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

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

Fernie, B.C. March 3, 2008-The Island Lake Lodge is proud to announce its nomination as the winner of the 2007 Hall of Fame Award of Excellence in the Energy and Environment category from the Hotel Association of Canada.  This award recognizes Island Lake Lodge’s commitment to preserving the environment and efforts to minimize energy use in its daily operations.  Key among these initiatives is the installation and operation of 2 micro-hydro stations to generate 100% of the Lodge’s electrical needs.
“We are very proud of our efforts in creating a sustainable and eco-friendly operation.  The recognition of being a leader in the hospitality industry is appreciated and we will continue to do our utmost to improve our environmental programs and initiatives,” says Kyle Hamilton, Building Services Manager, who was integral in reviewing the company’s environmental practices.

For additional information on Island Lake Lodge and its environmental initiatives contact Christa Moffat or visit www.islandlakeresorts.com
About Island Lake Resort Group- ILRG operates Mica Heli Skiing near Revelstoke, B.C. Powder Cowboy Cat skiing and Island Lake Lodge near Fernie B.C.  Island Lake Lodge Hiking and mountain spa sits above a stunning mountain lake on 7000 acres of pristine wilderness.  In the winter it operates as a cat skiing operation, servicing 36 guests in three snow cats.  In the summer it is as a luxurious backcountry lodge, offering hiking, spa and fine dining.  Located 20 minutes from Fernie B.C. it is an easy 2.5-hour drive from the airport in Kalispell, Montana or 3 hour drive from Calgary International Airport in Alberta.

About the Hotel Association of Canada Hall of Fame Awards program- The Hotel Association of Canada’s (HAC) Hall of Fame Awards are awarded annually in three categories.  The Energy and Environment Award recognizes lodging properties that have developed a culture towards integrating environmental management practices that improve everyday operations and the bottom line, while maintaining quality service and meeting guest expectations.

For additional information on Island Lake Lodge and the Photo Shoot Out contact
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
www.powdercowboy.com
www.islandlakecatskiing.com