FAQ's
Here is a list of answers to some commonly asked questions. If you have a question which is not listed here, please feel free to contact us. Click a question to get the answer.
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WHERE IS MONASHEE POWDER LOCATED?
Monashee Mountains in British Columbia, Canada – About 30km southwest of Revelstoke and 30km south of Highway 1. The only access is from Cherryville, BC on Highway 6, between Vernon and Nakusp.
A visit to Monashee Powder will usually entail skiing both open bowls and steep tree runs. Powder skis make skiing deep snow much easier for any skier; however, you should be capable of skiing black diamond runs. We reserve the right to restrict unskilled skiers from participating, but we will try to help guests improve so they can join the group on the easier runs. No refunds will be available for these guests if they can’t handle the terrain.
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HOW DO I GET THERE?
- Flying?
Fly into the Kelowna International Airport - This airport is serviced by Air Canada or West Jet airlines via Montreal, Toronto, Calgary or Vancouver. Horizon Air/Alaska Airlines services the Kelowna airport from Seattle.
Your flight needs to arrive by noon on the day before your ski dates. Rental Cars and SUV's from most agencies are available at the Kelowna airport. See information on the Monashee Bus service below if you do not wish to rent a car.
We can get you back to the airport on the last day of your trip by 7:10 pm for flights departing at 8:10 pm or later to Vancouver, Calgary or Toronto. Unfortunately, there are no flights to Seattle after 8 pm; however there is an early morning flight. Please note that Air Canada and Westjet have altered their evening flight schedule, check flight times prior to booking with Monashee Powder. - Driving?
1. Travel East from Vernon on Highway #6. 2. In the town of Lumby, go straight ahead at the 4-way stop. 3. The River Ridge Golf Course is 21 km from Lumby on the left side of Highway #6, look for the Monashee Powder sign.
See Map with Directions
Please note that if you are planning to make your ski holiday include skiing the Rockies we advise that you do this after your visit to Monashee Powder. During the winter, Roger’s Pass is frequently closed for avalanche control and this may delay your arrival at our lodge. We recommend that guests fly into Kelowna to avoid this potential set back.
- Flying?
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WHAT TIME & WHERE DO I MEET THE MONASHEE BUS?
We have a shuttle bus that will pick you up at the Kelowna International Airport at 11:45am on the day prior to your ski dates, and it will return you to the airport on the last day of your trip by 7:10 pm. The cost is $65.00 per person plus tax for the return trip; please contact us ahead of time as reservations are required. Look for the bus with the snowflakes on it!
If you are not flying in, you will need to be at the River Ridge Golf Course in Cherryville on the afternoon before your trip. The bus will stop here briefly to pick up guests and will be leaving for the trailhead by 2:00 pm.
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WHAT TYPE OF SKIER SHOULD I BE?
Guests must be strong intermediate skiers capable of dealing with deep powder snow in the backcountry.
A visit to Monashee Powder will usually entail skiing both open bowls and steep tree runs. Powder skis make skiing deep snow much easier for any skier; however, you should be comfortable skiing black diamond runs. We reserve the right to restrict unskilled skiers from participating, but we will try to help guests improve so they can join the group on the easier runs. No refunds will be available for these guests if they can’t handle the terrain.
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HOW MANY RUNS DO WE SKI PER DAY?
We normally ski 10 - 14 runs per day. On the first day of your ski holiday you will likely ski approximately 12,000 vertical feet due to the morning beacon search. On subsequent days you will ski between 15,000 and 18,000 vertical feet.
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ARE THE RUNS REALLY STEEP?
No, we do have some exciting runs, but most runs are not extreme. We ski a variety of slopes during the day, the steepness that we ski is dictated by the group’s ability and by the avalanche hazards. During times of high avalanche danger, we will ski runs that are of lower angles and supported by trees. With our large terrain, we’ve always been able to have a great day of skiing without risking the chance of a slide from a slope above.
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CAN I PUT TWO TRIPS TOGETHER?
Yes, if there is room guests can combine trips. Our longest visitor stayed for 11 days! Luckily he was very strong and very young! By checking our availability schedule, guests can put trips together to make 5, 6 or 7 day trips beyond the usual 3-day long weekend or 4-day mid-week trips. This is a remote lodge, so guests who want to depart in the middle of a 4-day trip will have to have a vehicle with 4-wheel drive at our trailhead. The logistics can be worked out with Tom & Carolyn.
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WHAT ABOUT SNOWBOARDERS & TELEMARK SKIERS?
We welcome everyone to come and enjoy our powder. Snowboarders and telemark skiers need to be experienced in all backcountry conditions including treed terrain. Our guides do their best to accommodate all of our guests. However, there may be times when traversing and uphill climbing is necessary.
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WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE?
Monashee Powder Lodge is located in the Monashee Mountain Range, which is a very snowy location. We receive an average of 60ft of snow per year. In December and January the daytime temperatures are -5° to -15° Celsius; in February and March you can expect 0° to -10° Celsius. Prior to mid-February a cold front can lower the temperature to -20° or -30° Celsius for a few days. Please be prepared for all mountain weather conditions. Over 90% of the time you will encounter good or excellent snow and weather conditions. Our policy is to ski and try to have fun no matter what the conditions. Please accept the fact that we cannot control the weather, and that no refunds or rain checks are given for bad weather. (Bad weather means a rain storm which often changes to snow as the temperatures drop. It’s quite amazing how the snow “recovers” from the rain as the snow isn’t packed by groomers.)
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WHAT IF I HAVE SPECIAL DIETARY REQUIREMENTS?
All of our guests are asked to complete and return the registration form. Our chefs can accommodate any special dietary requirements and food allergies but we must receive your form before you arrive. Please email or mail the completed form to us prior to your arrival. Forms that are sent by fax may not be picked up in time during the season, so email is recommended.
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CAN I BRING MY OWN BEER AND WINE?
Please do not bring beer since it is heavy and often breaks on the trip up (usually on someone else’s luggage!). A corkage fee of $10 per bottle is charged for wine. Monashee Powder’s bar stocks a selection of liquor, beer and fine B.C. wines.
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WHAT ABOUT SKI RENTALS?
See the Ski Rentals page for more details.
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WHAT SHOULD I BRING?
- Casual clothes and slippers for the lodge
- A small thermos for hot drinks on the cat (we supply water bottles)
- Ski goggles, snow boots and normal ski clothes that are suitable for all conditions and temperatures
- Ski Boots - we recommend that you take them on the airplane with you as carry-on luggage if you can
- Powder skis if you own them, otherwise you can rent ours. Check out our new fleet of rental skis. We provide ski poles with fat baskets for guests who rent skis.
- A bathing suit for the hot tub
- Wear your ski jacket, snow boots and gloves on the bus and snowcat when you arrive
- A small backpack for extra mitts, goggles, etc., which you can leave in the snowcat. You can also bring a backpack with a shovel and probe in it, however this is not mandatory. We supply two guest packs to be carried by the group during the day.
- Bring any medications you regularly take, there isn't a drug store nearby!
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WHAT IS THE DAILY SCHEDULE?
Our wake-up call is at 7 am which includes coffee served in the Guest Chalet. Breakfast is at 7:30, and guests make their own lunch from the sumptuous lunch buffet with a large variety of meats, cheeses, home-made bread, salads, fruit and treats. Then we head out to ski at 8:30 am. While riding on the cat, guests snack or eat lunch as they please, with water bottles provided. Guests arrive back at the lodge about 4:30 pm, to enjoy appetizers, drinks, the two hot tubs, a game of pool, view they day's photos on the flat-screen TV and share a few stories with new friends before dinner at 6:30 pm. There is also the option of a therapeutic massage from our registered massage therapists before or after dinner.