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Powder Skiing
Heli-skiing: The experience of heli-skiing starts well before you ever reach the slope. The adrenaline begins to flow as soon as you see the helicopter approaching. As you fight the blizzard thrown up by the wash of the helicopter's rotors you get a taste of the chill you will feel from the wind whipping past your cheeks on the downhill run. The ride up is a first for may people as most of us do not have the opportunity to fly in a copter in the normal course of our day. Getting comfortable on board may be difficult as with your cold weather clothing you will be fairly cramped for space. This is not a to be squeamish about rubbing shoulders with someone you are not in love with. On take-off, the helicopter rises, dips forward, and gains forward speed. As you rise, you get the sensation of your breakfast settling into the pit of your stomach, but your mind is distracted by the panoramic view of the white folds of the mountain. When you reach the designated drop off zone the copter descends creating a near white out condition as the unpacked snow whips up a veritable blizzard. This settles a bit as the engine speed is throttled back and you get the disembark sign. Jumping out you sink into the snow. and struggle to make room for rest of the group. Moving off to a safe distance, you turn your back to your only other option to getting off the mountain as the helicopters blades pick up speed and whips the snow into a frenzy. You may be inclined to stand there and watch as the thup-thup-thup of the blades fades out. The stillness of the mountain belies the lack of calm in your guts. Just a few minutes ago your were warm and joking with well wishers, now you are standing on top of the world looking down at the tree line. Snapping on your skis, you and usually a guide, move to the edge, being careful to hold back until you have surveyed your anticipated path and scoped out the possibility of danger. Everyone needs to locate a mutual spot way down there where they will pull out and a last word from your guide (one guide with each group is required). Looking around at the others to make sure everyone is set, your guide then you slip over the edge and are gone. The softness of the snow ( it can't even be called "snow pack") is shocking. It is so fluid that it seems to have it's own life life a big wave. Cutting back and forth in a bounce throws up plumes but seems to do little to slow you down. You need to cut back and point yourself uphill to achieve any real slowing. Occasionally it seems that you are going to plow under the snow but you keep moving. Don't be too surprised if you sit down once or twice before you get the hang of it. By now you will have powder in every chink in you ski suit and the body heat that the effort is generating melts the snow and it begins to trickle down your neck adding another sensation to add to your experience. You will be so busy that you will hardly have time to notice how everyone else is doing and all you can do is to focus on the pre-arranged pullout location. The only real downside to this downhill experience is that what goes up must come down and eventually stop. But look at it this way; if you can afford it you can do it all again. Top of page The most noticeable difference between cat skiing and heli-skiing is the contrivances to get you to the top and the time it takes to get you there. For those of you who may have some qualms about flying in a copter the snow cat or "bambardier" may be the way to go. With the snow cat there is no thup-thup-thup of the blades and no blinding snowstorm with it's arrival. Just a purring of the engine and rumbling of the tracks. Inside is roomier than a copter and warm. You may even get a little catering with a box lunch and a hot beverage, generally coffee or cocoa served steaming from a thermos. You have a chance to enjoy the scenery in the way up and up it is . at some point it seem impossibly steep but the cat rumbles on as you cast nervous looks around the cabin to see how everyone else is fairing. A stoic bunch that group is, no-one allowing the concern to show on their face, so you buck up and smile. Just about the time you are ready for it to end it does. You level off onto the summit and everyone piles out into the dazzling brilliance of the unimpeded view. Depending upon which mountain you ascended or what outfit took you there, the slopes steepness may vary. Because it is fluff you will need to remember that the ride down will be different from resort skiing. Here you will be skiing through soft powder that is deep enough to bury you. And if that should happen, hold your breathe as you are going in and then straighten out your skis and breaststroke your way out. Your group pushes off and begin making tracks, heading for the tree line, cutting back and forth to draw out the experience, giving those leg muscles a good work out. As you enter the tree line you need to pick out your path as there is no "improved" slope here just you and nature. Waiting at the bottom is a snow cat (probably not the one the were in previously as you will certainly beat it to the bottom) warm and waiting to take you up again or back to the lodge. What a way to go. Maybe you only get in 2 or 3 runs in a day but the quality makes it seem like a lot more. Top of page No matter how you get into it "powder" is worth everything that goes into it. A couple of places for powder in British Columbia. Heli Skiing ----- Panorama Mountain Village, the home of R.K. Heli-Ski. who has an exclusive concessionaire to 1,240 square miles of prime mountain parkland, that never lacks for snow. Few other heli-ski operators are willing to take customers up for a single day. Cat Skiing ----- Island Lake Lodge owns all the terrain it skis—5,000 skiable acres out of 7,000, about the size of Whistler. The lack of a winter road access reflects the environmentalist philosophy of the lodge, which seeks to minimize its own impact on the valley. Island Lake can accommodate only 36 skiers, and peak-season slots are booked up to a year in advance. Kicking Horse Resort - Canada's
newest ski resort Powder
Glossary: Powder
skiing equipment:
In the backcountry, where helicopter and cat skiers venture, at least one guide trained in mountain rescue is mandated for each group of skiers, and every skier must carry a transceiver, which can be used to pinpoint anyone who may be trapped beneath an avalanche flow. Other basic gear includes a collapsible pole for probing the snow, a shovel, and a first aid kit. Before you book a backcountry trip in B.C., make sure the company is a member of the British Columbia Helicopter & Snowcat Skiing Operators Association, which requires its members to adhere to strict safety guidelines. Novices should never ski on hazardous terrain without introductory training and an experienced guide to accompany them. Before going to the backcountry, skiers should take a course. At a resort, don't ski on terrain that has been closed; when you're cat or heli-skiing, don't ski past the lead guide. And always follow the instructions of all guides scrupulously. Web site of organizations that offer certified instruction for recreational skiers (www.avalanche.ca). A useful book on snow avalanche hazards for backcountry travelers is Snow Sense, by Jill Fredston and Doug Fesler. They run the Alaska Mountain Safety Center, a nonprofit organization specializing in avalanche evaluation and education. Top of page Become a contributor.
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blue
room The out-of-body sensation skiers experience in very deep powder.
