Trip Report by: Todd Avison | Photos by: Geoff Holman
Establishing a new adventure-tourism tenure in BC's backcountry is not an easy task. You can buy an existing one and go through the process of massaging that tenure to fit your vision, or you can establish a new one. Currently in BC, there is a great deal of hesitation on approving new commercial use tenure after experience relatively explosive grown through the early 2000's. Getting a catskiing operation off the ground requires extreme dedication to the dream, an understanding of the government hoops, environmental concerns, collaboration with First Nations and a myriad of other challenges that arise throughout the process. Powder Renegade is a case study in the current climate in adventure-tourism.
Kerry showing us all the different zones around Powder Renegade
Enter Kerry and Cassandra and their family. After an unsuccessful bid to revive the shuttered Highland Powder Catskiing (the neighbouring terrain to the first ever catskiing operation - Selkirk Wilderness Skiing) a piece of terrain deep in the Christian Valley caught their eye. This terrain is visible in the skyline view from Big White Ski Resort and is quite stunning when the light hits it just right. I have always wanted to ski this terrain ever since my stepdad had the opportunity to ski tour over there some 20 years ago. He had the opportunity to explore with another dreamer on his quest to establish a commercial ski touring business in the same area. This season the powder meter has been inconsistent but in mid-Febraury after a bit of a drought and a cold snap, the skies opened up and dropped a fresh blanket of dry interior BC powder.
We received a message from Kerry via Facebook Messenger inviting us up to check out his terrain. We had only met in person once on one of Kerry's supply runs into town and since he doesn't have conventional cell service where he is, we were communicating through wonders of Starlink to set up our powder rendezvous. There was a weather window happening between fresh snow and a predicted warm up so we set the date for a Tuesday and backed our gear. Kerry was arranging for sleds for us to transfer up to his secluded tenure at the end of the valley.
After an early wake up, we made the easy from from Kelowna. Usually when we are heading off catskiing we turn right at the bridge on Highway 33 and head to the epicenter of operations in the Kootenays. This time was different. We got to the bridge and turned left. Driving some 50kms up the road we were met with a couple sleds and a guide to show us the way. As we cruised up the well established cat road we marveled at the view back to our home ski hill of Big White. I was finally looking back from the view I have been curious about for the past 20 years.
Sledding in to Powder Renegade looking back at Big White
Expect the Unexpected
The days leading up to our trip we spent time sending messages back and forth about the terrain and what to expect. The prominent peaks that can be seen from across the valley are not accessible for mechanized skiing and to get to them from Powder Renegade is inhibited by a grizzly bear protection zone. From topical maps and good ol Google Earth we weren't expecting too much in the way of steep or consistent fall line. But we were proved wrong as soon as we rounded the corner to the lodge site.
As our sleds roared into the staging area for Powder Renegade we were met with an expected view of what they call "Home Bowl" and two of the biggest and most friendly powder hounds you'll ever meet. We all got acquainted and made a plan for the day. Being just a small group of four, we decided to use sleds on the established cat roads rather than the snowcats themselves. I am a huge fan of snowcats but shortly after the pair beastly Pisten Bully 400's shrunk in the proverbial rear view, I quickly understood why a growing percentage of my friends are abandoning the ski hill for snowmobiles.
My Arc'teryx Rush kit being used as it was intended
The First Taste
Our first lap was a short ride up and what seemed like only a few minutes, we were on the ridge line at the top of Home Bowl looking down upon the village area. Kerry expanded on his and Cassandra's vision of where the lodge with be built, the existing temporary accommodations, cat shop, the funky apres Quonset, and all the possible lines to be had in this zone. We traversed along the ridge scoping entry points along the way. We dropped in my ridge line and quickly realized that our expectations were about to be blown away. Steep, consistent powder tree skiing is the holy grail of skiing in my books and Powder Renegade has their fair share and then some. The mission of the day was not only to explore the terrain but also shoot some photos but the temptation just to ski top to bottom was powerful!
John resisting the urge just to send it to the valley bottom
Just as no snowflake is the same, no terrain skis the same. From region to region in this province, the snow feels and skis so differently. From the more saturated coastal zones to the lighter Kootenay and Rocky zones, the snow is vastly different. Being Okanagan skiers we are used to light, dry snow that comes in smaller yet consistent snowfalls. On the coast the snow usually builds in massive storm cycles. It is a different experience. When people hear about cat skiing in the Okanagan, they might think lower snowpack. Sure, this is often the case but the way the snow builds up at the North end of the Christian Valley has it's own characteristics. The drainages and small ridge lines trap snow that blows in which can multiply a seemingly normal storm cycle. Powder Renegade is positioned to capture these storm cycles that roll through and it showed the day we were there.
Owner/Operator Kerry relies on his Arc'teryx year in and year out
I Will Take Storm Skiing Any Day
Growing up flipping the pages of ski mags and watching the latest Warren Miller movies you get this sense that the pinnacle of skiing is getting a blue bird powder day high in the alpine. Days like those are dreamy to be sure but what I discovered early on is that nothing beats storm skiing on a powder day in the trees. Being born and raised in BC, tree skiing is my natural habitat. The snow is better quality, deep and less likely to be effected by wind. It also provides more stability when it comes to avalanches. Tree wells are a reality but skiing with trusted buddies is my modus operandi so I am covered there. Days like the one we had exploring Powder Renegade where lap after lap was consistent, deep, fall line tree skiing are like winning the lottery over and over again. You just can't stop smiling. And when you get to the bottom of the Home Bowl and two massive, happy powder hounds are running up to you as you ski in, well, it is pretty much perfect.
Tree Skiing Safety Tip: Always ski with your buddies!
Steep tree skiing is my happy place
Keeping the Soul of Skiing Alive
When you meet people who are pursuing their vision and establishing a backcountry skiing operation, you meet people who are the soul of skiing. These adventure chasers are not getting into this business to strike it rich. They are doing it for a lifestyle. They are doing it so they can bag as many runs in fresh powder as possible. So their kids are brought up in an unconventional way where they run around and play with large dogs. Where they get to meet fellow powderhounds from all over the place. To share experiences together in the mountains and create memories that are forged with powder snow and adrenaline. This is what the soul of skiing is all about at its core and Powder Renegade is helping keep that soul alive. All the best to them and I can't wait to get out and explore their tenure next season.
John is greeted by The Powder Hounds of Powder Renegade