CMH Heli Skiing Kootenay – CMH Kootenay Heli Skiing
[This interview was conducted while CMH and K2 had a Kootenay Heli Skiing partnership. Now CMH Heli Skiing Kootenay is solely a CMH Heli-Skiing offering]
K2 is becoming a bigger part of heli-skiing. Mike Gutt tells us about the new CMH lodge/partnership the CMH K2 Rotor Lodge, and K2’s most popular powder boards in the latest HELISKI.com Gear Interview.
1. K2 partnered with CMH on a new heliski lodge. Tell us about that.
We entered into a partnership agreement with CMH four years ago and have expended on the partnership each year. Last year we hosted a K2 demo week at the Kuskanax Lodge in the town of Nakusp. This was the first time we visited this CMH operation and it immediately felt like home for K2. The staff, the town, the setup all resonated with the way K2 communicates the brand. We started talking more with the CMH crew and they pitched the idea of turning that location into a K2 branded lodge. We jumped at the opportunity and here we are.
2. So this year, every guest to the new K2 CMH Lodge get a new pair of 2014 K2 skis of their choice??
This is true. Each guest will get to select a ski from our new 2013/14 collection that will be unveiled at the SIA and ISPO trade shows in late January/early February.
3. I know you did a couple of demo weeks at Kootenay last year, giving a free pair of K2s. What K2 models of skis were most popular among those guests?
It all depends on the skier, since each person looks for something different. That is the beauty of K2, we make different skis for different skiers. Take Seth Morrison and Sean Pettit for example. Both approach the mountain differently and need a tools designed to work for them. With that being said the SideSeth and Pettitor were two skis that really stood out to the guests. The BackDrop was another model that got great reviews.
Pon2oons, SideStash, DarkSide and Coomback skis have been the most popular.
6. K2 used to enjoy a reputation for sketchy graphics. Remember the Cheeseburger? Times have changed, eh?
Times have changed but the personality of the brand is the same. Look at the HellBent for example, you can’t get any more sketchy that that.
7. I’m a huge Stones fan, so the Rolling Stones models get my vote for the coolest graphics! Need my shipping address?
In all seriousness, I can probably get you a deal on them.[Thanks for the offer, but, me pay for gear? Riiiiight, I’ll get back to you…]
The K2 site has a cool way of narrowing down the best boards, eh? Check it out.
8. Seth and I were at Last Frontier in February. Was he riding the OBSETHED?
No, The new SideSeth skis most likely.
9. Love the nod to big mountain gods, and the double entendre in the COOMBACK.
Wait until you see the next round and the tribute to Doug Pioneering the Chugach range.
10. What else would you like heliskiers to know about K2 gear?
We develop skis for skier and have worked with the guests at heli operations like CMH to make sure we are developing products that make skiing more enjoyable to a variety of skiers. At K2 it’s all about Serious Fun.
Adamants CMH – Small Groups, Deep Snow, Good Friends
(and some new ones)
Adamants CMH Interview by Tom Jackson (TJ) Heliski.com
Last season I was lucky enough to be a guinea pig for Adamants CMH new small group heli-skiing program. So it seems like the right
CMH Heli-Skiing lodge to start with for the HELISKI.com 15 Question Interview, alphabetic order not withstanding.
Adamants CMH Lodge – Picture Perfect
1. Adamants CMH has an amazing lodge, for starters. I use this picture a lot! How does this lodge compare to the other 10 CMH Heli-Skiing lodges?
This lodge is very similar in style to several of our other backcountry helicopter ski lodges including the Bobbie Burns,Bugaboos, Cariboos, Monashees, Gothics and Galena. All feature comfortable bedrooms, spa facilities and a stretch room, and super-comfortable living and dining spaces for relaxing after an epic day of heli-skiing.
2. Adamants CMH is remote (fly-in only). It can be rough. For example, notice the location of the hot tub on the deck in the lower right corner. Consider how far it is away from the bar! How about a fridge or mini-bar out there??!
We don’t have to have a mini-fridge – we have the biggest fridge going: Mother Nature! We are happy for our guests to take drinks out to the hot tub in plastic cups and extra drinks stay really cold in the snow.
3. How did you pick the Adamants CMH to pioneer your new small group initiative?
The Adamants offers a great mix of terrain – from big mountain glaciers to well-pitched, naturally spaced tree skiing. It is a tenure that offers the best of all worlds, which makes it ideal to support small groups zipping around all kinds of interesting terrain.
4. What other CMH lodges offer small group helicopter skiing packages?
For many years now we have been welcoming guests to CMH Kootenay with a small group program, so it is fantastic that we are adding to this line-up with small groups in the Adamants. We also have a few small group options at CMH Monashees. Check them all out!
5. How does Adamants CMH small group differ from CMH’s classic trips? What will be the big changes for the guest? The staff?
The beauty of the Small Group program is that guests are utilizing a Bell 407 helicopter, which is a fast and nimble machine. This allows groups to access smaller landing areas in tighter terrain – so the options for skiing are more varied. With smaller groups, guests are able to load and unload more quickly, so the pace of skiing automatically increases. Small group heli-skiing is perfect for guests who wish to maximize their skiing time – it is also great for a group of 5 friends who want to ski together in what feels like your own private group.
Adamants / Selkirk Mountains
6. How would you describe the terrain at the Adamants?
Located 350 kilometres west of Banff, the Adamant Lodge is situated at the confluence of four major alpine valleys. Named for the surrounding diamond-hard peaks in a sub-range of the Selkirks, the Adamants are famed for long glaciers, deep valleys, and rugged vistas. Classic tree skiing and huge, open glacier terrain are the main reasons why skiers come to the Adamants.
[I can vouch for both. We skied great trees while it dumped a meter of new. Then we skied the high alpine when the weather cleared. Hundreds of perfect turns in a row!]
7. During my trip, it snowed for the first three days and we skied some epic powder. How does Adamants CMH weather/snow compare to the other CMH areas?
The Columbia Range, where the Adamants are located, is renowned for deep, dry powder snow. Combine that with perfect mountains which feature high peaks, well-spaced trees, and deep valleys and you can’t ask for any better geography for a heli-ski area. All of CMH’s areas are located within the Columbia Range because of these exact factors.
8. What skill level does CMH recommend for Adamants CMH heliskiing and heliboarding guests?
We suggest that in order to enjoy heli-skiing you should be at least a strong intermediate skier or boarder who can tackle black diamond runs at big ski resorts, even though you might lack some style doing so. It really comes down to fitness – the more fit you are the more fun you will have. We will ask you in advance what type of skiing you enjoy so you are matched up with other skiers of similar ability.
TJ Studying for his next blog post..
Me, studying for my next blog post at Adamants CMH
9. Adamants CMH has a great deal of tree skiing and ‘cut blocks’ from logging very close to the lodge. Does that proximity allow for flying more often in marginal weather?
The key for a great heli-ski area is the ability to access skiable terrain in snowy winter conditions. When the clouds are low we ski in the trees – in valleys close to the lodge. Cut blocks make perfect heli-skiing terrain because they create great features when covered with feet upon feet of fresh powder snow. Even when the clouds come in we get lots and lots of skiing.
Christian Ladurner, Great Adamants CMH Guide / Bonus: Excellent Photographer
10. One of our guides, Christian Ladurner, (pictured here) is also a professional photographer. He took pictures on a couple of days that we later purchased online. Cool idea. Has CMH ever done that as other lodges or CMH empire-wide?
Lots of our guides take great pictures and post them to our CMH website, where guests are welcome to download and share with their friends. There are already some amazing snow shots taken this season –take a peek and it will convince you this is the year to come heli-skiing.
11. The bus ride in can be long. Any plans to shorten travel to Adamants CMH?
Great places can take time to get to – especially when it comes to heli-skiing. Our goal is to transfer our guests to their CMH lodge as quickly, safely, and conveniently as possible so we include ground transfers from Calgary directly to the heli-pad or lodge (excluding CMH Kootenay). Some guests choose to fly into Kelowna and drive to the helipad, which can shorten the transfer time slightly. For the 2013 season – we will be providing our Adamants guests ground transportation from Calgary to Golden and then a heli-transfer from Golden, BC to the Adamants. This will reduce the bus ride significantly.
12. On the last night we had a rockin outdoor party in a snow amphitheater built by the staff. Does that happen every week at CMH Adamants?
Each week is a little bit different based on the guests who are staying at that lodge and the staff that are working. Each week something special usually happens – but we like to mix it up and keep things fresh!
France au poudre…..et sans pere!
13. My buddy Harry fell in love with a hot French woman named France (pictured above) who is half his age. He wants to know if you can make any guarantees that it will happen again?
Ha – lucky him, glad he enjoyed his holiday!
Not the Only Reason Harry is Smiling…..and this was Day 1
14. Do you think you will ever have anyone from HELISKI.com back to CMH Adamants?
All guests become family, and family is always welcome – let us know when you want to come back. [Schwing!]
15. Is there anything else you would like to our heliskiing and heliboarding subscribers about CMH Adamants?
Bring on the snow – and we look forward to welcoming you to the CMH Adamants or any of our other CMH lodges.
Thanks, CMH!
Best Regards,
tj
Tom Jackson CPO (Chief Powder Officer) HELISKI.com 866-HELISKI (866-435-4754)
Jane Carswell of CMH tells us, “I guess our women’s trip is a little bit unofficial, but we are putting together a group for women at Revelstoke for 4 days – March 24 – 28. Price is $3820. It is being hosted by our very own Ellen Slaughter who runs our Bodacious in the Bugaboos Women’s heli-hiking adventures. We’re hoping for a group of 10 women and they will ski together. The guide could be male or female. They will lunch with the rest of the CMH Revelstoke guests, and hang out with them in the evenings. Sort of a group within a group.” Email if you are interested.
CMH Revelstoke
The best of both worlds. Great terrain, excellent operator, and the nightlife and resort of Revelstoke. In case of bad weather, ski the longest vertical of any resort in North America. Packages from a day to a week. Keep in mind that it is harder to get to than most. Check it out.
Revelstoke – where the snow is deep, terrain is big, varied, and ideal for all skier-levels. A little different from a remote setting, it is based out of the Regent Inn in Revelstoke. More post-skiing opportunities like swimming in the local 25 m pool, running trails, a movie theatre, coffee shops and restaurants, and a solid internet connection.
Access to both the Monashees and the Selkirks, Revelstoke is defined by deep snow, big, open alpine and glacier terrain, and tree skiing equal to the best of any other CMH area. Its great size and quick accessibility by vans and helicopters allow CMH Revelstoke to find good skiing even in inclement weather.
In 2008, the newly expanded Revelstoke Mountain Resort opened: this once small-town ski area is now a world-class mountain resort, boasting over 5,000 vertical feet of skiing and an historical annual snowfall of 40 – 60 feet (that’s 1200 – 1800 cm). CMH guests are guaranteed skiing, even on those rare days when the helicopter cannot fly.
CMH Revelstoke Heli-Skiing
A few other reasons why CMH guests love Revelstoke:
• Out-the-door proximity to quaint mountain boutiques, coffee spots, and a variety of fine cuisine restaurants and night clubs
• Access to the neighboring health club.
• Complimentary admission to the new Revelstoke Aquatic Centre — one of B.C.’s finest, offering an indoor hot tub with a ‘lazy river’, a 25 metre lane pool, a waterslide, a sauna and steam room, and an over-the-pool climbing wall
• Business Center with Full business connection for those who require it: phone, fax, email and internet access with wireless throughout the hotel; cell phone/iPhone/Blackberry coverage; and great selection of other ‘down day’ activities (is that an oxymoron?? including Nordic (x-country) skiing; snowmobiling; and the nearby Halcyon Hot Springs.
The only way to bite the “Big Apple” near Revelstoke is Heliskiing with CMH Revelstoke
A group of 4 wanted 4 days in March. I was worried that many of our favorite operators were booked.
But we came up with six great possibilities! Two with catskiing backup.
But, first, a cool picture:
Still Good Trips Available for March
OPTIONS
One for $4995
Another one for $3820
One 5 day / 6 night trip for $6700.
One four day, plus two half-days, for a total of 5 days. Fly up from Vancouver in the AM, ski that PM, ski 3 full days, ski AM, fly back PM. Pretty cool.
One with unlimited vertical for $7555
Another with unlimited vertical for only $5400
Lots of great options. Of course the all vary on other criteria, like travel, location, size and number of groups, etc., etc. That’s where we come in. Given what is important to you, we can find the ultimate trip, because……..
Knowledge Is Powder!
Call or email if you want our free advice. 866-HELISKI
