Canada’s Premier Sports Network, Rogers SportsNet, Recently Aired The Last in a Series of GMC Episodes Featuring All Three of the Island Lake Group’s Premier Ski Resorts

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.

Canada’s Number One Sports Network Broadcasts an in Depth Feature On British Columbia’s Top Heliskiing Outfit.

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.

World Class Skier and GMC Host, Joe Lammers, Stars in the First of a Three Part Series That Features All Three Island Lake Resorts.

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.

One of Canada’s Oldest and Most Well Respected Catskiing Operations Offers Skiers A Number of Special Packages and Deals for the Current 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.

One of British Columbia’s Premier Catskiing Outfits is Now Offering a Wide Range of Special Deals For The Current Ski Season.

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.