Despite The Heat Wave That Had Organizers of the Winter Games Literally Trucking in Snow and Competitors Complaining of Less Than Ideal Conditions, The People at Mica Heli Guides in Revelstoke  B.C. Are Still Enjoying Mountains of Fresh Powder.

Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada, March 6, 2010 – Many a sigh of relief was heard in Vancouver as this year’s Winter Games came to a close last weekend. Organizers finally had a chance to relax after weeks of trucking in loads of snow in order to try to maintain some semblance of winter at what will long be remembered by many sports fans as the warmest Winter Olympics in decades. While many fans poked fun at  an event that  has been widely been referred to as a complete fiasco, one competitor even went so far as to display one of her perforated skis during an interview on a well known national television news channel, confirming that it had been damaged before she even reached the starting line, by a rock that was jutting out from beneath the surface of the thin layer of slippery slush.

Meanwhile, the locals chuckled and did their best to refrain from shouting “we told you so” as they found humor in the fact that while temperatures as high as fifty degrees Fahrenheit seemed to come as a complete shock to international fans and members of the Olympic Committee, that sort of weather is actually quite common in Vancouver during this time of the year. So, while some of the world’s top athletes battled it out on inches of slippery slush, many more savvy skiers and snowboarders took to the hills in search of several feet of powder.

Those who visited Mica this season managed to find what they were looking for, and some of them are still getting the rides of their lives at one of British Columbia’s premier heliskiing destinations. In fact, conditions at Mica’s vast backcountry tenure remain so good that the company’s powerful mountain helicopters haven’t seen much downtime since late last November, as people continue to flock here in search of a ski experience that is simply unrivaled.

Nestled on the western slopes of the Canadian Rockies near Revelstoke British Columbia, Mica Heli Ski impressive tenure consists of nearly 180,000 acres of some of the backcountry ski terrain on the planet. Because of its strategic location, this area is consistently home to some of the deepest driest champagne powder in the world, perfect for living out even the wildest of skiing or snowboarding fantasies.

Known as one of the best in the business, Mica Heli Guides uses A-Star and Bell 407 helicopters to speedily transport its guests to some amazing backcountry locations, where they get a chance to lay fresh tracks in heaps of dry champagne powder as they enjoy  run after run of adrenaline pumping Canadian heliskiing. Mica specializes exclusively in small groups  and has a well established reputation for employing only the most skilled and experienced helicopter pilots and ski guides in all of North America.

While other operations have already shut down for the season, Mica’s dedicated staff is still hard at work as excellent ski conditions persist with a snowpack of over two hundred and fifty centimeters and some fresh snowfall in the last week. One thing that makes Mica’s terrain so special is that it is strategically situated between the Monashee and Selkirk ranges, in Canada’s Rocky Mountains. This is an area known for producing exceptionally deep, dry powder, which is a result of moist storms from the west colliding with cold arctic air that blows in from northern Alberta. The ski season here typically lasts through early May and  snowfall often exceeds 60 feet per year.

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

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.

There is plenty of good news to report at Mica Heli!  Fall has recently arrived, bringing fresh snow on the mountain tops and beautiful fall colors surrounding the lodge.  With overnight temperatures now consistently below freezing, another season of powder skiing is in the air!

Mica has been a buzz all summer with many projects. Most importantly we’ve opened more new ski terrain!  In total we’ve cut nine new helicopter landings in Molson, Harvey, Dawson and the Wood Arm drainages.  These new landings will add a wide variety of new ski terrain, including some beautiful, steep, north facing tree runs in Harvey!

I’m definitely looking forward to the first turns ever on the “Drive Thru”, only a two minute flight from the lodge!

After a very successful first season of our new Private Program, we’ve made the ultimate ski experience even better!  New for the 2009 season, the Mica Heli Private Program will be flying with the Bell 407 helicopter.  The Bell 407 has one more seat than the A-Star, which allows room for a second guide, giving our private groups the ability to safely explore the far reaches of our terrain.  This helicopter has incredible power and excellent fuel capacity which means more time skiing!

Although Mica Heli has quickly become known for consistent weather and quality snow, on those rare days when the snow is deep, but flying isn’t a safe option; we have an exciting new alternative!  As I write this we are putting the finishing touches on a new trail for our Pisten Bully Snow Cat. This will allow us to access the tree skiing directly above the lodge while we wait for the flying conditions to improve.

Returning guests will be sure to notice the renovations made to Mica Lodge including a full kitchen reno (complete with a sassy wall colour, new appliances and a wine cooler) fresh paint, new furniture and creature comforts. The next thing you’ll notice is the brand new beds and linens – if the skiing wasn’t so amazing you might not want to get out of bed! With a new roof and exterior stain Mica Lodge has never looked better!

Best of all your favorite team is back this year with Matt and Trevor flying, Shane, Rob, Ian, Rich, Terry, Eric and me guiding, and three new faces to Mica, but veterans to heliski guiding – Michael Cater, Cliff Umpleby and Mark Bender.  Nicole and Julie are back cooking up a storm in their new kitchen and Barbara, Val, Jonathan, Sam, Jen and Cathy are also back to make sure everyone has the perfect trip!

This winter the program at Mica Heliskiing is going to be the best ever! We have only a few seats left in Jan, Feb and March so give Val a call at 1.877.837.6191 to book your spot today. We all look forward to seeing you and skiing with you soon!

Best Regards,
Paul Norrie
President

Darryn Shewchuk
Director, Sales & Marketing
www.micaheli.com | www.powdercowboy.com | www.islandlakecatskiing.com
1.888.CATHELI (228-4354) x2002
Mobile 250.814.1950

Experience the POWDER of the Canadian Rockies www.DeepPow.com

Back by popular demand, Island Lake Lodge organizes specially designed day hikes throughout the summer.

Anyone who has ever visited or who lives in Fernie will agree that it is a beautiful valley framed by stunning peaks. From the iconic Three Sisters, to the folded layers of geological history of Mt Hosmer, to the lush heavily vegetated slopes of Mt. Fernie, there are many exciting places to discover and explore.

Mountain Pursuits and Island Lake Lodge are pleased to present specially designed day hikes for this summer’s Hiking Series. Back by popular demand – and in its 6th summer – the Hiking Series runs a number of group hikes throughout the summer. These are fully guided educational hikes offering everything the Elk Valley has to offer from vibrant alpine wildflowers to incredible mountain views.

Every season Mountain Pursuits puts on a Hiking Series to encourage locals and those visiting to become a little more intimate with our mountain environment. They do this by offering group hikes with local guides and experts taking you to neighboring peaks and points of interest.

Jennifer Coulter, guide and hiking program manager of Mountain Pursuits and Island Lake Lodge explains “This series has something for every one. From summiting Fernie’s rugged peaks, to a casual hike exploring the flora and fauna of the alpine environment, there is an adventure for all ability levels. Joining a guided hiking series hike is a great way to get off the beaten path and let our guides lead you to places you may not have visited on your own. ”

For more information about Hiking and Mountain Spa in Fernie, check out the Mountain Pursuits and Island Lake Lodge websites:
Mountainpursuits.com
Islandlakeresorts.com

Mike McPhee
Director of Sales and Marketing
Island Lake Resort Group
mike@islandlakeresorts.com
(250) 423 3700 ext 3002
christa@islandlakeresorts.com
www.islandlakelodge.com

Revelstoke, BC Canada June 18, 2008 – Mica Heliskiing completed a full season (December 2007 to April 2008) using the new ABS Freeride Airbag and the new Barryvox ‘Pulse’ Avalanche Transceiver.

At Mica Heli skiing, a safe and enjoyable experience is our No. 1 priority. Our professionally trained and certified guides make every effort to reduce the risks associated with back country skiing. The new ABS Airbags and Barryvox Digital Transceivers are state of the art avalanche safety equipment and have added another level of safety at Mica Heliskiing.

ABS Packs: Each of our guests is now provided with an ABS backpack to wear during the ski day. The ABS Freeride is a lightweight dual balloon pack with room inside for an avalanche probe and shovel. In the event of an avalanche, the ABS pack helps a person stay on the surface of a moving avalanche, thereby dramatically decreasing the likelihood of becoming buried.

Barryvox ‘Pulse’ Avalanche Transceivers: Mica Heliskiing upgraded to a fleet of the new Barryvox ‘Pulse’ Avalanche Transceivers for our guests to use while skiing last season. The Barryvox ‘Pulse’ is at the leading edge of avalanche transceiver technology. Our guests were extremely pleased with these new units, which are without question, one of the fastest and easiest transceivers on the market to use!

Mica Helskiing Safety Program: Mica Heliskiing minimizes the risks associated with backcountry skiing in several different ways. On the first morning of your stay, each guest is required to take part in a formal Helicopter Safety Briefing and a Backcountry Safety School. These sessions include the use of standard avalanche safety equipment, including ABS Packs and avalanche transceivers. All groups are lead by professionally trained and certified guides. Each of our guides meets or exceeds the requirements of ‘a guide’ as set by the Helicat Canada guidelines and have been trained and certified by the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides and/or are members of the International Federation of Mountain Guides. Throughout the day your guide will work to choose terrain deemed appropriate for the current mountain conditions and the ability level of your group.

Mica Heli is a member of HeliCat Canada. HeliCat sets strict safety standards for operating a Helicopter and/or SnowCat Skiing area and as part of our membership we are required to have our safety systems and procedures reviewed on a regular basis. Mica Heliskiing is also a member of the Canadian Avalanche Association and subscribes to the Canadian Avalanche Association’s INFOEX. The ‘INFOEX’ is a daily information exchange between professional avalanche industry stakeholders and allows us to compare our mountain conditions and observations with those of our neighbors.

If you would like to learn more about our safety procedures, please do not hesitate to contact us and we’ll be happy to provide you with further detail.

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 contact Darryn Shewchuk at  1.877.837.6191 x200