Lake O Hara Lodge Winter Backcountry Packing List

Lake O Hara Lodge Winter Backcountry Packing List

Winter Backcountry Skiing & Snowshoeing Packing List Ready to Experience the Pure, Unfiltered beauty of a wilderness ski or Snowshoe Adventure, but are not sure what to bring? We have compiled a basic packing list that should work for you to make your trip into Lake O Hara Lodge in Yoho National Park. Remember, only take what you need; keep your pack light and keep it simple. You can use this list for any winter adventures you undertake just remember there are a few things that we provide when you come stay with us. Our list of items you should bring on your winter adventure will help make your mountain getaway more enjoyable. When venturing out on your own in some other locale, check the weather conditions, avalanche forecast and don t take on more that is within your level of experience. Hire a guide ahead of time and spend more time enjoying the day not stressing about avalanche or snow conditions. This short packing list should be considered as an initial step to start your packing and not a comprehensive guide of everything you will or could need. Stay Safe and have fun!

Backcountry Having the ability to easily shed a layer is key. Our suggestions can help you stay warm and dry out in the backcountry. Layers is where it s at, so follow the guidelines below. A Base Layer A good base layer is key. Icebreaker Merino long underwear and tops are some of the best on the market right now. It helps you stay warm even when it gets damp. And their claim, and mine too, is it doesn t stink at the end of a weekend in the mountains. A Mid Layer Have a mid layer to start the day with, or to throw on if it gets really cold. I use a lightweight synthetic vest or a fleece jacket. Either is perfect and can always go in the pack if you don t need it. Another item that is worth its weight in gold is a light down jacket; either real down or a synthetic. They pack very small and are great for quickly throwing on when you stop for lunch or a snack. An Outer Layer This is the shedding layer something that will shed the snow and prevent you from getting wet. It also needs to be windproof to keep you warm when the wind picks up. For ski pants there are a couple of options; a soft shell pant or more typically an un-insulated full-zip ski pant. For a jacket you need either a Gore-Tex un-insulated jacket or a soft shell. Soft shells are not as waterproof as Gore-Tex, so if you plan on skiing in a moister climate than our Rockies the Gore-Tex may be a wiser investment for its versatility.

A Good Pair of Ski Socks The old way of thinking was a thin pair under a thicker pair. Today a single pair of good ski socks will do the trick. Again, Merino wool is perfect. I happen to be a fan of Smartwool or Darn Tough ski socks. Bring a second pair to use in the lodge while you dry out your ski pair overnight. A Toque (or hat for those non-canadians) You will definitely need a toque to cover your head and ears. I also always carry a lightweight neck tube in my jacket pocket. I love the ones Buff makes! Ski Equipment Skis, Skins, Boots & Poles What kind of equipment do you need to ski at Lake O Hara? That is the number one question we get asked. So let s split the answer into two parts; the road up and beyond the lodge. We will focus on the skis as that will dictate the type of boot you need. The Road Up Any type of gear will work to get up the access road to the lodge: classic skis, light touring or alpine touring gear. That being said, our trackset trail into the lodge is perfectly suited to a nice lightweight pair of cross-country classic skis. If you are renting gear make sure you go with something that feels really comfortable on your feet. Blisters can easily ruin your whole trip, so take a precautionary step and put some moleskin on your feet before you even start up the road. Beyond the Lodge Those nice lightweight skis you flew up the access trail on will not work once we head off from the lodge and beyond. The best gear to enjoy the area is an alpine touring setup; boots, skis and skins. If you have touring gear that you use regularly and the boots fit comfortably, you won t have a problem using them on the road up to the lodge. If you are new to the sport then you should look at the option below. The Option If you are new to the sport of backcountry skiing or don t own your own gear, our suggestion is that you rent a pair of Alpine Touring boots and strap them on your pack for the ski up to the lodge. Use a lightweight pair of skis and boots for the trek in and out of the lodge. Once you get to the lodge we have Alpine Touring Skis and Skins you can rent and use while up at the lodge. We use Black Diamond Ski with Fritschi Diamir bindings, which work with most Alpine Touring boots. Any questions? Don t hesitate to give us a call and we can discuss your particular situation.

Snowshoes Snowshoes are also good a good option for enjoying the backcountry around the Lodge. Some people will actually ski in and then take a pair of our snowshoes out for the day with the group. Call ahead and let us know if this is your plan so we can have a pair of snowshoes ready for you. Camera Yoho National Park is known for its postcard-quality scenery and Lake O Hara is no exception. You will want to capture some shots of this perfect winter wilderness along with you and your friends gliding through the snow. Sunscreen & Lip Balm The UV rays can be intense at the higher elevations of O Hara. Combined with the dry mountain air it can be harsh on your skin and lips. Having a high SPF sunblock and a tube of Lip Balm in your pack is a good idea. Food & Water For your trip into the lodge make sure you pack yourself a lunch to keep you fuelled up. Don t forget water is key. You can easily sweat out a litre of water on the way in, so pack at least a 1 litre water bottle. Once at the lodge we will put out a lunch spread each day for you to pack a lunch for the trail. If you have that special energy bar or gel that you always use, throw it in your pack. Day Pack / Backpack All of this stuff listed above needs to fit into some sort of pack. The ideal size fro a trip to O Hara is about 30-40L. Any larger and you will fill it up and then it is just plain old heavy. The simpler the better; excessive number of loops and exterior pockets only get in the way, caught on branches or fill up with snow. Emergency Equipment & First Aid Kit We are well stocked with emergency medical supplies, tool kits for equipment repairs and all the necessary safety equipment you will need. If you have your own Avalanche Beacon, probe and shovel bring them along. Not to worry if you don t. We have beacons which we will provide you with while at the lodge. As well there are extra shovels and probes to split amongst the group.

We are pretty informal here at Lake O Hara, so don t bring a dress or a tie. All you need is a change of clothes, something dry to get into after a day of skiing or snowshoeing. A lightweight pair of pants and a fresh shirt will do. A bathing suit is also useful if you are not comfortable au natural in the sauna. Make sure you bring what toiletries you need too. You will not need to bring any of the following: We have all the bedding you need Towels for the shower and the sauna Hairdryers Sunscreen Soap, Shampoo and shaving cream Bath Robes Slippers Ready to experience the beauty of the backcountry in Yoho National Park? Contact Lake O Hara Lodge at 1-403-678-4110 to make a reservation.

Your Lake O Hara Lodge and Yoho National Park WINTER BACKCOUNTRY SKIING AND SNOWSHOEING PACKING LIST CHECKLIST BASE LAYER SNOWSHOES MID LAYER CAMERA OUTER LAYER LIP BALM/SUNSCREEN SKI SOCKS FOOD & WATER TOQUE OTHER DAY PACK/ BACKPACK OTHER SKIS OTHER SKINS BOOTS POLES NOTES: