Here's your chance to ride at the legendary Baldface Lodge in winter 2021
Join us for our 10 day Kootenay program including 4 days snowboarding and skiing at the famous Baldface Lodge along with a Whitewater and Red Mountain warm-up with local Mint guides.
Just watch any of the video parts from Baldface and you’ll see how this place has gained it’s legendary status in the snowboard world. While at Baldface we are led by qualified backcountry guides who are there to help you choose the best lines to ride. All meals and safety equipment are provided at Baldface.
To get those legs pumping we also check out two of our favourite BC ski areas; Red Mountain and Whitewater. These resorts play host to an enormous amount of freeride terrain with bowls, cliffs, pillows and tree runs all located in-bounds. For those wanting to explore the Kootenay backcountry and have the experience and equipment, our guides will offer an optional upgrade touring service.
If you’re the type of skier or snowboarder who doesn’t like to stray too far off the groomers then this tour is not for you. Our guests can expect deep turns and non stop face shots! Come join us for this once in a lifetime snowboard trip, you won’t regret it.
Dates
Private groups only
Guest to Guide Ratio
6 guests : 1 guide
Price
CAD $7990 per person
Tour Type
This tour is suitable for advanced to expert skiers and snowboarders
Why Travel With Mint
In a rapidly changing travel industry it’s important to know that your travel provider is accredited, accountable and responsible. We are a registered member of AFTA and IATA and conduct business in accordance with the ATAS Charter and Code of Conduct. When you travel with Mint you can have peace of mind that you are booking with a qualified and established travel operator with over 20 years of expertise. And as a full-service travel agent, we are able to take care of your flights, insurance, stopovers and pre or post tour arrangements.
Baldface Tour
Get in touch for a detailed tour itinerary and more info
ABOUT BALDFACE
With 32,000 acres of ridable terrain, you can be assured of scoring some epic untracked turns. Each day you can expect to ride 15,000 vertical feet with the snow cat access. Lunch is provided each day and dinners will be prepared nightly by the chefs at the lodge. After riding, head back to the lodge for appies and drinks at the bar. After an epic 4 days we will depart our lodge and fly back to Nelson via helicopter.
ABOUT WHITEWATER
This mountain gets rave reviews around the world for it’s terrain and snow. With the highest lift topping out at 2045 metres and consistent storms cycles slamming into BC from the Pacific it’s no surprise that this place scores over 12 metres of blower pow each season. It’s common to get deep turns throughout the season and for this reason we keep coming back to Whitewater.
ABOUT RED MOUNTAIN
Red offers steeps, open trees, powder meadows and groomers on 360-degrees of exposure, so you’ll be able to find good snow regardless of the time of year. One of the main reasons to ride at Red is the backcountry access. The resort operates 16 square kilometres of touring-accessed, uncontrolled backcountry. The resort has a long tradition of allowing people to ride where they want.
ACCOMMODATION
Accomodation throughout the tour is twin share including at Baldface Lodge. Nelson accommodation is based at the centrally located Prestige Lakeside which is a 4 star hotel and equipped with great facilities including a hot tub and pool. All meals are included at Baldface lodge
SNOW & CONDITIONS
The tour is scheduled in peak season for consistent, cold and deep snowfall with temperatures around -10 - -3 celsius. Expect terrain ranging from open bowls, sustained steep forests, mid-alpine tree sections, and natural terrain features like log drops and mini-pipe gullies.
PRE-TOUR SUPPORT
After you sign up for a tour, you will receive pre-trip emails with specific information about your tour, the arrival and departure day process, information about the destination, packing suggestions, and other relevant information to help you prepare for your trip. In addition to this, you have access to our customer care team who are just a phone-call away. And as a full-service travel agent, we are able to take care of your flights, insurance, stopovers and pre or post tour arrangements.
ESSENTIAL INFO
YOUR TOUR INCLUDES
- 4 day Baldface guided cat skiing with helicopter transfers
- 4 nights twin share accommodation at Baldface Lodge
- All meals at Baldface Lodge and use of backcountry safety equipment
- 5 nights twin share accommodation, Prestige Lakeside Nelson
- Castlegar Airport Transfers, arrival and departure day
- Norman Stibbs Airfield Transfers, Baldface arrival and departure day
- 2 days resort transfers, Nelson to Whitewater
- 1 day resort transfer, Nelson to RED Mountain
- 2 days professional guiding, Whitewater
- 1 day professional guiding, RED Mountain
- 2 day lift ticket, Whitewater
- 1 day lift ticket, RED Mountain
- Mint Tours heavy weight riding hoody
- Mint guides on hand throughout tour
The Baldface Tour is 9 nights including pre / post Baldface accommodation and activities. this isn’t enough, then book one of our multi-tour combo’s. Ask us about tour combo ideas and multi-tour discounts.
DATES Private groups only – subject to availability
PRO-TIP – GO PRIVATE!
Book this tour as a private departure – with your own guide and all the benefits of a Mint group tour – for any group, big or small (even just one traveller). Get in touch to discuss.
WHY TRAVEL WITH MINT?
In a rapidly changing travel industry it’s important to know that your travel provider is accredited, accountable and responsible. Mint is a registered member of AFTA and IATA and conducts business in accordance with the ATAS Charter and Code of Conduct. When you travel with Mint you can have peace of mind that you are booking with a qualified and established travel operator with over 20 years of expertise. And as a full-service travel agent, we can take care of your flights, insurance, stopovers and pre-or post tour arrangements.
WHAT HAPPENS IF BORDERS ARE CLOSED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)?
The global health crisis has impacted everyone enormously, so we want to make sure your future travel plans are safe and reassure you that we are committed to supporting our customers in the best way that we can. You can view our latest Coronavirus (COVID-19) updates HERE
WHAT IS THE BALDFACE TOUR?
Our Baldface Tour is a once in a lifetime opportunity to get yourself a rare seat on the cat because Baldface books out years in advance. We include warm-up days riding with local guides at Whitewater and Nelson who have an in-depth knowledge of the resort which gives you the ultimate advantage when chasing untracked snow in-bounds. Be prepared to ride and ski in the trees for multiple days straight. Of course weather and conditions are impossible to predict so guests must be prepared to ride or ski anything.
WHAT HAPPENS ON ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE DAY?
Once you’ve signed up for the tour we will send you through a comprehensive guide with details about the tour including the arrival and departure day process, a map of where we meet, recommended arrival and departure times, flight options, Visa requirements and transportation information.
WHAT IF I’M TRAVELLING SOLO?
About 99% of our guests are travelling solo, so you’ll be in good company. Our groups generally mix well due to a shared interest in snow sports and an eagerness to explore all that Canada has to offer. If you are travelling solo, you will be paired with another guest to room with. The accommodation for this tour is twin share i.e. 2 beds per room. Single rooms are unavailable on this tour.
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE ON THIS TOUR?
When we are on mountain, we have a maximum of 6 people per guide. When at Baldface there is a maximum of 11 guests with two guides and a Mint Tours host in the cat.
IS THIS TOUR RIGHT FOR ME?
This tour is best suited to skiers and snowboarders who are strong in powder snow, can make a variety of turn shapes and can traverse and hold speed. If you’re not sure, give us a call. Weather and ski conditions are impossible to predict so guests must be prepared to ride or ski anything. If you have never ridden in powder or shy away from it at your local resort, this is not the tour to learn. Canadian terrain has lots of glades and trees – please be prepared to ride and ski in the trees. This tour is not suitable for advanced skiers and snowboarders wanting to ride the backcountry or out of bounds terrain.
WHICH RESORTS WILL WE VISIT?
This is a set itinerary that includes in-bounds guiding at Red Mountain and Whitewater along with 4 days of cat skiing at Baldface Lodge.
CAN I ARRIVE EARLY OR STAY ON AFTER THE TOUR?
For most tours you can arrive earlier or stay later. We can tailor the trip to suit your travel plans. Speak with one of our tour specialists when you are booking and they will be more than happy to assist.
WHO ARE THE GUIDES?
All of our tours are guided by friendly, knowledgeable and expertly trained guides who are passionate about the mountains. Most of our guides work for us season after season. If you have a preferred Mint guide, just let us know and we’ll be able to tell you which tours they are leading.
CAN YOU BOOK FLIGHTS?
Yes. Let us take the hassle out of selecting the right flights for the tour. We can book you the best flight options for the tour, with no booking fees.
ARE FLIGHTS INCLUDED?
No, flights are not included. If you need assistance booking flights, we can book you the best flight options for the tour, with no booking fees.
DO I NEED TRAVEL INSURANCE?
Yes. All guests on tour need to be covered by comprehensive travel insurance. Once you have booked on the tour, we strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance. We offer all of our tour guests discounted snow specific travel insurance.
WHAT HAPPENS ONCE I’VE BOOKED?
Once you’ve booked your spot on tour, we will send you through a booking confirmation and provide updates about the tour including the arrival and departure day process, a map of where we meet, recommended arrival and departure times, flight options, Visa requirements and transportation information. We will send out a Pre Departure Guide 30 days prior to departure. Prior to the tour commencing we will invite you to a group chat which is managed by your tour manager and guides.
CAN I BRING MY PARTNER WHO DOESN’T SKI OR SNOWBOARD?
The Baldface Tour is not recommended for non-ski or snowboard partners.
HOW DO I CHECK MY ABILITY LEVEL?
The best way to check if a tour is suited to your ability is by speaking with one of our tour specialists. They will be able to determine if the tour you have selected is a good fit for your ability, as well as suggesting other tour options.
HOW DO I GET TO BALDFACE?
We’ll provide you with airport meet & greet times for Castlegar regional airport and recommended departure times. If it’s your fist time to Canada or if you’re unsure about travel arrangements, often we can link you up with other tour guests to travel with.
HOW DO I CHECK AVAILABILITY?
Speak with one of our tour specialists. As this is a small group tour with limited availability, it’s best to get in touch early to avoid disappointment.
DO YOU TAKE SKIERS & SNOWBOARDERS?
Yes! We are ski and snowboard friendly. Please note that the majority of our tours are led by snowboard guides.
CAN I RENT EQUIPMENT?
Yes! We can arrange rental equipment for most destinations, however we do recommend bringing your own equipment. We do recommend bringing powder boards or ski’s for all our tours.
WHAT EQUIPMENT SHOULD I BRING?
Canada can be a cold place in winter, with temperatures typically ranging from 0 to -10. We strongly recommend that guests dress in clothing specific for traveling in backcountry areas. We recommend that guests have a good quality waterproof jacket and pants, lightweight insulated layer, merino base layers, merino gloves and waterproof gloves, goggles with low light & high light lenses, sunglasses, balaclava, beanie, and helmet. We recommend that all guests bring their own ski or snowboarding equipment for the tour (board, boots, bindings & outerwear). Powder boards and ski’s are recommended.
WHO WILL BE ON MY TOUR?
Your group will be made up of travellers from diverse backgrounds and will be varied in age. Our groups generally mix well due to a shared interest in snow sports and an eagerness to explore all that the tour has to offer.
ARE LIFT TICKETS INCLUDED?
Yes. 3 days of lift tickets are included for Whitewater and Red Mountain.
PRICE PER PERSON
The Baldface Tour is CAD $7990 per person
Please contact us if you would like a quote in your local currency. We can accept payments in USD, AUD, NZD, GBP, CHF, EUR, JPY, CAD.
RESERVATION AND DEPOSIT
To secure your spot on tour, a non-refundable 50% deposit is payable within 3 days of booking. The balance is due 14 September, 2020. You can view our terms and conditions HERE and COVID-19 policy HERE
If you would like some more information or a quote for the tour you can contact us by:
1. ONLINE
Enquire below. Once we receive your request one of our Canadian Tour Specialists will be in touch with a with a quote, availability and further details about the tour.
2. OVER THE PHONE
Call us and follow the prompts to speak to one of our Canadian Tour Specialists.
Within Australia (03) 8563 9437
International +61 (03) 8563 9437