Skiing the Chic Chocs

Bradcore

Bradcore

Member
Has anyone here skiied them? Ive been looking around on the internet and there hasn't been much on them. I might be heading to Val D'Irene for a few days but they are closed during the week days so I was pondering making a day trip to the chic chocs. I don't have any backcountry gear (no probe,Avi shovel or beacon) just showshoes and skis. I consider myself a good skiier but I have a traveling companion who is a advanced intermediate level. Is there a way to make this work safely?

 
I've personally never went, but i kno a bunch of guys that go up once a year. They really arent pro skiers and none of them had any backcountry experience before going

ps. i think they was a small article on it in skier

'....a ninja skier probly came by and whacked him with his pole.... thats my guess' -nordas-
 
I think you don't need any backcountry gear, just your skiing stock. My mother went last week and she said that people are just walking to the peak and they ride like they want.

To become a real killer on the dance floor, you have to practice everyday...
 
You may have seen people without avi gear or experience out there but they are dumbasses. It is full on avalanche terrain and no one should be out there; with out all the gear, without the training/experience, without others with avalanche training. Just because it has been skied all winter does not mean a slope is safe. Sun, wind, temperature, aspect, slope, rain, etc... all change conditions of backcountry terrain. You need to know how to assess all those parameters.

Take a week long avi course before you duck a rope at any resort or go backcountry, unless you are with trained professionals.

I know it sounds like shitty advise from your father, but I nearly got bounced down a rock face in an avalanche in Banff after ducking a rope before I took a course. Same shit in Banff and the Gaspe.

Keep it real.

Keep it alive.

 
Update,

On April 15th (or close to that) there was a large avalanche in the most popular (ie-close to the road) skiing area in the chic-chocs. Several people were involved and one woman was seriously hurt. No one had any avalanche gear, knowledge or experience.

 
yeah id take his advice, the avi course is for sure a life saver and worth every second/penny...ill be taking mine this upcoming season

personally ive never ducked a roped except when i was in fernie last winter, only becuz there was basicly no snow. its just not a smart thing to do

'....a ninja skier probly came by and whacked him with his pole.... thats my guess' -nordas-
 
Often no snow makes for more dangerous avalanche conditions than lots of snow. It creates more weak bonds with rocks, trees, etc... Again, I only preach from the school of hard knocks and a couple of near death experiences.

 
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