Monday 18 January 2010

Island Lake Cat Skiing 2010

Cat skiing is so fun, gravity and powder are such a magnificent combo... plus the absence of those things called "tracks" is such a nice perk ; )

Island Lake has so much good terrain and great food. Our guides are awesome. One of the guys on this trip has done this tour 20 years in a row... that's good living. It's heaven on earth out there!

Looks like some fun to be had out there today.


The big group: Steve (guide), Alex Chalkley, Jay Reid, Peter Hanrahan, James Kidd, Brian Robinson, Cam Plewes, Erik Bakke, Grant Zawalsky, Bill Maslechko, Jeff Saponja, Alex Verge, Rafi Tahmazian, Doug Mills, Brenda (guide).


Steve making sure the snow is "ok".


After the first run.

Run number two with the sun coming up.

Scenic turns by your's truly.


Up on another peak while they heli bomb for avalanches behind us.


A BIG one set off from top down both the front chute and to the left.


What started the slide (charge is 2 mins 20 seconds, helicopter is not in frame at that point).


High speed fun. I didn't mean to be a powder pig, but everyone kept telling me to go early in the queue, possibly they wanted extra seconds to rest their legs... and yes the snow is deep, they jeered me on into doing just one massive 50m arcing GS turn to save more fresh tracks for themselves, so at that speed I'm not sinking in. That smile says "speed is fun".


Steve, Brenda, and Island Lake. Tough day at the office.


The road up... cat going down to get us in a few minutes.


Closer view of the avalanche break points.


That's a lot of nice snow!


Good times all around. Here's a few pics, plus (part of) the full set here.

8 comments:

  1. Bluebird days

    Our death march has nothing on those powdery slopes.

    ...you gotta meet my buddy Brent sometime, he's the guy who throws the powder kegs out of the helicopter and blows up the mountain :) \

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  2. wow, I'm not sure skiing gets much better than that. Looks like an awesome day. Almost makes me long for the cold!

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  4. hi,
    would i be able to download some of your island lake pictures?
    i was there in early january and had an incredible trip as well. however, your pics are better!! lol!
    if not i understand...thanks.
    grant

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  5. Awesome! That’s a day well enjoyed (Skied). Have been there a couple of times but it always feel so refreshing. Thanks for renewing the memories.

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