By: Ben Hogan

In January, Dave and I joined a group of skiers from Truckee, CA, on an unforgettable backcountry ski trip to Golden Alpine Holidays Sentry Lodge in British Columbia. This trip had been on our radar for years and was originally scheduled before COVID. After the long wait, we were thrilled to make it finally.

The Lodge

Sentry Lodge is a spectacular backcountry retreat, set near the tree line in the Esplanade subrange of the Selkirk Mountains. Its location allows skiers to make the most of the changing mountain weather—clear days offer access to the alpine, while stormy conditions provide deep powder skiing through the trees below.

The lodge itself is spacious and comfortable, featuring open living areas with large windows that showcase the surrounding peaks. Leather couches provide a cozy place to unwind, while a basement ping pong table adds to the fun. The chef’s kitchen supports gourmet meals, and a dedicated hut tender keeps everything running smoothly. We were lucky to have Tim Styles, who took care of everything and even insisted on doing the dishes all week. Thanks, Tim!

Reaching Sentry Lodge is no small feat. Accessible only by helicopter, every item had to be carefully transported, making the lodge’s existence even more impressive. A fascinating detail: Eric "Hoji" Hjorleifson, the legendary professional skier, worked on the stone masonry of the lodge’s main fireplace.

The Guides

We skied with Rich and Julie Marshall of Backcountry Solutions, who are based in Golden, BC. With decades of guiding experience, they were exceptional in setting skin tracks and planning our days. Their ability to read group dynamics and conditions ensured we had safe yet adventurous skiing. Rich’s 38 years of guiding experience was evident—he knew exactly when to push us into more challenging terrain while keeping the group’s energy and skill levels in mind. I highly recommend them.

The Skiing

The first few days brought clear, cold weather, allowing us to ski the alpine. The cold preserved the snow, making for excellent conditions. Rich and Julie planned loop-style tours, which gave us full days of breathtaking views and smooth turns.

When the weather changed, we transitioned into the steeper, treed terrain below the lodge. One of the most exciting areas was Lower Siege, featuring steep pillow lines. Rich reminded us to maintain momentum to avoid being knocked over by slough, joking, "Remember, you're not Hoji!"

The Food

Our personal chef, Courtenay Kohlhauser, prepared outstanding meals. Each morning started with a hot breakfast and gourmet sandwiches to pack for the day. After skiing, we were greeted with soup après-ski, followed by a sauna and a delicious multi-course dinner with dessert. We were completely spoiled.

The Gear

Backcountry skiing in Canada is amazing and so much different than our normal daily drivers in Tahoe. Both hardgoods and softgoods take a different approach. The overall goal being to stay dry, i.e. don’t sweat - because if you do, that’s how you get cold and whew, it can be COLD! Here are a few of our pro tips for your next Canadian backcountry trip:

• Baselayers - Take the slightly heavier ones, merino from Ortovox or Smartwool are ideal. Ortovox Fleece Light or 230 and above from either brand will do the trick

• Airbag Pack - Electronic airbag packs are light, easy to travel with and provide an extra layer of backcountry safety. Ben enjoyed the 40L Litric while Dave uses the 30L Litric

• The Best Sock - Not sure any other way to say this but socks will certainly make or break your day. TMS recommends either the Dissent Partial Compression GFX Hybrid sock or a lightweight (not ultralight) Darn Tough sock for this purpose. The Dissent socks might be pricey, but they are worth it!

• Alternative Hydration - Camelbak and other hydration reservoirs DON’T work in this cold environment. Invest in a Hydrapak Seeker to keep in your pack for the bulk of your water and then I use 2/500ml Camelbak or Hydrapak smaller bottles to swap in and out in a pocket. These smaller bottles usually have some type of nutrition in them as well like Tailwind or Skratch. Pro Tip: Bring an insulated thermos or bottle and mix in hot tea with your electrolyte of choice for an invigorating refresh throughout the day.

These are just a few choice recommendations so you are best prepared. If you would like any personal assistance when planning and packing for your trip, book an appointment with a personal shopper and we will help get you dialed!

Conclusion

Our week at Sentry Lodge was nothing short of incredible. The stunning terrain, expert guiding, and luxurious backcountry accommodations made it an unforgettable experience. Huge thanks to Rich and Julie, Courtenay, and Tim for making this trip so special. I highly recommend Sentry Lodge to anyone looking for a world-class backcountry ski adventure.

To read about Ben’s other adventures, check out his personal blog here.