|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Frequently Asked QuestionsWhy do you cost a little more than some other heliskiing operators? Why ski or board with Mica Heliskiing over any other operator? What is an A-Star, why do you use it? What is the average vertical I'll ski/board per day? What do you do on bad-weather days? What is the name of the mountain range that you operate in? What is the winter temperature in the Rockies? What is the lodge and skiing elevation? What level of skiing/boarding is your terrain? What if I get tired half-way through the day? I've never experienced powder skiing before, how do I find people I'll be comfortable with? Do I bring my own snow skis, or what type of skis can you provide? Will my snowboard work for heli-boarding? How far are you from Whistler? Where would you recommend I go for a few days of warm-up before I visit Mica Heliskiing?
Why do you cost a little more than some other heliskiing operators?Mica Heliskiing's prices are actually lower than those of other operators when you compare private A-Star tours. One-hundred percent of our tours are private or semi-private groups of four skiers and one guide, with a maximum of three groups (total of 12 guests) staying at our lodge and sharing 1 million acres of terrain. Compare this to other heli-ski operators, who run three or four groups of 10-11 guests (i.e., totaling 30-44 guests per helicopter) plus, in some cases, private groups on top. Such higher numbers tend to slow down the process, keep you from more challenging terrain, or force you to finish the day early. In summary, the quality and quantity of skiing in a small group is much higher. Why ski or board with Mica Heliskiing over any other operator?At Mica Heliskiing you'll find small groups, fewer down days, more variety of terrain and a deeper, drier snow pack. With Mica Heliskiing you and three companions have access to 1 million acres of terrain, with snow quality unparalleled in the world. Alaskan-style peaks, giant alpine bowls, runs of up to 2,500 metres vertical (about 7,800 feet), endless steep tree skiing and the world's best "pillow" runs. From beginner to expert, our tenure offers terrain for every level of skier or boarder. With small groups we can get around more easily, offering you a much wider variety of terrain, tailored to what your group desires. In the 2005/2006 season, subject to favorable weather and snow stability, your group should be able to ski a run that has never been skied before and name the run! With Mica Heliskiing you are flown into a Backcountry Lodge with a maximum capacity of 12 guests, your own private chef, hot tub, and other amenities. What is an A-Star, why do you use it?The A-Star is a small, fast, agile helicopter that is well-designed, reliable, smooth, quiet, operates well at high elevation and offers excellent visibility. This powerful machine has the ability to shuttle three groups without requiring waits after each run. The A-Star has an excellent safety record for heli-skiing, and is the Canadian industry standard for customized heli-skiing/boarding and private groups. See our Safety page for more details. What is the average vertical I'll ski/board per day?We include 4,500 vertical metres or 14,764 vertical feet per day with the Standard Private Tour. That amounts to 103,345 vertical feel per week. We ski/ride in two or three groups of four, and we regularly ski extra vertical. If your group is very strong, you could double the standard vertical, skiing 10,000 vertical metres or even more in a day. Additional vertical is charged at Cdn$100 per 1000 metres. For strong groups who want to ski/board a lot, we recommend taking the Unlimited Private Tour, which includes as much vertical as we can pack into the week. See the Rates & Reservations page. What do you do on bad-weather days?Mica Heliskiing rarely has weather that keeps us from flying. Our lodge lies at high elevation on an open valley just five minutes' flight from world-class tree skiing. Since our opening in 2003 we have averaged just one or two half days / season (i.e. zero no-fly/skiing days). In warm weather cycles, when Mica Creek and Revelstoke are socked in with fog or rain, our higher elevation and cooler temperatures result in better snow quality and visibility. What is the name of the mountain range that you operate in?Mica Heliskiing's tenure is in on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains in British Columbia, roughly between Jasper National Park to the east and the Monashee and Selkirk mountains to the west. Our operation covers more than 4,700 km² in seven valleys with amazing terrain diversity. Visit the Terrain section for more detail. What is the annual snowfall?This zone of the western slope of B.C.'s Rocky Mountains is a powder-making machine! The typical snowfall in our area is 1,200-1,800 cm (44-66 feet) per winter season. This results in a snow-pack of 300-400 cm depth in most of the valleys for most of the season. Mica Heliskiing is located where the moist storms from the Pacific Ocean collide with the cooler Arctic air from northern Alberta. The result is consistent, deep dry powder from November to May which provides the ultimate experience to skiers interested in Canadian powder skiing. What is the winter temperature in the Rockies?Typical winter temperatures are usually -5º C to -15º C (23º to 5º Fahrenheit), but in mid-winter they can drop as low as -30º C (22º below Fahrenheit). These lower temperatures are what give us the super light, dry Rocky Mountains powder - the best powder skiing in BC. Our typically lower humidity makes the temperature feel slightly higher than the same level at higher humidity. What clothing will I require?While there's some opportunity to warm up in the helicopter, most of our rides are short, and lunch is eaten outdoors, so be prepared to dress as if you'll be out in the elements all day long. Bring multiple layers of warm, non-restrictive, breathable and water-resistant clothing, including long underwear. BC's powder skiing requires a jacket with a "powder-skirt" and some good-quality powder gloves. High-quality, well-vented goggles are a must. If wearing a helmet, use one with a low profile or 3/4 coverage shell with removable ear guards so you will be able to hear your guide. The key is: function over form. Wool hats are far better than ball caps with bills, which are a big disadvantage around a helicopter. For evenings, casual wear (jeans or chinos) are normal. And remember your swimming trunks for the hot tub. What is the lodge and skiing elevation?The lodge sits at 1,280 metres (4,200 feet) above sea level, or about 760 metres (2,495 feet) above Kinbasket Lake. Mica Heliskiing's runs begin as high as 3,500 metres (11,500 feet), with the lowest helicopter pick-up at 950 metres (3,100 feet). What level of skiing/boarding is your terrain?Mica Heliskiing has a diverse range of terrain for every level, from gently sloped glaciated runs in the high alpine suitable for first-time heli-skiers/boarders, to genuine expert-level steep chutes, and huge amounts of challenging tree runs. You do not need to be an expert skier or boarder to visit Mica Heliskiing. Guests of every level of ability have come here and loved it. Visit the Terrain section for more detail. What if I get tired half-way through the day?Mica Heliskiing's backcountry lodge is very close to the area where we ski, and the helicopter will return for fuel at least once, enabling you to return to the lodge early if you wish. You can use unused vertical one day for extra skiing on another day; you pay only for the total additional vertical you've skied/boarded above the combined package amount for your whole trip. I've never tried powder skiing before, how do I find people I'll be comfortable with?To maximize your first BC's powder-skiing /boarding experience, we'll attempt to place you with a group of similar ability. But because we run only 12 guests in three groups, you should try, if possible, to travel in a group of similar ability. Do I bring my own skis, or what type of skis can you provide?You can bring your own skis, especially if they're a wide or fat ski. If you don't own fat skis, we highly recommend you use Mica Heliskiing's fat powder skis for powder skiing in Canada - the K2 Chief, K2 Pontoon or K2 Phat Luv - which we provide free. We also have poles available for your use. You will need to bring your own ski boots. Because checked baggage often is delayed or lost, DON'T FORGET TO CARRY ON YOUR SKI BOOTS FOR YOUR FLIGHT TO CALGARY OR KELOWNA. Will my snowboard work for heli-boarding?For riding deep light powder a longer, backcountry board is necessary. Step-in bindings are preferred, with your stance set to the farthest-back setting. Mica Heliskiing's lodge is in the backcountry, so bring along spare parts. We have a very limited selection of boards at the lodge so please bring your own. How far are you from Whistler and Banff?By road, Mica Heliskiing's helicopter pick-up is approximately 950 km (600 miles) from Whistler and approximately 450 km (280 miles) from Banff. The lodge is a 10-minute flight from the helicopter pick-up. Where do I fly into?Mica Heliskiing arranges ground or private air transfers from arrival at the Kelowna BC International Airport. For arrival via Calgary, we recommend taking a connecting flight into Kelowna or renting an SUV and driving to Revelstoke. Please visit our directions and arrivals page for additional information. Where would you recommend I go for a few days of warm-up before I visit Mica Heliskiing?There are many ski resorts en route to our area, including Powder Springs at Revelstoke, Kicking Horse at Golden, Panorama at Invermere, Sunshine Village/Lake Louise/Mount Norquay in the Banff area, Silver Star at Vernon and Big White at Kelowna. On request, we'd be pleased to assist your travel plans to visit ski resorts prior to arrival to Mica Heliskiing. You might also be interested in visiting the Island Lake Lodge or Powder Cowboy snowcat-skiing area at Fernie (now part of the same company as Mica Heliskiing), where you can warm-up at Fernie Alpine Resort. Do I require insurance?We strongly recommend trip cancellation, trip interruption and/or emergency evacuation insurance. We also recommend that all guests purchase travel or accident insurance. Your insurance broker can advise you about what other types of personal insurance you may require, such as disability insurance and life insurance. Mica Heliskiing is pleased to recommend a Non-Medical Insurance Package and a Visitor's Medical Insurance package offered through RBC Insurance. |
|
 |
|
 |
 |
|
© Mica Heliskiing Ltd. 2006 |
|
