Heli skiing, who needs it?

[Bumpsis]

NY Times article on an alternative way to get some backcountry experience:

http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/03/11/travel/11Wasatch.html?pagewanted=1

Next time I'm in Utah, I'll definitely will do this. Sound like fun.

 

[twinplanx]

Good stuff.For whatever reason cat-skiing always seemed the more doable option to heli.

 

[midweeker]

Good stuff.For whatever reason cat-skiing always seemed the more doable option to heli.

Reasons to cat over Heli

(1) $$$$$$$$$$$$$

(2) often overlooked but in a cat you have a chance to rest a bit as you are being "catted" back to the top. W/ heli it's wham, bam,Zip back to the top

 

[SIKSKIER]

I've done both heli and cat.I enjoy catskiing more for a couple of reasons.First and foremost is you will ALWAYS ski.I've been grounded before in a heli lodge and that is no fun when the the sky is puking and you can't ski.Second is what weekender posted.It's a little less hi stress.You get a chance to rest a little and eat and rehydrate on the ride up.Typical rides where we go are 10 minutes.We could have a 20 minute ride to a whole new area but they are pretty good about dropping you on one exposure and picking you up on another to move in a certain direction.The area we ski is 95 square miles of terrain for two cats.Fresh tracks every run! I'm hooked on Cat and have gone the last 8 years in the Monashees.Incredible snow and the most reliable in North America.The Monashees hold the N.A. record for snow fall somewhere over a thousand inches.This year we had 13 feet of settled snow at the remote lodge.Do yourself a favor and do this once in your life.The problem is you'll do it again and again as I have.

 

[goldsbar]

I'm convinced. Where are the Monashees?

 

[SIKSKIER]

I'm convinced. Where are the Monashees?

They are located in central British Columbia in the Columbia range.On a map find Vernon and the Monashees are north from there.Check out these websites.The first place I skied was Monashee Powder Adventures for 5 years.Great terrain and quite the experience getting to the lodge.They used to ride in on snow mobiles.It would take over an hour.I believe they bring you in by snowcat now.www.monasheepowder.com.
The partners built a new lodge at a location 40 miles north of the other.Then they split the 2 two operations into seperate entities.The new operation is called Mustang Powder.This is where I have been the last 3 years since it's opening.Spectacular place!Check out the websites at each as they say it a lot better than I can.One word of warning though.This place is not easy to get to.A typical us citizen flying in has this itinery.
Fly into Kelowna and stay the night.We stay at a casino right on a 100 mile long lake.Fun city actually.Next day is a 2 hour ride to meet the group in Sicamous at a truck stop.You board a school bus and start climbing logging roads for about an hour,then transfer to a snowcat for the final 1 hour of the trip.I believe it's about a 4-5 thousand elevation gain to get to the lodge.This place is in an incredible setting high up in the Monashee's.Check out the website and look at some of the photos.It's an incredible trip.
www.mustangpowder.com

 

[AHM]

Many cat options, all offering something different

With each of the cat opps out there, they cater to different types of skiers. Some are pretty "spa" like, while others cater to the hard core skier. At the spa ones, although the skiing can be good, it might also be about the dinner party and lodge. While the hard core ones do not offer fantastic ammenities, but offer solid expert skiing. I have been to Island Lake on a few occassions. It is quite nice, but becomming very spa like. Terrain is open Alpine, followed by Trees. The skiing is good, decently steep but not expert. It is also pretty pricey.

Valhalla powder cats in Nelson is more for hard core skiers as is White Grizzley in Meadow Creek. Valhalla has no lodge, but a dedicated crew of hard core skiers where 15 - 25 ft cliffs can be dropped, cornices are available to jump off (I hate the word huck) and there is a good mix of open alpine and excellent trees. WG is primarily tree skiing on deep Northern aspects, with a lodge but some travel in the morning to get to the cat, as is Valhalla. WG and Valhalla also will do single day and multi day trips, where as Island lake is more of a 3 or 4 day opp.

Most cat opps give you about 12 - 15 K of vertical over about 8 - 13 runs. I have logged about 18 K at one opp, but this was due to a pretty fast group of skiers, with no one tumbling and loosing skis.

One of the best ways to try cat opps is to go with a single day opp, to see if you like it. Some of those are Steamboat powder cats (pretty flat terrain), Monarch CO, or Fernie Wilderness in Fernie BC. You can combine a std resort trip, ie Steamboat, Crested Butte, Fernie, or Whitewater (Nelson BC) with a day in a cat to see if it fits your "style" and budget.

Next, it is best if you are not a big powder skier to use the opps skis. You should take a 90 mm waist ski or bigger to a cat/heli opp to really enjoy yourself.

Finally, do the cat trip or day at the end of a resort trip, because once you go with the cat, you will not be pumped to go back and ski the resort.

One last note, the creme de la creme is considered Selkirk Wilderness, also in Meadow Creek. It is a 5 day opp, and there is usually a waiting list.

So, go cat skiing. It is a lot of fun and some of the people you meet are just great. Hit it up.

 

[SKIQUATTRO]

I am already researching a heli or cat trip for next winter...my wife said she's off to Vegas with her girlfriends so they can all celebrate their 35th bdays...I told her i'm off to go heli/cat skiing....no arguement from her other than she want to go to.....sorry!!!

 

[dropKickMurphy]

Anyone have any plans to visit the new Revelstoke resort within the next few years?

Last I heard, they're supposed to have 2 new lifts operating next season. The following season, the gondola is supposed to be extended, which will give them 6000 feet of lift serviced vertical (on what they claim to be 40-60 feet of powder per year).

Over the years, they're planning on adding 20+ more lifts.The resort has also purchased the Selkirk Tangiers heli ski operation. The plan is to operate both Heli and Cat skiing from the resort's base village.

 

[SHRED HEAD]

NY Times article on an alternative way to get some backcountry experience:

http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/03/11/travel/11Wasatch.html?pagewanted=1

Next time I'm in Utah, I'll definitely will do this. Sound like fun.

We cat-skied in the Uintas out of Park city a few years ago and had a great time. Topped off the week by going the last day, got in 10 untracked runs and still made the 4PM flight out of SLC. :flag:

 

[AHM]

I will probably hit the "new" McKenzie(sp?) Mt next season......

I try and ski BC each season,due to the great people, fantastic snow, and challenging terrain. Selkirk Tangiers is one of the best Heli opps, and this comes from a friend who guides for CMH. Hopefully, I can get a couple days with them next season.

Next season the plan is to hit Kicking Horse again, and dig into the big backcountry there further, then to hit one of the cat opps or Heli opps in the area and some touring in Rogers Pass, followed by a trip to the new Revelstoke resort. Revelstoke is a pretty cool town, but being on the other side of Rogers Pass, can provide some driving issues. Make sure if you get in the area to hit the "ballet" as this is certainly a fun evening.

For anyone who has not skied interior BC, I would certainly find my way up there. There are so many ski areas, great towns, and tons of pow, that it is really one of the best ski vacation destinations in the world. Check it out, you will not be disappointed.

The big picture plan is to buy some property in either Golden or Nelson, and build the retirement ski house. Hopefully, this summer I can start the process and get the property purchased, we'll see..........

 

[Marc]

I try and ski BC each season,due to the great people, fantastic snow, and challenging terrain. Selkirk Tangiers is one of the best Heli opps, and this comes from a friend who guides for CMH. Hopefully, I can get a couple days with them next season.

Next season the plan is to hit Kicking Horse again, and dig into the big backcountry there further, then to hit one of the cat opps or Heli opps in the area and some touring in Rogers Pass, followed by a trip to the new Revelstoke resort. Revelstoke is a pretty cool town, but being on the other side of Rogers Pass, can provide some driving issues. Make sure if you get in the area to hit the "ballet" as this is certainly a fun evening.

For anyone who has not skied interior BC, I would certainly find my way up there. There are so many ski areas, great towns, and tons of pow, that it is really one of the best ski vacation destinations in the world. Check it out, you will not be disappointed.

The big picture plan is to buy some property in either Golden or Nelson, and build the retirement ski house. Hopefully, this summer I can start the process and get the property purchased, we'll see..........

I'd rent a lean to from you if you built it.



Hell, I'd sleep in an outhouse if I had to for skiing in Glacier, Yoho or Banff.