Mammut Heli-Skiing Gear for the most extreme Gipfelgrat

Mammut Heli Skiing Gear Interview – What is Gipfelgrat?

1. So what’s the story with your wooly mammoth logo?

heliskiing bc, mammut heliski gear review

In 1943, The Mammut brand is introduced to sell Mammut ropes. The Mammut was

chosen to symbolize power and strength.

2. Which heli operators use Mammut heli-skiing gear?

Chugach Powder Guides
Valdez Heli Ski Guides
Tordrillo Mountain Lodge
Canadian Mountain Holidays
Bella Coola HeliSkiing

3. What gear do they use?

A mix. It’s ranges from Apparel, Beacons, Airbags.

4. Who gets to do your field testing?

Mammut Proteam Athletes (Swiss based)

5. You have a very cool site , but with product names like Gipfelgrat, Nordpfeiler, Nordwand and Gasherbrum, I found myself looking for the “English” version of the site…..can you translate for an ugly American?

Generally many of the names are Swiss/ German names that have English

translations – Nordpfeiler (North Buttress) and Nordwand- Is the north wall of the Eiger. Also

known as the Eiger Nordwand (does that sound anything similar to a product category J.

Check out Eiger

Gipfelgrat- translates from gipfel grat (two words) to summit ridge. We also commonly use European Peaks or famous places- Gasherbrum–mountain range in the Himalayas.

But then you’ll also have names like the Steph Top named for the US climber StephDavis.

6.  So what has the company been making for 150 years?

mammut heliski gear, heli-skiing
On their site, dude throws in 3D

Ropes. Kaspar Tanner starts making ropes in 1862.

7. What’s the best heliskiing jacket Mammut makes?
(Love the 3D Eiger Extreme Outfit model!)

Our two highest end Mammut ski jackets would be the Nordwand (Gore-Tex Pro Shell) and the Alyeska (Gore-Tex Soft Shell).

best heliskiing jackets, mammut heliski gear

8. Which pockets will accommodate goggles?

Neither jacket has specifically designed goggle pockets.

The Alyeska has a small inside, right pocket with a goggle wipe but it’s not specifically designed for goggles (you might be able to fit a pair in though- it would be tight). The

Nordwand has an internal oversized, water-bottle type stuff pocket. And both jackets do have some large outside pockets that could hold goggles if needed (more for when the goggles are fogged beyond use and they are just being dumped.

9. What are the best Mammut pants/bibs for heliskiing and heliboarding?

Again super subjective. But I would say Nordwand (Nordwand Pro) Pants and the Alyeska Pant.

best heliskiing pants, mammut heli-ski gear

11. I did not know you made shovels, probes and Barryvox beacons.

We do! We offer 3 probes, 2 shovels and 2 different beacons

12. Mammut also has an integrated Snowpulse air bag in your RAS backpack?

Mammut purchased Snowpulse in 2011 and now offers 13 different models of the RAS (Removeable Airbag System) for the 2012-13

season.

heliski RAS, snowpulse heliskiing air bag

helicopter skiing pack, heli-skiing canada
Great head rest for the trip home

13. Tell us about your Alpine School, please.

This is Mammut’s guide service currently only offered in

Switz, Germany and Austria. Based out of our home office in Switzerland, the school helps people recognize their summit dreams. From beginner to expert, the Mammut Alpine School will challenge you to the next level.

14. Can we buy any Mammut gear online?

Yes. Mammut.ch and a

variety of retailers.

15. What else would you like our heliskiers and heliboarders to know about Mammut?

We offer the full gambit of products from apparel to full avalanche safety. And especially let’s hit on the fact that airbags are quickly becoming required gear for backcountry travel because they are saving lives. AND they should still be used with beacons, probes, shovels and proper training.

TJ Bonus: Check out the world’s first climbing skirt (great holiday gift idea!)

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Makes a great gift!
last frontier heliskiing bell 2 heliskiing lodge

Last Frontier Heliskiing challenges Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing and CMH

Boutique Canadian Heli Skiing by Last Frontier Heliskiing Canada

The evolution of heliskiing continues with Last Frontier Heliskiing.  Smaller operators are offering alternatives to CMH Heli-Skiing and Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing.  This series will give a brief summary of the operators in the Coast Range of British Columbia Canada.

The Coast Range of British Columbia is home to some of the heliski industry innovators:  Bella Coola Heliskiing, Northern Escape Heliskiing, TLH Heliskiing, Skeena Heliskiing and Last Frontier Heliskiing.  Coastal weather patterns provide copious amounts of powder, and travel is usually MUCH easier than the more famous operators to the East.   How do they compete with the big boys (CMH and Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing) and deal with the huge amounts of snowfall?

Check Our Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing

Glad you asked.

Each of these BC coast range heli-ski destination operators have a strategy, or two, to differentiate their offerings.

Today, we take a closer look at Last Frontier Heliskiing and their two lodges.

wiegele heli ski, last frontier heliskiing

Last Frontier Heliskiing takes you WAY North to get good snow.   Last Frontier is situated on the edge of the Alaskan Panhandle in Northern British Columbia.  It may take a little longer to get up there, but you will be rewarded with the largest single heliski area in the world, record-breaking snowfall and some of the most varied terrain found anywhere. They have two unique bases of operation.

last frontier heliskiing, last frontier heli skiing area

Last Frontier Bell 2 Lodge is a self-contained heliski village featuring luxurious log chalets, each complete with wood burning stoves.  The area offers a great combination of tree skiing and high alpine terrain.   I have been there a couple of times, and these cabins are great.     So is the skiing!  The cabins remind some of the chalets at Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing, eh?  Check out the location of Last Frontier Heliskiing Bell 2 Lodge.

last frontier heliskiing cabins, crush mike wiegele helicopter skiing

Last Frontier Heliskiing Ripley Creek, where the lodging is a hotel in an old gold mining town, has incredible long glaciated runs of up to 5,000 feet!    It’s like a combination of BC and Alaska heliskiing.  Not fancy, but very cool.  The trip includes one border crossing to Hyder, Alaska to get Hyderized by downing a huge, mysterious shot that will not be memorable…..

last frontier heliskiing vs mike wiegele helicopter skiing, last frontier heli skiing

Last Frontier Heliskiing also offers a unique Heliski Safari option, which involves skiing from one lodge to the other, half-way through the week.  The 60 mile trip offers spectacular heliskiing and unforgettable scenery with countless glaciers.  I did this trip last season, and it is phenomenal!   It is truly a safari, taking advantage of whatever looks good along the way.  It sells out fast, so let us know if you want to make a reservation.

ripley creek heliskiing, last frontier heli skiing safari

Each of these operators has figured out a way to offer something unique and very appealing to help compensate for the occasional down day.  Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing and CMH Heli-Skiing have some hungry competitors, including Last Frontier Heliskiing……which is good.

Email or call and we will help you find available trips with Last Frontier HeliSkiing, including the Heliski Safari.  866-HELISKI or Skype HELISKI.com

Best Regards,
tj
Tom Jackson

CPO (Chief Powder Officer)
HELISKI.com
866-HELISKI
(866-435-4754)

Expert Advice – Knowledge is Powder

There are many aspects to consider for your ideal heli-skiing Canada trip. Some of the things to ask yourself, and to tell HELISKI.com, will allow us to narrow down the dozens of destinations for your heli-skiing in Canada.

  • Do you prefer an intimate heli-ski lodge or ‘the more the merrier?’
  • Do you want to heli-ski in a group of four or are you OK in a group as big as eleven?
  • How many days or dollars can you spend heli skiing Canada?
  • Do you prefer heliskiing trees, bowls, glaciers and high alpine or all of the above?
  • Do you want unlimited vertical, or do you want a base amount with the option to pay for extra heli-skiing Canada? (We are happy to do the math for you.)
  • Do you want to get to and from your heliski Canada lodge as quickly as possible, or do you have time to burn?
  • When do you want to schedule heliskiing Canada?
  • Do you want to try heliskiing Canada during or after a resort skiing vacation?
  • Where are you originating travel?
  • Do you want a remote, rustic lodge from which to heliski Canada?
  • Do you want catskiing or resort skiing options in case the helicopters cannot fly?

Canadian Mountain Holidays or CMH Heli-Skiing offers more Canada for over 50 years! Most CMH Heli-Skiing lodges are remote. Some require a helicopter ride to access the lodge. Different lodges serve different terrain, snow qualities, group sizes and trip lengths. We are happy to recommend those that fit your group best. choices than any other operator, and they have been heli-skiing.

Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing is the second largest operator, and has been heli skiing Canada almost as long as CMH Heli-Skiing. There are two lodging options at Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing – Blue River and Albreda. They offer different lodging and heli-ski Canada options that also vary throughout the season. HELISKI.com can help you choose.

There are dozens of smaller operators for your heliskiing Canada pleasure. Do you want a great, classic lodge like Skeena or Mica Heliski Canada? Do you want easy access so you spend your time heli-skiing Canada like Northern Escape Heli-Skiing? Do you want unlimited vertical, like Great Canadian Heli-Skiing and Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing? Love trees? Consider Bearpaw Heliskiing, Last Frontier Heliskiing Bell 2 Lodge, or one of the CMH Heli-Skiing areas that specialize in trees. If you want your own food and lodging, check out RK Heli-Skiing. How about one group per helicopter at TLH Heli-Skiing Canada.

There are myriad choices. Email or call 866-HELISKI so we can get started putting together the best fit for your heliskiing Canada trip!