On November 27th, just 12 weeks after pressing the “launch” button on White Wilderness Heli Skiing, something remarkable happened: a number of large packages arrived from Slovenia…
Up until that point, the operation was theoretical. A dream. A bold new project in Northern BC. But with the arrival of our ski and snowboard quiver from Elan, the dream seemed to take form. To become tangible. This thing was really happening!
The skis have now been waxed and laid down in their summer beds. The snow has melted. And the first wave of salmon returning to the mighty Skeena River are congregating just off the coast. I’ve replaced my ski boots with flip-flops and my toque lies deep within a closet of winter gear. Winter has faded but there is a long list of moments that will linger. Although it would be impossible to describe them all, my personal highlight reel would include the following:
By early December, after what seemed like an endless period of precipitation, it was go time in the mountains and we began to make our first forays into this largely unexplored tenure. What better way to do this than with Canadian ski legends Dave Treadway and Callum Pettit and our good friends from HeliLife. That week proved to be – hands down – the deepest powder skiing of the season:
Next up in the highlight reel was our week with Brian, Martina and Matthias in early January. 3 guests, an A-star helicopter and 2 guides. Oh, and 5 days of absolutely blue bird and splitter skies:
There were of course many epic days in the weeks that followed. However, there were a few that will prove to be unforgettable. A few images from those days in the White Wilderness:
After almost a meter of storm snow in the second week of March, we had the great pleasure of welcoming a star-studded cast from Elan to our lodge. Charlotte Moats (Junior Olympic champion racer and renowned freeskier) and The Man, The Icon Glen Plake got amongst it as our season ended with a return to deep and light powder skiing. And yes, Plakes’ still got it. The hair, that ripping style and the unquenchable personality of a ski legend:
Although we’re only just hitting our summer stride, in 10 short weeks we’ll begin to feel a chill in the air, the leaves will begin to show signs of turning and those memories of carving bottomless powder turns will light a slow-burning fire in the hearts of skiers and snowboarders everywhere. Both eyes and imaginations will turn upwards toward the high country, wondering when the first dustings of snow will signal the return of winter.
...from the summer desk of Ken Bibby, Operations Manager
info@WWHeliski.com
www.wwheliski.com