Even As the Weather Warms Up, Powder Cowboy Catskiing Offers Its Guests a Great Place to Enjoy the Beautiful Canadian Rockies in Style and Comfort.

Fernie, British Columbia, Canada, May 10, 2010 – As the snowpack melts away and the sun’s warm rays replace the dry powdery snow that falls over this area throughout the winter months, the landscape surrounding Fernie British Columbia is utterly transformed into a breathtaking mountain paradise. The scenic beauty of the Canadian Rockies is best appreciated during this time of the year, as the cold subsides and the countryside that lies covered for most of the year is truly revealed.

While most visitors flock to Fernie in the winter months, in search of the adrenaline pumping excitement that the area’s excellent ski conditions offer both amateur enthusiasts and professional athletes alike, far fewer are fortunate enough to have a chance to explore the delicate beauty of this majestic location in the off season. It almost seems as if the plethora of attractions that the area has to offer are well kept secrets; but perhaps this is better in some ways, as the less crowded summer months provide a perfect opportunity for those lucky enough to come to Fernie during this time of year to escape from the hustle and bustle of there every day lives and commune with nature.

As the ice and snow slowly disappear, they reveal the fertile landscape below and life once again springs from the soil. The smell of pine and cedar fills the air and the lively sounds of summer are all around. Birds chirp in the trees and the earth comes alive as many species of native wildlife emerge from their winter haunts in search of nourishment.

A variety of activities become possible as the cold weather gives way and the countryside becomes fully accessible. Summer pastimes such as horseback riding and hiking once again capture the fancy of visitors. Nevertheless, many come here simply to relax, enjoy the scenery and languish in the creature comforts offered by mountain lodges like Powder Cowboy, Fernie’s premier western themed catskiing resort and guest ranch.

This attractive mountain hideaway is part of the Island lake resort group, which also owns and operates the well known Island Lake Lodge as well as Mica Heli Ski Guides, outside of Revelstoke B.C. Unlike its sister resorts, Powder Cowboy is known for its extremely accessible rates and its rustic western feel. The facilities consist of 10 log cabins, known collectively as the Bull River Guest Ranch. 8 of these cabins are designed to accommodate guests while the Ranch’s remaining two structures house the Big Horn Saloon, as well as the Hot Tub and Sauna lodge, where guests can enjoy a relaxing soak or sit in the steam room after a long hike.

Bull River is located below the snow line. Nevertheless, it is within close proximity of some the region’s finest ski terrain, which is accessible by means of snowcat skiing. These large, rugged vehicles are used to transport guests to the slopes during the winter months. During the summer, on the other hand, the Powder Cowboy facilities double as a dude ranch, which offers visitors a chance to go back in time and be transported to a not so distant era in which cowboys roamed the slopes of the Rockies, in constant search of greener grazing grounds.

Powder Cowboy’s comfortable facilities, laid back atmosphere, friendly local staff and splendid natural surroundings make it a perfect travel destination year round. While the winter months offer a chance to enjoy some great skiing, summer is also a great time of year to take advantage the resort’s comfortable accommodations.

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.

Despite Recent Reports of Fatal Avalanches, Heliskiing Remains A Popular Winter Pastime For Many Thrill Seekers. B.C. Companies Like Mica Heli Guides Specialize in Getting Skiers To The Best Spots While Adhering To the Strictest Safety Standards

Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada, April 11, 2010 – According to a recent article in USA Today, the 3 fatal the avalanches that recently claimed the lives of several people in British Colombia were triggered by snowmobilers in two cases and skiers in the third.  The author of that piece also stated every one of these tragic events were attributed to unstable snow conditions as well as the fact that the people involved had chosen to disregard warnings. While remote mountain areas throughout North America are home to many deadly snowslides each year, the majority of these phenomena tend to have causes similar to those cited above. Basically, they are usually due to human error on the part of of individuals who have a blatant disregard for safety and often choose to ignore obvious warning signs altogether.

But the threat of avalanches doesn’t discourage fanatical skiers and snowboarders from constantly seeking to push the envelope in search of ever more thrilling mountain rides. In fact, the popularity of backcountry activities such as catskiing and heliskiing has skyrocketed in recent years, sparking the emergence of many different companies that specialize in getting skiers into more remote mountain locations, without the use of traditional ski lifts.

Perhaps the most well known and well respected of these outfits is Mica  Heli Ski Guides, a small company, which is based just outside of Revelstoke British Columbia, on the Western Slopes of the Canadian Rockies. Each winter, Mica runs exclusive, private tours from its remote alpine lodge to dozens of pristine locations throughout its more than 178,000 acres of premium backcountry ski tenure. The company is well known in ski circles for providing quality personalized service while adhering to the strictest standards of safety.

One of the advantages of heliskiing over more traditional ski lifts is the fact that helicopters allow skiers and snowboarders to access some extremely remote, uninhabited locations, where they can lay fresh tracks and experience the thrill of downhill skiing in fresh, deep, dry powder. While traditional resorts are often overcrowded and overused, causing snow conditions to deteriorate quite quickly, the backcountry remains unspoiled, accessible only to those who have the motivation and the wherewithal necessary to get there. This makes heliskiing a far more exclusive experience, which relatively few skiers are fortunate enough take part in each year.

But backcountry heliskiing is not without its drawbacks. In fact, while the two biggest hurdles for many are the required skill level and high cost of this activity, many people also have serious safety concerns. Nevertheless, those factors need not necessarily serve as deterrents, provided that those who chose to engage in this exciting activity, do so with the aid of skilled professionals.

That is where companies such as Mica Heli Guides come in, providing the expertise and equipment necessary to ensure the safety and enjoyment of thrill seekers of all different ages and backgrounds. In fact, Mica has received a great deal of recognition due to the extensive experience and spotless safety record of its pilots and guides in addition to the quality of the equipment that the company uses. While Mica’s powerful, modern mountain helicopters seldom remain on the ground for more than two days each winter, extensive avalanche awareness training combined with the use of tools such as probes and transceivers, helps to ensure that skiers avoid the perils of snowslides. Mica’s professional ski guides know this country like the back of their hands and provide the guidance necessary for skiers to enjoy themselves thoroughly and stay out of harm’s way.

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 near Fernie B.C.. For more information, contact Darryn Shewchuk at  1.877.837.6191 x2002.

The 3rd annual Photo Shootout at Island Lake Lodge Catskiing finished up on Wednesday March 31st.  Six photographers were given the opportunity to hand pick athletes and shoot on Island Lake’s famous ski terrain for 3 days.  The photographers were: Aaron Whitfield, Dave Best, Kyle Hamilton, Matt Kuhn, Andrew Mirabito and David Mattson.
Weather during the event was a mixed bag of snow, fog, sleet and a little bit of sunshine, challenging the photographers to produce images in “real world“ conditions.

The winners were as follows:

•    Best Portfolio (top prize $2,000 cash) = Aaron Whitfield
•    Best Composition = Kyle Hamilton
•    Best Scenic = Aaron Whitfield
•    Best Team Performance = Matt Kunn
•    Best Athletic Performance =
1.    Andrew Mirabito
2.    Matt Kuhn
3.    Dave Best

Over $10,000 in prizes were handed out from event sponsors, which included: K2 Skis, The Northface, Spy Optics, Peak Performance, Smith Optics, Vans Shoes, Hestra Gloves, Icebreaker and Tecnica Boots.

You can see a slide show of the submitted photos at:
http://www.islandlakecatskiing.com/videos_photos

For additional information please contact:

Mike McPhee
Director of Sales and Marketing
Island Lake Resort Group
mike@deeppow.com
P: 250.423.3700 ext 3002
Toll Free: 1.888.422.8754

http://www.islandlakecatskiing.com

While Many Ski Resorts Have Already Shut Down for The Year, Mica’s Guests Continue To Enjoy Deep Piles of Fresh Powder.

Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada, March 25, 2010 – As unbelievable as it may seem, the last few weeks have seen an incredible amount of fresh snowfall, making ski conditions in and around Revelstoke B.C. better than ever. In fact, last week alone, there were more than 40 cm of fresh powder on the ground, prompting one excited guest at Mica Heli Guides’ famed backcountry ski resort to comment “I had the jump of my life today. I’m addicted and can’t wait for more tomorrow.”

As one of British Columbia’s most well known heliskiing operations, Mica Heli Ski Guides has built a reputation for long standing excellence over the years. While inadequate equipment and questionable safety procedures have spelled disaster for other outfits in recent months, Mica’s experienced team of pilots and guides have an outstanding safety record, which remains unparalleled throughout the industry as a whole. Not only is all of Mica’s staff well trained, its team members have the skills, equipment and experience necessary to ensure that guests enjoy some of the best skiing on earth, without having to worry about coming home in one piece.

Mica’s staff uses powerful mountain helicopters to transport small groups of heliskiers and heliboarders to the farthest reaches of its vast expanse of backcountry catskiing terrain. People who travel to Mica’s remote mountain hideaway come here for one reason and one reason only: to lay fresh tracks on some of the deepest, driest powder on earth.

Part of what makes Mica’s huge tenure so special is its unique location. This enormous area, which spans more than 178,000 acres in all, is nestled between the Selkirk and Monashee ranges, on the Western Slopes of the Canadian Rockies. This spectacular region is consistently home to some of the deepest, driest champagne powder on earth, typically enjoying better than average ski conditions between December and April of each year. The terrain ranges in altitude between 1900 and 5900 feet above sea level, features eight distinct main valleys and is home to a seemingly endless assortment of exclusive, adrenaline pumping backcountry ski runs.

Every winter, as the moisture laden gusts that blow eastward from the Pacific Coast combine with cold northern winds that originate in the ice fields of the northern Canadian Rockies, powdery dry snow, often referred to as “Cold Smoke”, is produced, quickly covering the ground and creating a deep snowpack that is constantly being topped off with more fresh champagne powder as subsequent winter storms roll through.  This recurring phenomenon creates perfect conditions, which can be enjoyed by skiers and snowboarders alike, provided they have a way to access the remote backcountry locations that reap the fruits of these remarkable weather patterns.

That’s where Mica Heli Guides comes in. The company specializes in getting skiers and snowboarders into the action zone, safely, quickly and effectively. Mica’s talented pilots and guides are intimately familiar with every square inch of the company’s impressive tenure, making it easy for them to choose the right location for each particular group based on the current conditions as well as the skill level and abilities of the skiers or snowboarders themselves.

In addition to benefitting from the experience and knowledge of these qualified experts, Mica’s guests can also enjoy the comforts of Mica’s impressive back country ski lodge, which offers a host of amenities and special services, such as gourmet cuisine, outdoor hot tubs and massage therapy treatments provided by trained professionals. These unique lodging facilities in addition to the surrounding area’s consistently fantastic ski conditions are just two of the reasons that Mica’s guests keep coming back time and time again.

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 near Fernie B.C.. For more information, contact Darryn Shewchuk at  1.877.837.6191 x2002.

The Staff of Mica Heli Guides, One of Canada’s Premier Heliskiing Outfits, Reports Excellent Ski Conditions for the Area Surrounding Revelstoke, B.C., While Warm Weather Patterns Continue to Affect the Coastal Areas of British Columbia.

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.