Stewardship in the Alpine

At Weber Powder, we believe our presence in the mountains is a privilege — one that comes with a deep responsibility. Battle Abbey Backcountry Lodge sits at the headwaters of one of British Columbia’s most pristine alpine valleys, and every decision we make is guided by a singular principle: protect the environment in which we operate.

From energy systems to waste management, here’s how Battle Abbey walks the talk when it comes to sustainability:

🚁 Waste Flown Out, Not Left Behind 

All waste products — including compost and garbage — are flown out of the lodge via helicopter. These flights are already scheduled for guest transfers, allowing us to remove waste without increasing our carbon footprint. Nothing is left behind in the fragile alpine environment. Even toilet paper is incinerated on site to reduce waste volume, ensure our septic system remains effective and avoid burying materials that would take decades to decompose in the alpine.

Our helicopter flights are optimized to ensure space for backhaul. "Group" Items such as airbags, transceivers, probes, etc used by guests every trip are provided (complimentary) at the lodge - it reduces the amount of space needed in the helicopter luggage areas each flight and allows more space for garbage, etc. Guide items such as skis etc are also kept at the lodge to allow more space on our flights and reduce additional flights needed. In 2024/25 winter season, we estimate to have needed four to five less flights into the lodge due to careful aircraft cargo management. 

🌲 Firewood Without Felling Trees

The alpine trees surrounding Battle Abbey take generations to grow. With only mere inches of soil covering ancient glacial moraine, the root systems of mature trees are critical for hillside stability and soil retention. To protect this ecosystem, we do not cut firewood on site and our glading program focuses only on brushing and small trees. Instead, we bring small amounts of wood in with every flight when space allows — sometimes just a few bundles in a ski basket — making use of any idle cargo space throughout the season. This is enough wood for our sauna and fireplace in the lodge. Where possible, scrap wood is reused for this as well. 

💧 Responsible Water & Wastewater Management

Our clean water comes from a glacial-fed underground stream. Black water and grey water are treated through a septic system that filters waste naturally through several vertical meters of granite gravels and alpine soil — a system well-suited to the terrain and effective at maintaining water purity.

♻️ No Food Left Behind

Leftover food waste is never discarded in the wild. Every bit of it is flown back to Golden, BC along with other waste. Flights into and out of the lodge are carefully managed to utilize any space available for this form of cargo. We take care to ensure nothing edible attracts wildlife or alters the natural foraging behaviour of the animals in our valley. Any garbage stored at the lodge for short periods of time during flights is done so in a purpose designed animal proof box. 

☀️ Solar Power & Efficient Heating

In April 2025, we installed a solar array to supplement our 2500 amp-hour battery system. This provides a steady flow of renewable energy and reduces our dependency on diesel generators. We've also installed a heat recovery system that captures generator exhaust heat and reuses it to warm the lodge and heat domestic water. Our fuel use is down to just under 40 litres of fuel per day during winter; with the generator operating only about 4 - 6 hours in the coldest periods — and with continued improvements planned for this September, we expect that number to drop even further. 

🥾 Trails That Protect, Not Erode

Our summer hiking trails are purpose-built single-track paths, designed to minimize soil erosion and prevent the kind of trail braiding that can damage alpine ecosystems. Thoughtful trail placement allows guests to explore while preserving the delicate flora underfoot. Improvements are planned in 2025 and 2026. 

🦌 Wildlife Monitoring for Sustainable Tourism

The valley surrounding Battle Abbey is home to a rich variety of wildlife. We've placed remote trail cameras throughout the area to track animal movement and migration. This information helps our team adjust routes and ensure we're not disturbing sensitive habitats — a system that will become increasingly vital as we gradually open summer hiking experiences.

At 2,200 metres above sea level, Battle Abbey is more than just a ski lodge — it’s a small, self-sustaining community in one of Canada’s most beautiful alpine environments. We’re proud of the systems we’ve put in place, and we remain committed to refining them as technology and knowledge evolve. We believe that careful management can allow Mother Nature and humans to co-exist in pristine mountain settings such as what you find at Battle Abbey! 

Curious to learn more? We're always happy to chat about the systems and practices we use at Battle Abbey. Drop us an email (Mail@WeberPowder.com) or give us a call (+1-819-923-0932). 

Onwards and upwards

The team at Weber Powder