Heli boarding, heli ski and powder ski trips in BC, Canada
http://blakejorgenson.com/files/webgalleries/nikebc/index.html
Last week team Nike 6.0 with TJ Schiller, Sammy Carlson, Simon Dumont and Jossi Wells were all hucking and jumping at Snowwater. Take a look at Blake’s pics!
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A few weeks ago, Bob Legasa of The Pacific Northwest Inlander (a weekly newspaper that hits Eastern Washington, Spokane and North Idaho) wrote a featured piece on Snowwater called “Cold Smoke at Snow Water“. We’re ecstatic about the article and would have posted this news on the blog sooner if it weren’t for skiing season being in full swing and our schedules booked because of it!
“Snowwater attracts a veritable Who’s Who of skiing” Legasa confidently stated in the article. After many years of our devoted passion and dedication in making the Snowwater Heli Skiing experience an unforgettable one, we are extremely proud to have been given this reputation bestowed upon us. Some of the world’s top mountain skiers have graced our famous Kootenay “Cold Smoke” powder first hand, including Dan Treadway, Ian McIntosh, Micah Black and Sage Cattabriga-Alosa.
The article also draws attention to one of our founding members, Patric Maloney, as having a background in the Forest industry. This helped contribute to Snowwater’s global success. By cleverly thinning and trimming away the underbrush, Patric has made a tree skiing paradise. This allows skiers to arc turn at incredible speeds through old growth forests. It’s a challenging adventure any avid advanced skier would love taking on.
Snowwater prides itself in being a full service upscale ski resort with our first priority being the comfort of our guests. “All lodges are warmed by radiant floor heating, which makes walking on the floors a dream after a long day of skiing. Guests can kick back on the oversized leather couches or take a soak in the wood-fired hot tub” writes Legasa. We are pleased our accommodations live up to the expectations of so many, which some say make the Snowwater Heli Ski experience even more memorable.
Of course, no skiing vacation would be complete without exquisite and delicious food - and that is something Snowwater definitively delivers on! As Bob Legasa puts it “Snowwater offers some of the best gourmet meals you’ll ever encounter, with entrées like five-spice green tea-smoked duck or, my personal favorite, bison tenderloin wrapped with smoked wild boar. The food is definitely five-star.”
As mentioned earlier, the skiing season is now in full swing and the resort is booking fast! If you’re planning a Heli Skiing adventure this year, consider reserving your spot as soon as possible since space is limited.
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Whistler Heli skiing is an internationally known heli skiing operation that has been running for 28 years. Snowwater is an up and coming, newer operation that distinguishes itself by offering small boutique heli trips to advanced, discerning skiers and riders who want a true heli ski holiday. In addition, unlike any other heli operation, Snowwater guarantees guests ski and ride every day by offering snowcat back when the weather is bad.
Snow & Terrain
The Kootenays of British Columbia are famous for the world’s finest powder and tree skiing. The snow that falls in the West Kootenays is the lightest, softest and purest variety and has an average annual snowfall of approximately 42 feet. The snow is referred to locally as “Cold Smoke”. It is perfect snow for heliskiing or boarding. The terrain is 150 000 acres of pristine Kootenay wilderness in the southern interior of British Columbia Canada: old growth tree skiing, big bowls & tons of powder. An unbelievable experience!
Whistler offers excellent snow as well with an average of 35 to 40 feet of snowfall per year (at 5000 feet). The skiable terrain is huge with 500 000 acres of glacier and tree skiing. Terrain is chosen based on skiers’ ability. Great powder skiing and boarding!
Accommodations
High in the Selkirk Mountains you’ll stay at Snowwater’s exclusive timber frame mountain lodge (5400 feet). Guests stay in a cozy but luxurious intimate environment. The lodge area is very comfortable, has excellent food and has a remote cabin feel to it ban ut with all the comforts you need for a great time, including high speed internet, massage and outdoor hot tub. Daily heli skiing starts right from the lodge.
Whistler heli skiing accommodates guests at the Crystal Lodge. This resort hotel is located in the Whistler Village (Whistler Blackcomb). It is an ideal place for shopping adepts and has many tourist attractions if heli skiing is not the only reason for your visit to B.C.
Number of Guests
Snowwater limits the number of guests to 12 people per night. This ensures a quality experience this allows the staff to cater to each individual’s needs. It is perfect for small groups to meet other skiers or for an entire group to enjoy a private retreat. Snowwater aims to provide an exciting and intimate mountain experience both on and off the slopes.
Whistler on the other hand welcomes on average of 50 skiers per day but can service up to 120 heli skiers.
Packages & Runs
Snowwater offers multi day heli skiing packages from 2 to 7 day trips. They also offer a combination trip with their sister company Valhalla Powdercats, including 2 days cat skiing, 1/2 day at Red Resort and 2 or 3 days of heli skiing. On average guests ski 6 runs a day. Packages include 13,500 vertical feet per day, professional guides, avalanche equipment, accommodation and gourmet meals at Snowwater’s remote timber frame lodge. Runs average 1 500 to 3 500 vertical feet per run.
Whistler offers 3, 4 and 6 run day packages and caters to intermediate (no powder snow experience necessary), advanced and expert skiers and boarders. Runs average 2 000 to 3 000 vertical feet per run.
Parting thoughts…
Both operations are world class; it all comes down to what experience you’re looking for.
Snowwater stands out as being a small-scale heli operation offering a high level of service and a beautiful mountain get away. Snowwater also guarantees skiing since they are equipped with snowcat backup in case the helicopter is grounded due to bad weather. Each group of 4 has a private guide for lots of personal attention.
Whistler heli skiing is more of a large-scale commercial heliskiing, where groups of up to 12 skiers and 2 guides share the use of a larger Bell 2 helicopter, skiing mainly on well-established runs.
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When thinking of heliskiing in British-Columbia (BC), Snowwater is one of your best options for deep powder and tree skiing. Here are 10 reasons why your group should choose us for a unique heliskiing experience.
Located in the stunning Selkirk Mountains of BC, Canada, Snowwater offers unforgettable elite heliskiing adventures. With an operating area of over 150,000 acres, our heli skiing terrain is both vast and breathtaking. We operate in three separate mountain ranges providing you with endless untracked Kootenay powder.
Our Guarantee unlike other heliskiing operation in BC, Snowwater promises that you will ski or ride everyday no matter what the weather is like. Our luxury Bombardier snowcat takes you skiing or riding when bad weather prevents flying.
The snow that falls in the West Kootenays, BC is the lightest, softest and purest variety that measures an average of 42 feet per year. The average snowbase is 12 feet or 4 metres deep! Our heliskiing terrain, simply put, is “World Class”. We have a huge amount of skiable area that guarantees untouched powder runs all day long every day.
The trend in heliskiing these days is for smaller groups and a more intimate experience. At Snowwater, you’ll be a small group of 4 guests per helicopter load which means you get a lot of personal attention from your professional mountain guide. This also means your group dictates the level of skiing.
High in the Selkirk mountains in BC you’ll stay at our exclusive timber frame mountain lodge. Snowwater features beautiful double occupancy rooms for only 12 guests at a time. Each room has 2 queen size beds, infloor heating, down duvets, gorgeous bathrooms and stunning Valhalla views!
The food at our lodge is simply outstanding!
Five star four course gourmet dinners are provided and made from only the freshest ingredients. Organic produce, fresh baked bread daily, delectable deserts… Everything is homemade on site by our professional chefs.
Our heliskiing guides have been chosen not only for their guiding skills and certifications, but also their enthusiastic and outgoing nature. They all have advanced first aid training. They are continually balancing exciting and challenging skiing with the safety and enjoyment of the entire group.
We use a B2 A star helicopter. This is the sleekest most powerful machine in the business. It seats 5 clients, one guide and a pilot. Our pilots are the cream of the crop. They have years of training and experience in the heliskiing business, and are involved in annual training sessions and continuing education, as are our guides.
Our deluxe bombardier boasts 12 recliner upholstered seats perfect for resting before the next run. Relax in heated comfort while you listen to your favourite tunes and eat homemade snacks. Our drivers have years of experience and are well trained in safety procedures.
Still not convinced, here is what Keith Carlson of POWDER MAGAZINE had to say about the Snowwater heliskiing experience:
“There is no where else in the world where there is a concentration of deep powder that can be accessed by so many different methods of transport”.
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Hi!
Take a look at these amazing skiing and snowboarding videos and learn from the pros.
#5 This video is the trailer of the movie “Respect” and it’s showing extreme heli skiing and heli boarding in deep powder snow.
#4 Take a look at those amazing skiing skills from skiers who come from all around the globe. Extreme heli skiing has never been so good.
#3 Nice skiing video by TJ Holmes, one of the best extreme skiier on the planet.
#2 Totaly insane skiing and snowboading video by 6 of the best skiiers ever.
#1 If you want to see what is extreme heli boarding, this is the one you have to see. By Terje Haakonsen, this is the best video of extreme heli boarding ever. Must see.
Enjoy!
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Hello!
Are you planning the ultimate skiing experience? Maybe heliskiing or heliboarding is your solution. Take a look to these amazing videos from SnowWater, BC, Canada.
Snowwater Heli Skiing - Promo 2006
Snowwater Heli Skiing - Review by RideGuide
See ya
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