|
Our prices are actually lower than
other operators when you compare Private A-Star tours.
The value with Mica Heli Guides is much higher than a regular
tour with any other heli company.
With MHG you ride with 3 friends
of equal ability. We operate 2 or 3 groups of 4 as compared
to other heli ski companies who run 3 or 4 groups of 12.
Skiing with 36 to 48 others may tend to slow you down,
keep you from skiing steeper or more challenging terrain
or force you to finish the day early. At MHG your private group
can be taylored to ski more of the terrain you want.
For the 05/06 season your group will get to ski a run that
has never been skied before and name the run! With MHG you
are flown into a Backcountry
Private Lodge with a maximum capacity of 12 guests,
your own private chef, hot tub etc. Here's the bottom line.
If you are going to spend money on a heli holiday - do it
right - come ski with Mica Heli Guides.
The A-Star helicopter is well designed,
reliable, operates well at high elevation, smoother, quieter
and has great visibility. This powerful machine has the
ability to shuttle three groups at once without ever having
to wait. The A-Star has an excellent safety record for heli-skiing,
and is the industry standard for customized heli-skiing
and private groups. See our Safety
page for more details.
Top of Page
4500 vertical meters per day or 14,764
vertical feet/day is included with the Standard Private
Tour (103,345 vertical feel per week). We ski/ride in two
or three groups of four so if your group is very strong
you could double that vertical (10,000 vm). Additional vertical
is $100/1000 Meters. For strong aggressive groups we recommend
the Unlimited Private Tour. See the Rates
& Reservations page.
Our lodge is at a high elevation
and in an open valley. We rarely have weather that keeps
us from flying even when Mica and Revelstoke are socked
in with fog, snow or rain. Our bad weather skiing is just
5 minutes from the lodge and is world class tree skiing.
Mica Heli Guides tenure is on the
Western slope of the Rocky Mountain Range between Jasper
National Park and the Monashee and Selkirk mountain ranges.
Our operation spans more than 4700 square km in 7 different
valleys all with diversity... tree lines, bowls, chutes
and lots of dry Rocky Mountain powder. Visit the Terrain
section for more detail.
Top
of Page
The annual cumulate snowfall for
the western slope of the Rocky Mountains is 12-18 meters
(40-60 feet). The base is 200-300 cm in most of the valleys
for most of the season. There is always fresh, deep, dry,
Rocky Mountain powder every day.
The temperature is usually -5 c to
-15c (23F to 5F) to but can drop as low as -30c (-22F).
The low temperatures are what give us the super light, dry
Rocky Mountain powder.
Bring multiple layers of warm, non-restrictive,
breathable & water-resistant clothing. A jacket with a "powder-skirt"
and some good quality powder gloves are a big advantage.
If using a Helmet, use one with a low profile or 3/4 coverage
shell with removable ear guards so you will be able to hear
your guide.
The lodge is 1280 meters (4200 ft)
above sea level - 760 meters (2495 ft) above Kinbasket Lake.
The runs are as high as 3260 meters (10,700 feet) down as
low as 950 meters (3000 feet).
Top
of Page
MHG has a diverse range of terrain
for every level, from novice gentle sloped glaciated runs
in the high Alpine to Expert steep chutes and the worlds
best tree runs. Visit the Terrain
section for more detail.
The lodge is very close to the area
we ski and the Helicopter will return for fuel mid day -
you may cut out early if you wish. You only pay for the
total additional vertical you ski at the end of your trip.
To maximize your first heli experience
we would place you with a group of the same ability but
considerations should be given on traveling with a group
with skiers of your own level.
You can bring your own skis however
we highly recommend you use our fat powder skis - Atomic
Heli Daddy's or Nordica Beast's. We have poles for you however
you will need to bring your own boots. DON'T FORGET TO CARRY
ON YOUR SKI BOOTS FOR YOUR FLIGHT TO CALGARY OR KELOWNA
- Luggage gets lost or delayed often!
For riding deep light powder a longer,
backcountry board is necessary. Step in bindings are preferred,
with your stance set to the farthest setting back. MHG is
in the backcountry so bring along spare parts.
Top of Page
We are approximately 950 km (600
miles) from Whistler and approximately 450 km (280 miles)
from Banff.
With a flight into Calgary a commuter
flight is not necessary. MHG arranges ground and private
air transfers from arrival into Calgary International. For
arrival into Vancouver, a connecting flight into Kelowna
(Okanagan Valley) would be recommended. Check with your
travel agent for airlines that may fly direct into Kelowna
Airport.
There are many ski resorts on route
to our area; Revelstoke, Golden, Banff, Lake Louise, Vernon
and Kelowna. We can assist your travel plans to visit ski
resorts prior to arrival to MHG on request.
We strongly recommend trip cancellation,
trip interruption and/or emergency evacuation insurance.
It is also recommended that all skiers/boarders, purchase
travel or accident insurance. Your insurance broker can
advise you as to what other types of personal insurance
you may require, such as disability insurance and life insurance.
Top
of Page
|
