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.

The 2009 Cat and Heli Ski season has come to a close and WOW did it ever go out with a bang! All through March, Mother nature dumped deep dry powder on the BC Rockies – conditions were epic!

All three operations had a safe season, seats were full, the skiing and boarding were fantastic and our guests were stoked with their experience!

The main message from our guest comment cards was that Island Lake Resort Group (Mica Heli, Powder Cowboy and Island Lake) have the best staff in the industry offering great guiding, fantastic food and top shelf service.

We are happy to report that the pricing for Catski and Classic Heliski tours has not increased for 2010 however the value continues to improve on our tour packages. US guests have the added bonus of 20% on current exchange rates!

Another positive note is that bookings are already stong for 2010. Our Catskiing deposits have been lowered for 2010 and early booking specials are in effect.

Mica Heli Guides has added a new Premium tour so guests now have the option of skiing in one, two or three groups of four per helicopter.

There are still some prime seats available so give us a call toll free, send us an email or visit our websites to reserve your spot for 2010.

From all the staff here “thank you for skiing or boarding with us!” We welcome you back for some more deep dry powder next season.

Now Booking 2010

US residents save 20% with current exchange rates!

Catsking 1-888-4CATSKI (422-8754) info@islandlakeresorts.com
Helisking 1-(877 or 250)-837-6191 info@micaheli.com

Powder Cowboy and Island Lake Catskiing have wrapped up their annual photo
shootout contest. The 3-day event saw 9 teams compete for $10,000 in cash and
prizes. Each team was comprised of 1 photographer and 3 athletes for a total of 36
competitors.

Mother Nature was kind to the competitors and provided 40-50 cm of fresh snow
over the 3-day event. Many of the photographers took advantage of the stormy weather
producing moody, atmospheric images that impressed the judges and crowd. An afterparty
followed each day of hard work, where prizes were awarded and a slideshow of
the photographer’s best shots were displayed. The event has given some
experience and exposure to up and coming photographers in Western Canada.
Island Lake General Manager Steve Kuijt said: “I was very impressed with the
creativity and talent shown by all of this year’s photographers…I thought I knew all the
great photo spots and angles up there, but I guess I was wrong!” Planning for next
year’s event has already begun.

Monday’s winners were:
Best Scenic: Kyle Hamilton
Best Composition: Chris Messervey
Best Athletic Performance: Sam Guther (shot by Aaron Whitfield)
Tuesday’s winners were:
Best Scenic: Mark Gribbon
Best Composition: Mark Gribbon
Best Athletic Performance: Mikel Witlox (shot by Ben van der Valk)
Wednesday’s winners were:
Best Scenic: Kyle Hamilton
Best Composition: Aaron Whitfield
Best Athletic Performance: Martin Gallant (shot by Mark Gribbon)
Best Overall Portfolio ($2,000) went to: Mark Gribbon
Best Overall Team Went to: Aaron Whitfield, Sam Guther, Marni Wilson and Derek Root
Sponsors for the event were: K2 Skis, The North Face, Smith Optics, Spy Optics, Peak
Performance, Hestra Gloves, Solomon and Icebreaker Clothing.

A Slideshow of the submitted images can be found at:
http://www.islandlakeresorts.com/winter/photo_video.html

A challenging snow year in Western Canada turned around this week with a massive 65 cm (over 2 foot) snowfall.  Monday, February 23rd saw 20 cms of wet snowfall, which was perfect for filling in the terrain.  Then a cold arctic front moved in hitting the turbulent moist air in Southern British Columbia, creating the perfect conditions for dry champagne powder.   By Thursday morning 65 cms had accumulated and the skies opened up, creating a skiers paradise on the legendary catskiing terrain.

“Our guests are ecstatic about the current conditions.  Yesterday was the best skiing of the year.  Deep, low density snow is the stuff dreams are made of” explains Island Lake General Manager Steve Kuijit.

Island Lake and Powder Cowboy are both offering up to 35% off on remaining March seats.   Call 1-888-4CATSKI for details.

Mike McPhee
Director of Sales and Marketing
Island Lake Resort Group
mike@islandlakeresorts.com
P: 250.423.3700  ext 3002
F: 250.423.4055
T: 1.888.422.8754
http://www.powdercowboy.com
http://www.islandlakecatskiing.com

Fernie, BC Canada October 30, 2008 – Island Lake Lodge is an icon in Fernie B.C. Over the last 20 years Island Lake Lodge has been recognized as one of the world’s best places to ski and snowboard. Every year the Fernie Chamber of Commerce honors outstanding local businesses and individuals with awards and this year awarded Island Lake Lodge Fernie Business of the Year.

“The Chamber of Commerce organizes the annual Community and Business Awards on behalf of the community.  In the past only one award nominee in each category was announced. We decided to introduce the Top 3 Nominees in each category to shine a spotlight on, and recognize more of the wonderful individuals, volunteers and businesses who have contributed so much to their community.” says Lynn Flokstra, Manager Fernie Chamber of Commerce.

The Award Criteria for them Fernie Business of the Year, sponsored by GPI Chartered Accountants is that it is open to any Business or Industry located in the City of Fernie and surrounding area that has demonstrated good corporate citizenship, good business standards and ethics, and contributes in a meaningful way to the community.

“It was an honor to be nominated and then a thrill to be awarded with the Fernie Business of the Year award” says Steve Kuijt, General Manager of Island Lake Lodge. “We have always been supporters of local and community charities and events and are proven environmental leaders in our region.” Kuijt goes onto explain.

About Island Lake Lodge- Island Lake Lodge Hiking and Mountain spa sits above a stunning mountain lake on 7000 acres of pristine wilderness.  In the winter it operates as a catskiing operation, servicing 36 guests in three snow cats.  In the summer it is as a luxurious backcountry lodge, with an extensive hiking trail system, a full service mountain spa and acclaimed food and wine.  Located in Fernie B.C. it is an easy 1 hour drive from the new Canadian Rockies International Airport in Cranbrook, B.C. a 2.5-hour drive from the airport in Kalispell, Montana and a  3 hour drive from Calgary International Airport in Alberta.

For additional information contact
Mike McPhee

Director of Sales and Marketing
Island Lake Resort Group
mike@islandlakeresorts.com

Island Lake Resort Group
602a, 2nd Ave Fernie BC Canada V0B 1MO
www.islandlakeresorts.com
Phone– 250-423-3700
Fax – 250-423-4055
Info@islandlakeresorts.com