, the custodian and cooks did everything else, including ensuring coffee was ready for our 6:30 am daily meetings and the sauna was hot when we returned from our ski days. It felt decadent to have paths shoveled and the lodge duties taken care of. The extra money we paid for a catered week was well worth it!
Diverse terrain, solid stability, perfect temperatures and great food – what more could you want? Great people to share it with! I think this was one of the nicest and most inclusive groups that I have ever skied with. We started the camp as a ski group and ended as a friend group.
If you are looking for a ski week that offers a lot of great skiing, the flexibility with terrain, camaraderie, and fun, please consider joining the Rocky Mountain Section for a 2026 Ski Camp. The section will be hosting trips in January to Icefall Lodge (a sister lodge of Snowfall) and the Outpost in the Valhalla range, and in March to Golden Alpine Holidays’ Sunrise Lodge and the lovely Amiskwi Lodge. Check out the Rocky Mountain Section Event Calendar for details and to register.
Regional ACC Sections are the Alpine Club of Canada’s strength. Membership in an ACC Section enables members to participate in numerous summer and winter mountaineering, rock climbing, and skiing activities, coordinated by experienced amateur leaders in their local area. The majority of activities offered by sections are either free or are offered on a break-even basis to their members. Through ACC Section trips you’ll learn all the basics you need to travel safely in the mountains, while meeting new friends to enjoy your experiences with.
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We are always seeking great articles and stories from members and regional sections. Drop us an email and pitch your ACC story – we’d love to hear from you! Reach out to our editorial team at gazette@alpineclubofcanada.ca
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