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.

Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada, May 9, 2010 – With summer just around the corner and most people happily shedding their heavy winter gear for lighter, less restrictive garmets, those who live for the thrill of cold weather action sports can’t seem to wait for King Frost’s next visit. It seems that this penchant for chilly weather is a virus of sorts, brought on, more often than not, by the heart-stopping thrill of racing down remote backcountry slopes during peak season, surrounded only by the sounds of nature and accompanied by no more than two or three close companions.  The illness appears to be highly contagious, striking without warning and causing irreversible effects, for which there doesn’t yet seem to be any known cure to speak of.

No population seems more susceptible to this malady than the inhabitants of British Columbia, whose endless pursuit of adrenaline has even led them to take to the skies in pursuit of ever higher heights and greater levels of excitement than ever before experienced by their lift-bound predecessors.  After climbing aboard mountain helicopters, these die hard thrill seekers are transported to difficult to reach, pristine locations, where the powder abounds and people are scarce. Here they can let their disease run rampant, taking over completely as they indulge in a feast of the senses, grinning from ear to ear as they carve their way through a seemingly endless alpine playground, leaving all their cares to the wind.

What is most alarming about this condition is that it is quickly becoming a pandemic, spreading from the local population and infecting visitors from around the world in recent years. The rate of contagion is so high that it has led to the need to create facilities, known as lodges, to house those who have been affected, many of whom flock to B.C. each winter in search of an outlet for the madness that many call “heli-fever”. In fact groups of well meaning locals, who have, following years of exposure, become immune to the more startling symptoms ( i.e.  spontaneous bouts of laughter, chronic euphoria and an inability to stop smiling), have banded together in a humanitarian effort to provide relief to these more recently infected individuals, by facilitating the only known form of therapy known to be effective, namely: heliskiing.

One such relief organization is known as Mica Heli Guides, a group of talented guides, pilots and hospitality professionals who have taken it upon themselves to provide access to an environment that caters to the needs of incurable heli-skiers from around the globe. The organization operates a remote backcountry lodge that offers all the creature comforts as well as access to Mica’s vast ski terrain, which features an endless assortment of alpine ridges, tree runs and open bowls, perfect for laying fresh tracks in deep, dry powder during the winter months.

Despite its rather remote location ( outside of Revelstoke B.C.), Mica’s impressive tenure is visited by hundreds each year, who flock here in search of the best ski conditions, pilots and guides on the planet. Due to heavy demand and because of the fact that the company caters exclusively to small groups of skiers, reservations must be made many months in advance.

In fact, Mica is almost fully booked for next season (December 2010-Apri 2011), so if you suffer from “heli-fever” or are willing to risk becoming infected with it, don’t delay, reserve a seat today. One thing is for sure, you’ll leave with a smile on your face and insatiable urge to come back for more the following year.

ABOUT:

Mica Heli Skiing near Revelstoke, B.C. specializes in small group heli ski. It 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 x2002.

Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada, April 11, 2010 – According to a recent article in USA Today, the 3 fatal the avalanches that recently claimed the lives of several people in British Colombia were triggered by snowmobilers in two cases and skiers in the third.  The author of that piece also stated every one of these tragic events were attributed to unstable snow conditions as well as the fact that the people involved had chosen to disregard warnings. While remote mountain areas throughout North America are home to many deadly snowslides each year, the majority of these phenomena tend to have causes similar to those cited above. Basically, they are usually due to human error on the part of of individuals who have a blatant disregard for safety and often choose to ignore obvious warning signs altogether.

But the threat of avalanches doesn’t discourage fanatical skiers and snowboarders from constantly seeking to push the envelope in search of ever more thrilling mountain rides. In fact, the popularity of backcountry activities such as catskiing and heliskiing has skyrocketed in recent years, sparking the emergence of many different companies that specialize in getting skiers into more remote mountain locations, without the use of traditional ski lifts.

Perhaps the most well known and well respected of these outfits is Mica  Heli Ski Guides, a small company, which is based just outside of Revelstoke British Columbia, on the Western Slopes of the Canadian Rockies. Each winter, Mica runs exclusive, private tours from its remote alpine lodge to dozens of pristine locations throughout its more than 178,000 acres of premium backcountry ski tenure. The company is well known in ski circles for providing quality personalized service while adhering to the strictest standards of safety.

One of the advantages of heliskiing over more traditional ski lifts is the fact that helicopters allow skiers and snowboarders to access some extremely remote, uninhabited locations, where they can lay fresh tracks and experience the thrill of downhill skiing in fresh, deep, dry powder. While traditional resorts are often overcrowded and overused, causing snow conditions to deteriorate quite quickly, the backcountry remains unspoiled, accessible only to those who have the motivation and the wherewithal necessary to get there. This makes heliskiing a far more exclusive experience, which relatively few skiers are fortunate enough take part in each year.

But backcountry heliskiing is not without its drawbacks. In fact, while the two biggest hurdles for many are the required skill level and high cost of this activity, many people also have serious safety concerns. Nevertheless, those factors need not necessarily serve as deterrents, provided that those who chose to engage in this exciting activity, do so with the aid of skilled professionals.

That is where companies such as Mica Heli Guides come in, providing the expertise and equipment necessary to ensure the safety and enjoyment of thrill seekers of all different ages and backgrounds. In fact, Mica has received a great deal of recognition due to the extensive experience and spotless safety record of its pilots and guides in addition to the quality of the equipment that the company uses. While Mica’s powerful, modern mountain helicopters seldom remain on the ground for more than two days each winter, extensive avalanche awareness training combined with the use of tools such as probes and transceivers, helps to ensure that skiers avoid the perils of snowslides. Mica’s professional ski guides know this country like the back of their hands and provide the guidance necessary for skiers to enjoy themselves thoroughly and stay out of harm’s way.

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

The winners were as follows:

•    Best Portfolio (top prize $2,000 cash) = Aaron Whitfield
•    Best Composition = Kyle Hamilton
•    Best Scenic = Aaron Whitfield
•    Best Team Performance = Matt Kunn
•    Best Athletic Performance =
1.    Andrew Mirabito
2.    Matt Kuhn
3.    Dave Best

Over $10,000 in prizes were handed out from event sponsors, which included: K2 Skis, The Northface, Spy Optics, Peak Performance, Smith Optics, Vans Shoes, Hestra Gloves, Icebreaker and Tecnica Boots.

You can see a slide show of the submitted photos at:
http://www.islandlakecatskiing.com/videos_photos

For additional information please contact:

Mike McPhee
Director of Sales and Marketing
Island Lake Resort Group
mike@deeppow.com
P: 250.423.3700 ext 3002
Toll Free: 1.888.422.8754

http://www.islandlakecatskiing.com

Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada, March 25, 2010 – As unbelievable as it may seem, the last few weeks have seen an incredible amount of fresh snowfall, making ski conditions in and around Revelstoke B.C. better than ever. In fact, last week alone, there were more than 40 cm of fresh powder on the ground, prompting one excited guest at Mica Heli Guides’ famed backcountry ski resort to comment “I had the jump of my life today. I’m addicted and can’t wait for more tomorrow.”

As one of British Columbia’s most well known heliskiing operations, Mica Heli Ski Guides has built a reputation for long standing excellence over the years. While inadequate equipment and questionable safety procedures have spelled disaster for other outfits in recent months, Mica’s experienced team of pilots and guides have an outstanding safety record, which remains unparalleled throughout the industry as a whole. Not only is all of Mica’s staff well trained, its team members have the skills, equipment and experience necessary to ensure that guests enjoy some of the best skiing on earth, without having to worry about coming home in one piece.

Mica’s staff uses powerful mountain helicopters to transport small groups of heliskiers and heliboarders to the farthest reaches of its vast expanse of backcountry catskiing terrain. People who travel to Mica’s remote mountain hideaway come here for one reason and one reason only: to lay fresh tracks on some of the deepest, driest powder on earth.

Part of what makes Mica’s huge tenure so special is its unique location. This enormous area, which spans more than 178,000 acres in all, is nestled between the Selkirk and Monashee ranges, on the Western Slopes of the Canadian Rockies. This spectacular region is consistently home to some of the deepest, driest champagne powder on earth, typically enjoying better than average ski conditions between December and April of each year. The terrain ranges in altitude between 1900 and 5900 feet above sea level, features eight distinct main valleys and is home to a seemingly endless assortment of exclusive, adrenaline pumping backcountry ski runs.

Every winter, as the moisture laden gusts that blow eastward from the Pacific Coast combine with cold northern winds that originate in the ice fields of the northern Canadian Rockies, powdery dry snow, often referred to as “Cold Smoke”, is produced, quickly covering the ground and creating a deep snowpack that is constantly being topped off with more fresh champagne powder as subsequent winter storms roll through.  This recurring phenomenon creates perfect conditions, which can be enjoyed by skiers and snowboarders alike, provided they have a way to access the remote backcountry locations that reap the fruits of these remarkable weather patterns.

That’s where Mica Heli Guides comes in. The company specializes in getting skiers and snowboarders into the action zone, safely, quickly and effectively. Mica’s talented pilots and guides are intimately familiar with every square inch of the company’s impressive tenure, making it easy for them to choose the right location for each particular group based on the current conditions as well as the skill level and abilities of the skiers or snowboarders themselves.

In addition to benefitting from the experience and knowledge of these qualified experts, Mica’s guests can also enjoy the comforts of Mica’s impressive back country ski lodge, which offers a host of amenities and special services, such as gourmet cuisine, outdoor hot tubs and massage therapy treatments provided by trained professionals. These unique lodging facilities in addition to the surrounding area’s consistently fantastic ski conditions are just two of the reasons that Mica’s guests keep coming back time and time again.

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

Fernie, British Columbia, Canada, March 26, 2010 – Piles of white gold cover the mountains of British Columbia’s Lizard Range as Powder Cowboy’s lucky guests continue to “saddle up” each day  in preparation for some of the most exciting rides of their lives. March has been quite a month in the Canadian Rockies, as a rapid succession of winter storms have produced some incredible ski conditions, particularly in the area surrounding Fernie, B.C. Skiers at Powder Cowboy Catskiing, one of western Canada’s top catskiing resorts, continue to enjoy the benefits of these fantastic weather patterns, even as the end of the long winter ski season slowly draws nearer.

Although Spring is in full swing throughout many lower latitude locations, fresh powder continues to fall over the more than 6000 acres that comprise Powder Cowboy’s impressive terrain, keeping the resort’s grateful guests smiling as they enjoy day after day of adrenaline pumping action amidst some of the best backcountry ski country on earth. There seems to be no end to this impressive torrent and with a snowpack of more than two and a half meters still covering the ground, conditions continue to remain favorable, even this late into the season.

Nevertheless, these conditions come as no surprise to members of Powder Cowboy’s experienced staff, who are well aware that March is often the best time of the year to take advantage of the vast assortment of exciting ski runs that the Lizard Range has to offer. In fact, March and April often see some of the biggest storms of the season and fresh powder is by no means uncommon during these months.

It is the promise of such conditions that keeps skiers and snowboarders coming back to Powder Cowboy Catskiing year after year, in search of the type of thrills that only the Canadian Rockies can provide. The impressive resort is a great place to experience various backcountry ski environments, including some of the best gladed tree runs on the planet in addition to a large collection of steep chutes and bowls that are enough to get even the most experienced downhill skier’s blood pumping. Guests are transported to these slopes atop powerful snowcat skiing, large, rugged winter vehicles that can take skiers and snowboarders to many locations where traditional ski lifts simply do not yet exist.

In addition to being known as a great place to enjoy the outdoors, Powder Cowboy is also home to an impressive, western themed lodge, whose rustic, yet modern facilities offer a level of comfort that is above and beyond what many similarly priced resorts have to offer. The Bull Horn Guest Ranch features a total of 10 cozy log cabins, 8 of which are set up to accommodate guests. Each of these lodging facilities is equipped with in-floor heating as well as a fireplace and can comfortably sleep between 2 and 4 guests.

There is also a hot tub/sauna cabin that houses two showers, a spacious cedar sauna, and two outdoor hot tubs on a covered deck. Guests can enjoy their meals in the Big Horn Saloon, which contains a dining area, bar, kitchen and massage rooms. A large covered deck with an outdoor fireplace is a great place to enjoy a drink, swap stories, or wind down after a long day of skiing.

During the summer months, Powder Cowboy doubles as a dude ranch. It is the perfect place to spend a relaxing vacation amidst breathtaking natural surroundings.

ABOUT:

Powder Cowboy Catskiing and Heli Ski 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.

Fernie, British Columbia, Canada, March 26, 2010 – Everybody skier wants to experience the thrill of laying fresh tracks in deep, dry powder as often as possible, which is something the folks at Island Lake Resort, located just outside of Fernie British Columbia, know and understand well. As a pioneer in the sport of Catskiing, this Rocky Mountain ski resort was one of the first operations of its type; it set quite a precedent years ago, by becoming the first resort ever to own its own ski terrain.

While many British Columbian resorts operate on Crown Land and make use of broad expanses of publicly owned property known as tenures to carry out their activities, very few actually hold deeds to their own land. Island Lake Resort, on the other hand, does not fall under this category, but sits instead on over 7000 acres of premium, privately owned back country ski terrain. Located in the heart of the Lizard Range section of the Western Canadian Rockies, in an area known as the Cedar Valley, Island Lake Lodge is one of Canada’s most swell known ski destinations and was recently named one of the top places to stay on the planet by none other than National Geographic Traveler, arguably the world’s most well respected travel publication.

The main reason for Island Lake’s popularity, however, stems not from its proud history as a pioneer in the world of Catskiing, nor from the fact that lodge’s owners also hold a deed to the land the resort sits on, but is instead a result of the copious amounts of dry powdery snow that grace the slopes of the Lizard Range each year, making Island Lake one of the best places to ski on the planet. The resort offers its guests the opportunity to experience a wide variety thrilling ski runs that vary substantially in intensity, length, altitude and type. The lodge’s vast terrain offers a great many options for skiers and snowboarders of all ages and skill levels. Simply put, there is something for everybody at Island Lake, which is why so many skiers and snowboarders from around the globe flock here each year in search of an outdoor experience that only the breathtakingly gorgeous, snow covered slopes of the Canadian Rockies are capable of providing.

Aside from a seemingly endless assortment of steep ridge lines, gladed tree runs and open bowls to shred, the location also offers skiers a chance to experience lavish accommodations and gourmet dining in a spectacular natural setting. In fact, Island Lake serves up some of Western Canada’s finest cuisine and the resort’s four luxury lodges provide guests with an opportunity to relax in style after a long, exciting day of snowcat skiing.

But a trip to Island Lake doesn’t come cheap. In fact, even during the low season, a 2 day stay at one of the resort’s posh winter lodges can cost as much as $1,500 or more per person. And that’s if you can even get a room. Due to its limited capacity and immense popularity, Island Lake is usually booked solid at least one year in advance.

While some people go out of their way to save up enough cash to make an Island Lake vacation a reality, others simply can afford it. That’s why Island lake is now offering day catskiing packages for under $300 per person. These convenient packages are meant to give avid skiers and snowboarders with more modest budgets a chance to enjoy the same great skiing that guests who sleep at the resort do, without having to spring for accommodations and as well. The deal  also targets local skiers, who live relatively close to the resort, and yearn for an opportunity to explore its extensive terrain. This special is just one of many deals and promotions currently being offered by Island Lake Lodge. More information about these offers is available at: www.islandlakecatskiing.com/packages.

ABOUT:

Island Lake Lodge is a back country resort located on 7,000 acres of mountainous terrain near Fernie B.C. Canada, just beyond the Mount Fernie Provincial Park. Island Lake Resorts consist of Island Lake Catskiing in addition to Powder Cowboy Catskiing and Mica Heli Ski.

Arriving at the parking lot I see people milling about and a huge red snowcat skiing grumbling down from the forest. I rushed to gather my belongings and triple checked to make sure I had everything. Getting up to the lodge is about thirty minutes and I didn’t want to be that guy at the top missing his boots. I jumped into the back of the cat and grabbed the last seat on the bench. Everyone seemed friendly enough on the cat ride up and people chatted with one another. Inside my mind though, I was quietly sizing people up according to looks and the cities that they came from.  This would be my new crew for the next four days after all, and I was planning on getting in as many fresh turns as possible.

Two large timber framed lodges came into view and the huge snow taxi ride was almost over.  Arriving at the base lodge was more than I expected. I jumped out into the soft snow and was directed towards the Red Eagle Lodge which was a smaller A-frame lodge tucked into the corner of the clearing. I walked past the Bear Lodge, which was the original lodge when the operation started in 1988.  I knew of it from photos and was told it was used as the guest bar and lounge now. I dropped my bags off and immediately walked back over to snoop around it’s legendary walls and have a soda before dinner. I entered to a rousing crowd of what was surely an all-American group: east coast US accents and NFL football on the TV, screams included. I did some more analyzing of potential riding partners and was almost one hundred percent sure that I might be the only snowboarder up there. Not a problem. Dinner was served and finished up quickly. People scattered to their assigned rooms to prepare for an anticipated first day out in the mountains of Island Lake Lodge

Good Morning I.L.L.
My room was ultra comfortable but that didn’t stop me from waking up more than an hour before breakfast.  It was day one after all, and I had some energy ready to unleash on the Lizard Range of the BC, Rockies. Island Lake has seven thousand acres of terrain at it’s disposal; high alpine bowls, steep gladded trees and thousand’s of little secret little features that you couldn’t even dream of, all waiting to be found and ridden. First things first though, everyone in the group, regardless of experience, will go through the avalanche safety training. This includes accident procedure, beacon training and use of the shovel and probe. The guides at Island Lake Lodge do an amazing job with the safety briefing since this becomes ultra important information if the guides aren’t available in a worst-case scenario. It’s a nice feeling when you know that everyone is on the same page and understands the risks in your group.

Getting into the catskiing at Island Lake Lodge you’ll notice nice comfy benches, iPod dock, water-beverage station and a cooler filled to the brim with the tastiest sandwiches and cookies. I’ll get back to this area later and give out some tips.

Riding The Lizard
As it turned out there was one other snowboarder in my group: a Canadian ex-pro windsurfer who just moved back to the country after being in Brazil for quite some time. Once again I was sizing up my group.  Is this guy going to want to ride the same lines as me? This is the first day and let’s be honest, it’s powder and none of us know each other. It’ll be every man for himself. Enough said.

he guides at Island Lake have the terrain on lock down and I was lucky enough to have veteran “Big Steve” as my lead guide. He mapped out an amazing day and we didn’t once see the other group of eight skiers in the other snowcat that Island Lake operates on a daily basis.

Under grey skies we tracked up the bowls and flowed through gladded runs down to the final snowcat pick up at the bottom of Geisha Bowl; a definite leg burner. One of the nice final touches to each day is that the guides radio in beer orders that are sent out to the bottom of the bowl. An amazing finale to the day.

Apres, Island Lake Lodge.
After a day out charging powder and riding fast deep trees you’ll be drawn into the Bear Lodge. You can just feel the energy in the place and can tell right away that it’s got the most character of any of the other three lodges. Island Lake was stomping grounds for many a pro snowboarder; pro riders Craig Kelly, Jason Ford and Jake Blattner, pro photographer Mark Gallup and skier Scott Schmidt were all share holders at one time. The lodge has a definite vibe to it. The main feature is an amazing, one-of-a-kind stone fireplace. The bartending staff will get you going and keep you going into the night if you’re up to it. Watch out for the “shot ski.”

Bed to Breakfast at I.L.L.
Sleep comes much faster after a full day of being out in the snow. Lapping more powder than the average person rides in a season will do this to someone. The morning still brings the same excitement though, and jumping out of bed into the gear is easy.

Breakfast at Island Lake Lodge starts early and the spread is amazing with something for everyone.  There’s lots of space in the main Timber Lodge to join in with others or maybe just relax at your own table to recharge for the day. Pass the syrup!

Back into the Box
The next day brings more terrain and an amazing surprise. We are told that it might be possible to climb into the alpine terrain to the peaks of the Island Lake area.  We float through some thick clouds decorated with a lovely golden hue, right before we break into the blue ocean of the peaks. Nothing but cheers and smiles from everyone in the machine.

We all pile out to take photos and scope the terrain we are about to ride.  At this point it becomes a case of what we can ski as a group. I’m no longer concerned with sizing people up or worrying about who’s the fastest. It’s now more of a team effort and I have nothing but encouraging words for everyone in the crew.  The guides talk over options: steeper lines for some and options for people that just want to cruise and take in the view.

Everyone meets down at the cat after an amazing run down from the sunny alpine and into the misty magic of the Lizard range. An extremely stoked group gets into the cat, revisiting the refreshment area, cooler and the iPod dock. The rides up in the snowcat are tons of fun. Heli ski. This is where you’ll share stories, take care of foggy goggles, laugh and hopefully not cry from leg burn. The drink coolers are located in the back corner of the cat, so if you’re sitting there you’ll be playing bartender. Don’t sit there if your not into being Tom Cruise from Cocktail or if you hit the “shot ski” hard the night before. Next, the iPod dock. If you brought your own playlist and have been planning the music for a month, be prepared to let everyone have there own turn with their music. Get ready to tolerate all kinds of music. The food cooler is just like the drinks. You’ll be throwing sandwiches across to people all day; just remember to save some cookies for the guides.

The snowCat was crawling it’s way back to the alpine and the sunny ocean of powder that lay above it.  The doctor on my left seemed to be skiing faster and more aggressive.  The insurance broker and his retired ski buddy were all smiles and had the Bob Marely pumping on the iPod. The oldest skier in the group that was seventy and had already skied more vertical powder than all of us combined before he was fifty, was ready for anything. The surfy Canadian-Brazilian transplant who turned out to be the life of the cat (and my only snowboarding companion), is ripping.  All these people I had judged as strangers were becoming more and more like my normal crew as each day came and went. It was my turn to request a song and I got the Metallica queued up. I had my eye on a sweet line up top.

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.

Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada,  February 11, 2010 – Skiers from the around the world are flocking to B.C. in droves as the Canadian winter ski season progresses. During the past week, there have been particularly favorable conditions in and around Revelstoke, British Columbia, an area that is known as a haven for heli-skiers who come here each year to heli ski, cat ski and take advantage of the mountainous terrain, consistent snowfall and breathtaking natural surroundings.

The area surrounding Revelstoke, which was recently named among North America’s top ski destinations by Outside Magazine, is home to Mica Heli Skiing, one of the world’s premier heli-skiing and catskiing outfits. Mica’s impressive tenure consists of nearly 178,000 acres, a vast expanse that contain a seemingly endless number of alpine ridges, deep bowls, fall line tree runs, pillow lines as well as some extraordinary glacier runs. Because this far reaching territory is located on the Western slopes of the Canadian Rockies, the area boasts consistently deep, dry champagne powder, which is enough to make any skier’s wildest fantasies a reality.

Mica’s skilled staff specializes in transporting skiers and snowboarders into hard to reach  backcountry locations via helicopter. Over the past seven seasons they have averaged only 1.5 “no fly” days per season, which means they are in the air practically every day between December and April of each year. It is for that reason that they are able to produce accurate winter ski condition and weather reports on a daily basis.

Over the last week, Mica’s guides and helicopter pilots have reported excellent conditions with approximately thirty centimeters of snowfall in the last seven days alone and a total snowpack depth of about  three meters at two thousand feet. One of the reasons that Mica’s territory is home to some of the best ski country in the world is the fact that it is strategically situated between the Monashee Mountains and the Canadian Rockies. Typically, the moisture that comes in from the Monashees combines with the cooler dry air of the Rockies resulting in an abundance of dry, powdery snow, which is  perfect for skiing and snowboarding.

According to Mica’s trained experts, the prognostic for the rest of the heli-ski season is quite positive and as they are quick to point out, the Farmers Almanac for 2010 calls for cooler temperatures and deeper snow than usual. That comes as no surprise, given the fact that this winter season coincides with an el El Niño year. This periodic climate phenomenon, also known as the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), involves a global shift in ocean temperatures and atmospheric pressure, which can in turn lead to unusually severe weather patterns such as heavy rain fall and flooding at lower latitudes and especially heavy snowfall in the Pacific Northwest.

These weather patterns are especially favorable for the Revelstoke area because that region and Mica Heli Ski’s territory in particular, enjoy unusually heavy snowfall during most winter months anyhow, which means that El Niño will only serve as an added push to an what is already a normal phenomenon. It is also true that one of the big advantages that heli-skiing has over traditional skiing is the fact that it allows skiers and snowboarders to access particularly hard to reach locations. This means that heli-skiers have a much wider variety of runs to choose from, allowing them to select the areas that have the best conditions at any given time. With the help of a skilled guide and an experienced pilot, heli-skiers can usually find some fresh powder to ski, even when conditions at traditional ski resorts are quite poor.