Canadian Mountain Holidays

Bobbie Burns offers some of the finest Heli-Skiing anywhere, with access to both the Purcell and Selkirk Mountains. The area hosts a rich selection of runs, both in the trees and in high, glaciated terrain. Skiing here is fast and challenging, suitable only for physically fit, well-experienced skiers who enjoy a faster pace.

Our 33 guests are divided into a maximum of 3 groups of 11 skiers each (normally we have 4 groups of 11), allowing us to fly further afield for more time on the slopes. The area's valleys enfold several micro-climates, allowing us to find good skiing in virtually all conditions.

There are some ski areas, whether heli-skiing or lift service, that are famous for their reputation, some that are famous for the lodging, some that are famous for the scenery, and there are some that are quite simply about the skiing. The Bobbie Burns is one of the latter. The area takes its name from a mining claim in the area named after the famous Scottish poet Robert Burns.

Among students of poetry, the name Bobbie Burns is known for womanizing and writing poems of witchcraft and songs that have become traditional ballads. In skiing, the name Bobbie Burns is famous for massive daily vertical, non-stop runs, fit guides, a majority of non-English speaking skiers and an atmosphere soaked in hard-core ski elite. To minimize wait times in the big terrain of the Bobbie Burns tenure, the program runs with three groups rather than four and the skiers commonly descend 60,000 meters in a week – nearly double the guarantee of 100,000 feet.

The mountains are reminiscent of the destination alpine climbing ranges in the world. Mt. Hatteras is shaped like a smaller Gasherbrum IV and the landmark Mt. Syphax looks like a diminutive K2 from some aspects, while Thumb Spire is reminiscent of the rugged peaks of Pakistan's famous Karakoram Range. Much of the skiing is in remote valleys with such precipitous drops into the Duncan River that even the logging industry has been unable to reach the timber. Skiing and hiking without views into cut blocks and logging roads enhance the big-mountain feel.

From Bugaboo Dreams by Topher Donahue