Arriving at the parking lot I see people milling about and a huge red snowcat skiing grumbling down from the forest. I rushed to gather my belongings and triple checked to make sure I had everything. Getting up to the lodge is about thirty minutes and I didn’t want to be that guy at the top missing his boots. I jumped into the back of the cat and grabbed the last seat on the bench. Everyone seemed friendly enough on the cat ride up and people chatted with one another. Inside my mind though, I was quietly sizing people up according to looks and the cities that they came from.  This would be my new crew for the next four days after all, and I was planning on getting in as many fresh turns as possible.

Two large timber framed lodges came into view and the huge snow taxi ride was almost over.  Arriving at the base lodge was more than I expected. I jumped out into the soft snow and was directed towards the Red Eagle Lodge which was a smaller A-frame lodge tucked into the corner of the clearing. I walked past the Bear Lodge, which was the original lodge when the operation started in 1988.  I knew of it from photos and was told it was used as the guest bar and lounge now. I dropped my bags off and immediately walked back over to snoop around it’s legendary walls and have a soda before dinner. I entered to a rousing crowd of what was surely an all-American group: east coast US accents and NFL football on the TV, screams included. I did some more analyzing of potential riding partners and was almost one hundred percent sure that I might be the only snowboarder up there. Not a problem. Dinner was served and finished up quickly. People scattered to their assigned rooms to prepare for an anticipated first day out in the mountains of Island Lake Lodge

Good Morning I.L.L.
My room was ultra comfortable but that didn’t stop me from waking up more than an hour before breakfast.  It was day one after all, and I had some energy ready to unleash on the Lizard Range of the BC, Rockies. Island Lake has seven thousand acres of terrain at it’s disposal; high alpine bowls, steep gladded trees and thousand’s of little secret little features that you couldn’t even dream of, all waiting to be found and ridden. First things first though, everyone in the group, regardless of experience, will go through the avalanche safety training. This includes accident procedure, beacon training and use of the shovel and probe. The guides at Island Lake Lodge do an amazing job with the safety briefing since this becomes ultra important information if the guides aren’t available in a worst-case scenario. It’s a nice feeling when you know that everyone is on the same page and understands the risks in your group.

Getting into the catskiing at Island Lake Lodge you’ll notice nice comfy benches, iPod dock, water-beverage station and a cooler filled to the brim with the tastiest sandwiches and cookies. I’ll get back to this area later and give out some tips.

Riding The Lizard
As it turned out there was one other snowboarder in my group: a Canadian ex-pro windsurfer who just moved back to the country after being in Brazil for quite some time. Once again I was sizing up my group.  Is this guy going to want to ride the same lines as me? This is the first day and let’s be honest, it’s powder and none of us know each other. It’ll be every man for himself. Enough said.

he guides at Island Lake have the terrain on lock down and I was lucky enough to have veteran “Big Steve” as my lead guide. He mapped out an amazing day and we didn’t once see the other group of eight skiers in the other snowcat that Island Lake operates on a daily basis.

Under grey skies we tracked up the bowls and flowed through gladded runs down to the final snowcat pick up at the bottom of Geisha Bowl; a definite leg burner. One of the nice final touches to each day is that the guides radio in beer orders that are sent out to the bottom of the bowl. An amazing finale to the day.

Apres, Island Lake Lodge.
After a day out charging powder and riding fast deep trees you’ll be drawn into the Bear Lodge. You can just feel the energy in the place and can tell right away that it’s got the most character of any of the other three lodges. Island Lake was stomping grounds for many a pro snowboarder; pro riders Craig Kelly, Jason Ford and Jake Blattner, pro photographer Mark Gallup and skier Scott Schmidt were all share holders at one time. The lodge has a definite vibe to it. The main feature is an amazing, one-of-a-kind stone fireplace. The bartending staff will get you going and keep you going into the night if you’re up to it. Watch out for the “shot ski.”

Bed to Breakfast at I.L.L.
Sleep comes much faster after a full day of being out in the snow. Lapping more powder than the average person rides in a season will do this to someone. The morning still brings the same excitement though, and jumping out of bed into the gear is easy.

Breakfast at Island Lake Lodge starts early and the spread is amazing with something for everyone.  There’s lots of space in the main Timber Lodge to join in with others or maybe just relax at your own table to recharge for the day. Pass the syrup!

Back into the Box
The next day brings more terrain and an amazing surprise. We are told that it might be possible to climb into the alpine terrain to the peaks of the Island Lake area.  We float through some thick clouds decorated with a lovely golden hue, right before we break into the blue ocean of the peaks. Nothing but cheers and smiles from everyone in the machine.

We all pile out to take photos and scope the terrain we are about to ride.  At this point it becomes a case of what we can ski as a group. I’m no longer concerned with sizing people up or worrying about who’s the fastest. It’s now more of a team effort and I have nothing but encouraging words for everyone in the crew.  The guides talk over options: steeper lines for some and options for people that just want to cruise and take in the view.

Everyone meets down at the cat after an amazing run down from the sunny alpine and into the misty magic of the Lizard range. An extremely stoked group gets into the cat, revisiting the refreshment area, cooler and the iPod dock. The rides up in the snowcat are tons of fun. Heli ski. This is where you’ll share stories, take care of foggy goggles, laugh and hopefully not cry from leg burn. The drink coolers are located in the back corner of the cat, so if you’re sitting there you’ll be playing bartender. Don’t sit there if your not into being Tom Cruise from Cocktail or if you hit the “shot ski” hard the night before. Next, the iPod dock. If you brought your own playlist and have been planning the music for a month, be prepared to let everyone have there own turn with their music. Get ready to tolerate all kinds of music. The food cooler is just like the drinks. You’ll be throwing sandwiches across to people all day; just remember to save some cookies for the guides.

The snowCat was crawling it’s way back to the alpine and the sunny ocean of powder that lay above it.  The doctor on my left seemed to be skiing faster and more aggressive.  The insurance broker and his retired ski buddy were all smiles and had the Bob Marely pumping on the iPod. The oldest skier in the group that was seventy and had already skied more vertical powder than all of us combined before he was fifty, was ready for anything. The surfy Canadian-Brazilian transplant who turned out to be the life of the cat (and my only snowboarding companion), is ripping.  All these people I had judged as strangers were becoming more and more like my normal crew as each day came and went. It was my turn to request a song and I got the Metallica queued up. I had my eye on a sweet line up top.

Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada, March 6, 2010 – Many a sigh of relief was heard in Vancouver as this year’s Winter Games came to a close last weekend. Organizers finally had a chance to relax after weeks of trucking in loads of snow in order to try to maintain some semblance of winter at what will long be remembered by many sports fans as the warmest Winter Olympics in decades. While many fans poked fun at  an event that  has been widely been referred to as a complete fiasco, one competitor even went so far as to display one of her perforated skis during an interview on a well known national television news channel, confirming that it had been damaged before she even reached the starting line, by a rock that was jutting out from beneath the surface of the thin layer of slippery slush.

Meanwhile, the locals chuckled and did their best to refrain from shouting “we told you so” as they found humor in the fact that while temperatures as high as fifty degrees Fahrenheit seemed to come as a complete shock to international fans and members of the Olympic Committee, that sort of weather is actually quite common in Vancouver during this time of the year. So, while some of the world’s top athletes battled it out on inches of slippery slush, many more savvy skiers and snowboarders took to the hills in search of several feet of powder.

Those who visited Mica this season managed to find what they were looking for, and some of them are still getting the rides of their lives at one of British Columbia’s premier heliskiing destinations. In fact, conditions at Mica’s vast backcountry tenure remain so good that the company’s powerful mountain helicopters haven’t seen much downtime since late last November, as people continue to flock here in search of a ski experience that is simply unrivaled.

Nestled on the western slopes of the Canadian Rockies near Revelstoke British Columbia, Mica Heli Ski impressive tenure consists of nearly 180,000 acres of some of the backcountry ski terrain on the planet. Because of its strategic location, this area is consistently home to some of the deepest driest champagne powder in the world, perfect for living out even the wildest of skiing or snowboarding fantasies.

Known as one of the best in the business, Mica Heli Guides uses A-Star and Bell 407 helicopters to speedily transport its guests to some amazing backcountry locations, where they get a chance to lay fresh tracks in heaps of dry champagne powder as they enjoy  run after run of adrenaline pumping Canadian heliskiing. Mica specializes exclusively in small groups  and has a well established reputation for employing only the most skilled and experienced helicopter pilots and ski guides in all of North America.

While other operations have already shut down for the season, Mica’s dedicated staff is still hard at work as excellent ski conditions persist with a snowpack of over two hundred and fifty centimeters and some fresh snowfall in the last week. One thing that makes Mica’s terrain so special is that it is strategically situated between the Monashee and Selkirk ranges, in Canada’s Rocky Mountains. This is an area known for producing exceptionally deep, dry powder, which is a result of moist storms from the west colliding with cold arctic air that blows in from northern Alberta. The ski season here typically lasts through early May and  snowfall often exceeds 60 feet per year.

ABOUT:

Mica Heli Skiing near Revelstoke, B.C. specializes in small group heli-skiing. It is one of three operations in The Island Lake Resort Group, the others being Powder Cowboy snowcat skiing and Island Lake Lodge catskiing near Fernie B.C.. For more information, contact Darryn Shewchuk at  1.877.837.6191 x2002.

Fernie, British Columbia, Canada, February 26, 2010 – Wayne Wong, one of the legendary founding fathers of freestyle skiing, recently paid a visit to his friends at Island Lake Lodge, in Fernie B.C., where he proved that his impressive skills remain sharp, even after all these years. For the people who were fortunate enough to be there, it was amazing to see one of the greatest ski legends of all time still landing many of the tricks that made him so famous in the 70s.

Wong, who is a Vancouver born, second generation Canadian of Chinese ancestry, first made a name for himself in the early nineteen seventies, when he and a handful of other talented hot doggers, which included Roger Evans, John Clendenin, Bob Salerno, and Tom Leroy, helped to develop a style of skiing that the world had never seen before. Despite a good deal of opposition from people who felt that it was too dangerous to be included in official sporting events, freestyle skiing, a sport that Wong helped develop, was eventually recognized by the International Ski Federation (FIS) in 1979.

The sport gained more notoriety and credibility as time went on, The first World Cup Series was held in 1980 and the first ever World Championships took place in 1986. Freestyle skiing was eventually included in the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary and both mogul skiing as well as the aerial competition were subsequently named official medal events in 1992 and 1994, respectively.

Wayne Wong, who first started skiing seriously when he was just a young teenager in the early nineteen sixties, is credited with being one of the inventors of freestyle skiing. He became a ski instructor at the age of sixteen, in order to get a free lift ticket, and got into freestyle skiing when he was twenty one years old. In 2009, Wong was inducted into the Canadian Ski Hall of Fame, in recognition of his enormous contribution to that nation’s ski culture.

This February, Wong spent a few days flaunting his moves at one of British Columbia’s oldest and most well respected catskiing resorts, namely: Island Lake Lodge, near Fernie, British Columbia. With a history that rivals his own, Island Lake, which was one of Canada’s first snowcat skiing operations, dates back to the mid 1980s. This world famous ski lodge , which was the first resort in British Columbia to own its own ski terrain outright, sits on roughly 7000 acres of some of the finest ski country on earth, on the northern end of the Lizard Range portion of the Canadian Rockies, in an area known as the Cedar Valley.

The Island lake property, which originally belonged to the Shell Oil Company, is comprised of a magnificent assortment of deep bowls, classic alpine ridges and spectacular gladed tree runs. The terrain is as diverse as it is vast and several of the resort’s numerous runs can be skied right to the door of the lodge itself.

Since its modest beginnings, Island Lake has grown to include four separate lodging facilities as well as a full service spa. It is known for its luxurious accommodations, excellent cuisine and the friendly service of its warm and pleasant staff. Nevertheless, what Island Lake is most well known for is powder. The resort’s terrain is home to some of the best catskiing in the world, and it has something for skiers of every level to enjoy, from amateur enthusiasts to freestyle legends like the world famous Wayne Wong.

ABOUT:

Island Lake Lodge is a back country resort located on 7,000 acres of mountainous terrain near Fernie B.C. Canada, just beyond the Mount Fernie Provincial Park. Island Lake Resorts consist of Island Lake Catskiing in addition to Powder Cowboy Catskiing and Mica Heli Ski.

Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada, February 26, 2010 – With this year’s Winter Olympics coming to a close, temperatures in Vancouver have been as high as fifty degrees Fahrenheit in the last few weeks, prompting some people to redub the event the “Spring Olympics”, while others joke that the official drink of the 2010 games should be the Slushy. Organizers have been trucking in snow for weeks as heavy rains accompanied by fog and exceedingly warm temperatures have made conditions all but unbearable for the scores of athletes who have gathered here from all four corners of the globe in order to participate in the world’s most important winter sporting event.

But while temperatures on the coast continue to rise, ski conditions in the area surrounding Revelstoke B.C. are holding, making this one of the best seasons ever for Mica Heli Guides, British Columbia’s premier heliskiing outfit. In fact, with temperatures below freezing, a snowpack of nearly three meters and 16 cm of fresh, dry powder having fallen over the last week, conditions at Mica’s vast backcountry tenure simply couldn’t be better. In the words of one guest, who was knee deep in powder just yesterday: “Take the best skiing you’ve ever had and multiply it by 3-that’s what today was.”

Mica Heli Guides is a world class heliskiing company located near Revelstoke, British Columbia, in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, unquestionably the world capital of heliskiing as well as heliboarding. Mica specializes in transporting small groups of skiers and snowboarders into the some of Canada’s best backcountry ski terrain, where they can enjoy their fair share of natural steep fall-line tree runs for snowcat skiing, picture perfect pillow lines, dramatic alpine ridges, deep bowls and adrenaline pumping glacier runs, without having to share the fun with anyone except Mica’s guides and a few of their closest friends or family members.

Mica’s impressive tenure consists of nearly 178,000 acres of phenomenal backcountry ski terrain and encompasses eight distinct valleys that range in altitude between 1900 and 5900 feet above sea level. The unique location of this vast territory, which sits on the Western slopes of the Canadian Rockies, is consistently home to some of the best ski conditions on the planet, with mountains of deep, dry champagne powder falling there each season. In fact, conditions at Mica are so good, so often, that the company’s powerful A-Star and Bell 407 helicopters have an average of only 1.5 down days per season and are in the air almost every day between December and April of each year. Although January is typically one of the best months for catskiing in the Rockies, Mica sees an average of 42-66 feet of snowfall each year, much of which is the result of the winter storms that hit the area in late February and early March.

Skiers and snowboarders from around the globe come to Mica for one reason and one reason only: powder. Because Mica’s tenure is situated on the western slopes of the Rockies, nestled between the Selkirk and the Monashee mountain ranges, it typically gets a copious amount of deep, dry snow, often referred to by skiers and snowboarders as champagne powder or cold smoke. This is the kind of stuff that skiers dream about, and hundreds flock to Mica each year in order to make those dreams a reality.

Because Mica caters only to small groups, the only obstacle for many is being one of the lucky few who actually get a chance to ski Mica’s tenure each season. With a remote, but comfortable backcountry lodge that sleeps only twelve guests, Mica specializes exclusively in small groups and the guest to guide ratio is an astonishing 4:1.

With snowfall deeper and more abundant than ever, 2010 has proven to be a great season for Mica Heli Guides. And with conditions holding and more winter storms expected to hit the Canadian Rockies in March, it doesn’t look like the staff at Mica will be getting a break any time soon.

ABOUT:

Mica Heli Ski near Revelstoke, B.C. specializes in small group heli-skiing. It is one of three operations in The Island Lake Resort Group, the others being Powder Cowboy Cat skiing and Island Lake Lodge near Fernie B.C.. For more information, contact Darryn Shewchuk at 1.877.837.6191 x2002.

Fernie, British Columbia, Canada, February 26, 2010 – While spring is in the air at some of British Columbia’s lower elevations, the snowpack is at its greatest depth of the season in and around Fernie, B.C., and the folks at Powder Cowboy Catskiing report some of the best ski conditions of the season. Furthermore, according to many Fernie locals, more snow is on the way, with some of the biggest storms expected to hit the area throughout the upcoming month of March. The B.C. ski season usually runs from December through April, however, by late February the snowpack is typically quite deep as a result of heavy snowfall throughout the early winter months.

Powder Cowboy, a western themed Catskiing resort, located near Fernie B.C., sits on roughly six thousand acres of prime British Columbian backcountry ski terrain. Although the area includes a wide variety of different environments, it is most well known for tree skiing and happens to be home to some of the world’s most impressive evergreen glades. Powder Cowboy’s tenure offers some steep vertical runs as well as a number of less extreme slopes that are perfect for intermediate skiers.

The resort is situated in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, the catskiing capital of North America, in a mountainous area known as the Lizard Range. This region is known for producing between 40-60 feet of deep, dry champagne powder, annually, which attracts skiers and snowboarders from all around the globe. One reason that Powder Cowboy has recently become such a popular heli ski destination is the fact that it is less expensive and offers more availability than other catskiing resorts, such as its sister operation, Island Lake Lodge, which is typically booked solid for at least a year in advance.

In addition to various snowcat skiing packages, Powder Cowboy also offers day skiing from time to time, allowing the locals to get a taste of some of Fernie’s best ski terrain. Some of the operation’s special offers include a family package as well as an all girl ski tour, which needs to be booked in advance. Every so often, there is a last minute opening and seats are offered at a discount rate.

Powder Cowboy is British Columbia’s only western theme ski resort and it also doubles as a dude ranch during the summer months. Some of the things that visitors most enjoy about this particular facility are the rustic but comfortable accommodations, excellent cuisine and the down home hospitality of its staff.

Powder Cowboy is home the Bull River Guest Ranch, which consists of 10 separate log cabins, eight of which serve as lodging facilities for the resort’s guests. Among these are a recently constructed 4 suite cabin and the newly renovated Honeymoon Cabin. In addition to being equipped with in-floor heating and a wood burning fireplace, each of the cabins comfortably sleeps at least two to four people. There is also a main cabin, called the Big Horn Saloon, which includes a kitchen, dining room, bar and massage rooms, as well as a hot tub and sauna cabin that is also equipped with showers.

While the Guest Ranch itself is situated below the snow line, Powder Cowboy’s tenure is home to a number of high alpine ridges and drops with lines that descend in virtually every direction. Throughout the winter season (December-April), this terrain is consistently covered in deep, dry powder. At present, there is approximately two and a half meters of snow on the ground at 2000 feet. With more fresh powder expected to fall in the upcoming weeks, conditions are perfect for some world class catskiing.

ABOUT:

Powder Cowboy Catskiing near Fernie B.C. boasts 6000 acres of big bowls, steep chutes and is famous for world class gladed tree skiing. The white gold on the Western Rockies is legendary for quality and quantity, with over 10 meters (over 30 feet!) of dry champagne powder falling every season.

Fernie, British Columbia, Canada, February 18, 2010 – Last week’s episode of GMC World of Skiing featured some exciting coverage of Mica Heliskiing, a member of the famed Island Lake Resort Group. The Island Lake Group is comprised of three separate operations including Powder Cowboy Catskiing, Mica Heli Ski Guides and the Company’s flagship resort, Island Lake Lodge, located near Fernie, B.C., in the heart of the Canadian Rockies’ famed Lizard Range.

Island Lake Lodge is one of the oldest and most well respected catskiing operations in British Columbia. Over the past quarter of a century, what originally started as a small company called Island Lake Tours, has grown into an impressive resort whose facilities are comprised of four separate lodges and a full service spa, complete with six treatment rooms, a large wellness room with a Japanese soaking tub as well as changing facilities and several relaxation areas. Island Lake is situated on a large piece of privately owned property that encompasses much of the Cedar Valley. Guests at the resort have access to approximately 7000 acres of private bowls, deep valleys and gladed forests, which together make up some of the best ski terrain on the planet.

Rogers SportsNet recently aired an episode of GMC World of Skiing that featured Island Lake Resort. That show, which aired last month, included some impressive footage of one of western Canada’s most fantastic catskiing resorts. The program was the second in a series of three GMC episodes, the first of which focused on Powder Cowboy Snowcat skiing, Island Lake’s sister catskiing operation, and the most recent of which was featured Mica Heli Guides, the third in the Island Lake Resorts group.

The Island Lake episode was hosted by Whistler local and famed Canadian shredder Joe Lammers, whose boyish looks and keen Northwestern wit are surpassed only by his amazing prowess on the slopes. Joe had more than enough chances to put his skills to the test at Island Lake this winter as he hopped off the snow cat and into some deep, dry powder on numerous occasions.

After all, that’s what catskiing is all about: oceans of deep, dry, champagne powder as far as the eye can see. And because of Island Lake’s unique location, the conditions here are almost always ideal for powder skiing. The resort’s enormous property is home to some pretty diverse terrain, consisting of everything from deep bowls to classic ridgelines and perfect mountain glades.

One of Island Lake’s most well known spots is Geisha Bowl, which stretches all the way from Spineback Ridge to Faceshots. Geisha is one of the resort’s largest bowls; it would take a person weeks to ski all the fabulous lines it has to offer. The Three Bears are also home to a number of great runs, which start at the some of the resort’s highest drop offs and lead all the way into the depths of the Cedar Valley, spanning some 3000 thousand vertical feet. Upper Hunter’s, Thirst Quencher, Nonstop and Stump Fluff are a few of the Bears’ most classic lines.

Other favorite locations include Cabin Bowl, which marks the eastern boundary of the Island Lake property, Lizard Pass, the Wolverines, Faceshots, the Front and backsides of Mount Baldy and the world renowned, Mt. Fernie, home to some of the best glades and most ideal tree spacing on Earth. All in all, Island Lake is a catskiing paradise, where cold smoke and champagne powder abound and the breathtaking beauty of the Canadian Rockies is enough to mystify even the least impressionable traveler.

ABOUT:

Island Lake Lodge is a back country resort located on 7,000 acres of mountainous terrain near Fernie B.C. Canada, just beyond the Mount Fernie Provincial Park. Island Lake Resorts consist of Island Lake Catskiing in addition to Powder Cowboy Catskiing and Mica Heliskiing.

Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada, February 18, 2010 – SporstNet Viewers were treated to an extra dose of adrenaline last week as the network aired the latest edition of GMC World of Skiing, which featured exciting footage of some premier BC heliskiing action, courtesy of the world famous Mica Heli Guides. This well known group of talented helicopter pilots and guides has a reputation for being the best in the business. When it comes to heliskiing, these guys are at the top of the food chain.

Mica Heliskiing is based near Revelstoke British Columbia and specializes in flying small groups of skiers and snowboarders into the some of the best backcountry ski runs on the planet. The company uses Powerful A-Star and Bell 107 helicopters to access nearly a quarter of a million acres of prime British Columbian ski terrain, in the very heart of Canadian Rockies. Mica’s select group of clients stay at a remote mountain lodge and chalet located some 1140 meters above Lake Kinbasket. This remarkable facility, with room for 12, offers spectacular views of the surrounding Rocky, Monashee and Selkirk mountain ranges and provides easy access to some of the most fantastic alpine locations on earth. Mica’s tenure is known for its consistently deep, dry champagne powder and is considered by many too be the best place in the world for backcountry skiing.

In the latest episode of GMC World of Skiing, one of Canada’s most popular ski shows, the program’s celebrity host and former Canadian Alpine Ski Team (CAST) member Edith Rozsa goes straight to heli-heaven, courtesy of Mica Heli Guides. Mrs. Rozsa proves to be the perfect host for this exciting episode. After all, who better than a 9 time North American Slalom and Giant Slalom champion to show the folks at home just how awesome an experience heliskiing in British Columbia can truly be?

Rozsa, who came to GMC World of Skiing after years of skiing at the World Cup Level, is, without a doubt, one of the show’s most popular hosts. She consistently keeps viewers coming back for more as she explores some of the most fabulous catskiing locations on earth. With years of professional skiing experience behind her and a talent for broadcast journalism, Rozsa is not only entertaining and informative, but also impressive to watch as she takes to the slopes and gets knee deep into fresh powder.

GMC World of Skiing, which began as Ski Base TV show in 1978, is now a nationally syndicated program, broadcast on over 30 different television stations throughout Canada. The show features in depth coverage and impressive footage of a different exciting ski location each week and boasts a combined viewership of over 100,000 loyal fans.

GMC World of Skiing is broadcast nationwide by one of Canada’s top television networks: Rogers SportsNet. SportsNet is an English speaking Canadian sports channel launched by CTV in 1998 and subsequently purchased by Rogers Media in 2001. The network operates four regional standard definition feeds, each with a corresponding high definition simulcast. SportsNet services the Ontario, East, West and Pacific regions, respectively.

Not only is SportsNet Canada’s premier sports television network, it is also one of the country’s most well known sources of sports information on the web. Sportsnet.ca, the online version of SportsNet TV, features up to date scores and headlines as well as opinions, videos, RSS feeds and a full listing of the network’s TV broadcast schedule. Sportsnet.ca is also a great place to sign up for different fantasy games and contests including Hockey, Soccer and NFL Football; the site also has an online community, where fans get together to talk about their favorite teams and exchange information or opinions.

ABOUT:

Mica Heli Ski near Revelstoke, B.C. specializes in small group heli-skiing. It is one of three operations in The Island Lake Resort Group, the others being Powder Cowboy Snowcat skiing and Island Lake Lodge near Fernie B.C.. For more information, contact Darryn Shewchuk at 1.877.837.6191 x2002.

Fernie, British Columbia, Canada, February 18, 2010 – GMC World of Skiing Host and Famed Whistler bad boy Joe Lammers is at it again. Prior to his recent visit to Island Lake Lodge, which aired on Rogers SportsNet just last month, Joe and the crew of GMC visited the one and only Powder Cowboy Catskiing, located just outside of Fernie B.C., in the heart of the majestic Canadian Rockies, catskiing capital of the world.

Powder Cowboy is one of the well known and respected catskiing operations in all of North America. Located on some 6000 acres of prime catskiing tenure in the south east corner of British Columbia, Powder Cowboy is home to the Bull River Guest Ranch, which is comprised of ten separate log cabins. The largest of these is the Long Horn Salute, whose facilities include a dining room, bar, kitchen and massage rooms. Powder Cowboy’s world class catskiing resort also doubles as a dude ranch in the summer.

Because it is located on the western slopes of the Canadian Rockies, Powder Cowboy’s terrain gets a particularly impressive amount of deep dry powder each winter. In fact, the resort’s tenure enjoys 40-60 feet of powder each year, making it a Mecca for ski junkies from all over the planet.

Nevertheless, despite the enormous size of its tenure, Powder Cowboy is by no means a mega resort. In fact, its terrain is serviced by only two snow cats, with a capacity of 12 passengers each. This means that Powder Cowboy’s lucky guests get to enjoy uncrowded slopes and lay fresh tracks on virtually every run. Small group size in addition to personalized service and outstanding lodging facilities are just three of the factors that set Powder Cowboy apart from the competition.

Powder Cowboy is also the only BC catskiing resort with a western theme, and its rustic but comfortable accommodations added to the down home hospitality of its friendly staff are simply unparalleled. The main lodge is both spacious and inviting. It is the perfect place to enjoy a gourmet meal, expertly prepared by the resort’s talented kitchen staff, which is made up of qualified red seal chefs.

But what truly draws world class athletes and amateurs alike to Powder Cowboy is the prospect of skiing fresh dry Champagne powder, while surrounded by some of the most awe inspiring natural scenery on the planet. As the resort’s Director of Sales and Marketing, Darryn Shewchuk, is quick to point out, Powder Cowboy is primarily known for tree skiing. Its tenure is filled with an abundance of glades and steep tree lines that go right up to the ridge tops themselves. These make for a variety of tree runs that start at the very tops of the ridges and lead directly down into the valley bottoms and meadows below.

Tree spacing is also ideal, providing just enough room for skiers maneuver as they make their way through the glades and while there are some open bowls to ski here is as well, tree skiing is what Powder Cowboy is most famous for. The terrain is divided into several different areas. The Cabin Zone features open slopes and spacious tree glades that are perfect for warm-up runs. The Backside of the cruisers on the other hand is home to some really steep chutes and bowls. The Lizard Zone is the place to be for tree skiing and is home to some impressive old-growth forest made up mostly of spruce and fir.

Powder Cowboy has an abundance of long ridges and peaks with lines dropping in virtually every heli ski direction. This makes it easy for the snowcats to access the drop zones. Nevertheless, for the more adventurous, there are also some other spots, which require a little boot hiking and provide access to some incredible and otherwise inaccessible lines, such as those found on Yeti Backside, Snakes and Ladders and 3G.

ABOUT:

Powder Cowboy Snowcat skiing near Fernie B.C. boasts 6000 acres of big bowls, steep chutes and is famous for world class gladed tree skiing. The white gold on the Western Rockies is legendary for quality and quantity, with over 10 meters (over 30 feet!) of dry champagne powder falling every season.

Fernie, British Columbia, Canada, February 12, 2010 – The B.C. ski season is off to a roaring start with deep, dry champagne powder already lining the mountains of the Canadian Rockies. To make matters even more interesting for skiers, Island Lake Lodge, located just outside the mountain village of Fernie, is offering several special deals and promotions for this winter season.

Island Lake Catskiing is the flagship of the Island Lake Resort Group, which also includes nearby Cowboy Powder Catskiing and Mica Heliskiing (just outside of Revelstoke B.C.). Although all three operations have a reputation for quality and excellence, Island Lake is the oldest and by far the most well known. Dating back almost 25 years, Island Lake Mountain Tours was founded in 1986. The company’s first catskiing expeditions began in 1988 on land that was originally owned by the Shell Oil Company.

The owners of Island Lake Mountain Tours, bought the land from Shell in 1994, making the them the only outfit in B.C. to actually own the land they operated on. Since that time Island Lake Resort has been expanded considerably to include 4 separate lodges, a spa and a large collection of fine wines to accompany expertly prepared meals.

Most people that visit Island Lake, come for one reason only: to enjoy some of the best powder skiing on the planet. Located in the Lizard Range, a subsection of the Canadian Rockies, Island Lake sits on seven thousand acres of pristine alpine terrain, which encompasses a large portion of the Cedar Valley. This breathtaking place is home to a seemingly endless assortment of private bowls, valleys and gladed forests, which consistently boast some of the best ski conditions in the world.

Guests at Island Lake are transported to a number of world class ski spots including the front and back sides of Mt. Baldy, Mt. Fernie, Faceshots, Cabin Bowl, The Three Bears, Lizard Pass and The Wolverines, on snowcats (machines traditionally used to groom ski trails.) This method of transportation allows skiers to access hard to reach, backcountry runs that are renowned for their scenic beauty as well as propensity for deep dry powder.

This year, visitors can enjoy catskiing at Island Lake at unbelievably low rates. Packages currently being offered include a 2 day 1 night special, which is now only $1099, a 2 day 2 night special for as little as $1250 as well as the Stay an Extra Tour deal, which consists of a 20% discount on any additional tour, designed for folks who enjoy their first tour so much that they want to stay for a few extra days.

For people who really enjoy catskiing, there is a special promotion that consists of a 20% discount off any Powder Cowboy tour when people purchase a tour at Island Lake. This allows visitors to experience some of the best powder skiing on the planet at two of British Columbia’s premier catskiing locations. The Book 3 Get 1 Free special, on the other hand, features a free stay at Powder Cowboy for people who also book a catskiing tour at Island Lake as well as a heliskiing package at Mica Heliskiing.

Island Lake is also currently offering a special deal for the upcoming month. Right now, people who book a tour for March will receive a 15% discount. The B.C. ski season runs through April and big storms typically hit this area toward the end of winter, so this particular promotion is an especially good value.

ABOUT:

Island Lake Lodge is a back country resort located on 7,000 acres of mountainous terrain near Fernie B.C. Canada, just beyond the Mount Fernie Provincial Park. Island Lake Resorts consist of Island Lake Catskiing in addition to Powder Cowboy Catskiing and Mica Heliskiing.

Fernie, British Columbia, Canada,  February 11, 2010 – As the 2010 winter season kicks into full gear, Powder Cowboy, one of British Columbia’s best known and most well respected catskiing companies, is offering a host of special rates and promotions.  In addition to last minute deals on day skiing, Powder cowboy also has a number of packages for skiers and snowboarders that want to stay at the famed Bull River Guest Ranch for 2 days or more in order to do some phenomenal backcountry powder skiing.

The 2 day 1 Night Special, for example, costs only $975 and is designed specifically for people who want to enjoy a weekend of skiing. There is also a 2 day 2 Night Special which is now being offered for $1099, as opposed to the regular rate of $1250. Because the people at Powder Cowboy know that guests often simply don’t want to leave, they are also currently offering a 20% discount on additional tours, to people who decide to stay an extra few days.

In addition, Powder Cowboy does its best to accommodate families. That is why the company is currently offering a 25% discount for children between the ages of 12 and 18. Because of the extreme skiing conditions, kids taking advantage of this special deal should be advanced powder skiers, and must be accompanied by an adult.

Powder Cowboy specializes in Catskiing, an activity that involves using snowcats ( vehicles often used to groom ski trails) to transport skiers and snowboarders to backcountry locations where there is typically an abundant amount of deep, dry powder. Catskiing has a number of advantages over traditional skiing. First and foremost, it provides access to a much wider variety of terrain than normal ski lifts do. In addition, because snowcats are often fueled using biodiesel, the activity has a limited environmental impact. Catskiing also allows skiers and snowboarders to experience the countryside in a completely different way than they would from a lift.

Nevertheless, Catskiing isn’t the only thing that B.C. is famous for, the Canadian Rockies are also a Mecca for heliskiing and heliboarding. These two activities consist of flying  into backcountry ski terrain using a helicopter.  Many skiers who visit British Columbia are drawn by the prospect of engaging not only in catskiing, but also look forward to  going on a heliskiing tour.

Fortunately for its guests, Powder Cowboy is part of the Island Lake Resort group, which includes not only Island Lake Lodge, one of B.C.’s oldest and most well renowned  catskiing operations, but also Mica Heliskiing, based just outside of Revelstoke, British Columbia. Mica, which specializes in heliskiing and heliboarding, is a highly respected outfit that provides small groups of skiers and snowboarders with access to its vast tenure, consisting of almost 178,000 acres of backcountry ski terrain.

As part of a special promotion, Skiers who book packages at both Mica Heliskiing and Island Lake will now receive a free three day trip to Powder Catskiing. This is a great opportunity for avid skiers to experience three of the world’s best backcountry powder skiing destinations. In addition, for those people who want to ski at both Island Lake as well as Powder Cowboy but are not interested in heliskiing, there is now another special promotion being offered. That deal consists of 20% off the Island Lake tour, whenever somebody books at Powder Cowboy.

All of these promotions are available for the 2010 season only, so skiers will have to act fast if they hope to take advantage of them. Because unusually heavy snowfall is expected to hit the Pacific Northwest this season, Powder Cowboy is sure to be booked solid in no time.

ABOUT:
Powder Cowboy Catskiing near Fernie B.C. boasts 6000 acres of big bowls, steep chutes and is famous for world class gladed tree skiing. The white gold on the Western Rockies is legendary for quality and quantity, with over 10 meters (over 30 feet!) of dry champagne powder falling every season.