Spring may be here but you would never know it at Mica Heli Guides. With over a meter of snow at -8 to -10 celcius in the last week the Guides all agree that the powder skiing is the best it’s been all year. “Our guests this first week of April are all raving that it’s the best skiing of their lives” says Paul Norrie, President and Mountain Guide at Mica Heliskiing. “The current snow pack is over 3.5 meters (11.5 feet) and we are skiing waist deep champagne powder this week”.

Mica Heliskiing is 100% small group heliskiing – operating three “semi-private” groups of four guests in one A-Star helicopter and one “private” group of four in a second Bell 407 helicopter. Only 16 people and a quarter million acres of terrain on the western slope of the BC Rockies. “When skiing, riding or touring in small groups of four, guest can access a much wider variety of terrain, tailored to what their individual group desires, intermediate to expert. No waiting, no jockeying for first tracks, we take you to the goods!” says Darryn Shewchuk, Mica Heli Guides Director of Marketing.

Mica Heli Skiing near Revelstoke, B.C. is one of three operations in the Island Lake Resort Group; the others being Powder Cowboy Catskiing and Island Lake Lodge near Fernie B.C. For more information on small group heliskiing contact Darryn Shewchuk at 1.877.837.6191 x2002.

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

Fernie, BC Canada August 5, 2008 – As more families are looking to experience outdoor adventures together, Island Lake Lodge and Powder Cowboy Cat skiing are filling that demand by offering 7 Family Ski Tours this winter.

“Cat skiing at Island Lake or Powder Cowboy is the perfect adventure holiday for families who love to ski” explains Corrie Wright, long time guide at Island Lake Lodge and father of two. “With the great camaraderie and friendly interaction you get in a snowcat, paired with attentive guides and amazing powder skiing Family-Ski Tours offer for an incredible and memorable experience for the whole family.”
Tours just for families were developed by the Island Lake Resort Group in order to accommodate a growing demand by their long term guests to bring their children along and experience the legendary powder of the Canadian Rockies. . “So many of our clients are repeat customers and as they get older, so do their children. We started to get so many requests to have them bring their children that we decided to dedicate whole tours to this kind of business” said Steve Kuijt, operations manager and guide at Island Lake Lodge.
Family-Ski tours include the use of powder skis or snowboards, deluxe lodge accommodation, stretch class, gourmet food and all the powder skiing one can manage in a day! Both operations also offer spa treatments, an eclectic wine list, and outdoor hot tubs.  Family Ski Tours are run by ACMG certified guides.
Please visit our website www.islandlakeresorts.com for Girl-Ski and other specialty Cat skiing tours or call 1-888-422-8754.

Island Lake Catskiing near Fernie, B.C. is one of three operations in The Island Lake Resort Group; the others being Powder Cowboy Cat skiing near Fernie B.C., and Mica Heli skiing near Revelstoke B.C.  Island Lake Lodge Mountain and Hiking Spa , Powder Cowboy Cat skiing and Mica Heli skiing are all members of HeliCat Canada and the Canadian Avalanche Association.

For press inquires or media visits please contact Christa Moffat
christa@islandlakeresorts.com 1.888.422.8754 x 3002
Journalists on assignment are welcome to visit!

Island Lake Resort Group
602a, 2nd Ave Fernie BC Canada V0B 1MO
www.islandlakeresorts.com
Contact: Darryn Shewchuk booth #818
mobile: 1-250-814-1950
Journalists on assignment are welcome to visit!

Fernie, BC August 5 2008 – With the growing demand for women specific opportunities, the Island Lake Resort Group is offering their popular Girlski Tours at both Island Lake Lodge and Powder Cowboy Cat skiing this winter season.

Fresh dry powder, deluxe accommodation, and amazing food and wine shared amongst a few close friends have always been the draw of Cat skiing at these resorts in the Canadian Rockies. “After rave reviews from last year’s sold out Girlski Tours, we are excited to be offering three Girlski tours this winter” said Kirsten Knechtel, lead guide and operations manger at Powder Cowboy Catskiing.

Girlski tours were developed by the Island Lake Resort Group to entice more women into the sport of back country powder skiing. “90% of our clients are men, and when I go out there and ski with them it’s great, but I can’t help but wonder why more women don’t come out and do this? It is incredibly fun and really exciting, and you don’t have to be an expert” said Powder Cowboy’s lodge manager Sandra DaCosta.

These all inclusive tours include the use of women specific powder skis or snowboards, deluxe accommodation, yoga, gourmet food and all the powder skiing one can manage in a day! Both operations also offer spa treatments, an eclectic wine list, and outdoor hot tubs.   Girlski tours are run by female ACMG certified guides, and female cat drivers which helps to foster a supportive, non competitive and fun environment for the guests.

Please visit our website www.islandlakeresorts.com for family and other specialty Cat skiing tours or call 1-888-422-8754

Island Lake Catskiing near Fernie, B.C. is one of three operations in The Island Lake Resort Group; the others being  Powder Cowboy Catskiing near Fernie B.C., and Mica Heliskiing near Revelstoke B.C.  Island Lake,  Powder Cowboy Catskiing and Mica Heliskiing are all members of HeliCat Canada and the Canadian Avalanche Association.

For press inquires or media visits please contact Darryn Shewchuk booth #818
mobile: 1-250-814-1950

Journalists on assignment are welcome to visit!
Powder Cowboy Catskiing
602a, 2nd Ave Fernie BC Canada V0B 1MO
www.powdercowboy.com
Phone– 250.423.3700
Fax – 250.423.4055
Info@powdercowboy.com