Escor ted Depar ture Heli-Skiing in British Columbia
East Africa Photographic Safari Escorted by Hank Ingram, Jr. January 14 – 19, 2015
We Share Your Passion
Discover the Holy Grail of Fresh Untracked Powder with Heli-Skiing Unparalleled Service and Knowledge Every Step of the Way My active lifestyle focusing on cycling, snow skiing, fly fishing, wingshooting and rock climbing has made my time at Frontiers a natural fit for me and the place I have called home for the past 16 years. Every day is a new adventure. Snow skiing is a particular passion of mine, which began in the Allegheny Mountains - Laurel Highlands, just southeast of Pittsburgh, PA. From there I have experienced multiple western trips, ski-in / ski-out boarding school in Switzerland and finally 11 years in Ketchum, Idaho at Sun Valley Resort. I have come full circle now, spending each winter weekend with my son and daughter back in the Alleghenies and enjoying every moment of their success on the slopes. However, the big mountains and ether light snow of the Rockies continues to haunt my mind and I plan several trips annually to various regions of the United States and the Canadian Rockies. Logically, this calling and passion has led me to the Holy Grail of fresh untracked powder – Heli-Skiing – and thus a new adventure on my lifetime path with Frontiers.
Hank Ingram, Jr.
What is Heli-Skiing? By definition, heli-skiing is snow skiing facilitated by taking a helicopter to the top of remote mountains, landing in a pristine alpine setting and proceeding down untracked, nearly effervescent, Champagne powder. Time and time again we all hear tales of skiers trying to plan a trip to a western resort around a “good time for powder.” While they cross their fingers and hope that Mother Nature cooperates, she rarely does. Just this year, I hit my first powder day in Snowbird, Utah after a three-year dry run. As I waited for the ski patrol to open the bowl, I looked along the ridge at my 400 new best friends waiting to jump in and thought “wow, one fresh run if I am lucky.” Guarantee your fresh turns and avoid the lift lines. Zip up to vast fields of untracked powder snow and experience the euphoria of laying fresh “s” turns across a downy smooth glade, perfecting your technique at each and every opportunity. Then, at day’s end, after massive amounts of uninterrupted vertical, you return to an intimate lodge of like-minded folks with ear to ear grins and reminisce about an epic experience only a mountain and a helicopter can provide.
Heli-Skiing at the Bobbie Burns Lodge in British Columbia, Canada January 14 - 19, 2015
Wednesday January 14th Arrive Calgary International Airport. Tonight you will spend the night at the Delta Calgary Airport Hotel, organized by Frontiers. Based on guest arrival, a group dinner will be planned where skiers in the party can introduce themselves and anticipate the fresh powder to come. At this time, we will also collect one of each skiers’ boots and their skier information form which will go on the first cargo lift to the lodge so your powder skies of choice can be ready and waiting when it is time to hit the hill. Note: CMH offers top of the line current powder skies and bindings as part of the trip package – there is no need to bring your own skies - and a list of available models will be provided well before your visit. During the week skiers can exchange models with the shop to experience different rocker, width and flex. Thursday, January 15th This morning, the group will meet at approximately 4:45 AM in the hotel lobby where coffee and a snack bag will be waiting. Our CMH representative will board the group onto a luxury tour bus at 5:15 AM MST for the approximately 4-hour transfer to the Bobbie Burns Heli-Pad and a quick lift to the lodge. Note: The transfers are luxury coach models with all the amenities. During the ride, beverages and breakfast items are offered as well as comfort stops. A CMH introductory video is also displayed on TV screens to educate guests and build the excitement. Upon arrival at the lodge, a welcome introduction will be held in the main dining room followed by lunch. After lunch, guests are introduced to helicopter etiquette by their professional pilots for the week and mountain and avalanche safety by the CMH certified guide staff. Following orientation, it is time to gear up and load up to hit the high alpine of the Purcell and Selkirk Mountain Ranges. The afternoon arrival skiing usually consists of six to eight runs and is a good first day of warm up and powder. Appetizers and cocktails are awaiting your arrival after a day of skiing each afternoon. Between cocktails and dinner there is a 12-person hot tub which is a common gathering spot. A steam room and a wood burning sauna are also available. Professional masseuses are on staff to work out any tight muscles. Dinner and overnight in the comfort of the Bobbie Burns Lodge. Continued ->
Friday, January 16th This morning the staff will awaken guests with the traditional sound of the cow bell, which is used to announce important times at the lodge – time for the first full day in the mountains – continued overnight and activities at the Bobbie Burns Lodge. Coffee is generally on between 6:00 AM and 7:00 AM for early risers. Note: Each morning prior to breakfast, a stretching class is offered by an instructor in the spacious exercise room. I strongly encourage participation as it loosens away the previous day and welcomes a fresh start. Saturday, January 17th - Sunday, January 18th Continued overnights and full days of skiing the Purcell and Selkirk Mountain Ranges. Monday, January 19th This morning, we will awake for breakfast and goodbyes to the mountains and Bobbie Burns staff. The staff will ask that your luggage is packed and you are in your travel clothes prior to breakfast. They will haul your gear to the heli-pad while we eat. After a short ride back to the access heli-pad the luxury bus will be waiting for our approximate 4-hour transfer back to the Calgary International Airport and Delta Calgary Hotel. Skiers should not plan to book flights earlier than 6:00 PM Mountain Standard Time and while most westerners can get home, east coast travelers may require an overnight and an early morning departure home.
Frontiers Contact Hank Ingram joined Frontiers in 1999. His passion for cycling, snow skiing, fly fishing, wingshooting and rock climbing has taken him all over the world. Hank’s love for skiing developed at the age of 12 during a family trip to the Allegheny Mountains – Laurel Highlands, just southeast of Pittsburgh, PA. From there he has experienced countless western trips, ski-in / ski-out boarding school in Switzerland and finally 11 years in Ketchum, Idaho at Sun Valley Resort. Heli-skiing is a new adventure for Hank and he’s looking forward to sharing these experiences with his clients.
For this hosted departure, please contact: Hank Ingram, Jr.
Department Manager Toll-free: 1-800-245-1950 Phone: 724-935-1577 hingram@frontierstravel.com
* Itinerary subject to change
Rates 4-Day Bobbie Burns Hosted Trip - $5,995.00 Canadian Dollars
Inclusions: All meals, snacks, & non-alcoholic beverages at the lodge and on the transfer, all lodge accommodations and use of facilities such as saunas, whirlpools etc., service of professional CMH Heli-Ski guides, use of specially designed Heli-Skis / Poles, CMH pack with radio/shovel/probe, training in and use of avalanche transceiver, and transportation to and from the Calgary International Airport. The Bobbie Burns ski program operates with 3 groups of 11 with 1 Bell 212 servicing all 3 groups. There is a 4-day vertical guarantee of 17,500 vertical meters. Extra vertical skied above the vertical guarantee is charged at a rate of $130/1000 meters. If your vertical guarantee is not reached due to circumstances out of your control you will be refunded at a rate of $135/1000 meters. Exclusions: Vertical overages above 17,500 vertical meters, necessary hotel stays in Calgary at the Delta Calgary Airport Hotel, meals before and after the lodge stay, alcoholic beverages at the lodge, airfare and any extras purchased at the lodge.
Gear In partnership with our longtime product specialists, 7Days Outdoors, Frontiers can provide expert advice and support on finding the right gear for your trip. Hank Ingram, a member of our Frontiers Gear Team will draw on thousands of hours in the field to recommend exactly what you need and what you don’t. Whether you have questions about how and what to pack, looking for a new fly rod and reel or need a pair of great binoculars – we’re happy to help. Visit www.7daysoutdoors.com to learn more.