WARMING UP TO THE COLD
As with any surf or snowboard trip, you’re bound to hit a flat spell. The two feet of fresh snow that greeted us upon our arrival to the double mountain resort of Whistler Blackcomb was soon mired by a rainsquall. But we would not be deterred by a little bad weather, so we took to the town for entertainment.

The pedestrian village was laced with restaurants and bars and was a great respite to the sub-par conditions on the mountain. The nightlife was buzzing and we found plenty of female companions to show us around.

The town of Whistler was first constructed in the ‘60s, in preparation for a possible venue for the Winter Olympics. The dream was put on hold, but the town came to fruition. Almost fifty years later, in 2010, that dream will become a reality as Whistler Blackcomb hosts the Winter Olympics.

Amid the nights of reckless abandon, the conditions improved and we scored some great groomers. With over 8,000 ski-able acres of terrain and 32 lifts to access both mountains, it was easy to find a trail where we could cruise and get our snow-legs back in tune. The highlight had to be our low-pro score on the new Symphony Chair. It wasn’t powder up to your waist, but the terrain was perfect for carving down big, open bowls and ducking into the trees for that Star Wars like experience of racing past immobile trunks and branches as fast as we could handle.

Being so far away from home, we were reminded of our beautiful islands in the Pacific by the looming Black Tusk that kept watch over our every move. Black Tusk is a volcanic formation that sticks out of the top of Whistler mountain like a big tooth. You can even ski down the near vertical face if you can handle the upper elevation hike. But not for us, we need to survive this mountain if we are to complete our three-mountain trek.



LIMITED ACCESS
After nearly a decade of playing in the snow, up until this year, I was fairly certain that snowboarding is vastly different from surfing. Riding a snowboard mimics the surfing stance, but the slide and the glide are only faintly connected. Science tells us that the sea is fluid and snow is frozen water, but it’s not nearly so black and white. Somewhere between basic math, humidity and slope pitch, semi solid flakes of snow take on a buoyant, if not liquid form. Over the past few years of visiting snow destinations I have now come to discover that there is more motion on the mountain than just the rider and a few flakes of snow.
Mike Wiegele’s Helicopter Skiing resort may well be the portal to this fantastic illumination. After one week at MW’s, I have witnessed and experienced enough face shots, controlled powder rides and blown smoke from powder slashes to rearrange my viewpoint permanently. Standing high atop the summits of the Canadian Alps is a truly stunning experience—and if you have the expendable cash for a guided powder tour with Mike Wiegele, it’s well worth it.

To experience this kind of terrain on such a sunny day is indeed special. Winter storms frequenting the Pacific Northwest send loads of snow to these high-elevation rocky mountains, but access is a key element. Without a chopper, you’re stuck on the bunny slopes.

On a special invite from Canada’s premier heli-skiing operation, our crew was treated to a very unfair dose of powder runs, untouched natural terrain and fresh tracks. With a reputation for 5-star service, top quality guides and world-class snow, this snow adventure lived up to the hype and delivered way beyond expectation.

Having high aspirations and being number one takes huge commitment, and mountain sage Mike Wiegele has made the Canadian Alps his life. Through dedication and his passion for the outdoors, he has created the premiere snowsport adventure resort in North America. All it takes is one powder run and you’re hooked for life.

A NEW KIND OF STOKE
Welcome to Revelstoke, British Columbia, a stoic timber town. Revelstoke is deep in Canada’s snow country and home to Mount Mackenzie, a world-renown heli-skiing and cat-skiing destination.

Last year our crew took to these hills with VIP snow cat access. We reported that the seeds were planted and seismic changes were planned and penned. Within several months of our jaunt in 2006, massive construction began on the area. Trees were gladed and trails were cut. Massive investment coupled with a dream team of experienced winter sports movers and one grand master plan led to the creation of Revelstoke Mountain Resort, boasting a high speed gondola, a quad chair just steps away from brand new base lodge.

Opening day at RMR was an exciting landmark for winter sport in many ways. Aside from having 4,735 vertical feet of terrain, the greatest vertical feet of any resort in North America, RMR is the first of its kind to provide triple access: by lift, snow cat and helicopter. Thousands of thrill seekers camped over night or hiked up in the dark to get first tracks on Revelstoke’s legendary runs.

For skiers and boarders who had previously known about Revelstoke’s abundant snowfall, about 40 to 60 feet annually, the new lift access was a dream come true. Yet for season slope veterans and newcomers alike, they have literally discovered the stoke.

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