Historical Significance
A message from the founder of Mica Heliskiing
In early 1811 David Thompson, a surveyor for the Hudson Bay Trading Company who would become one of the most important explorers in Canada's history, pushed his way through
the Athabasca Pass in deep snow with his company of explorers. Aside from early native use of the pass, this is the first recorded traverse through the whirlpool river,
over the pass and down to the Columbia River.
The Athabasca Pass is a route over the Continental Divide, running from the headwaters of the Whirlpool River in Jasper National Park Alberta, over a 6000 -foot summit, into the
Wood River on the British Columbia side (one of the seven valleys we ski today), which in turn flows into the Kinbasket Lake section of the Columbia River. Thompson surveyed
this route on his historic journey to the Pacific Ocean.
Athabasca Pass is truly a Canadian place that has inspired me from childhood. I love exploring the Rockies with their inspiring, majestic peaks and alpine setting. Since my
first visit to the area more than 15 years ago, being able to experience the Athabasca Pass has been very fulfilling, and afterward has made me think I was born 200 years too late.
Based in Mica Heliskiing's new backcountry lodge nearby, we have only skied about 50 percent of the terrain in our tenure area. This season we are giving every group the
opportunity to be the first to ski a new run, which the group will also get to name. Here's your chance to make some history of your own! Come and join us for all the
Rockies have to offer and join our company of modern-day explorers.
Dan McDonald
Founding Shareholder
Mica Heliskiing
Stay tuned for a special Mica Heliskiing tour coming in 2007 and marking the bicentennial of this significant part of Canadian history.
To read a biography of David Thompson go to the following link: http://www.northwestjournal.ca/V1.htm.
History of Heliskiing
By 1953, a mountain guide from Austria by the name of Hans Gmoser had saved enough money to move to Banff and begin a career as a guide in the spectacular wilderness surrounding
12,000-foot Mount Assiniboine, "Canada's Matterhorn." After a few years, he gained an intimate knowledge of the physical as well as spiritual aspects of the mountain.
As Hans recalls of those early days, "I longed to share the natural beauty of the majestic mountains in Western Canada with everyone I could."
Inspired now by a new dream, and building on his years of backcountry experience as a guide, Hans formed a small company called Canadian Mountain Holidays (CMH).
Over the next several years, his business prospered as he led thousands of skiers and climbers on thrilling mountain treks.
More than 50 years later, the helicopters look very different, but the mission remains the same: share one of the most thrilling skiing and snowboarding
experiences available anywhere in the world.
Mica Heliskiing is taking heliskiing to the next level. 100% small group heliskiing, intimate and tailored to the type of skiing each individual desires. We are constantly
striving to provide our guests with the best wilderness adventure experience anywhere.
Photos:
Revelstoke Ski Club, circa 1922. Left to Right: Back Row: Pat Skene, Drennan Holten, Tom Morris, Ivind Nilsen, Gordon Hooley, Parmer Dean,
Tom Maley, Nels Nelsen, Cecil Stone, Alan Granstrom. Front Row: Hans Hansen, Fred McMahon, Walter Hughes, Garry Tomlinson, Len Howson.
Photograph taken by W.V. Ring.
Credit: Revelstoke Museum and Archives Photo No. 73
"Round the Bend Skiers" Left to right: Alex McCrae, Bill McCrae, Jim McDonald, and "Flash" (Don) McCrae, of the Revelstoke Ski Club who
skied 193 miles from Revelstoke to Golden over the almost completed Big Bend Highway (now highway 23 from Revelstoke to Mica Creek) in early
1939. Photograph taken by Earle Dickey.
Credit: Revelstoke Museum and Archives Photo No. 2470
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