Heliskiing | Heli Skiing | Canada

Mica Heli– Big Mountain Lines

backcountryskiing — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 19:04:06 +0000

Tour 17 at Mica Heli Guides. Blue bird days, great stability and big steep alpine lines. A good example of what some of the expert groups get to ski at Mica. Check out the video Mica Heli.

New Footage from Stellar Heli Skiing

backcountryskiing — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 18:50:53 +0000

Check out the Amazing new Footage from Absinthe Films and Stellar Heli Skiing:

StellarHeliSkiing from Mike Parenteau on Vimeo.

Pro Snowboarder Travis Rice Grants Wish for Ailing Teen: A Fan’s Reaction

backcountryskiing — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 18:29:36 +0000

James was born with a life-threatening illness and has had to deal with complicated medical issues all his life. As such, James was able to request a meeting with Rice through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. However, unlike most Make-A-Wish recipients, James wanted to do more than just meet the pro snowboarder. James’ dream was to spend the day snowboarding with Rice.

On Feb. 15, 2012, that dream took a surreal turn. Rice met with the ailing teen and then upped the ante by changing the day’s itinerary to include a heli-skiing trip through Jackson Hole in Wyoming’s backcountry. James’ friend D.J. Fechko got to go along for the ride. In my opinion, kudos are in order for Rice and all those that helped to make James’ dream come true. It takes a truly special person to unselfishly reach out and impact the lives of others like that. The way I see it, it’s also one more reason to sing the 29-year-old snowboarder’s praises.

About Rice

2012 is already shaping up to be one incredible year for the talented snowboarder. In January 2012, he won TransWorld magazine’s Rider of the Year Award, and his work in the “Art of Flight” snowboarding film was also recognized when it won the Video of the Year Award. That same month he also took on a slew of new sponsors, including Union Bindings and Contour Cameras. In early February, he turned around and left the world in awe again with his inaugural snowboarding competition, the Red Bull Supernatural.

Personally, I can’t wait to watch the event in its entirety when it airs on NBC in March. The video teasers for it have been amazing. Rice is also being considered for the National Geographic’s Adventurer of the Year People’s Choice Award. Snowboarding fans will only have to wait a few more days to see if he’ll win that accolade as well. The magazine will reveal the winner’s name on Feb. 28, 2012. In my book, whether he wins another award this year or not, the guy is incredible. Other snowboarders should take note.

Killeen Gonzalez

With Great Power, Comes Great Responsibility

backcountryskiing — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:34:30 +0000

As a heli-skiing operation, it’s fair to say that Crescent Spur Heli wouldn’t get very far without top quality pilots. Flying in the mountains is no easy task — it takes years of experience and thousands of practice hours. So, while flying guests around spectacular mountain ranges seems like (and is) an amazing job, it comes with huge responsibility.

Check out the third video in CSH video blog and see how their pilots work closely with their guides to deliver exhilarating, and safe, heli ski trips. Check out their video With Great Power, Comes Great Responsibility.

A Typical Day at Coast Range Heli

backcountryskiing — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:57:38 +0000

We meet each morning in Whistler in the lower lobby of the Westin Resort & Spa.

* We meet at 7.45am
* The CRH Shuttle departs at 8.00am
* We arrive at the CRH base facility in Pemberton at 8.25am
* And return to Whistler usually by 4.30pm

Upon arrival at our base facility you will be welcomed by our friendly staff with hot coffee and a light continental breakfast. You will be fitted with powder skis (if required), complete the required paperwork, comprehensive release of liability and receive a safety briefing from both your pilot and guide.

We divide into groups of four or five based on skill level or specific request. You will complete a safety briefing with your guide which includes a personal transceiver orientation. After mastering the use of your personal transceiver you will be introduced to your pilot who will take you through the helicopter safety orientation. Lift off is approximately 10.00am. Typically we complete 2 or 3 runs prior to lunch which is served in the alpine amidst the snow capped mountains and beautiful frozen lakes. Take in the crisp fresh mountain air and soak up the view. After lunch, you are refuelled and ready for more glorious powder runs in the pristine alpine, returning to base for après and the days photo slideshow and to prepare for the shuttle return to Whistler.

On our Discovery Package you will enjoy 4 runs
With our Powder Hound Package you get 6 runs
**Additional runs are available at $95 per person, based on a group of 4.
**On our Private Elite Package we will pick you up at your hotel or
accommodation with a private shuttle.

Whichever package you choose you are sure to return to Whistler with a BIG BIG smile on your face!

Last Frontier Adds Heli Blog: Best Heli Skiing in the World: Is anywhere better than BC?

backcountryskiing — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:42:51 +0000

Here at Last Frontier we think we have it pretty good, and without bias believe that British Columbia (BC) offers the best heli skiing in the world. To justify our viewpoint, let us take a look at some of the other destinations in the world and see if they compare.

First a few words about heli skiing in Canada. The ‘sport’, if you want to give it that label, was pioneered right here, and up to this day BC still has the most thriving heli ski industry. Because of its long history, and the cumulative experience of pilots and professional guides, heli skiing in Canada is very safe.

Incredible snowfalls of up to 30 meters each season is another reason why northern BC is the best place to get your powder fix. As for terrain, BC also has it all. Unlike other destinations, in BC we can offer tree line heli skiing. This can be beneficial for many reasons. Less down days occur, due to the protection the trees offer against the elements and the increased visibility. This same protection prevents wind affecting the snow, almost guaranteeing good quality powder. Wide bowls; steep, tight chutes; and large, mellow, open fields are also in abundance. With so much terrain to pick from you’re spoilt for choice in BC.

Alaskan heli skiing also has an undeniable reputation for enticing people from across the world. A combination of the maritime snowpack and steep terrain offers arguably the world’s most intimidating and challenging riding. However, down days are plentiful, as the storms that frequently roll in can hang around for weeks on end, limiting skiing time severely. Furthermore, days are short due to the proximity to the Arctic Circle, which means that full days of skiing are only available later in the season. Also it can be difficult to access, compared with neighboring Canada. Outside of Alaska, heli skiing in the US is minimal, with few operators and unreliable snow conditions.

Europe, with its expansive mountain ranges, has the potential for being a great heli ski destination. Strong opposition and tight regulations have marred this however, and there are only a handful of places that can provide the kind of service expected from professional heli skiing outfits. Additionally, over development in the form of village settlements and ski resorts have made it extremely difficult to find vast areas of open space to make heli skiing work.

In the southern hemisphere, New Zealand, Argentina, and Chile offer heli skiing when people are enjoying warm summers in North America and Europe. Some of the allure of skiing in South America include high mountain elevations, foreign culture and in some cases; lower package pricing. However, one must remember that travel can be expensive. Also, the conditions are rarely as optimal as they are in BC. Pilots and guides generally will not have as much experience as their Canadian counterparts.

Japan also is probably only just worth a mention, as it has only a few heli ski operations. Considering the quality, and the quantity of the snow there, it is surprising that the same runs are regularly repeated, and fresh tracks are only common in the mornings.

Other places of heli skiing include Kamchatka and the Caucasus in Russia, where large military style helicopters are employed. For the adventurous types, there is also limited heliskiing available in the Indian Himalayas.

So, although heli skiing is widely available worldwide, it must be noted that over 95% of it still happens in BC, Canada. The combination of vast and varied terrain, consistent snowpack and highly skilled workforce make it the premier heli ski destination in the world.

Win 4 Days of Catskiing at Mustang Powder!

backcountryskiing — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 19:43:59 +0000

Blizzard-Tecnica, Gendron Ski and Mustang Powder have come together to give you the opportunity to win a 4-day catskiing trip at the Mustang Powder lodge in the Monashee mountains. The prize package includes return airfare, ground transportation, 4 days of epic “Mustang” powder and a $1000 credit to be spent on any Blizzard or Tecnica Bull Ride collection products. To enter all you have to do is “Like” the competition page on Facebook and fill out an entry form. The competition closes on February 1st at midday (EST) and the prize will be awarded the same day. So what are you waiting for?! Click here to find out more about Mustang Powder.

The Balance of Powder

backcountryskiing — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:08:49 +0000

A Great new Film from Sherpas Cinema Filmed at Island Lake and Mica Heli– Check it out:

Amazing Photos Of Heli-Skiing Alaska’s Chugach Range

backcountryskiing — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 01:43:51 +0000

In 2005 Chugach Powder Guides was granted a United States Forest Service Permit to heli-ski a number of “exploratory units” in the Chugach Mountains near the seaside community of Seward, Alaska. Combined with the adjoining Kenai Mountains bordering Resurrection Bay, this vast swath of terrain took the company back to its exploratory roots. Chugach Powder Guides made its name as the early pioneers of other sections of the Chugach Mountains in Alaska as early as 1996.

The initial ski missions into these new exploratory units were accomplished with a film crew from Warren Miller Entertainment: two professional freeskiers, Mark Abma and Kaj Zackrisson, expert ski guide Virgil Hughes and photographer Tom Evans. The effort yielded a segment in the Warren Miller film “Higher Ground” and the photos exhibited here. Cooperating with media on such efforts allows Chugach Powder Guides to accomplish exploratory goals — mapping, study of the snow pack, documentation of landing zones and run identification — without the pressures of delivering a given volume of skiing for paying guests.

Due to a variety of business priorities, the company has not returned to this area since these initial efforts. Now, for the first time since maiden tracks were laid in this zone, Chugach Powder Guides will be introducing advanced skiers to endless expanses of peaks and fjords reminiscent of those found in Norway. With a luxury base camp at the Seward Windsong Lodge, the first ski drops will begin five minutes out of town and range over 40 miles of untouched ramps, couloirs and endless powder fields.

Cliff Drop in the Chugach

From March 24 to April 15, 2012, Chugach Powder Guides will take three groups of intrepid skiers and snowboarders for pioneering efforts in these mountains with the opportunity to name almost everything they descend. Chugach Powder Guides estimates that there are roughly a decade and a half of first descents to be found in this aesthetically unique mountain terrain. As part of their efforts, Chugach Powder Guides will assist the Forest Service with collection of data on resident wildlife populations.

For more information on the exploration of this area of the Chugach Mountains, visit Chugach Powder Guides’ parent company, EpicQuest at www.EpicQuest.com.

Win a Full Week Heli Vacation at Crescent Spur

backcountryskiing — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 20:56:09 +0000

Win a Free Heli Skiing/Boarding vacation at Crescent Spur Heli-Skiing. Just upload your most embarrassing photos or Videos to their site.

Welcome to the Shame for Gain Contest, presented by Crescent Spur Heli-Skiing. Share your most embarrassing moments for a chance to win a full week of heli-skiing or heli boarding. Your submissions can be from any action sport. Possible subject matter could include less-than-elegant wipe outs, poor choices in sports fashion, or ungainly rushes to the bathroom with all of your gear on.