It’s your choice whether it’s a two-day getaway or a five-day expedition, but you should know what to expect to prepare mentally and physically. Here is the reality of a multi-day backcountry snowmobile tour and how to make the most of it.
While mountain snowmobiling can feel intimidating at first, there is a wide range of terrain suitable for nearly all skill levels. Beyond the trail system leading into the alpine, our guides can take you to lakes and open meadows where guests can build confidence, practice skills, and have fun before progressing further into the mountains.
The region from Sicamous to Revelstoke is internationally recognized as offering some of the best mountain snowmobiling terrain in the world. Within the Monashee Mountains, riders enjoy an extensive band of accessible terrain ranging from approximately 3,500 to 8,000 feet in elevation, complemented by excellent tree spacing and diverse riding opportunities.
Backcountry snowmobiling is a sport. Unlike trail riding, where you largely sit and steer, backcountry riding is dynamic. You are constantly shifting your weight, standing up, leaning, and pulling. It is a full-body workout that engages your core, legs, and arms.
Do you need to be an Olympic athlete? Absolutely not. However, a baseline level of fitness will make your trip much more enjoyable. If you get winded walking up a flight of stairs, you might find day three of a powder trip challenging. Cardio stamina is your best friend here.
By the second or third day, muscle fatigue is real. Your body will feel the work you put in on the mountain. This is a “good tired”, the kind that comes from an epic day of adventure and it needs to be managed.
Stretch Daily: It sounds simple, but taking ten minutes to stretch your quads, back, and shoulders before and after riding can save you a lot of stiffness.
Stay Hydrated: You sweat more than you realize in cold weather. Dehydration accelerates fatigue. Water is good but electrolyte/ sodium replacement is key. CKMP provides low sugar high sodium Gatorade, however packing electrolyte sodium tabs is a good idea.
Fuel Up: We provide hearty, chef-prepared meals at the Lodge to keep your energy high. However, on the mountain, your body burns fuel fast. We recommend bringing your favourite energy bars or gels to keep in your pocket for a quick boost.
One of the biggest advantages of a multi-day vacation is the progression. If you choose to go elsewhere for a single-day tour, you spend the first few hours just getting comfortable. On a multi-day trip, that comfort becomes confidence.
You should absolutely expect to improve your handling over time. Our guides are world-class riders and instructors and can teach as much or as little as you like. Techniques that felt awkward on Day 1, like wrong-foot-forward sidehilling, often click into place by Day 3. The immersion allows you to experiment, fail, correct, and succeed without the pressure of the day ending too soon.
Here is the golden rule of backcountry riding: Everyone gets stuck.
Pros get stuck. Guides get stuck. And you will definitely get stuck. It is not a sign of failure; it might be a sign that you are pushing your limits. We’re here to help.
If you are worried about digging your sled out alone, don’t be. That is the beauty of a guided group tour. We function as a team. When a sled gets buried, we help you get it out. Our guides are experts in vehicle recovery and will teach you the most efficient ways to get unstuck so you don’t burn all your energy.
Backcountry riding carries inherent risks, from common mountain terrain, including rocks, stumps, creek beds, cliff bands and possible avalanche risk. However, going with a professional guide operation like CKMP helps to mitigate those risks significantly.
Safety is the foundation of everything we do. Before we even touch the snow each day our guides perform pre and post ride meetings to review previous days conditions as well as data from other Heli-ski, Cat-ski and snowmobile operations. Guides brief you on safety protocols and will provide instruction on how to use your airbag, transceiver, probe, and shovel. Our guides are trained to assess terrain and snow stability constantly. CKMP has an extensive Emergency Response Protocol with multiple layers of resources. You are in the safest possible hands, allowing you to focus on the fun while we manage the risk.
We’re proud to offer this bucket-list experience. Multi-day trips challenge you physically, reward you with incredible views, and accelerate your riding skills in ways a single day never could.
At CKMP, we handle the logistics. The sleds, the gear, the food, and the lodging. You can focus entirely on the ride. You will leave tired, sore, and likely smiling harder than you have in years.
Ready to commit to the adventure? Pack your base layers, bring your energy bars, and get ready for the trip of a lifetime.
