Although Winter is Still Many Months away, the Reservations Staff at Mica Heli Guides Are Hard at Work and There is No Doubt That the Upcoming Season Will be just as Busy as Ever

Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada, June 2, 2010 – Summer is a welcome time of year for many weary ski resort employees, a time to rest relax, soak up the warm rays and spend time with family and loved ones. Those who have never had the opportunity to visit British Columbia’s Canadian Rockies during the warmer months, may not be aware how truly breathtaking this rugged mountain countryside can be.

Revelstoke B.C. and its surrounding area are particularly attractive during this time of year, offering not only some spectacularly striking scenery, but also providing an opportunity to engage in a broad range of activities, from traditional summer pastimes, such as hiking, fishing and canoeing to somewhat more adventurous endeavors like heli-hiking, whitewater rafting, kayaking, fishing, ATVing and mountain biking. For the slightly tamer at heart, there are also a host of less strenuous options, which include shopping, golfing, visiting museums or spending some time relaxing at one of the area’s two hot spring resorts.

Nevertheless, this part of B.C. is perhaps best known as a hot spot for skiing and snowboarding. In fact, during the winter months, Revelstoke is a veritable magnet for thrill seekers from all over the globe, who come here in order to live out their fantasies and experience some of the most exciting rides of their lives. While some come to for cross country or cat skiing, the most adventurous visitors seek the type of backcountry seclusion and downhill powder runs that can only be accessed by helicopter.

While Mica Hel Guides isn’t B.C.’s only heliskiing outfit, its skilled pilots and experienced guides are widely recognized as some of the best in the business. Mica is a highly exclusive operation, which caters solely to small groups of skiers and snowboarders who want to experience the thrill of powder skiing in one of the most ideal settings on the planet.

Mica’s remote mountain lodge, nestled between the Selkirk and Monashee ranges in the western part of the Canadian Rockies, is accessible only by helicopter. The facility consists of a main lodge, which sleeps up to 12 guests in addition to a chalet with four extra large, deluxe rooms that each feature a fireplace, lounge chairs and a comfortable king size bed.

Despite their limited capacity, Mica’s lodging facilities feature a broad range of amenities and services including world class cuisine, two outdoor hot tubs and a well trained staff of professional massage therapists. More importantly, the lodge, which is only open for business during the winter season (December through April), serves as the gateway to nearly 178,000 acres of pristine backcountry ski terrain. Like the accommodations themselves, most of this terrain is accessible only by helicopter.

The area’s consistently fantastic ski conditions are simply unparalleled. Because of its strategic location, the majority of Mica’s tenure is completely covered in some of the deepest, driest champagne powder on earth for nearly 6 months out of the year. Because of limited capacity, however, seats at Mica generally fill up quite quickly, as eager skiers and boarders usually book several months in advance. This year is certainly no exception. With reservations already pouring in, those who wish to get in on the action this coming winter, will need to act fast if they have any hope of booking a seat at Mica Heli Ski Guides.

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 Cat skiing and Island Lake Lodge near Fernie B.C.. For more information, 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

Revelstoke, BC Canada Oct 15, 2008 – Mica Heliskiing announced today a new Private heliskiing program utilizing the Bell 407 helicopter. “After a very successful first season of our new Private Program, we’ve made the ultimate ski experience even better! 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!” says Paul Norrie Mica Heli Guides President.

Private tours include:
–Private Bell 407 Helicopter
–Unlimited Vertical
–2 hours/day heli time
–Greater discretion over your ski program
–Single occupancy hotel accommodation pre/post heli trip (Kelowna or Revelstoke)
–Airport shuttle service in Kelowna
–Ground transport from Kelowna to Revelstoke
–Heli transfer from Revelstoke to/from Mica Lodge
–Optional Heli transfer from Calgary or Kelowna
–Single occupancy rooming in Mica Chalet (large room, King bed, fireplace)
–Gourmet meals
–Use of our K2 powder skis and safety equipment (ABS airbag, digital transceiver, shovel & probe).
–Two guides with groups of 1-4 skiers.

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.

Mica Heliskiing 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!” says Darryn Shewchuk – Mica Heli Guides Director of Sales and Marketing.
Returning guests will be sure to notice the renovations made to Mica Lodge including a full kitchen renovation (complete with 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!

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 Cat skiing near Fernie B.C., For more information contact Darryn Shewchuk at 1-877-837-6191 x2002.

Mica Heliskiing 
PO Box 1250,
207 Mackenzie Ave
Revelstoke BC Canada V0E 2SO
www.micaheli.com
Phone– 250-837-6191
Fax – 250-837-6199

Info@micaheli.com
Contact: Darryn Shewchuk
Office: 250-837-6191 x2002
Mobile: 250-814-1950

It’s that time of year again! The snow is on the mountains and the ski shows have started. Island Lake Catskiing, Powder Cowboy Catskiing and Mica Heliskiing will have a booth at some of the bigger shows this year. Drop by and get a free DVD, posters and cool stickers!

Vancouver Oct 4 & 5
Toronto Oct 17-19
London England Oct 22-26
Calgary Nov 7-9
Denver Nov 7-9
Portland Nov 14-16

Hope to see you there!

Fernie, BC Canada September 10, 2008 – Island Lake Lodge has announced a March Seat Sale. For a limited time you can book a tour for after March 15th at the world renowned backcountry Cat skiing resort and receive 15% off the regular rates.

“March 2007 and 2008 were epic snow months in the Canadian Rockies and we are enticing people to come back or to try cat skiing for the first time. Typically March can be our biggest snow month of the whole season” explains Steve Kuijt, Operations Manager/ guide at Island Lake Lodge and long time resident of Fernie BC. “Last March we experienced some of our most epic days of the whole year on the mountain and we have the pictures to prove it.” Kuijt goes onto explain. Last March saw 24 out of 30 days with fresh snow in the skiing terrain. Also in March Island Lake Lodge Hiking and Mountain spa hosted the 1st annual Photo Shoot Out – a photography contest where six photographers hand picked three athletes to shoot over the 3 days. A panel of judges decided on the best photographs of the day, in the categories of best action, best overall athlete of the day and best scenic/abstract. Over $10,000 worth of prizing was awarded throughout the event. The Photo Shoot Out was a huge success mainly due to the amazing snow the mountains received prior to and during the event.

Cat skiing 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! Island Lake Lodge has a world class full service spa, a 3,000 bottle wine library and an eclectic wine list, and outdoor hot tubs. All Catskiing Tours are guided by ACMG certified guides.
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 Heli skiing near Revelstoke B.C. Island Lake Lodge, Powder Cowboy Catskiing and Mica Heliskiing are all members of HeliCat Canada and the Canadian Avalanche Association.

Please visit our website www.islandlakecatskiing.com for other specialty Catskiing tours or call 1-888-422-8754.

For additional information on Island Lake Lodge and the Photo Shoot Out contact
Mike McPhee
Director of Sales and Marketing
Island Lake Resort Group

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