Freeskier's Best Of: Part 3 - Heli & Cat Guide by Freeskier Magazine

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DEAR READER ,

Welcome to FREESKIER’s third “Best Of” booklet — one in a series of four mini-magazines highlighting some of the best products, events and destinations in our sport. With winter now upon us, skiers everywhere are dreaming of deep, virgin powder spread across endless mountaintops in the most remote wilderness zones of North America. Lucky for you, this month’s ‘Best Of’ collection is comprised of people and places that can make those dreams a reality: the best cat- and heli-skiing operations on the continent. If you’ve never been heli- or cat-skiing, you may think these activities are out of grasp but the truth is that you can get a seat at the proverbial table for just a smidge more than what people regularly spend on winter ski trips. Many of the operations featured here offer week-long, single-day, half-day and even single-run options that can cater to most budgets. Champagne and caviar or hot dogs and PBR, the choice is yours but no matter what option you go with, it will change your life. Riding up a powder-filled ridge in a snowcat or flying over mountaintops to some of the most epic terrain you’ve ever laid eyes on has a way of bringing people together like they’ve known each other for 40 years, even if it’s only been 40 minutes. Combine that feeling with the amazing skiing and the festive atmosphere of a backcountry lodge or rowdy parking lot and you’ll quite literally wonder how you can ever have a better time. So, if you’ve never been to one of these operations or it’s just been too long since the last time, take a read through here and find the one that best suits your needs. Then, call them up, book your trip and get ready for your dream to become a reality.

Sincerely, — Your friends at FREESKIER

P U B L I S H E D BY

S TO R M M O U N TA I N M E D I A PO Box 789 — 137 2nd Ave Niwot, CO 80544

WELCOME

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MONTANA

LOCATION. ATMOSPHERE. VARIETY. REG AND KATHY MILNE , owners of Pemberton, British Columbia-based Backcountry Snowcats, know that they have something many ski destinations don’t: “Location, location, location,” boasts the jolly Canadian. “We’re three hours from Vancouver International Airport and only half an hour north of Whistler Blackcomb. As soon as you pass Whistler, the mountains just get bigger and snowier and that’s why we’re right here.” Milne isn’t kidding; the operation accesses 15,000 skiable acres blessed with an average of 32 feet of snow every winter. One humble snow cat services this expanse and it will take you everywhere your heart desires—from huge snowfields to steep bowls, courtesy of legendary driver Andrew Walsh. An avid backcountry skier himself, he’s lived in the area for 30-plus years and used to groom for Whistler Blackcomb before turning the page. Alongside Walsh, an experienced and friendly group of guides will show you the time of your life while keeping you as safe as possible from day one to day done. If thoughts crossed your mind regarding “one cat not being enough,” go ahead and nix that. Backcountry Snowcats’ lodge—accessed via a 30-mile snowmobile ride into the mountains that gains 5,000 vertical feet—only hosts 12 guests at a time. This means that you have an overwhelming amount of skiing at your disposal and the Backcountry Snowcats team will do their darndest to make sure you slay as much of it as possible. Hanging at the lodge is all part of the fun, too; it offers a hot tub, satellite TV and private cook. Reg and his wife Kathy share a family-style dinner with their guests every night, making the all-around experience as comfortable as possible. These people pride themselves on making you feel at home, even if you’re nowhere near it. They have a variety of terrain to cater to many skill levels, multiple options to match your budget and the know-how to help you plan your dream snow cat trip, from start to finish.

YEARS OP ERAT ING

11 15,000 acres ANNUAL SNOWFALL 384 inches GUEST-TO-GUIDE RATIO 6:1 LODGING ON SITE Yes SINGLE HELI DROP S N/A TERRAIN ACCESSED

PART

CAT TYPES

PistenBully

3,000 vertical feet

Vancouver International (YVR), 3 hours

MAXIMUM VERT ICAL

CLOSEST AIRPORT

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PHOTOS

| Paul Morrison

H ELI & CAT OPS

PHOTOS

| Black Ops Valdez

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PREMIUM. MEMORABLE. INNOVATIVE. THE SKIING at Black Ops Valdez (BOV) is structured around Hobbs. The word is used to define the amount of time a helicopter is utilized, and BOV’s packages are built with a predetermined amount included. The Valdez, Alaska-based operation says the system allows guests to easily measure the value of their dollar. In short, visitors of BOV can size-up runs, compare that to their available Hobbs time and help make decisions on where to fly. On average, six to 10 runs equates to one Hobbs hour. And BOV ensures that each skier will get what he or she pays for; the operation has a 100-percent guarantee. “If you are not able to burn the prepaid Hobbs time due to a weather or mechanical issue, then the value of the unused Hobbs time can be put towards a package for the following year,” says owner Josh Swierk. And “what they pay for,” more specifically… is “everything from cruising, powdery glacier runs that go for miles, to steep spines and ramps, depending on the guests’ ability and desires,” says Swierk. When you’re not enjoying helicopter life, you’ll be spending your time in the Robe Lake Lodge, log-cabin-inspired accommodations complete with all the fixin’s: hot tub, sauna, Wi-Fi, satellite TVs (although, the incredible Alaskan scenery should be enough to captivate your attention) and a private chef serving up mouth-watering steak and seafood. And perhaps the most mind-boggling service BOV provides is its Yacht & Heli-Ski Boat packages. Yachts, helicopters and skiing? Yeah. The seven-day offering includes a stay upon The Christian sea vessel for up to eight people; scrumptious breakfasts, sack lunches and world-class dinners; 14 hours of flight time on a chopper that’ll pick you up and drop you off on the boat; and two professional guides. If you and your buddies can pony up the cash, the “Holy sh#t” trip of a lifetime is yours.

YEARS OP ERAT ING

5 "Unlimited" (w/ yacht) ANNUAL SNOWFALL 1,200 inches GUEST-TO-GUIDE RATIO 4:1 LODGING ON SITE Yes SINGLE HELI DROP S Yes TERRAIN ACCESSED

MACHINE T YPES

Helis: A-Star 350 B3 Cats: Thiokol Sprytes, Bombardier

MAXIMUM VERT ICAL

6,500 vertical feet

Valdez (VDZ), 10 min

CLOSEST AIRPORT

H ELI & CAT OPS

ORGANIZED. PROGRESSIVE. EASTERLY. HELI-SKIING IN EASTERN CANADA may seem farfetched, but once you experience all that Chic-Chac Lodge has to offer, you’ll drop any preconceived notions about it and you’ll be pleading with your friends to join you on the next visit. The lodge is nestled in Murdochville, within the Gaspésie region of Quebec, and the Chic-Choc Mountains that surround it lie at the confluence of a beneficial weather intersection. This is where the Gulf Stream rages up America’s East Coast and collides with frigid, moisture-laden Arctic fronts above town, resulting in crazy amounts of drool-worthy snow. That fresh powder is spread across peaks and plateaus that offer everything from pucker-worthy chutes to above-treeline bowls and openglades, all accessed by chopper or snowcat with the fine people of Chic-Chac. Skiing aside, once you arrive in Murdochville at the hostel-style lodgings, you’re welcomed home, even if you've never been there before. “Guests can expect to be welcomed as if they were part of our family,” explains Alex Thibodeau of Chic-Chac. “We will take charge of their whole trip—cooking, housing, ski guiding—it ends up being the best price to quality experience you can find.” The accommodations and skiing are so good, in fact, that Chic-Chac sees an 80-percent return rate and it’s a common occurrence to have folks tack on extra time right in the middle of their stay. “Most of the guests upgrade their package in order to see and experience more terrain,” says Thibodeau. What makes the operation even more unique, however, is the Red Bull Supernaturalinspired features built into the hillside of York Mountain. These are hand-built wooden ramps, jumps and jibs that are scattered among the 15 tree runs on the mountain; the woodwork is put in place in the peak of summer and covered in powder when the snow falls, providing for a terrain park experience unlike anything you’ve ever skied. For proof, just tune into Level 1 Productions’ 2015 release, Small World. And if jumps aren’t your thing, don’t fret. Chic-Chac offers a multitude of packages—from lift-accessed skiing on Miller Mountain to the heli-and-cat-skiing combo—catering to a wide variety of ability levels. Think outside of the box when you’re planning your upcoming heli- or cat-ski vacation. Think east.

YEARS OP ERAT ING

10 60,500 acres ANNUAL SNOWFALL 250 inches GUEST-TO-GUIDE RATIO 6:1 LODGING ON SITE Yes SINGLE HELI DROP S Yes TERRAIN ACCESSED

PART

MACHINE T YPES

Helis: B3 // Cats: BR275

1,230 vertical feet

Michel-Pouliot Gaspé (YGP), 60 mi

MAXIMUM VERT ICAL

CLOSEST AIRPORT

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PHOTOS

| courtesy of Chic-Chac

H ELI & CAT OPS

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PHOTOS

| courtesy of Crescent Spur

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UNTRACKED. EXCLUSIVE. WILDERNESS. TUCKED WAY UP in northern British Columbia, Crescent Spur Heli-Skiing offers easy access

to some of the greatest mountain ranges on Earth—the Rockies and the Cariboos—with all of the off-hill luxuries one could reasonably desire, to boot. Guests of the operation typically fly into Vancouver, BC, where Crescent Spur puts them up for a night, before hopping on another short flight to Prince George. From there, it’s a twohour drive through stunning landscapes to access the operation’s luxurious lodge, situated squarely at the base of seemingly endless skiing terrain. Crescent Spur accesses some 1,500 square miles of both gladed and high-alpine options, all of it covered in dreamy pow through the winter and spring months. “Everyone out there is trying to sell untracked skiing, but that’s actually what you get here,” says Mark Aubrey, who owns the operation with his wife, Regina, and skis over a million vertical feet per year. “With us, you have a vast wilderness area that’s essentially for your exclusive use. The nature hasn’t been manicured, yet you’re supported by really cool technology—a state-ofthe-art helicopter and snow science equipment—to keep you safe and happy.” Skiing options with Crescent Spur include 300-plus runs ranging from 1,500 to 4,000 vert; most days, guests will enjoy between 10 and 15 drops. Upon returning to the lodge— which fits just 20 people at a time to keep things premium—guests are treated like royalty in a multitude of ways: From the cozy, family-focused design to the top-notch chefs to the professional bartender to the open-air hot tub to the cedar sauna, it’s all the treats of a world-class ski town right at home. The lodge even offers a fitness center and massage therapist to make sure you’re feeling ski-ready 24/7, too. Between the incredible terrain and amazing service, Crescent Spur Heli-Skiing enjoys its reputation as one of the best operations in the biz. If you’re itchin’ for the ultimate ride to and through the deep, pristine British Columbia powder, consider giving Mark and Regina a ring.

YEARS OP ERAT ING

24 960,000 acres ANNUAL SNOWFALL 516-600 inches GUEST-TO-GUIDE RATIO 5:1 LODGING ON SITE Yes SINGLE HELI DROP S No TERRAIN ACCESSED

HELI T YPE

Bell 205

4,000 vertical feet

Prince George (YXS), 104 mi

MAXIMUM VERT ICAL

CLOSEST AIRPORT

H ELI & CAT OPS

VAST. QUICK. DEEP. SNOW GHOSTS ; wildfire-cut tree runs; cold, crisp air; deep snow; pillows, chutes, cliffs; over 18,000 acres of terrain; backcountry yurt rentals; and… a pet bobcat. You’ll discover all of that with Great Northern Powder Guides (GNPG), located in Montana’s remote Stillwater State Forest. After a professional ski racing and ski jumping career, Jay Sandelin opened up GNPG north of Whitefish with the goal of exposing guests to the life-changing backcountry skiing opportunities in the area. Now, each year, multitudes of avid skiers express heartfelt thanks to him for having done so. “People are blown away by the vastness and variety of our terrain,” Sandelin says. “We are a family-run cat-skiing business and we love sharing our passion with guests from all over the world.” Those who visit have a couple of packages to choose from: The Powder Cat option includes an entire day in the cat, with 10 to 12,000 feet of vertical for up to 14 total guests and a warm lunch in a toasty yurt, 25 miles into the backcountry. If you wrangle up 13 of your closest friends you can go private, have the cat to yourselves and attain the same amount of vert with group pricing ranging from $3,400 to $3,700, depending on dates. And finally, the Steep and Deep option allows a group of 10 to commandeer a cat that prioritizes quick laps, skiing 12 to 14,000 feet of vertical, hitting gnarly zones and exploring GNPG’s newest terrain. For this latter option you’ll even do lunch on the fly so you don’t have to stop skiing. And you won’t want to. “We have an amazing mix of steeps, pillows, chutes, bowls, trees and drops. You name it, we’ll find it for you,” Sandelin explains. Whether you’re passing through northwest Montana or looking for an affordable, deep wilderness cat-skiing experience, checking out the goods at Great Northern Powder Guides can only serve to maximize your fun levels. When you do roll through, be sure to give a big hello to Sway for us—that’s Sandelin and his wife Ky’s very unique house pet that also serves as the operation’s mascot. She’s a real-life bobcat and you’ll find her managing the office. It’s all hands on deck at GNPG.

YEARS OP ERAT ING

7 18,000 acres ANNUAL SNOWFALL 350 inches GUEST-TO-GUIDE RATIO 7:2 LODGING ON SITE Yes SINGLE HELI DROP S N/A TERRAIN ACCESSED

PART

CAT TYPES

PistenBully

1,800 vertical feet

Glacier Park International (FCA), 41 min

MAXIMUM VERT ICAL

CLOSEST AIRPORT

I I I.

PHOTOS

| courtesy of GNPG

H ELI & CAT OPS

PHOTOS

| Court Leve / Points North

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STEEP. DEEP. DELICIOUS. CHANCES ARE if you’ve ever been involved in a conversation about heli-skiing, you’ve heard the name Points North thrown around. Kevin and Jessica Quinn, owners and operators of Alaska-based Points North Heli-Adventures (PNH), pride themselves on that word-of-mouth reputation. “Guests are so fired up on what they experience. They go home and tell their friends and just exude enthusiasm. That passion spreads and they end up bringing their friends in the future,” Quinn explains. “I’m a big believer that you’re only as good as your word-of-mouth.” The hearsay is warranted. PNH operates in the southern Chugach Range and is the only heli service in the area; guests may rest assured no other groups will impede on their fun. And that fun comes in all shapes and sizes. The operation services over 2,000 square miles of untouched Alaskan goodness with a wide variety of terrain that suits beginner, intermediate and expert skiers. “You can come and push your own boundaries as far as you want to push them, within our safety parameters,” Quinn explains. “Then on the other side of the coin, you can go and ski with your 80-year-old grandfather and have a great time because there is terrain for him, as well. There are so many opportunities for everyone.” From incredibly steep, deep spine lines and hair-raising couloirs to mellow runs on expansive pow-covered glaciers, the skiing options in the southern Chugach cater to all, indeed. The PNH experience doesn’t end when the skiing’s over for the day, though. Consider the all-inclusive seven-day package that includes incredible food, comfortable lodging, essential equipment and transportation throughout the week. At the operation’s lodge—located on the Orca Inlet of Prince William Sound—you'll find free Wi-Fi, a sauna, massages, on-site laundry, etc. And in the off-hand chance that the helicopters can’t fly because crazy-heavy snow is nuking upon the peaks, guests can get their skiing fix at the nearby Mt. Eyak ski hill. Additionally, PNH is a member of US Heli-Ski Association which is recognized for excellence in safety and standards within the industry. So next time you’re chatting it up with your buddies or a stranger on the chairlift and “Points North” comes up, listen closely and take notes—maybe you’ll be the next one to have the time of your life on the other side of the Chugach.

YEARS OP ERAT ING

19 2,000+ sq. miles ANNUAL SNOWFALL 1,000 inches GUEST-TO-GUIDE RATIO 4:1 LODGING ON SITE Yes SINGLE HELI DROP S Yes TERRAIN ACCESSED

MACHINE T YPES

Helis: A-Star // Single Chairlift

4,000 vertical feet

Cordova Municipal (CKU), 15 min

MAXIMUM VERT ICAL

CLOSEST AIRPORT

H ELI & CAT OPS

SOUTHEAST ALASKA BACKCOUNTRY ADVENTURES

AUTHENTIC. WILD. VAST. THERE ARE PLENTY of places to go heli-skiing but there’s only one Haines. Immortalized in ski

films for the last decade-plus, the terrain surrounding this southeast Alaska town is unlike that of any other zone you will ever go to. You’ve barely buckled into the heli when you crest the first ridge on the eastern edge of the Chilkat Range and instantly feel like you’re a thousand miles from civilization, deep in a steep-skiing paradise. The sorts of lines you recall drooling over in your favorite ski movies aren’t hard to spot: Beautiful spines, steep couloirs and deep Alaskan pow are all around you, and you’re about to be the star of your own motion picture. The quick and easy access to this pow-shredding mecca is one of the major bonuses to skiing with SEABA. This not only refers to the distance between town and the airport (less than 10 minutes), where the choppers are stationed, but also from lift-off to landing zone. “We don’t do a lot of flying to terrain which preserves your Hobbs,” says Sunny Sundberg, founder of SEABA, referring to the measure of time the aircraft is in use. “Our peaks and valleys are also a lot closer together than some other places which increases both efficiency and safety, and allows for more skiing.” The highway out of town parallels the mountain range and beyond the Haines airport SEABA maintains two additional heli pads up the road; these are useful for when they want to fly to terrain that’s farther north, further preserving your precious Hobbs time and maximizing your skiing opportunities. Back in town the action is centered around the Fort Seward Lodge. The Fort, as it’s affectionately known, serves as home base for SEABA, with pleasant guest rooms, a dining hall for nightly feasts and a saloon for après ski drinks as well as late-night dance parties when the mood strikes [read: always]. Those who are looking for a more custom experience can book the Rainbow Country Lodge, just outside of town. This six-bedroom, three-bathroom house on the water comes with a private chef for you and your friends—up to eight total. Whether you want a private retreat or a social getaway, SEABA’s got you covered.

YEARS OP ERAT ING

14 200,000 acres ANNUAL SNOWFALL 600 inches GUEST-TO-GUIDE RATIO 4:1 LODGING ON SITE Yes SINGLE HELI DROP S Yes TERRAIN ACCESSED

PART

MACHINE T YPES

Helis: A-Star B-2 // Cats: PistenBully

5,000 vertical feet

Haines (HNS), 3.5 mi

MAXIMUM VERT ICAL

CLOSEST AIRPORT

I I I.

PHOTOS

| Will Wissman

H ELI & CAT OPS

PHOTOS

| Alain Sleigher

PART

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EXPERIENCE. TERRAIN. PROFESSIONALISM. REVELSTOKE IS THE heli-skiing capital of Canada with four outfits operating in town. The sport was introduced to the area in 1978 by Swiss mountain guide Peter Schlunegger (thanks, Pete!), who would go on to found Selkirk Tangiers Heli Skiing (STHS) that year. The Godfather says STHS is best, and if there’s one thing we know in life, it’s that the Godfather is always right. STHS operates as a sister company to Revelstoke Mountain Resort, which offers some of the world’s best lift-accessed skiing in its own right. This partnership provides plenty of options for STHS guests to fill up their visit to Revelstoke with resort days and prep for their heli trip. In addition to the copious amount of vert you can stack at the resort (its 5,620 vertical feet of skiing is the most in North America), it’s a guarantee that your quads will be burnin’ during your stay with STHS. The regime’s 500,000 acres of terrain has over 250 named runs, a few of which offer an astounding 2,200 vertical meters—that’s 7,200-plus feet—of skiing. And the snow… oh, the snow. The inland location of the Selkirk and Monashee Mountains—where STHS operates— benefits from temperatures that are cold enough to keep the snow prime but not cold enough to freeze your fingers off. This collides with the copious amounts of moisture arriving from the Pacific Ocean, resulting in 480 to 720 inches of cold smoke, blower pow each season. Once you’ve had your fill of snorkeling through deep snow, you’ll be shacking up in the luxurious Coast Hillcrest Hotel, just five minutes from downtown Revelstoke, assuming you’ve signed up for one of STHS’s multi-day packages. Buffet breakfast, lunch in the field and relaxed, gourmet dinners with your group are all taken care of, too. On the flip side, there are plenty of options for those who are looking for something more short term. STHS offers single-day packages—for both strong intermediate and expert skiers—that can accommodate 10 skiers with two guides and includes breakfast, lunch and after-ski snacks. And for those of you who want to up your game and go for 2 days, the No Frills bundle provides two days of skiing with guests being responsible for their own accommodations and meals. Whatever you’re looking for in your heli-ski vacation, zipping up to the capital of chopper-shredding country and teaming up with Selkirk Tangiers is a good start. Just ask the folks at MSP Films, who spent some of last winter filming with STHS for their new flick, Ruin and Rose.

YEARS OP ERAT ING

39 500,000 acres ANNUAL SNOWFALL 480-720 inches GUEST-TO-GUIDE RATIO 4:1 to 11:1 LODGING ON SITE Yes SINGLE HELI DROPS No TERRAIN ACCESSED

HELI T YPES

Bell 205, Bell 407, A-Star B2

7,217 vertical feet

Kelowna International (YLW), 116 mi

VERT ICAL HIGHLIGH TS CLOSEST AIRPORT

| Dan Stewart

H ELI & CAT OPS

CARVE your own path BROUGHT TO YOU IN PARTNERSHIP with