Guest comments - Skiing at the Durrand Glacier Chalet

"Celebrating my 13th trip with Ruedi (since 1991), my 75th birthday... and my retirement from the intense weeks at SME which have been one of the most exhilarating experiences of my entire life. Thank you, and congratulations, Ruedi and Nicoline, for creating this unique universe of ruggedness and civilization."

Phillipe Dunoyer, Colorado (2005)

"Best vacation ever - got a suntan, ate gourmet meals, great company, slept 10 hrs/day, shopped and a bit of skiing on the side too."

Nancy Jacklin, British Columbia

"What an extraordinary and beautiful week we had. Life does not get any better than exploring on skis, high mountains, eating delicious food, good conversation and sleeping under eiderdown in a lovely cozy chalet. Thank you very much Ruedi! We continually appreciated your skill and were very glad to simply trust your experience and follow you to all sorts of beautiful places. We are sure to be back."

Monica and Michael Lehner, New Hampshire

"Thank you for an exciting week of ski-mountaineering and great hospitality. Skiing will never be the same when compared to the last 7 days of skiing ice-falls, climbing 2 peaks a day and skiing over 5000 ft. of vertical each day."

Karen and Jim Bell, Yukon

"Thank you Ruedi for giving us the confidence to ski between the crevasses without fear and enjoy the snow. The descent of Ruth Glacier ranks as one of the best runs of my 37 years of skiing. The views were spectacular and the experience was better than I ever could have expected. To finish the day in a hot sauna and shower is as civilized as the wine with the gourmet meals. I look forward to coming back again."

Michael Slankovitch, California

"The most demanding and exhilarating skiing I've ever done. Indelible memories: lunch on a crystal calm midday at the very top ridge of Eagle Peak, an adrenaline pumping ride down the Concordia Icefall, meandering through bus-sized seracs, 2600 feet down Juliana Glacier and into Kaleidoscope in the sun, and everyday the snow was extraordinary. Thank you for your leadership and knowledge and for showing us all the magical powder kingdom to its fullest."

Peter Roman, Washington

"Fantastic week! Sun, snow, wind, deep powder and steep slopes in addition to fantastic cooks! I've visited many European Huts in the Alps! Great to have one in my back yard. Keep the purity and tradition - it makes the Durrand very special."

Fred Martwick, California

"Thank you so much for making my first back country experience one of my best ski vacations ever. I'm hooked! I look forward to returning in the years to come and sharing this wonderful place with all my skiing friends."

Eric O'Brien

"Thanks for a fantastic week that far exceeded our wildest dreams! We hope to see you again soon - skiing in the Selkirks!"

Rich and Lisa Cook

"Thanks SME for an unforgettable week! We have been in the mountains skiing before, but never like this. It's amazing that there is so much to see and learn. What a special place Ruedi and Nicoline have created for so many people's dreams."

Ruth Wade, Colorado

"One memorable run after the other. I leave the mountains, and Ruedi's gift to all of us, with renewed spirit and strength for the challenges that lay ahead. We are all blessed to have this encounter with the wilderness. Ruedi and his staff provide an element of comfort in the midst of this "nature hit" that is so appreciated. I look forward to my return."

John Emery, California

"The only thing more amazing than a run down the Durrand North Face is to return to a deck with fresh baked pita and home made hummus."

Miles Epstein, New Mexico

"The single best day of skiing of my life was out of the Moloch Hut up Mt. Graham, down Graham Glacier. We could see Mt. Sir Donald and beyond. Thanks to all who made this day and many others possible."

Paul Doherty, California

"I am positively honored to spend time with Ruedi and crew during this fabulous week of sunshine, steeps and deeps. Almost 40000 feet of great turns this week. SME knows how to challenge a person to their limits and reveal the glories of life. Those who love to ride or ski, like me, will be back."

Tobin Booth, Washington

"Thank you to all the staff at Durrand Glacier for yet another wonderful powder week of skiing. This place challenges the body and renews the spirit. The mountain scenery and copious amounts of powder cannot be surpassed. You folks have a great life here and provide a great product. Thanks again."

Dave Sparks, Colorado

"In 32 years of skiing I've found myself in some pretty amazing places. This place tops the list for sure - not just the spectacular high-alpine terrain, flowing glaciers, ice-falls and gnarly crags, but also the attitude, true love and respect for the mountains. I loved the food, the chalet itself, the photos on the walls, the giggles of Charlotte and Florina. This place attracts an amazing assortment of people, from all walks of life who all share a common passion for the mountains and the willingness to challenge themselves. Thanks to everyone for a great time and warm gemuetlichkeit."

Mark Tribes, New York

"Can't find words enough to describe what this experience has meant to us. We've discovered our strengths, worked on our weaknesses - definitely pushed and expanded our boundaries. Top notch hospitality. The Durrand Glacier area is a little piece of heaven. Thank you all for this most wonderful experience."

Marilyn and Doug Warne, Alberta

"Another great trip to SME (my 6th). Have already had the "when can I come again" talk with my wife and I haven't left yet. Good stability and light snow makes for unbelievable ski lines! I've skied more 40 degree plus lines in the past week than in 15 years of back country skiing."

Chris and Madeline West, Colorado

"Hi Ruedi, I know that you have ascended and skied a lot of meters/feet... As a person who has shared a tiny, minuscule portion of that total, I must say that every foot was memorable. So my thanks to you for your persistence, ingenuity and forsight to make Durrand Glacier Lodge what it is today, as well as your leadership to make mountain travel so memorable. May you experience many more years of healthy love of the outdoors."

Gordon Konantz

"In 25 years of backcountry skiing throughout the mountain ranges of Europe, Alaska, Canada and the western US, my annual week at the Durrand Chalet has clearly been the highlight. No where else has ever come close to the winning combination of amazing location, fantastic snow, top notch hospitality and unparalleled guiding expertise."

"For the past ten seasons Ruedi has led our group of friends through challenging terrain and down world class descents with confidence, skill and safety. In addition to having more fun and powder turns in one week that I ever thought possible I have also come away from these trips with a stronger friendship and deeper respect for Ruedi, Nicoline and the entire staff at SME. They have clearly perfected, and happily share, a balance of backcountry comfort, winter pleasure and ski mountaineering safety."

Dave Nettle, California

"Why do I ski at the Durrand Glacier? I have been skiing at Durrand Glacier at least once a year since 1990. The skiing in the rugged terrain is excellent. It's a true alpine experience and is augmented by the comfortable and hospitable Durrand Chalet and the nearby Moloch Hut. I have also taken part in a number of ski mountaineering adventures with Ruedi Beglinger, who's guiding is unsurpassed in my opinion."

Jack McGhee

"I have skied with Selkirk Mountain Experience on more than 20 trips, including numerous weeks at the Durrand Glacier, a Monashee ski traverse, and a ski mountaineering expedition to the Wrangell-St. Elias Range in Alaska. I have been consistently impressed by the mountaineering knowledge and expertise of Ruedi Beglinger and the professionalism of his assistant guides. At the Durrand Glacier Chalet, Selkirk Mountain Experience runs an overall first-class operation that caters to the adventurous and fit backcountry skier. There are now many guiding companies in North America, but I will continue to choose Selkirk Mountain Experience for backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering."

W. Conrad Liles, Washington

"Over the past six years, my husband and I have skied with Ruedi in the Selkirks and Alaska. We are drawn back every year to the awesome terrain, powder snow, gourmet food, remarkable hospitality, and impeccable organization and professionalism of every SME trip. More importantly, we recognize that the privilege and challenge of skiing in such wild terrain carries with it an inherent risk that simply cannot be eliminated. Ruedi's exemplary leadership, broad experience, and vigilant attention to safety have been demonstrated in many thousands of skier days to hundreds of guests who return year after year for a reason. When our unborn son is old enough to spend a month with Grandma, we'd like to ski Mount Logan... but only if Ruedi Beglinger will be our guide."

Katie and Jim Gill, Colorado

"The Selkirk Experience lets you enjoy the rugged remoteness of the entire mountain-range with only 15 other people while you are being pampered and indulged as good as it can get. The fantastic skiing lures you into it; the quiet, heavy snow-packed setting completely convinces you, and the cozy family-style atmosphere captures you. Attention! Once you try this extraordinary combination, you don't want to live without it anymore!"

Jutta Kern

"Dear SME,

We want to let you know how much we enjoy your winter ski mountaineering program. Since 1992 we have been coming to the Durrand Glacier Chalet for a wonderful week of backcountry skiing. This year will be our 10th trip and we continue to return because of the high quality and professionalism we have come to expect from the guides and staff. We consider ourselves to be experienced backcountry skiers (getting in about 100 days a season) and understand that there is an inherent risk to the sport. The training, qualifications, and experience of the guides at SME is of the highest quality we have seen. We trust Ruedi and his guides to provide us with a quality experience that puts safety first. The point of this is to let you know in spite of the accident last winter, we support your program and believe the safety of your guests is your #1 priority and always has been. We are looking forward to spending another week with you in February."

Matt and Susanne Hoggard

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