2014 Summer Season At Retallack

Jul 10, 2014 at 0:28
by Retallack Lodge  
Retallack Lodge Welcomes you www.retallack.com

RETALLACK is proud to open its door to the 2014 mountain biking season! Trail crews are out with a serious thirst for new lines. Now it's game on! Legendary trails are being created in the West Kootenay alpine and abundant forests all exclusively for our clientele and blended in with our existing world class network of trails. NO CROWDS, TACKY DIRT, EXCLUSIVE DESTINATION. www.RETALLACK.com

Some more of the wild craftsmanship that occurs at Retallack

RETALLACK has made a huge push to open up our alpine experience for a wide range of bike types and skill levels. With RETALLACK’s professionally guided backcountry packages, guests will be able to access the absolute best that true mountain biking has to offer. Our network of trails are located in the Selkirk Mountains of the West Kootenays and are dispersed over an approximate area of 5,900 square kilometers (1,458,000 acres) – all waiting for your two-wheeled enjoyment. Gourmet food and luxury accommodation is provided at RETALLACK’s 11,000 sq ft lodge – located in the heart of the Selkirk Mountains, and is accessible by car approximately one hour north of Nelson, British Columbia, Canada.

Brandon Semenuk's Life Behind bars at Retallack:


Throughout the season we will have many programs running including our most popular trip with "The Legends" Wade Simmons, Richie Schley, and Brett Tippie. Come join us for a full on weekend of riding with legends of the sport, helibiking, and more vertical descents than you think you can handle.

Once again Lorraine Blancher will be hosting a Co-Ed women's skills camp on Sept 5th-7th. Lorraine's program has been first rate at building the skills of riders wanting to take their riding levels to new heights and new terrain.

Some of our beautiful handcrafted trails

Beautiful singletrack runs through alpine meadows and along ridge-tops to make their way to the valley floors and lakes below. This season we will be opening up more terrain while continuing to buff out and improve our already legendary trails. We are excited to have back Paddy Kaye from Joyride Bike Parks who has been committed to our vision since the beginning. Also on deck is a team of the Pacific North West's most dialled trail crew! We wouldn't leave "Powerslave" out of the equation either. It has become an iconic and world renowned line that heli drops the largest peak in the Nelson area and descends almost 5000 ft and it will see a lot of improvements; if that is even possible to improve such an epic line.

Something for everyone:
Our tenure has a wide range of trails that keep things open to everyone. If you prefer DH/Freeride or All-Mountain/Enduro. We've got it covered people. Low angle or steep, fast/flowy or technical/white knuckle. We start at the top each and every time.

Skill levels:
RETALLACK trails range from the willing intermediate rider all the way up to the seasoned pro. We pride ourselves on creating trails that styles of riders, bikes, and skills levels can not only enjoy but progress. At the end of the day it's about having fun and learning more about you, your bikes and the trails you ride. Check below for dates, details, and call for reservations and availability:

Trip packages start at $350 per person, per day. Includes all meals, shuttling, guides, and accommodations. visit www.RETALLACK.com for details or call 1-800-330-1833

Inside our 12 000 sq ft lodge

In addition to Retallack's guiding program we are proud and honored to have legendary riders as guest guides for our special trips. Check below for dates, details, and call for reservations and availability

Ladies Weekend with Lorrain Blancher. Arrive September 5, shred September 6 - 8

"Legends" Wade Simmons, Richie Schley, & Brett Tippie Arrive September 18, shred September 19-21

See you soon!

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27 Comments
  • 18 0
 A three day weekend in whistler can easily range up to $300 a day if you stay in town, lift tickets, beer, and food at this level. At retallack you get a personal experience with the mountain all to yourself, your tight group of riders with experienced guides that can rip!

The food is waiting for you when you wake up and finish riding. Helicopter rides. These trails don't get blown out by hundreds of riders a day. An experience of a life time in my opinion.
  • 18 4
 Now maybe I just gave it a quick read through and didn't fully understand it, but from what it looks like on the website the trips you can book currently are 3 day trips costing $539 per day per person. Perhaps it's just my demographic that scrapes it's money together to be able to afford biking and biking trips, but doesn't $1600+ seem excessive for a 3 day trip? I understand that Retallack has facilities to maintain and keep operational, and other expenses that are associated with such operations, but I just can't see me, or most of the people I ride with, ever having that kind of money kicking around to participate in riding there (which sucks, because it looks amazing). Is there a possibility that anyone knows if Retallack will offer one day packages or if the rate will be discounted for groups, or even lowered overtime? Or will Retallack only be a park that caters to the more fortunate, and skilled riders that have someone paying for them?
  • 14 6
 obviously your not a dentist.
  • 3 1
 I dont have any info on anything about the lodge, but in terms of the demographic, there is definitely people who will pay that kind of money. I work in outdoor industry, as a guide and educator, including the heli industry in Alaska and get to see that side of the industry. While your group of friends may not be able to afford this kind of stuff, there is a huge demographic of people out there that can. There are nearly 40 million mountain bikers in the US alone, thats a huge number. Not everyone who is passionate about what they do are low income or considered "dirt bags", the fact is a lot of them make a good living, have families, etc... and get to ride their bikes when they can. It costs around a grand a day to go heli skiing and that usually does not include food or lodging, so seeing what you get for $1600 seems pretty reasonable in the grand scheme of things.
  • 7 1
 I guess they aren't catering to you or your riding buddies (or mine for that matter). My momma always told me, life ain't fair. Some people can afford guided heli-assisted backcountry epics...some of us can't. Such is life.
  • 3 1
 "Theres no way there's 40 million mountain bikers in the US" Maybe 40 million avid cyclists, but no way thats the case for mtn bikers.

I doubt even 1 out of 10 people my age (in my 20s) I meet mountain bikes, and its gotta be much lower for older demographics.
  • 7 1
 It's a bit pricey, but it includes accomodations, gourmet meals, snacks, and shuttling all day (1 day of heli shuttling) and you have a guide with you. Keep in mind that many people visit Hawaii or Mexico nearly every year.. I'd much rather go to Retallack than Hawaii. Guess that's up to you though.
  • 2 0
 40 million is the number of people who participate in the sport annually according to IMBA. Im in my mid 20's also, and I know tons of riders our age, and even more that older. I worked in Downieville for a few years, and we would see 200-300 riders on an average weekend, with most of them in their mid 30's to early 40's, and mainly from the Bay Area. Also, seeing the amount of riders in Utah and Colorado is mind blowing, I dont think 40 million is that unreasonable for the whole US.
  • 4 0
 Realistically your paying for the heli. Thing is you can be in that state of mind where you "think" you can't afford it. We've all worked minimum wage, and I can tell we bunch of us probs still do and if you budget your money you can afford this.
  • 1 0
 Mountain biking is a very expensive sport to get into. I'm sure there are plenty of people who will jump at the chance for this kinda deal. Too expensive for my blood but if I ever get to that point, this would be at the top of my list to do. Heli biking alone is one of the greatest things I've done and cannot imagine how incredible it would be to do that in the middle of nowhere and coming back to a cooked meal in an awesome lodge. This be some fancy bikin.
  • 1 0
 Thanks for all the feedback, it is very helpful in our continuing development of this rad new program we are starting. Just to re-iterate from the release, Retallack has different packages at different rates. The $500 per day that you see if the top level trip. We also run $350 per day as well for an all inclusive package that doesn't include the heli-assist. If you have any questions or interest in custom trip please email info@retallack.com or call 1-800-330-1433
  • 14 5
 Hi, we live in the koots and we would advise others to save $1600 and enjoy all the other great trails in the surrounding area. I would recommend to self cater and use the friendly locals as a resource to guide you to an awesome budgeted trail riding experience and donate $20 bucks to the local trail society.
  • 1 0
 Yep that's what I did last year. Awesome local scene, friendly people and a detailed trail map.
  • 2 0
 That is definitely a good option, Retallack also donates a large potion of our trail construction resources back into local trail maintenance. We also have the Nelson Cycling Club's trail map.
  • 4 0
 I've gone cat skiing there in the winter, cost a bit more than the bike packages (but no heli bumps for the skiing). We had an amazing time, one of the best things about Retallack is the attitude of the owners, guides and lodge staff... everyone is very chill and fun (while still giving you top notch service). Other cat/heli ops can feel a bit stuck up/snobby, but the folks at Retallack have that nice Kootenay vibe going.

Yeah it's expensive, but for the folks that can afford to go, you will have an awesome time winter or summer.
  • 1 0
 The question is whether or not RETALLACK has a lot of lines on their tenure and can shuttle effectively. Seeing a map would give me a greater reason to buy in. and if they filmed Metailler riding there. Then I'd totally go.
  • 3 0
 Good question. We will be addressing this soon, but YES, we have a a large area of new lines to build over the next few years and have developed a very effective shuttle plan. Love the suggestion about the mapping and it will be included in our next release. Thanks!
  • 1 0
 I can't understand why you are all Sh*ting on Retallack. If you were to go anywhere else you would not even get meals or guides. Like it was said earlier not all of us can afford backcountry riding. You don't have to ride Retallack to see the amazing trail network in Nelson. But Powerslave is defiantly worth the trip.
  • 5 1
 Love the Kootenays,Nelson riding rocks!
  • 2 2
 Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm pretty sure those trials are open to whoever wants to ride them at no cost. Retallack is charging for the lodge experience and shuttles, not the trail access. Sort out your own shuttles, sleep in a tent, and drink cheap beer and you can keep it sub-$50 a day.
  • 4 1
 Plus the $900 flight from my home.
  • 1 0
 retallack is a sweet place to ride. Its a shame that some people compare it to whistler....come on.....heli drop.......no crowds...!!!
  • 1 0
 Hey Chris Chodat!! Hope to make it up there this year. You could visit Bend as well..
  • 1 0
 It's your brother
  • 2 0
 and hoffest is coming too...
  • 1 0
 Don't forget gratuity's as well.
  • 2 4
 How to ride in Retallack:

Step 1: Be rich.







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