SME (Durrand Glacier) is in the Selkirks and definitely has all types of terrain in its exclusive lease area (high peaks, glaciers, tree runs). Depending on when you go you might be limited in the aspects you ski. If you do go in April when the steeper stuff is skiable you can also end up in heavy,wet snow. The area gets metres of snow each winter. The bigger challenge is for the temperature to stay cold enough to maintain nice fluffy conditions.
Ruedi is a superb guide with incredible knowledge and safety focus. He usually splits the guests into two groups and he will generally take the faster group. Be warned that a fairly recent article (Couloir?) accurately labeled him as the "guide to the hardcore". Lots of skiing and elevation with good snow but not relaxing for everyone involved. The group probably will not march to the beat of the slowest member.
Skiing from the top of the peaks on longer tours is the focus rather than yo-yo type runs.
Also the shower stall runs on black "camping style" water bags that you heat up in the sauna. It works but is not running hot water.
Great food and a pretty, well kept lodge.
Been 4 yrs ago and going again on 1/15. Great trip. Rudy can be a little bit of a pill sometimes, but can't blame him for all the guests he has to entertain and the 24X7 schedule he has to put up with all winter. One tip: be in shape. The days consist of several LONG climbs (2-3 hour) and great decents. Depending on your groups you can get 4-6K vert in a day. I'ver heard of more for some real hard core groups too! Let me know if you want any other questions answered.
I went with some intermediate skiers and found Rudy to be arrogant, condesending and not at all willing to educate his clients on the finer points of his craft. Leadership style in both the "A" and "B" groups was similar...leader sets pace and you keep up or not. I found weaker skiers to neglect proper clothing management, hydration, nutrition issues for fear of being left in the proverbial dust. The idea of a "sweep" as a safety net was never considered. None of this detracts from his obvious skill as a guide. He led us a to a particular peak up a glacier in an absolute whiteout by dead reaconing as near as I could tell. If you are an advanced, fit back country skier interested in skiing true alpine conditions in variable condiditions with some generally very skilled and fit guests, it's a good trip. However there are many alternative vendors in BC with much less ego than Rudy.
I did it 3 years ago this April. It was a great experience. I think there was about 20 of us guests. We were helicoptered in to Rudy's cabin in 3 separate trips and begin the first day with Pieps training. Lunch followed and we did some yo-yoing on a near by peak. That evening the guides divided us up into 2 groups based on their observations of our earlier skiing and climbing. They seek to put the strongest skiers together. After that - it was up each morning by 5:30 am - a quick breakfast - packing lunch and gear - and then heading out around 7 am. It was always a full day of climbing (i.e. skinning up) and skiing down the various peaks located around the main lodge. One day the stronger group trekked out to a more remote lodge but the weather socked us in and we didn't get to ski. Just had to head back to the main lodge the next day. We were usually back in the main lodge each afternoon by 3 to 3:30 p.m. to be greeted by a great snack. The food was fantastic and with all the exercise you get you have a great appetite. In a nutshell - the scenery is great, the guides are great, the lodge is very comfortable, and the food is fantastic. We skied in alternating crust and slop in April but I know that there must be a lot of powder there this time of year. You will have a great time. Enjoy!
An online story about SME.
I think there are two important things to know about SME