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!!]
The ORIGINAL Guide
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?!?]
6. How would you describe your philosophy?
I try to make a difference and make things better 24 hours a day.
7. What % of your guests return the following year?
We have a very loyal customer base, with a 60% returning yearly and 80% every 2 years.
8. What has changed now that your daughter Michelle is President of ‘Mike’ Wiegele Helicopter Skiing and how is it working with her?
I love it…it allows me to ski more! It is good working with someone I trust so wholeheartedly, she challenges me and is not afraid to stand up to me, which is good for the operation. It is nice to have another opinion.
Nice Family….Business
9. So, are you also into heli-boarding, too?
No, but Michele Wiegele heliskis and heliboards!
10. The rest of the industry consists of many smaller lodges and ski chalets spread across British Columbia. Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing is unique, with one huge operation. What are the advantages and disadvantages of your setup?
We actually have both a large and small operation. In 2004 we opened the doors to our Albreda Lodge for guests that seek a more intimate boutique experience. There is definitely an advantage to having both.
As far as our Blue River location, the ambience of our Heli-Village is quite magical. Despite its size, the operation carries a very intimate feel; staff outnumbers our guests and is here to ensure our guests feel very cared for.
The luxury of having many helis on hand is also great – we can offer a variety of packages. It is also great for safety practices to run a larger fleet of helis. Our guests enjoy the feel of interacting with various groups and meeting other people from around the world and the festive feeling that exudes from the Resort. The amenities of our larger operation are also an added bonus, we carry a variety of powder specific equipment for our guest use that we wax and tune nightly…the wide variety also allows for our guests to try new equipment and switch things up. We have an on-site medical clinic, weather office, fitness and massage centre, saunas, whirlpool, games room, lounge, restaurant, sport shop, boutique and administration building…it is a little piece of heavenly luxury in a very remote and area.
Our Albreda Lodge is beautiful and intimate for those that seek the same great service but on that smaller scale.
Wiegele Albreda Lodge
11. The Albreda Lodge and the (planned) Avola Lodge (exclusive 20-guest lodges “inspired by the old lodges of Europe”) are notable exceptions. Why the departure?
We started noticing about 10% of our guests were going elsewhere…in search of a more boutique experience, so we opened the Albreda Lodge to cater to that clientele. Now, we have the best of both worlds.
12. All of your packages are unlimited vertical. What are the average vertical for the Deluxe and Elite guests? (80-100K guaranteed, respectively)
Well, this all depends on the time of year. On a typical day we average approximately 20,000 vertical feet per day – that equates to 130,000 vertical feet in a week.
Depending on time of year, ability of skiers, weather and snow conditions, many seven-day groups ski 180,000 to 220,000 vertical feet. Elite groups ski about 20% more. [Sweet!]
12. What are the biggest challenges facing the helicopter skiing industry in British Columbia?
Unregulated snowmobile activity. Snowmobiling should be governed the same as our industry – there are just too many preventable accidents occurring out there that reflect on the entire tourism industry in BC.
13. How many down days do you average?
3-5%. With such a large tenure and utilizing our 3 remote weather stations/data and 2 departing bases (Blue River and Albreda), we boast an exceptional fly rate.
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
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Raffle Details
Enjoy 3 days of helicopter skiing/boarding and 3 nights accommodation for two people at Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing in Blue River, BC. You’ll be treated to world-class powder and terrain, luxury accommodations, gourmet meals, complimentary powder skis or snowboards, and the experience of a lifetime.
About Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing
Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing lies in the heart of the magnificent Cariboo and Monashee Mountains and is one of the world’s most productive regions for high quality, reliable powder snow. With more than 1.2 million acres and over 1,000 peaks, Mike Wiegele’s ski terrain offers world class skiing and boarding. The Heli Village Resort features 22 stunning handcrafted log chalets, Sports Shop, Guides House, and the Main Lodge which includes the dining room, lounge, fitness centre, boutique, and massage. We are as well known for our cusine and amenities as we are for our skiing. Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing was founded in 1970 by Mike Wiegele, who acts as Chairman and still guides every week.
Prize: 3-Day Deluxe Helicopter Skiing package for 2 people
Value: $7,596-$9,414 (depending on which week it is redeemed)
Redemption dates: December 10, 2011-January 21, 2012 , March 10, 2012 – April 7, 2012
Wiegele Package Includes:
- 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
Not included:
- Transportation to Blue River
- Alcoholic beverages
- Massage services
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, 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?
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 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!
