Mike Wiegele Interview
Heli Skiing Canada Pioneer and Canadian Heli Skiing Legend
Interview by Tom Jackson, Nov 2011, HELISKI.com
Mike Wiegele or Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing (of course…) is one of the legends of helicopter skiing Canada. A pioneer, an innovator and one of a few industry icons, it is our pleasure to have a conversation with Mike Wiegele!
1. What made you decide to start your company, Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing, back in 1970?
I was at the stage in my life where I was looking to be an independent business owner, to find my identity. There was an opportunity to do so at that time.
Mr. Wiegele: Why Start a Heliski Business? Asked and Answered
2. What was heli-skiing like when you started?
It felt like such an incredible luxury that went beyond my mountaineering background. The quickness and ease of the heli felt surreal…what previously took 8-10 hours of touring, carrying our own equipment and seeing a bird’s eye view of the mountains took mere minutes. It was a completely foreign and luxurious change.
3. How many days and how much vertical have you heliskied in your career?
It varies every year and has increased over the years with the improvements in powder specific equipment and my own ability. On average I ski around 1.3 million vertical a year (some years more, some less)… [Wow, that’s more than I get! I calculate over 50 Million Vertical Feet!!]
4. Your first operation was in Valemount. Why the move to Blue River?
As great as the skiing was around Valemount, I was not satisfied. I wondered why locals kept talking about Blue River, an hour’s drive farther south. My encounter with “Grandma” Molly Nelson was one of the greatest turning points of my life. Molly Nelson, an amateur meteorologist, had kept meticulous records for the previous 34 years of the weather patterns around the Blue River region. When I read that annual snowfalls of thirty feet or more were common, my heart raced with excitement. Storms dropping three or four feet of snow at a time were a regular occurrence, and the wind patterns were far gentler than further north. I noticed how big and large the snowflakes were…no wind, more mountains and more snow…so I decided to move my operations south to Blue River in 1974.
5. When you look back at your 40 years owning Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing, what are you most proud of?
The friendships and relationships I’ve built with guests and employees. I am also very proud that I have been able to sustain a family owned and operated business with the continued support and involvement from the people I care most for in the world. There has to be something said of watching and helping adventure tourism guiding flourish into a meaningful and professional career It is rewarding to see the image of guiding evolve from ski bum to a meaningful career that can support a family. [Why didn’t I think of that?!?]




14. What made you decide to add catskiing in 2007; and can guests catski on down days?
There are some people that are really hesitant to try heliskiing…although completely capable. The beauty of our Cat is that it runs on semi groomed runs, allowing guests to cut in the side and down various parts where there is powder. This really helps with their confidence and most people are in the heli the second day. Our Cat is wonderful for the kids camps we host throughout the winter.
Our Cat operation is not a typical backcountry situation…we run our Cat on semi-groomed runs that serve as an introductory to powder…not something most of guests would opt to do on a down day. We have exceptional cross country and snowshoeing trails (and equipment) that guests can use on a down day – but for the most part we don’t have a lot of down time and often the weather will break, allowing for the helis to fly.
15. Is there anything else you would like to add, Mike?
HELISKI.com readers can buy raffle tickets for a worthy cause and a chance for a 3-day, 3-night trip for two to Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing Resort in Blue River BC. West Side Family Place is a small children’s based charity in Vancouver. MWHS has donated an incredible trip which they are raffling off in order to raise money.
3 days and 3 nights at the Mike Wiegele Heliski Resort in Blue River BC. The trip is for two people. All deluxe accommodations, gourmet meals,unlimited heliskiing, ski gear and guides are included. See Raffle Details below signature.
Value: $7,596-$9,414 (depending on which week it is redeemed)
Tickets are only $20. They are selling a limit of 1000. At this point, only 100 have been sold, so chances are very good!
Go to WestSideFamilyPlace to buy them, or call 604-738-2819.
Raffle tickets will be mailed to you. 100 percent of ticket sales go to support West Side Family Place, a community center dedicated to supporting families with children under six. They offer a safe place for kids and parents to come, meet and make friends as well as offering parenting courses.
Thanks, Mike!
tj
Tom Jackson
CPO (Chief Powder Officer)
HELISKI.com
HeliskiingReview.com
WhistlerHeliski.com
HEIBOARD.com
866-HELISKI
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- Expert Advice – Knowledge is Powder
- Unlimited Vertical Feet for 3 days
- Handcrafted Log Chalet Accommodation (double occupancy)*
- 3 Gourmet Meals per Day (Packed Lunch)
- Full use of Spa Facilities, Sauna, Whirlpool & Fitness Centre
- Bell 212 Helicopter
- 9 guests per group, 3 groups per helicopter
- 2 Professional Guides per Group: 1 Lead Guide, 1 Tail Guide
- Atomic Powder Skis and Poles, or Burton Powder Snowboards
- Personal safety gear including Ortovox Transceiver, Shovel Pack & Probe * $215/day surcharge for single accommodation – subject to availability
- 5% in savings for any guests that join you on the trip
- Transportation to Blue River
- Alcoholic beverages
- Massage services
- 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, glacers 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?