WELCOME TO MAPLE SUMMIT

Baldface lodging and food while on the mountain, Heli to lodge from Nelson Airport, snowcat, snowboards rental, lunch on the Thursday before heading up to Baldface, & event t-shirt and possible swag bag.

Flights and Transportation to and from Nelson (usually carpool and split costs from airport, Kelowna, Spokane or Cranbrook), accommodations at Prestige hotel on Wednesday night, lift tickets to Whitewater Thursday morning but there’s a ski and stay package at Prestige and usually you bunk with another guest to split costs, Ski rental at Baldface, Massage Therapy if you want at Baldface, Drinks at Baldface, Tips for Baldface staff and guides, Avalanche ABS backpack if you want one, food before and after Baldface, Hotel on Sunday night when returning home before Monday morning flights. 

Seating is very limited so please let us know ASAP.   Just say “Hell yeah, I’m in!”.  You’ll be thanking us.  

No, we will reserve a block of rooms.  The package usually includes ski passes to Whitewater Resort and breakfast.  You usually bunk with another person and split the costs of the room.

Typically the Spokane crew stays at the Hilton Garden Inn Airport hotel, the Cranbrook crew stays at the St-Eugene Casino Resort, and the Kelowna crew stays at the Four Points Hotel beside the Airport.

Everyone should plan on flying out Monday morning.

For anyone who wants to carpool with others, you should plan on landing at your respective airport before 2:00 PM at the latest on the Wednesday.

For the US crew, please note that the Border Crossing closes at 8:00 PM if you arrive after, you may have to turn around, find a hotel, and drive to Nelson in the morning.

Depending on the weather, you will get back to the Nelson airport between 2:00 and 5:00 PM.

Baldface terrain is 100% backcountry riding in typically deep powder and very steep terrain.  70% of the terrain will be in the trees.  It is for advanced skills and can be very dangerous for inexperienced riders.  

 I would recommend starting a fitness program to strengthen your legs, core, and endurance for the trip in early November.  That’ll give you enough time to build yourself up to being able to handle the adventure.  Taking this part seriously will make a significant difference to the experience you will have.  The group is only as fast as the slowest person so your fitness may make the difference of an extra run each day. 

CANADIANS:  We’re flying into Cranebrook.  Unless you have other travel plans before, I will ask that most Canadians fly into Cranebrook (YXC) and drive to Nelson (about 2.5 hours ish).  Once things get settled, we can figure out carpooling or group transportation.  The US folks have this option if they like but usually fly into Spokane (GEG).   Kelowna (YLW) is another option but 4 hours away from Nelson.

For our American friends, usually people fly into Spokane, Washington (GEG) and drive to Nelson (about 3 hours).  New last year, Baldface has a shuttle bus service.  Once we get everyone’s travel info, we’ll arrange a pick up or you can rent a vehicle and carpool.  Having a rental on Thursday is always good to get to the ski hill and back.

PLEASE NOTE:  I do NOT recommend you fly into the West Kootenay Regional Airport (YCG), also called Castlegar Airport.  Even though it looks like it’s only 30 minutes from Nelson on Google Maps, it’s also nicknamed CancelGar as we learned a few years back, then forgot, and learned again...  50% of the flights are cancelled due to fog and bad visibility.  Spare yourself the last minute changes.