Heliskiing at Tyax Lodge is incredible. With some of the best terrain and snow in the world, it’s easy to see why we’ve been operating here since 1991. Back then the ski technology and equipment was nothing like we have today, with some skiers being limited by their gear.
However, in recent years improvements have been made in every department. We now have ski clothes that stay dry and warm in any condition and skis that float across the deepest, lightest powder. Check out our guide on the latest and greatest ski gear for your next trip to Tyax Lodge!
Ski Jacket – Arc’teryx Rush Jacket
Arc’teryx is a true BC brand. They’re based in North Vancouver and know the demands that this part of the world puts on ski gear. When you’re out in the backcountry, you can be at the mercy of the elements. Your ski jacket is your first line of defence against the icy winds and falling snow. In our minds, there is no better ski jacket than the Arc’teryx Rush.
The GORE-Tex 3-layer system does a fantastic job of keeping you and your base layers dry. The pores on this material are so small that water molecules cannot pass from the outside in. The Arc’teryx Rush jacket is also windproof! It has everything you need to keep you comfortable while heliskiing.
Ski Pants – Arc’teryx Shashka Pant
When shopping for a new pair of ski pants you should keep in mind what specific features you need to the intended use. As we do a lot of incredible backcountry skiing in deep powder we love wearing a bib pant.
The Arc’teryx Shashka pant has a higher rise on the waist and is secured with suspenders. This means there’s a much lower chance of getting any chilly snow down your back! The pants are made of GORE C-KNIT™, which keeps you dry, while also being soft and comfortable. There’s also a pad of Keprotec™ on the instep of the pants. This material helps prevent cuts in the pant from crampons or ski boots.
Baselayers – Smartwool Merino 250 Base Layer
A warm and breathable base layer is an often mistakenly, overlooked aspect of our ski gear. Sitting on our skin, the base layer needs to keep us warm while also allowing our sweat to escape. Merino wool is the best material for this. It is made with the wool from the merino sheep, who are native to New Zealand. The unique properties of the wool allow it to keep us warm when we’re cold and also allows us to cool down on warmer days. The material is also very quick drying and anti-microbial, which helps prevent it from smelling after heavy use.
Smartwool has been the industry leaders in merino wool department for a number of years now. The Merino 250 Base Layer is the best choice for a heliskiing base layer. It’s slim fitting, the seams are designed to reduce chaffing, and it’s their warmest base layer.
Skis – Rossignol Super 7 HD
Without a proper powder ski, you simply will not get the full heliskiing experience. A powder ski will allow you to float through some of the best powder in the world here at Tyax Lodge. The feeling of floating is unbeatable. A powder ski is wider than a groomer ski and has a rocker. This allows the tips to float across the snow while the wide base keeps you skimming across the top of the snow, rather than sinking down.
The Rossignol Super 7 HD has been a favorite for the ski industry since it’s release. This most noticeable thing about the Super 7 HD is the Air Tip 2.0. This is the distinguishable honeycomb tip which helps reduce the weight of the ski while increasing the structural integrity. They’ve also reduced the overall weight of the ski by using Carbon Alloy Matrix which also increases the power and stability of the ski.
Goggles – Oakley Airbrake® XL
Nothing ruins a day of skiing quite like fogged up goggles. We really need to have optimal vision when we’re skiing down steep terrain and through thick forests, not stopping to air out our goggles. We also need a good lens that allows us to see different changes in the ski area.
The Oakley Airbrake® XL is a fantastic choice for skiing at Tyax Lodge. This is a large goggle that allows for a greater field of vision and has Switchlock™ Technology that makes swapping lenses out quick and easy. This goggle comes with a Prizim lens which is Oakley’s premium lens.
Gloves – Arc’teryx Fission
Cold and wet fingers in winter are one of our least favorite things in winter. Once the cold gets in, it can be very hard to shake off. The key to an enjoyable day is keeping your hands warm and dry. A good glove should be waterproof, have sufficient warmth technologies and be durable.
The Arc’teryx Fission is the perfect choice. This is one of the best women’s ski glove on the market. Primaloft® insulation will keep you warm all day long, while the GORE-TEX® lining keeps your hands dry. The Fission gloves have a hardwearing Fortius™ 1.0 softshell outer and leather exterior. This allows them to be used without worry of damaging the glove. These gloves will take whatever you throw at them!
There you have our rundown on some of the best ski gear on the market. So make sure you get the most out of it by coming to Tyax Lodge this winter!
