FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Powder Cowboy Catskiing and Island Lake Catskiing Announce New Girls Only Tours and New Family Tours.

These new tours are a chance to explore the world of catskiing without any pressure. Ladies will appreciate the all-female environment, which puts the emphasis on encouragement and having fun. ACMG certified female guides, female cat drivers and a female level 4 ski instructor round out the team.
Packages include accommodation, cat skiing, powder skis, fine dining, instruction & yoga. “There is nothing like skiing with an all female group to improve your confidence in the powder…it’s also a ridiculous amount of fun” say Powder Cowboy Manager and Ski Guide Kirsten Knechtel. Girl-ski tours are available at both Powder Cowboy and Island Lake catskiing.

As our clients grow older, so do their children and many of them ski better than their parents! We have special family tours at prices that won’t break the bank! Children receive 25% off the tour price, they need to be advanced powder skiers aged 12-18 and must be accompanied by a parent. This is the ultimate family ski trip.

Island Lake Catskiing has been an industry leader for 20 years. The magnificent peaks of the BC Rocky Mountains tower over 7000 acres of bowls, valleys and gladed trees. Known for luxurious lodges, fine dining, a full spa and high level of service, Island Lake Lodge is in a league of it’s own.

Powder Cowboy Catskiing is Island Lake’s sister operation and is also near Fernie B.C. Located at a working dude ranch, Powder Cowboy is a western themed catskiing operation that offers private cabins, fine dining, hot tubs and deep dry powder.

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For more info contact:
Mike McPhee
Director of Sales and Marketing
Island Lake Resort Group
mike@islandlakeresorts.com
P: 250.423.3700 ext 3002

http://www.islandlakecatskiing.com

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

“Island Lake Lodge and Powder Cowboy catskiing recently hosted The Ride Guide for a 4 day video shoot. “

The Ride Guide is one of the most popular snow shows on the planet and regular guests to the Island Lake and Powder Cowboy catskiing operations. This segment will feature Atomic pro skiers Julian Carr and Tim Durtschi enjoying all that the terrain and lodges have to offer.

Watch for the episode next fall!