A Long Winter Season Has Brought Mountains of Deep Dry Powder to Canada’s Rocky Mountain Range and the Staff of Famed B.C. Catskiing Resort, Powder Cowboy, Is Gearing Up For More Storms, Expected to Hit the Region in Early to Mid March .

Fernie, British Columbia, Canada, February 26, 2010 – While spring is in the air at some of British Columbia’s lower elevations, the snowpack is at its greatest depth of the season in and around Fernie, B.C., and the folks at Powder Cowboy Catskiing report some of the best ski conditions of the season. Furthermore, according to many Fernie locals, more snow is on the way, with some of the biggest storms expected to hit the area throughout the upcoming month of March. The B.C. ski season usually runs from December through April, however, by late February the snowpack is typically quite deep as a result of heavy snowfall throughout the early winter months.

Powder Cowboy, a western themed Catskiing resort, located near Fernie B.C., sits on roughly six thousand acres of prime British Columbian backcountry ski terrain. Although the area includes a wide variety of different environments, it is most well known for tree skiing and happens to be home to some of the world’s most impressive evergreen glades. Powder Cowboy’s tenure offers some steep vertical runs as well as a number of less extreme slopes that are perfect for intermediate skiers.

The resort is situated in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, the catskiing capital of North America, in a mountainous area known as the Lizard Range. This region is known for producing between 40-60 feet of deep, dry champagne powder, annually, which attracts skiers and snowboarders from all around the globe. One reason that Powder Cowboy has recently become such a popular heli ski destination is the fact that it is less expensive and offers more availability than other catskiing resorts, such as its sister operation, Island Lake Lodge, which is typically booked solid for at least a year in advance.

In addition to various snowcat skiing packages, Powder Cowboy also offers day skiing from time to time, allowing the locals to get a taste of some of Fernie’s best ski terrain. Some of the operation’s special offers include a family package as well as an all girl ski tour, which needs to be booked in advance. Every so often, there is a last minute opening and seats are offered at a discount rate.

Powder Cowboy is British Columbia’s only western theme ski resort and it also doubles as a dude ranch during the summer months. Some of the things that visitors most enjoy about this particular facility are the rustic but comfortable accommodations, excellent cuisine and the down home hospitality of its staff.

Powder Cowboy is home the Bull River Guest Ranch, which consists of 10 separate log cabins, eight of which serve as lodging facilities for the resort’s guests. Among these are a recently constructed 4 suite cabin and the newly renovated Honeymoon Cabin. In addition to being equipped with in-floor heating and a wood burning fireplace, each of the cabins comfortably sleeps at least two to four people. There is also a main cabin, called the Big Horn Saloon, which includes a kitchen, dining room, bar and massage rooms, as well as a hot tub and sauna cabin that is also equipped with showers.

While the Guest Ranch itself is situated below the snow line, Powder Cowboy’s tenure is home to a number of high alpine ridges and drops with lines that descend in virtually every direction. Throughout the winter season (December-April), this terrain is consistently covered in deep, dry powder. At present, there is approximately two and a half meters of snow on the ground at 2000 feet. With more fresh powder expected to fall in the upcoming weeks, conditions are perfect for some world class catskiing.

ABOUT:

Powder Cowboy Catskiing 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.

World Class Skier and GMC Host, Joe Lammers, Stars in the First of a Three Part Series That Features All Three Island Lake Resorts.

Fernie, British Columbia, Canada, February 18, 2010 – GMC World of Skiing Host and Famed Whistler bad boy Joe Lammers is at it again. Prior to his recent visit to Island Lake Lodge, which aired on Rogers SportsNet just last month, Joe and the crew of GMC visited the one and only Powder Cowboy Catskiing, located just outside of Fernie B.C., in the heart of the majestic Canadian Rockies, catskiing capital of the world.

Powder Cowboy is one of the well known and respected catskiing operations in all of North America. Located on some 6000 acres of prime catskiing tenure in the south east corner of British Columbia, Powder Cowboy is home to the Bull River Guest Ranch, which is comprised of ten separate log cabins. The largest of these is the Long Horn Salute, whose facilities include a dining room, bar, kitchen and massage rooms. Powder Cowboy’s world class catskiing resort also doubles as a dude ranch in the summer.

Because it is located on the western slopes of the Canadian Rockies, Powder Cowboy’s terrain gets a particularly impressive amount of deep dry powder each winter. In fact, the resort’s tenure enjoys 40-60 feet of powder each year, making it a Mecca for ski junkies from all over the planet.

Nevertheless, despite the enormous size of its tenure, Powder Cowboy is by no means a mega resort. In fact, its terrain is serviced by only two snow cats, with a capacity of 12 passengers each. This means that Powder Cowboy’s lucky guests get to enjoy uncrowded slopes and lay fresh tracks on virtually every run. Small group size in addition to personalized service and outstanding lodging facilities are just three of the factors that set Powder Cowboy apart from the competition.

Powder Cowboy is also the only BC catskiing resort with a western theme, and its rustic but comfortable accommodations added to the down home hospitality of its friendly staff are simply unparalleled. The main lodge is both spacious and inviting. It is the perfect place to enjoy a gourmet meal, expertly prepared by the resort’s talented kitchen staff, which is made up of qualified red seal chefs.

But what truly draws world class athletes and amateurs alike to Powder Cowboy is the prospect of skiing fresh dry Champagne powder, while surrounded by some of the most awe inspiring natural scenery on the planet. As the resort’s Director of Sales and Marketing, Darryn Shewchuk, is quick to point out, Powder Cowboy is primarily known for tree skiing. Its tenure is filled with an abundance of glades and steep tree lines that go right up to the ridge tops themselves. These make for a variety of tree runs that start at the very tops of the ridges and lead directly down into the valley bottoms and meadows below.

Tree spacing is also ideal, providing just enough room for skiers maneuver as they make their way through the glades and while there are some open bowls to ski here is as well, tree skiing is what Powder Cowboy is most famous for. The terrain is divided into several different areas. The Cabin Zone features open slopes and spacious tree glades that are perfect for warm-up runs. The Backside of the cruisers on the other hand is home to some really steep chutes and bowls. The Lizard Zone is the place to be for tree skiing and is home to some impressive old-growth forest made up mostly of spruce and fir.

Powder Cowboy has an abundance of long ridges and peaks with lines dropping in virtually every heli ski direction. This makes it easy for the snowcats to access the drop zones. Nevertheless, for the more adventurous, there are also some other spots, which require a little boot hiking and provide access to some incredible and otherwise inaccessible lines, such as those found on Yeti Backside, Snakes and Ladders and 3G.

ABOUT:

Powder Cowboy Snowcat skiing 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.

The 2009 Cat and Heli Ski season has come to a close and WOW did it ever go out with a bang! All through March, Mother nature dumped deep dry powder on the BC Rockies – conditions were epic!

All three operations had a safe season, seats were full, the skiing and boarding were fantastic and our guests were stoked with their experience!

The main message from our guest comment cards was that Island Lake Resort Group (Mica Heli, Powder Cowboy and Island Lake) have the best staff in the industry offering great guiding, fantastic food and top shelf service.

We are happy to report that the pricing for Catski and Classic Heliski tours has not increased for 2010 however the value continues to improve on our tour packages. US guests have the added bonus of 20% on current exchange rates!

Another positive note is that bookings are already stong for 2010. Our Catskiing deposits have been lowered for 2010 and early booking specials are in effect.

Mica Heli Guides has added a new Premium tour so guests now have the option of skiing in one, two or three groups of four per helicopter.

There are still some prime seats available so give us a call toll free, send us an email or visit our websites to reserve your spot for 2010.

From all the staff here “thank you for skiing or boarding with us!” We welcome you back for some more deep dry powder next season.

Now Booking 2010

US residents save 20% with current exchange rates!

Catsking 1-888-4CATSKI (422-8754) info@islandlakeresorts.com
Helisking 1-(877 or 250)-837-6191 info@micaheli.com

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