Valhalla Powder cats Kicks ass!

[mtbakerskier]

I just got back from a killer road trip to the interior where I gota ski Red, WhiteWatter and Valahalla. Valahalla Powder cats is the shit, These guys got some killer terrain, awesome guides and a kick ass vibe. If you ever get a chance to check these guys out, I highly recomend going to there opperation, it would be tough to beet the quality of skiing that these guys offer.

[freshie247]

What's a day at Valhalla go for $US?

[Karl Stall]

scott - your money is already spoken for...

[TJ.Brk]

Ya Martin and the guys are great. I sent out some tele skis for him to try on the greyhound today. The helped support the ski test I'm doing as well. Great guys that have sick terrain to play on www.valhallapow.com

[JR]

They are giving up that tenure next winter and moving to two others up Hoder Creek and Greaseybill Creek. So if you want to ski their existing terrain, you should do it this year.

I've been ski touring in that area for 20 years and can hardly wait for them to be gone. They are decent guys and there are no hard feelings but is has been pretty tough to see such a beautiful area get taken over by snowcats and skidoos.

[Rusty Nails]

I just got back from a killer road trip to the interior where I gota ski Red, WhiteWatter and Valahalla. Valahalla Powder cats is the shit, These guys got some killer terrain, awesome guides and a kick ass vibe. If you ever get a chance to check these guys out, I highly recomend going to there opperation, it would be tough to beet the quality of skiing that these guys offer.

I recommend less writing, more pictures.

Valahalla, recomend, there opperation, beet????

To make up for your pre-pubescent AKPM prose, I ask --- nay, I DEMAND, pictures...

[mtbakerskier]

I recommend less writing, more pictures.

Valahalla, recomend, there opperation, beet????

To make up for your pre-pubescent AKPM prose, I ask --- nay, I DEMAND, pictures...

LOL yeah I cant type / write worth a shit. Pics are getting shipped to the lab tomorrow so hopefully there will be some killer pics.
As far as them moving to new terrain, from the sounds of it, its going to be even better! As far as them leaving the current area it kinda sucks that a buch of granola munchers and sled heads are forcing them to move. Seriously how often have people really toured there in the past? Probally not much, also the sled heads that are complaing arnt to smart becuase once the cat op moves the roads wont be maintained so they wont beable to make it up there anyways.

But to get back on topic martin and lyndsay are cool dudes with sick guides, killer terrain and a good attitude on how a cat op should be run. These guys really will let you access the gnar terrain as long as the conditions permit.

[TJ.Brk]

They are giving up that tenure next winter and moving to two others up Hoder Creek and Greaseybill Creek. So if you want to ski their existing terrain, you should do it this year.

I've been ski touring in that area for 20 years and can hardly wait for them to be gone. They are decent guys and there are no hard feelings but is has been pretty tough to see such a beautiful area get taken over by snowcats and skidoos.

I'm truly sorry you feel this way. I know for a fact that they have busted their butts to work with the locals that tour. Helping with better access points and all. They care more about the locals than any cat operation that I know of. Why don't you talk to them about your concerns. I know they will listen

[FreakofSnow]

Stay tuned, this could get good.

[TJ.Brk]

Stay tuned, this could get good.

I don't believe so. We all love snow. I'm not into a flame war. But topics that JR has given should be taken to Valhalla directly.

[JR]

I'm truly sorry you feel this way. I know for a fact that they have busted their butts to work with the locals that tour. Helping with better access points and all. They care more about the locals than any cat operation that I know of. Why don't you talk to them about your concerns. I know they will listen

Oh my, where to start.

There has always been plenty of access without them. They have created a situation whereby every sledder and his brother can access the alpine and shred till their heart is content. Then there are the sled-assist skiers. They have taken a beautiful peaceful drainage and turned it into a damn war zone. To their credit they are much more approachable than any other cat operation. They are head and shoulders above the douchebags that own and run Baldface who don't give a flying fuck about anyone but themselves. The fact that Valhalla is willing to release their existing tenure is testament to that.

I have spoken to Lindsay a couple of times and he seems like a decent guy. It still does not change my feelings about them moving on. I have said before that if I was those guys, I would be pretty pissed off at Land and Water BC for even entertaining a commercial tenure in that area with all the public usage it sees. These guys have invested time, energy and money in this venture just to have to move on. If it was me, I'd be consulting with a lawyer and attempting to recover costs from the province. But that is a whole other story.

I guess what it comes down to for me TJ is that I would like to have places to go ski tour that are not in the middle of nowhere. Why should commercial ventures take all the easily accessable terrain and leave the scraps to the taxpayer? I mean shit, we have paid our taxes and paid for the stewardship of these lands for years. Now all the sudden, some guy comes in with a hankering to make some money and the general public become second class citizens.

If the present trend continues, our children won't be able to go anywhere without competing with heli-ski, snowcat and commercial touring businesses. There is a common misconception that Canada is a huge country and therefore there must be lots of terrain to go around. The truth of the matter is that 80% of Canada's population lives within 100 km of the US border. Of that narrow strip, perhaps 5-10% of it is good ski terrain. There is not a limitless supply of ski terrain and I have and will continue to advocate for the ski touring public, the ones who are not blinded by $$$$$, but simply want to enjoy the outdoors and make some turns without running into a Piston-Bully or an A-Star.

I realize that many, if not most, people on this board feel differently and that is their perogative. That does not mean there is not a large group of people in Canada (and the US for that matter) who feel differently. Many are afraid to speak out or do not have the energy to continue to voice what is in certain circles and unpopular opinion. I say fuck it. Someone has to stand up and be counted or commercial operations like Valhalla will continue to over-run our crown land leaving scraps for those of use who enjoy ski touring.

[JR]

But topics that JR has given should be taken to Valhalla directly.

Save your breath. They are moving!! Therefore, I have nothing to say to them except "Hi, how are you?"

As for whether my raising this topic is appropriate......Give me a break. This is a public forum which the last time I checked was open to both sides of any given issue. If you fully and unconditionally support Cat ski operations with little or no idea of the larger picture, great, but I have every right to voice my opinion here.

[backpack]

They were really cool at the BC summit... hauled up a BBQ, built up hits with a snowcat pre-arrival, etc. etc.

[TJ.Brk]

Save your breath. They are moving!! Therefore, I have nothing to say to them except "Hi, how are you?"

As for whether my raising this topic is appropriate......Give me a break. This is a public forum which the last time I checked was open to both sides of any given issue. If you fully and unconditionally support Cat ski operations with little or no idea of the larger picture, great, but I have every right to voice my opinion here.

JR believe me I do know about the greater picture. The last 19 months dealing with sport Canada has really educated me.

JR believe me I know how you feel. I really do. But I believe Valhalla has a different take on things that could show a path for happiness to all party's concerned. I know Martin could have gone to lawyers (scum sucking vermon that sue regardless of the facts), but man he is a skier first. They all are. That is what makes them different. Maybe, just maybe with the people that love to tour help. Well a new idea can come to light to help with all party's concerned. That is all I'm saying.

Oh and if you need some touring skis let me know. (no I refused all money so it would go to charity)

[flanker769]

I just got back from a killer road trip to the interior where I gota ski Red, WhiteWatter and Valahalla. Valahalla Powder cats is the shit, These guys got some killer terrain, awesome guides and a kick ass vibe. If you ever get a chance to check these guys out, I highly recomend going to there opperation, it would be tough to beet the quality of skiing that these guys offer.

My thoughts exactly! I was there last Thursday and Friday and had an absolutely killer time. Pics are coming too.

[Ski Drunk]

I know Lindsy pretty well. Well maybe not to well its been a few years since i have seen him, but i guess you could call us aquantinces. He built my house and he was local up at wildcat NH for quite sometime. He showed be that even though we are still on the east coast, there is still some pretty sick terrain. Anyways mtbakerskier i am glad that you had a good trip up in that area and who ever is going up soon say hi to linsdy for me.

[mtbakerskier]

Save your breath. They are moving!! Therefore, I have nothing to say to them except "Hi, how are you?"

As for whether my raising this topic is appropriate......Give me a break. This is a public forum which the last time I checked was open to both sides of any given issue. If you fully and unconditionally support Cat ski operations with little or no idea of the larger picture, great, but I have every right to voice my opinion here.

Dude seriously, when was the last time that you acctually toured in the area? and How often did you used to do it? Probally not very often, since it is a long as ways to get in there if not ussing a sled. Even if you are ussing a sled to access it, it would be a real bitch without Valhala's roads. I seriously dont think that there operation hasa significant impact on the touring terrain in the region.

My thoughts is that you are probally some granola munching jealous hiplocked lazy piece of shit that is going to complain about any type of mechanised skiing. Why dont you put your bong down for five minutes, grow some bals, be a real man and actualy go talk to lyndsay and martin. I feal that you will find them quite reasonable and open to sugesstions etc. These guys really do understand the situation, and are striving for a compromise that is fair to all sides. Even thou the people that are bitching about there current location have rarely toured to there in the past.

Like it has been said before, Valahalla is a very cool operation with owner / operaters that realy arre real skiers. These guys are doing htsi because htey love to ski, nad it shows in how htey run htere operation. Before you keep on bitching about them, you at elst owe it to them to actually go and check htere operation out.

[JR]

I have little doubt that these are good guys. They are forking over their existing tenure to a "Ski Society" of sorts that will take it over as a recreational tenure forever barring it from commercial use. That is a pretty reasonable thing for them to do. They certainly did not have to do it although it is likely a shrewd business decision that will create some peace in the local community and a bit of breathing room for themselves. Baldface would NEVER entertain such a decision. My original post merely pointed out that if you wish to ski their existing terrain from the comfort of a snowcat, you'd better get on it.

As for their new terrain, I've skied it in the past as well (last weekend actually) and it is none too shabby either. Regardless of where you ski with Valhalla, their terrain blows Baldface off the map.

[Crinkle]

They have created a situation whereby every sledder and his brother can access the alpine and shred till their heart is content. Then there are the sled-assist skiers. They have taken a beautiful peaceful drainage and turned it into a damn war zone.

I am confused and not trying to flame like MTBSkier. (He said they are apporoachable, read, post, smoke crack)

But wouldnt the sled-assist skiers be there anyway, even if the cat operations wasn't?

[JR]

Dude seriously, when was the last time that you acctually toured in the area? and How often did you used to do it? Probally not very often, since it is a long as ways to get in there if not ussing a sled. Even if you are ussing a sled to access it, it would be a real bitch without Valhala's roads. I seriously dont think that there operation hasa significant impact on the touring terrain in the region.

The last time was just prior to their first group on Jan 3rd. I skied in there for about 6 days prior to that this season. Last weekend I was in part of their new tenure. The weekend before that I was just next door to their new tenure. On average I ski in that area 20 days a year and sometimes as many as 40 days. I have been sled touring for 20 years. The access with a sled is marginally more difficult without their roads. Keep in mind that I park at the bottom and hike so I really do not need roads into the alpine. If you truly think that this operation has a significant impact you should spend a bit of time here and talk to a few locals.

My thoughts is that you are probally some granola munching jealous hiplocked lazy piece of shit that is going to complain about any type of mechanised skiing. Why dont you put your bong down for five minutes, grow some bals, be a real man and actualy go talk to lyndsay and martin. I feal that you will find them quite reasonable and open to sugesstions etc. These guys really do understand the situation, and are striving for a compromise that is fair to all sides. Even thou the people that are bitching about there current location have rarely toured to there in the past.

Either you can not read or you don't care to. As for your judgement of me, someone you have never met, thanks for the laugh. Way off the mark. I actually did have a nice chat with Lindsay while he was packing roads in December and again at the laundromat in Nelson.

Like it has been said before, Valahalla is a very cool operation with owner / operaters that realy arre real skiers. These guys are doing htsi because htey love to ski, nad it shows in how htey run htere operation. Before you keep on bitching about them, you at elst owe it to them to actually go and check htere operation out.

MBS, you need to learn how to pull your punches and use your head. Your response demonstrates a real low reading on the classy meter. Some reading and spelling lessons wouldn't hurt either. Ta ta.

[mtbakerskier]

Jr, WTF dude, I started the post, because I was stoked on what Valahala is doing. There a good operation, and they really are skiers. Then you decide to basically go and shit on this post. Then you wonder why I am mad.

[Merlyn]

I was up at Valhalla Powdercats January 8, 9 and 11 with mntlion and SIN. I can't comment on the access issue 'cause I don't know the background. I will say that Lindsay and Martin are great guys and (as JR mentioned) have tried to work with the local backcountry skiers to reach a solution.

Can we get back to the friggin' stoke now?

Anyway, here's some photos:


SIN:



mntlion:



mntlion, again:



me (I think):



me (the Seth Pistols' base is hard to miss ...):



me in the Burn:



SIN:


SIN:




Back in the Burn:

[Big E]

I will forever be amazed that Lindsey and crew were willing to throw down like they did for the BC Summit. Anyone that was there knows what I am talking about. Yes, it was an extraordinary junk show, with one cat dragging mags all the way up on tow ropes (how those guys survived, I have no idea), shuttling up food and a giant BBQ, building kickers, etc., and basically doing it for free (okay, we paid, what, $30 CDN, and that was only so Lindsey could pay some of the guides).

When I started planning that Summit, Lindsey approached me with the idea, which was again truly amazing. Considering the arm-twisting it took to get us in for a day at Retallack, Valhalla was ridiculously laid back. I remember a few discussions with him as they were getting things going, and he mentioned the "conflict" with the locals. He obviously was trying to get a business up and running, but even then he was still sympathetic to the locals view, as he knew he was running cats in an area that people had been touring in for a long time. Like JR said, sounds like the BC government may have partially dropped the ball on this one by allowing a long-time public-access touring area to get tenured to a cat operation.

Anyway, sounds like a class move on Valhalla's part and hopefully there will be more in the way of peaceful coexistence now. I'd think they're likely to get a lot of goodwill from Nelson locals now.

[gincognito]

Just want to chime in on the awesomeness of that cat skiing day of 03. I can't (and won't) comment on the local issues, but as hosts and guides they set the bar so high that no one has even seen it since. $30 bucks for a handful of pristine runs, a maggot booter session, and a bitchin' barbeque simply cannot be beat.

SaAaH (and it wasn't so bad being towed....until we hit the downhill sections...),
d.

[MnTnRdR]

I visited these guy's a week or two before the summit, it was a perfect day and some of the photos on their web site where taken that day, I will be back the 16 and 17 of Feb this year and cant wait, Martin and Lindsay are super cool and by far they offer some of the best terrain I've seen from my heli and cat experience, and as far as guides go Martin knows the deal! Also whats up with the weather in toilet bowl now?