Wallowa Backcountry Hut Ski/Splitboard Trip

Southern Wallowa Mountains, Oregon

  • Duration

    February 5-10, 2022
    5 days, 5 nights

  • Location

    Camp Norway, Whitman National Forest
    Southern Wallowa Mountains
    Trailhead in Halfway, Oregon

  • Maximum participants

    8

  • Price

    $ 500 (reservation deposit)
    $ 1750 (second payment)

 

Join Saveur the Journey for an ADVANCED level ski/splitboard backcountry touring hut trip to the Southern Wallowa Mountains of Eastern Oregon. The Wallowas are a hidden gem featuring impressive and rugged terrain, excellent snow, and pristine remoteness. The Norway Camp is located at 7000 ft in the Whitman National Forest and features amazing terrain right outside the hut door with above and below treeline options depending on snow stability. Red Mountain and Granite Peak top out around 9,500 feet and offer nearly unlimited lines a bit farther from the Yurt. From powderfields in burned out glades to steep skiing in high alpine terrain the Norway Yurt has it all!

The double 20ft modular timber frame Yurt sleeps 11 upstairs and has two woodstoves. Hearty and delicious chef prepared meals, superb IFMGA certified Ski Guide, poney kegs of local craft beer, and a superb view of the mountains round out the Norway Hut experience.

$2,250.00

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Knowledgeable Guides

Reduced group size and local guides who are passionate about Backcountry Skiing/Boarding, avalanche safety, and know the zones and routes to put you in the best snow

Exceptional Food

Hearty and delicious meals prepared by a chef keep your engine stoked. Norway hut is snowmobile supported so our food (and beverages) are freed from weight shaving considerations!

Hidden Gem

Deep, light, untracked snow in all directions all to yourself

Photo credit:Victor McNeil

The rugged and remote Wallowa Mountains rising from the plains of Eastern Oregon are an exceptional place for ski/split touring. Known as “Little Switzerland” these dramatic mountains hold great snow, steep lines, and impressive views. Following certified IFMGA lead guide and executive director/avalanche forecaster for the Wallowa Avalanche Center, Victor McNeil, we will explore the impressive alpine terrain using the Norway Yurt as our base. This trip is for strong and fit ski/split tourers who have extensive experience in the backcountry and in powder. The snow in Wallowas in February tends to be light, dry, and copious. Typical days start at 7am with hot coffee, breakfast, packing a lunch and beacon check to start skinning at 9am. Depending on snow stability and visibility we will choose our objectives and will generally ski various lines until around 4pm when we return back to the yurt for a craft beer and appetizers, followed by a delicious dinner. You can expect 3500-4500 feet of vertical in a day. There is also a wood-fired sauna at the yurt for a special treat to relax sore muscles and relive the day’s exploits.

 This trips starts at the trailhead in Halfway, Oregon and the nearest major airport is Boise, Idaho. If you are arriving at the aiport you can add aiport transfers for $300 which include transportation by private van to and from the Boise Airport to the trailhead in Halfway Oregon. We will spend the night at the Whitefir Cabin in Halfway, Oregon the night before the trip. Day 1 begins with breakfast in Halfway and a briefing of the day and trip. After breakfast there is a tow-in on skis behind snowmobiles for 6 miles to the Cornucopia Lodge. From the Cornucopia Lodge it’s a 2.5 mile 2,000’ skin to the yurt. Normally it takes about 2.5 hours of skinning to get to the hut. Once at the hut we have people settle in to the upstairs and then do a camp orientation, safety talk, etc followed by a companion rescue drill with everyone to make sure everyone knows how their beacons work. After that we go ski a lap or two close to the hut.  Days 2-4 we normally ski 9am-4pm. On day 5 we ski half day and then ski out to trailhead.

Photo credit:Victor McNeil

The trip is decidely focused on ski/split touring in fantastic terrain but as with all Saveur the Journey trips, good food is par for the course. While the Norway yurt has a simple kitchen we will still be making delicious and hearty food that will power us for distant peaks and untouched lines. From thick steaks, rich pasta dishes, warming stews, and flavorful sausages to goumet cheeses, charcuterie, vegetables, chocolate, coffee and craft beer the food will be satisfying and copious.

For effective ski/split touring you must have alpine touring bindings (“pin-tech” recommended but frame bindings are okay) or telemark bindings or splitboard setup with skins. You must know how to use your gear, maintain your skins, and be an efficient tourer with good kick turns, form, and stamina. Avalanche safety gear (beacon, shovel, and probe) are mandatory for everyone and you must know how to use your equipment and preferably have completed an avalanche safety course. For the descents you must be an Advanced/Expert level rider, comfortable making dynamic turns in steep and varied terrain and in low visibility/difficult weather if necessary. You must understand how to keep yourself warm (proper layering), fed, hydrated, and healthy while being out all day.

Photo credit:Victor McNeil
Photo credit: Victor McNeil

The Norway yurt is an excellent base for many ski/split objectives in the nearby terrain. The snow is often so deep that the yurt is almost completely covered and a snow tunnel must be dug out for entry! A simple, rustic yurt it features bunk beds for 11 people in the top floor with sleeping pads and bags provided. There is no running water and snow must be melted for drinking water. There is a wood fired sauna, outhouse, and two woodstoves. Guides will prepare breakfast and dinner downstairs on a 5 burner gas stove and a lunch buffet will be set out at breakfast so that we have ample fuel while out for the day.

This trip is for you if you like earning your turns in remote places with excellent terrain and un-tracked snow. You like delicious, hearty food, a woodstove, and clear stars reflecting off deep snow in the mountains. You are an experienced ski/split tourer who knows the value of an excellent, local ski guide to find the best snow in the best terrain while keeping you safe. You enjoy a rustic yurt, the wilderness, and the solitude of the moutains.

Photo credit: Victor McNeil
 

Sample Itinerary- subject to change

Day 0 – Saturday
Arrive at WhiteFir Cabin in Halfway, Oregon 3-5pm (closest airports are in Boise or Portland)
Settle into Whitefir cabin, rest and relax
Dinner out in Halfway (included)

Day 1 -Sunday

Meet at 7:30am at WhiteFir Cabin for Breakfast
Orientation for trip and plan for day
Pack up, pack lunch, and leave WhiteFir Cabin
Snowmobile drag 6 miles to Cornucopia
Skin 2.5 miles to Norway Yurt
Settle into Yurt
Yurt Tour/Orientation/Companion rescue
Afternoon Ski tour
Appetizers/Drinks
Dinner
Bed

Day 2 - Monday

Breakfast at Yurt
Pack Lunches
Leave by 9am for ski/split touring
Lunch
More ski touring
Return to yurt, 4pm
Sauna, appetizers, beverages
Dinner
Bed

Day 3 - Tuesday

Breakfast at Yurt
Pack Lunches
Leave by 9am for ski/split touring
Lunch
More ski touring
Return to yurt, 4pm
Sauna, appetizers, beverages
Dinner
Bed

Day 4 - Wednesday

Breakfast at Yurt
Pack Lunches
Leave by 9am for ski/split touring
Lunch
More ski touring
Return to yurt, 4pm
Sauna, appetizers, beverages
Dinner
Bed

Day 5 - Thursday

Breakfast at Yurt
Pack Lunches
Clean up and pack up
Leave by 9am for ski/split touring half day
Lunch
Ski out to trailhead (takes about 2 hours)
Farwell Dinner out in Halfway, Oregon–Optional and not included

TRIP PACKAGE INCLUDES

  • Accommodations in WhiteFir cabin (1 night) and 4 nights in Norway Yurt
  • 5 Days of Guided Ski/Split touring in amazing terrain
  • All Meals including "rustic gourmet" dinners, packed lunches, and hearty breakfasts
  • Sauna after Skiing/Boarding
  • Snowmobile tow to Cornucopia
  • Snowmobile transport of overnight gear to Norway yurt
  • Fully Certified IFMGA guide, tail guide, and chef

NOT INCLUDED

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FAQ Wallowa Backcountry Hut Ski/Split Trip

You must be an ADVANCED/EXPERT skier/snowboarder with significant backcountry touring experience and riding powder. You must be in good physical shape, be able to and have skied in all conditions (including whiteout, wind, very cold). You must be able to ski/ride in control on all types of terrain and should be very comfortable on equivalent black and double black slopes. Ideally you should have some avalanche safety training. Avalanche beacon, shovel and probe are mandatory equipment and you should be familiar with how to use them. For skiers an all mountain ski  in the 95mm-110mm range that is not too heavy will provide ample float and still tour well.

Yes! Avalanche beacon, shovel and probe are required to participate in this trip and you should be familiar with how they function. We do have avalanche safety equipment available for rent. We will do some avalanche safety training and companion rescue. Avalanche airbags may also be a good idea but are not required.

A pack that is about 30-40 liters is perfect. Basically it should be a “day and a half” size to carry all your essentials for a day of skiing plus some extras. A stuff sack can be used to bring in extra gear and can be strapped to your pack.

The Wallowas have more of a continental than maritime snowpack and the weather can be quite cold. You can expect average temps in the 10-25 degrees Fahrenheit range.

The Norway Yurt is located in a designated wilderness area and is double decker 20ft yurt. The first floor contains the kitchen and dining area. The second floor has 11 sleeping platforms with twin size platforms arranged as two side by side, and one lofted above. The yurt is rustic but comfortable and is heated by two gas stoves. Sleeping bags and pads are provided.

Please contact us to let us know about your dietary restrictions to see if you can be accommodated.

If you need to cancel a trip that you have already booked and it is at least 90 days before the start of the trip your deposit is half refundable.  Final payment for the trip is due 60 days before the start of the trip.  Cancellations between 30 and 59 days before the of start of trip that cannot be filled are 50% refundable, if your spot is filled then it is 75% refundable.  Cancellations less than 30 days are non-refundable (100% of booking cost).  For this reason, we recommend you consider purchasing travelers insurance, (try World Nomads) which will cover the cost of your trip in extenuating circumstances.

Gratuities for guides are not included in the price of you trip and are much appreciated. Tipping is at your discretion. Normally average tips for excellent service are around 10%-20% of the trip cost. Tips are pooled together and shared equally among the guides.

The snowmobile will pull in 4 skiers at a time using a rope. You will have to hold on the rope with your skis on and enjoy the water-ski like experience of being towed in!

You should be in good ski touring shape. We recommend at least an hour of aerobic activity 3 times a week during the 3 months leading up to the trip. Leg exercises such as squats and lunges are great and doing stadium or stair stepper exercises can really help on the skin track.

More questions?

Contact us

Our team

Aaron Schorsch

Owner- Saveur the Journey

Aaron Schorsch is the owner of Saveur the Journey where he combines his passions of food, travel, outdoor adventures, and culture. He grew up in rural New Hampshire and has lived and traveled extensively in the US and abroad. Aaron learned to snowboard while teaching English in the French Alps but later took up Telemark Skiing. While he still likes to drop a knee on occasion you are more likely to find him with fixed heels shredding the backcountry or resort in a style he likes to call “joyful abandon.” Aaron is a student of food who has worked throughout the food system from growing seed and farming of vegetables, fruits, and livestock to cooking in high end restaurants and managing farmer’s markets. He loves to talk about, think about, dream about and especially, cook and eat food. He is a member of Slow Food international and has been a US delegate at Terra Madre in Turin, Italy.

Victor McNeil

IFMGA Certified Ski Guide

Victor McNeil is a native of the Pacific Northwest and currently lives in Northeast Oregon with his wife and two golden retrievers. You will find Victor working and recreating in the mountains year around, from guiding three week expeditions on Denali to ski guiding in his home mountain range the Wallowas. Victor has a passion for travel and exploration and has skied around the world. In 2016 he became the third certified Splitboard Mountaineering Guide through the American Mountain Guides Association in the country. Victor now “splits” his time between split boarding and skiing. When not ski guiding, he also runs a non-profit avalanche forecasting center in the Wallowas. Victor loves sliding on snow and can’t wait to share some turns with you.

Kelly McNeil

Ski tail guide

Kelly grew up in Eastern Wyoming where she started exploring the mountains at an early age. After receiving her PhD from Oregon State University in 2009 she began a career as a professor at Eastern Oregon University, where much of her work focuses on public health and research in outdoor physical activities including the study of behavior in outdoor environments. She has traveled around the world skiing, climbing, hiking and exploring, including to Peru, Mexico and Bhutan.

Since 2017 Kelly has helped organize and run operations at the Wallowa Avalanche Center, including teaching avalanche courses for both motorized and non-motorized users and serves as a Pro Avalanche Observer.

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