The best part about riding a new place is that very word: “new”. New terrain and an entirely unknown piece of the planet for you to snowboard on is one of the best situations you can put yourself into. This next place I was headed to would yield one of the most different scenarios I’ve seen yet. The Bull River Ranch in southern British Columbia was my destination. We pulled into the Fort Steele, BC, gas station. It had your typical fare of small town BC rest stops: fireworks, beef jerky, ice cream and other trinkets that I would love to know who actually buys fill the shelves. I asked the clerk behind the counter if the cat-skiing ranch was down this road and pointed out the window. She looked up from scooping ice-cream and said “Yeah… Powder Cowboy is down that way.”
The road to Powder Cowboy is filled with more deer than I’ve seen in one place. I lost count at about one hundred. It also passes over some really amazing river gorges and climbs you high up into a valley below some amazing peaks.
Arriving at the Bull River ranch you turn onto the property to a scene right out of a country western movie. Small cabins with smoking chimneys, dogs running all over the place, goats and sheep making their usual sounds and horses hanging there heads over wooden fences. You wouldn’t think you were arriving at this location to ride deep southern BC powder but the misty mountain behind the ranch alluded to some kind of mountain adventure close by.
Checking into our private cabin on-site was easy and we loaded the front deck with about five different powder-specific snowboards, with claims that we would be riding a different deck every day of the trip. Just missing some chewing tobacco and a cowboy hat, I could have perched myself on the front porch and would have been the stereotypical “Powder Cowboy” with all my snowboards and the horses out front.
Early next morning we loaded into vans and made our way to the staging area where the Cat was waiting to take us up into the alpine behind the Bull River Ranch. The guides had country music playing on the van stereo. Not too sure if that’s what they do all they time, but it was fitting as we passed more countryside meadows and climbed into the misty morning mountains.
The usual beacon clinic took up the first forty minutes of the morning and had our whole group handling the avalanche equipment. Over the years I’ve heard these beacon/avalanche clinics more than a few times. I find it interesting how each guide explains them so differently and always find it amusing when they use out of context situations to help people understand. Here it was “landing a plane”.
Weather seemed to be a mixed bag of sun and cloud for the first day and we would be hunting for snow on northerly aspects. The one thing you just have to get out of your head is all that green grass down on the ranch and not a snowflake in sight. You almost passed into a different world as the Cat climbed high into the alpine and we were instantly back in winter weather on top of the mountain ridge lines. catskiing
Sitting at the top of the ridgeline you get a feeling of being in an amphitheatre with the surrounding mountains enclosing the entire terrain tenure of Powder Cowboy. Amazing gladed tree runs are what the place is known for. Nine different zones to ride in with a combined six-thousand acres means that this place does not run out of fresh terrain to ride. We rode on the same ridge for most of the day and then hit up the Cabin Side area for the run down to the vans. Packs of cold beer were ready for the ride back to the ranch and I could feel that amazing “powder tired” sensation about to kick in.
Arriving back to the ranch drops of rain became more and more steady and the view of the mountains became engulfed in clouds. Dinner is held in the main lodge and is nothing short of amazing after a day in the snow. The general conversation among the group was that the rain would ruin the rest of the trip. Everyone in the group but myself and Golden, BC snowboarder Chris Soper were from elsewhere in the world. We knew all to well that rain in late March meant snow in the mountains. It was just too early in the season for rain to make it that high in the Rocky Mountains of BC, Canada.
The rooster call of the very “real” kind in the morning came quick on the ranch and we wandered are way over to the main lodge to get in the vans for the transfer over to the Cats. Frosty peaks and a lower snowline made for a promising ride up into the alpine. The guides filled us in on the good news that fifteen centimetres had fallen overnight and today would be an amazing day at Powder Cowboy. It was enough snow to refresh all the terrain and not too much to load the slopes and raise the danger.
The guides set a really good pace and the runs became more and more exciting and more intense as the day went on. Lapping trees on the “Iron Side” and finding fun little jumps all over the place kept the tempo of the day really up-beat. The guides in the group, Jamie and Trevor, took turns as lead and tail guide. This made for a nice mix of run choices.
Nighttime at Powder Cowboy was pretty mellow for us. The bartender kept us entertained with stories of parties that happen there. I guess that’s the way it all breaks down… Some groups party and some just like to ride and relax. Relaxing is quite easy here though and as soon as dinner is over and you’ve headed back to your own cabin sleep comes quick. A couple logs on the fire and before you know it your hitting the alarm button and lacing your boots up for another day on the Powder Cowboy range.
The trip was consistently getting more and more fun. People were loosening up and everyone in the Cat was talking more and more. The guides were opening more and more terrain to us as well. We did some small hikes that lead us into some really awesome terrain in the “Big Cruiser Bowl” area. The gem run of the trip though was toss up between “Mr. Perfect” and the “Accelerator” bowl. These are some of Powder Cowboys more intense areas and if you’re lucky with the right conditions and weather you’ll score these amazing pieces of mountain terrain.
We wrapped up the tour and rode more than enough fresh lines for the days we were there. A really amazing experience being on the ranch and even better was the new experience of being in this part of southern, BC. Fresh new snow on fresh new terrain is one of the best things you can experience on a board. Don’t ever let someone else’s opinion or a photo dictate on where you go snowboarding… You have to live it to know it.
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!
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 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
The Island Lake Group offers some of the world's most exciting private heli ski tours and untouched powder snowcat skiing, CatSkiing. Visit Island Lake Lodge today for a perfect hiking & mountain spa getaway!
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