Archive for the ‘Vacation’ Category

Are You Up to The Challenge of Heli Skiing in BC Canada?

Monday, August 16th, 2010

Skiing stands out as one the most popular and highly appreciated winter sports experiences, as it is favored by people of all ages, irrespective of their level of skiing proficiency. Practicing skiing begins with taking on low-inclination slopes that are more forgiving for beginners, and culminates with the unmatched adventures of catskiing and heliskiing, reserved for daredevils in search of an adrenaline rush.

The catskiing – heliskiing tandem involves a lot more danger than regular skiing, and like many other extreme sports, requires a special setting, in this case plenty of powdery snow, steep untouched slopes and various natural obstacles. Reaching such scenery by means of traditional transport options can be difficult, (if not impossible), and hence the need for state-of-the-art deep snow vehicles like snowcats for tackling rough alpine terrain. Yet sometimes even the robust and sturdy snowcats may have trouble reaching secluded extreme skiing slopes, and when that happens, skiers can rely on helicopters to get them to their destination – on that account, the terms of “helicopter skiing” or “heliskiing” have become ubiquitous in the winter sports community.

The locations that are most popular for their heliskiing options include British Columbia, several areas in the US and many other regions scattered all across Europe. Especially when choosing the district of British Columbia as the destination for practicing the sport, Canada heli skiing is unequalled, as it encompasses all the right factors for an outstanding powder skiing experience.

The best time of the year for practicing heliskiing is dictated by the climate of the region you are planning to visit. Concerning heliskiing BC Canada, the season for practicing the sport here starts early January and ends mid April. However, this is merely a guideline, as sometimes the snow may come much earlier than that and maintain its consistency well even outside the regularheli skiing BC Canada season.

Canada heli skiing is a challenging sport which involves a significant degree of risk. That said, to minimize the threat of natural hazards and to reduce the chance of accidents during your heli skiing trip, you need the company of professional, seasoned guides. To stay on the safe side, make sure you only stick with reputable heli skiing BC Canada operations that hire expert mountain guides and pilots capable of keeping danger at bay in virtually any scenario.

As for the costs associated with this ultimate winter sports experience, know that Canada heli skiing surely doesn’t number among the cheapest approaches to mountain skiing. Still, some operations provide cost effective options as well, with the difference of being designed mostly for newcomers to this type of sport. Although they sacrifice some of the thrill and excitement of full throttle Canada heli skiing for the sake of affordability, these options have the plus of being forgiving and less physically challenging for the less experienced.

With the exposure enjoyed by heli skiing BC Canada at present, the offers for holiday packages can range anywhere from single-weekend stays to weekly stays or more. Depending on the size of the budget you are prepared to spend on your trip, you can opt for either all-inclusive formats at a single lodge, impeccable accommodation conditions at a luxury mountain resort, or even the flexibility of the so-called heli ski-safaris.

BC Canada Cat Skiing – Always an Exciting Adventure

Thursday, August 12th, 2010

British Columbia, Canada, shines through as skiers’ ultimate playground, being widely renowned for the abundance and quality of its snow, its diverse terrain, well-equipped resorts and modern, competitive accommodation. Moreover, with the numerous options available in terms of dedicated resorts, nowadays finding suitable accommodation conditions is easy.

The British Columbia district welcomes visitors with a multitude of fantastic ski resorts. While some of them are popular on international level, others mostly enjoy local recognition with the native community of winter sports enthusiasts. However, regardless of their level of fame or overall size, all cat skiing BC Canada operations are worth at least one visit during your stay here. In the end, whichever specialized company you choose will strive to cater to your needs and requirements the best way possible.

BC Canada resorts are located in four main regions: Vancouver – Coast and Mountains, Thompson Okanagan, Kootenay Rockies and Selkirk Range.

Vancouver – Coast and Mountains
– Home to Whistler, which is recognized as one of the world’s top ski resorts, Vancouver shouldn’t be omitted from your list of ski destinations to visit in your lifetime.

Thompson Okanagan
– Sun Peaks, the second skiable area in terms of dimensions, is renowned for the convenience of the local service options. The terrain is extremely varied, which renders the destination perfect for any family ski trip.
– Big White, which is mostly popular for the abundance and perfect consistency of its snow, shelters an award winning Kids Centre and dedicated ski school.
– Silver Star, a vivid and authentic Victorian-style village, is also perfectly adapted for family holidays.
– Apex, the last but definitely not the least in the enumeration provided, welcomes skiers with pristine powder, excellent weather conditions and amazing terrain.

Kootenay Rockies
– Red Mountain Resort, which comes with big vertical slopes, also enjoys deep and abundant skiable powder and diversified terrain.
– Whitewater, daredevils’ paradise, has plenty of deep powder in store and dazzles visitors with magnificent scenery.
– Fernie, a powder skiing oasis, offers a wide array of mountain ski slopes and circuits.
– Kimberley, a favorite destination for family trips, benefits from consistent snow and plenty of sunshine all the year round.
– Panorama, the perfect setting for advanced skiers, comes with vast skiable terrain, numerous clearings and tricky back bowls.
– Kicking Horse, which shelters The Canadian Rockies’ biggest vertical and plenty of soft powder, is another great cat skiing BC Canada resort you should check out.

Selkirk Range
– Revelstoke, a continuously growing resort, offers fantastic cat skiing opportunities and brings skiers face to face with the most challenging vertical descent in North America.

If you want to explore some of the options offered by smaller catskiing BC Canada operations as well, then consider opting for a ski safari, which will allow you to try out multiple resorts over a shorter time span. Several attractive combination ideas include The Okanagan Safari (covering resorts like Sun Peaks, Silver Star and Big White) and The Rockies Loop Safari (a comprehensive tour including Fernie, Kimberley, Kicking Horse, Panorama, as well as the Alberta Resorts of Banff, Jasper and Lake Louise). Of course there is also the option of combining the area of Whistler with Sun Peaks ski resort, which allows you to try out BC’s two largest Canada cat skiing resorts in a single service package.

How to Nail Down Suitable Canada Catskiing Circuits near British Columbia

Friday, August 6th, 2010

To make sure that your chosen catskiing Canada destination is entirely compatible with your current level of fitness, overall skiing ability and catskiing experience, it may be best to plan your trip carefully prior to placing your bookings with a particular operator. For great customer satisfaction and an eventful skiing adventure, you need to find the best skiable terrain for you and hire the services of a reputable and reliable catskiing Canada company. While at it, have a look at overall rates, available packages of services, lodging conditions, and other important factors that can influence the quality of your vacation.

A good way to avoid the drawback of handling too many things on the spot and making rushed decisions because of it is to plan your Canada catskiing holiday long in advance. Doing so will also help you bring down the total costs for your catskiing Canada vacation, particularly when you are interested in a multi-day package.

According to what you may be after, know that the majority of catskiing BC operations allow you to select from comprehensive service formats, which can range anywhere from single day trips to all-inclusive weekly stays. Some companies welcome customers with even more flexible offers for catskiing BC trips, allowing skiers to make bookings for periods longer than seven days, which generally include attractive discounts.

Especially in extra season, when there is no shortage of openings with most catskiing operations, you may even have the possibility to find very good deals right on the spot. This is great for instance when you are in close proximity of a Canada catskiing operation and decide to stop for some unconstrained, quality cat skiing fun. You can negotiate the costs for lodging and catskiing rides on location, stay for a day or two and then decide whether to change the setting or prolong your skiing trip in that place with a few more days.

If time is not on your side or you feel that you can’t afford the luxury of a long Canada catskiing trip, don’t worry – many competitive operators are offering both overnight and one-day skiing services at very reasonable rates. The best examples are Wildhorse Cat Skiing and Big Red Cats, which are renowned for their affordable catskiing services. Other prominent catskiing BC operators worth mentioning are Revelstoke Cat Skiing, Powder Mountain and Valhalla Powdercats. Of course, the list doesn’t stop here, as there are many other respectable operations you should give a check when planning for your next catskiing Canada trip.

With numerous dedicated Canada catskiing operations worth looking into and the wide range of service options available these days, sometimes it can be very difficult to make up your mind and limit yourself to only one catskiing format. In such cases however, you can opt for a multi-circuit or catskiing safari, an option that lets you try out a different operation, ski resort and slope selection with each new day of your skiing trip. This is a great way to ensure that you will visit a larger number of Canada catskiing regions in a short time span and leave virtually no room for boredom.

Reasons for Choosing Helicopter Skiing Canada

Friday, August 6th, 2010

Despite its past reputation as a winter sports activity reserved exclusively for the rich and famous, heliskiing is nowadays widely accessible to everyone and has gained a lot of ground in terms of affordability and quality of service as well. Although an eventful and lively heliskiing vacation surely doesn’t come cheap, it is also true that no other skiing alternative rises up to the thrill, excitement and adventure of such an experience.

The list with attractive heliskiing destinations is extensive, as many countries welcome winter sports enthusiasts with competitive and comprehensive service packages. To spot the best option for you and your family or group of friends, the trick is to do a rigorous research of the market for quality offers. With a reputable operator, the usual rates for a heliskiing experience should revolve somewhere around $1000 per day, so plan your budget accordingly.

For avid skiers with a strong taste for heliskiing, Canada stands out as one of the world’s most appealing destinations for practicing this sport. Helicopter skiing in Canada is the ultimate skiing experience for adrenaline seekers, as it brings skiers close to thousands of square miles of challenging downhill slopes packed with various natural obstacles to spice up any ride. However, the element of danger is properly contained by the extra security measures taken by heliskiing Canada operators and through the vigilance and proficiency of dedicated mountain guides in charge of the groups. Thanks to modern technology, safety standards are further raised by supplying each group member with a GPS device to indicate one’s exact position should he/she stray away from the group or get involved in an accident.

To get the most out of helicopter skiing in Canada, make sure your skill and experience levels properly match the difficulty of the overall skiing experience. Heliskiing falls into the category of extreme winter sports, which means you need to be well prepared for it before taking to those tricky slopes. Apart from skill and experience, heliskiing Canada also requires great physical condition, as dominating the virgin slopes and the unpredictable terrain drains every sap of energy out of you.

With respectable helicopter skiing Canada companies, you get access to impeccable lodging conditions and the guarantee that all the helicopter rides will be smooth, comfortable and risk-free. Depending on the capacity of available helicopters, you may be able to bring up to twelve friends with you on your daily heliskiing skiing endeavors.

In order to simplify and speed up the process of finding reputable and reliable helicopter skiing Canada companies, consider beginning your research on the Internet. Since virtually every heliskiing Canada operator has its own website these days, you can also make bookings online and take care of payments in only a few simple steps.

If you are looking for a memorable skiing experience and a unique adventure, plan for a helicopter skiing Canada trip on your next holiday and you definitely won’t be disappointed. Canada is by far the best destination for heliskiing, and with a solid operator, chances are you will have the trip of your life.

Top level of quality tents at inexpensive price

Thursday, August 5th, 2010

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Going Heli Skiing Canada?

Saturday, July 31st, 2010

Being long considered as a great past time for the rich and famous, Heliskiing is now accessible to anyone interested to testing their limits of their skiing skills and experience. It is definitely not the cheapest vacation you can choose but the reality is that there are no other alternatives to heliskiing that could offer you the same thrills and unforgettable experience. There are currently numerous countries that welcome visitors from all over the world with great heliskiing service packages. The best idea is of course to do a little research and find the most suitable option for you and your group. The rates are generally somewhere around $1000 for each day of your heliskiing trip.

Canada is definitely one of the top international destinations for those interested in this sport and considering that this country probably has the largest variety of heliskiing opportunities then you really can’t go anywhere else. Apart from the thrills you get from a heli skiing Canada vacation you can also expect a great deal of security that is meant to keep everyone as safe as possible. Even if it is considered by many people to be one of the most dangerous sports today, heli skiing Canada is far more safe than just a few years ago. New technological advances have made it possible for each participant to carry protection devices that are meant to help make them easily detectable to the search parties in case of an avalanche, but also breathing equipment and much more.

Skill, however, is something that no person who goes on a heli skiing BC trip can do without. Even though to many people heli skiing Canada may seem to be a lot like regular skiing, it is still an extreme sport and it you need to give it your all, and that all needs to be quite a lot. It is not enough to have extensive skills and experience with this sport but you also need to be in great physical shape in order to be able to safely navigate down the mountain during each descent of your heli skiing BC vacation. The lodging options are extremely comfortable and match the same level of expectations of the trips using the helicopter.

Depending on the size and active load of the helicopter you can take as many as a dozen or even more friends with you on the daily heli skiing Canada descents. Finding heli skiing BC destinations for your vacations is a piece of cake if you decide to do your research on the internet. Not only will you be able to save a considerable amount of money which you would generally spend on phone calls, but you will also significantly reduce the time frame. Because nowadays most heli ski Canada operators have online sites you can even make reservations directly on the internet and send down payments with just a few clicks of your mouse. There are numerous reasons why people go on heliskiing trips and after you go for the first time you will completely understand all of them.

Been On a Heli Skiing BC Trip Yet?

Friday, July 30th, 2010

People are always in need of a little adventure. You can have the most peaceful life and be happy with it but if you don’t experience some good thrills you can’t really enjoy life, as being on the limit has the advantage of reminding us just how precious our lives really are. There are quite a few sports and activities that people from all over the world can try in order to raise their adrenaline levels. The easiest way to wake is tandem skydiving, bungee jumping and so on. I refer to them as being easy because you don’t need any sort of experience before actually trying them out, just a bit of training. Heli ski, on the other hand, is a true sport that requires a great deal of training and expertise in order to make the most out of each and every ride down the mountain.

Regular skiing is quite simple to learn and even 3 year olds can start learning how to ride the snow in a pair of skis. The thing about the regular form of this sport is that it is practiced on regular slopes that are open to people with various skill levels and after you reach a certain point when your skill levels are very high and your reflexes can help you get out of even the most perilous situations, normal slopes are no longer enough. This is really where heli skiing BC comes in strong. Heli ski Canada gives you the chance to put all your experience and training to good use in some of the most beautiful regions you could ever find on this planet. There are other sports that can raise your adrenaline levels but none that are really like heli ski Canada, simply because risk is behind every corner and you really need sharp reflexes to make it down the mountain safely.

Combining a helicopter ride with the thrills offered by powder skiing is really unrivaled to this day by any of the other sports and the best thing about heli skiing BC is that there are quite a few destinations to choose from when you are planning your vacation. There are numerous other countries around the world that are welcoming enthusiasts with heli ski services but for those that have been on at least one such trip, one of the most important factors is the scenery. Heli skiing BC vacations really do a great job combining this challenging sport with superb views. Luxury is also in the equation as companies that specialize in heli ski Canada services do not spare any expenses to keep their customers completely happy.

This is why you can opt for whatever level of luxury you want when choosing your lodging. Because the helicopters used for heli ski Canada trips are from the latest generations, you can rest assured that your trips will be completely safe. Also, remember that you can bring as many friends or coworkers as you wish because heli skiing BC companies welcome any groups regardless of the number of members.

Helicopter Skiing in BC Canada – A Brief History and Outlook

Sunday, July 25th, 2010

In 1953, an Austrian mountain guide known by the name of Hans Gmoser was determined to transform his lifetime dream into reality and set the foundations of his own mountain skiing company. As Gmoser was not a rich man, it wasn’t at all easy for him to accomplish his enthusiastic goals, but that never stopped him from persevering in his endeavors. Without any help from the outside, it took him many years to save the money needed to move to Banff, where he would pursue a career as a professional guide in the sumptuous and striking mountain scenery surrounding Mount Assiniboine, often nicknamed “Canada's Matterhorn” by the locals.

Within a few years’ time span, Gmoser became very familiar with the mountain and adjoining areas, and one after another, he uncovered and learned all the intimate secrets of the region. As his knowledge of Mount Assiniboine was growing, so did his urge to share the natural beauty of the mountain scenery in Western Canada with other people, and as days went by, Gmoser was getting closer and closer to fulfilling his ambitions.

The extensive backcountry experience he had accumulated as a guide over the years enabled Hans to set the grounds for a small company called Canadian Mountain Holidays (CMH), a name that he would etch in the pages of history. With Hans in charge, business was going smoothly and the company was rapidly gaining in popularity, as Hans was directly involved in attracting and leading thousands of skiers and mountain climbers on fascinating, previously untouched mountain routes.

More than five decades later, the helicopters rides and the skiing equipment have changed radically, but the dream inspired by Hans Moser is as vivid and authentic as ever. Nowadays, his mission is carried on further by a new generation of dedicated guides, whose main strive is to share the thrill and excitement of heli skiing BC Canada with the many thousands of winter sports enthusiasts who come to this place every year.

The perfect mix between bountiful snowfall and permissive weather conditions render the region of British Columbia ideal for practicing heli skiing, snowboarding and other winter sports. Helicopter skiing operations are renowned for their quality and diversity of service, and with so many dedicated companies functioning in the region, it is easy to find one that suits your exact needs and requirements.

The main differences between the helicopter skiing operations of today are in areas like lodging conditions, the types and sizes of the helicopters used, the number of skiers in a group, as well as the locations of the lodges. While some lodges are more secluded and intimate, others are situated right in the heart of towns to provide access to a larger array of entertainment options and other facilities. A number of operations have become specialized in offering daily helicopter skiing services directly from a ski resort, while others only offer multi-day packages for which you need to make bookings long in advance. Overall, British Columbia has come a long way since the 50’s, nowadays offering a broad spectrum of dedicated heli skiing services to satisfy all preferences and to meet almost any budget.

Reasons Why Canada Is the Perfect Destination For Powder Skiing

Saturday, July 24th, 2010

To get absolute freedom from your deep powder skiing trip, you definitely need to turn away from noisy and congested ski resorts and instead immerse yourself into the world of backcountry wilderness, where the soft powder is intact and just perfect for skiing. The mild murmur of the wind and the sizzling of your skis as they dash through the immaculate veil of snow quickly become hypnotic, giving you the impression that you have crossed over into a magical realm where time and space no longer have an effect on you.

Very few things in life come close to such an experience and many skiers who try powder skiing often end up falling in love with it and keep coming back for more. And especially when you combine powder skiing with the versatility and adventurous nature of snow catskiing, the whole skiing trip will feel like a dream come true.

Starting with the sumptuous Rocky Mountains in the west and all over to the picturesque Laurentians in the east, the Canadian mountain scenery stands out as the perfect place to spend your ski and snowboard vacation. Many of the regular and luxury mountain resorts found in the region were founded back in the 60s, when pioneers of extreme winter sports began their quest for challenging, secluded ski circuits blessed with the best possible snow. Since then, the Canadians’ main strive and ambition has been to bring into existence some of the world’s finest ski resorts that would allow all avid skiers in the scene to enjoy the thrill and excitement of quality powder skiing.

One of the reasons why Canada has become such a popular skiing destination lies in the great diversity of skiing options found in the area. At present, you can for instance choose to spend a memorable winter ski vacation in the bosom of Selkirk, Purcell, Cariboo and Monashee Mountains, which welcome visitors with deep and untouched powder snow, fresh air, and loads of fun skiing. You can enjoy peaks higher than 11,000’ and magnificent landscapes, and around 6000 vertical feet of varied scenery will be waiting for you on arrival.

In addition to all that, thanks to the large density of ski resorts in both the West and the East of the Canadian mountains, you can easily explore several during your holiday. If you like the sound of it, then you can opt for a multi-resort holiday, which apart from helping you spice up your snow catskiing experience, will also allow you to discover more of the amazing Canadian panorama.

Numerous Canadian ski resorts have undergone a process of improvement and expansion in recent years, which means you nowadays have access to modern and fast ski lifts, diversified entertainment options and impeccable accommodation conditions. All companies operating here are highly competitive, well organized and determined to ensure the best possible experience for their clients.

In case you haven't yet tried snow catskiing or experienced the magic of powder skiing in North America, then you should definitely schedule a skiing trip here for your next holiday. The huge amount of quality powder available in the region, the diversity of the slopes, the beauty of the landscapes and good balance between low-budget and luxury mountain resorts renders this place perfect for skiers looking for the experience of a lifetime.

Ever Thought About Going On A Snow Cat Skiing Adventure?

Saturday, July 17th, 2010

For those of you that might not know yet, powder cat skiing or snow cat skiing is just the best version of skiing you are ever going to find. Powder cat skiing is basically skiing on fresh snow in remote regions of a mountain where there are no regular tourists. Also, there aren’t any kids crowding the slopes simply because there aren’t any slopes. This is the reason why so many people are being drawn to this almost extreme sport. I say almost extreme because even though many people might see it as just that, the reality is that in many countries around the world, like Canada for example, you can always find a portion of the mountain that is suitable for your level of skill.

Snow cat skiing makes good use of the snowcat which is a fantastic piece of machinery that can get you up and down the mountain comfortably and fast. You can forget about those uncomfortable mountain chairs or always over crowded cable lifts because as long as you are inside a snow cat skiing vehicle you will feel quite comfortable and warm. This all changes when you reach the starting point, and this is basically the moment when you have to activate all your senses and reflexes, because a powder cat skiing descent will require them to be at maximum levels.

It would be highly inaccurate to compare powder cat skiing to regular skiing because everything is taken to the limit, your reflexes, your ability to change course in a split second and so on. Because powder cat skiing requires you and your friends to ride down a portion of the mountain with freshly fallen snow, there is an increased risk for an avalanche and this is the vast majority of companies specializing in snow cat skiing require that each group is accompanied by a well experienced expert that knows how to navigate through the most dangerous situations. For example, getting across large openings will always be done by one skier at a time to minimize any risks of provoking an avalanche.

There are also safety meetings held to educate everyone not only on the risks they face and ways to minimize them but also how to act in certain circumstances and use the safety equipment that is supplied. If you don’t already have a pair of skis that are especially created for snow cat skiing descents you don’t have to go out and buy a pair immediately because every resort that specializes in offering tourists this type of service will always have a few pairs available for rent.

Depending on the mountain region you plan to make your powder cat skiing descent on, there might also be other requirements. For example, in more dangerous regions the service providers will most likely require each one of their customers to wear safety helmets. If you are not yet convinced of the great opportunity available through snow cat skiing, then you will most likely be after your first day spent on the mountain.