Last Minute Questions:
Once our season starts it’s best to email us at info@kmhbc.com or brian@kmhbc.com.
Your custodian for the week will be contacting you about 1 week prior to your trip date. At which time they will be giving you their contact info.
Please familiarize yourselves with the Waiver, fine print, and heli logistix.
Kaslo Amenities
All shops are open Saturdays until 17:30 and are located on Front Street.
Groceries: Big Way Supermarket and Cornucopia.
Health food stores: Sunnyside Naturals.
BC Liquor Store.
Home Hardware for Misc. hardware supplies.
Restaurants: Tree House, Rose wood Cafe, Blue Bell Bistro and a minute N from town is the Beachcombers Restaurant and Pub.
For last minute mountain gear visit Kootenay Mountain Sports in Kaslo.
Pre and Post trip Accommodation Options:
(reservations highly recommended)
In Kaslo:
Kaslo Hotel
On the Cliff B and B: 5 min south of Kaslo, 250-353-7647
Kaslo Motel: Downtown Kaslo close to center of town. 250 353 2431
Ainsworth Hot springs Resort: 15 min. south of Kaslo 250- 229- 4212
At The Lodge We Provide:
Bedding: We supply all bedding.
For Cooking: A four burner propane stove top and oven and an out-side barbeque.
An excellent selection of pots, pans, baking dishes and all necessary utensils and a mixer.
Food storage: outside freezer storage cupboard, 2 inside cool storage cupboards for non-frozen goods.
We also supply: All toilet paper and soaps for dishes, general hygiene, shampoo etc.
Please do not bring any other soaps, shampoo etc. There are ample tools for any necessary equipment repairs.
Tunes: There is a CD/IPod/MP3 player ( no batteries needed). This wall mounted unit recharges your players as it is being used.
YOU SHOULD ALWAYS BRING:
Hut shoes-snow boots (booties work fine)
Towel for the sauna.
We have ample power so you can power your chargers for your, radios, cameras and headlamps, etc.
Bring spare batteries for your transceivers. etc.:
We have a generator which we will run as necessary in the evenings. In the name of conservation we try organize as much charging as possible at one time. Bring a quick charger for batteries if possible.
Self Catered groups need to bring #6 coffee filters (we have an electric coffee grinder at the lodge) and tea towels.
If you like to use paper towels, please bring your own.
Sorry “Dogs Are Not Allowed” except for human powder hounds. Guests have/may be hyper-allergic to dog hair.
EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT AT THE LODGE AVAILABLE TO SELF-GUIDED GROUPS:
A light portable cascade rescue toboggan, spine board, leg splints, oxygen, white gas stove and pots, emergency tent, a rescue pack which includes: a tarp, a sleeping bag, 2 blankets, cervical collar, a “rescue bubble” and 50-meter rope. There is a rescue plan with the important Phone #. You and your group are responsible for any other first aid gear needed. We recommend that you all carry a small first aid kit, while you are skiing.
COMMUNICATION:
We have radio communication at the guides/custodian cabin. If you are up at the lodge and there is an emergency at home, have people call the office @ 250 355-2269, best if you email us at the lodge.
SELF GUIDED GROUPS:
We will supply the group organizer with a VHF radio that can be used in the field for emergencies, but, General VHF Radio communication in the field has its limitations. We recommend you bring a hand-held satellite phone. (The Iridium satellite phone is most reliable at present)
HELICOPTER LOGISTIX
AVERAGE DRIVING TIMES to the KMH HELICOPTER STAGING/MEETING SPOT:
- Kaslo 5 min
- Nelson 1 hrs
- Castlegar 1.5 hrs
- New Denver 1 hr
- Vernon 3 hrs
- Revelstoke 3 hrs
- Spokane 4.5 hrs
Note: if you are flying back home from Spokane we recommend you book a flight for the Monday unless there is a flight after 18:00 on Sunday.
We do have a good ski out option which can be done under most conditions and takes an average of 4 hours, and is a viable option if you need to catch a plane on Sunday PM or Monday.
Helicopter Staging Area:
Kaslo, North end of Airport.
Meeting Time: SUNDAY 9:00 AM
Please contact Highland helicopters (250-265-3434) by 8:00am if you will not be arriving to the helicopter staging area on time.
Directions on how to get to the helicopter staging area:
If you are coming from Nelson, drive 1 km past the Esso Gas Station, (on your right), and turn left onto Balfour Ave.
If you are coming from Kaslo, drive towards Nelson, at the crest of the first large hill; turn right onto Balfour Ave. towards the airport. After turning onto Balfour Ave. stay on this main road without turning left or right for 3 km. You will be driving past a few airplane hangers on your left after a small hill. The KMH helicopter staging location is at the very end of the airstrip on the left. Once you arrive, you will meet a KMH representative who will start organizing things for the helicopter flights in.
Helicopter type:
Bell 206, Long Ranger.
Heli Company:
Highland Helicopters Ltd. 250-265-3434
KMH STANDARD HELICOPTER FLIGHTS:
from Kaslo Airport. A total of 3 passenger flights and 1 sling load of gear to the Lodge. Flight Plan: first 2 flights are passenger flights 3rd flight is the sling load, 4th flight is passengers.
VERY IMPORTANT:
To ensure safe helicopter travel, flight weights are set at a maximum allowable.
ALLOWABLE GEAR WEIGHT
per person including SKIS: Lodge Rental-Self-Catered Groups: 90 lbs. per person KMH Catered groups: 65 lbs. per person Gear means: Skis, day packs, all packed clothes, all food, liquor and anything else you will be bringing.
PLEASE NOTE:
If you are organizing a group, confirm with your group members if they want to pack to limit themselves to the allowable gear weight, or if they want to bring in more and make an extra flight. The cost for an extra flight is $500.-.
If your group does not want to make an extra flight then each individual needs to weigh out all their gear prior to arrival to make sure they are not over the allowable. A bathroom scale works fine for this.
Please let us know if your group is opting to make an extra gear flight or, ensuring they will not be/are over the allowable by weighing out all gear.
Always Bring Extra Cash (50.-$per person) To Cover A Possible Extra Flight, since once you arrive at the helicopter staging area we will weigh all the gear and it definitely needs to be within a few pounds of the allowable weight’s as stated above.
PACKING:
Food and fluids should be packed in small cardboard boxes and taped closed. (You can find these usually at liquor stores)
Your day pack is an important part of your flight in since you need to have it on board with you, do not load your daypack with anything else other than what you would take as for a day of backcountry skiing/boarding.
All extra clothes and misc. should be packed in A Large Backpack. Duffel Bags are not recommended since you will have to carry them if you need to ski/board out! It is important to be all packed prior to arrival for the flight in. Dress as for a day of skiing, you will need to wear your ski boots on your flight in.
Skis should be strapped or taped together. No ski bags please. Your skis and poles will be part of your passenger flight. Split boards are fine in one piece.
A sling load for all other gear will be prepared once you arrive. The KMH personnel will deal with all the helicopter logistics, loading and unloading. You will be given a helicopter safety briefing once all the gear is organized and then its time to fly!
Once you arrive at the lodge we will give you a lodge orientation, waivers to sign and an update on snow stability etc.
