Mica Heliskiing Terrain
The operating area at Mica Heliskiing encompasses approximately 72,000 hectares (close to 178,000 acres) on the western slopes of the Rocky Mountains in
British Columbia, Canada. This spectacular terrain lies near the northern end of the Rocky Mountain Trench, west of Jasper National and Hamber Provincial
Parks, and north of Cummins Lakes Provincial Park. The tenure is bound to the west by the massive Kinbasket Reservoir, across from the Monashee and Selkirk mountain ranges.
The operating terrain is considered one of the farthest inland rain forests in the world, receiving between 13 – 20 meters (42 – 66 feet) of snowfall annually.
The operating area is strategically located where moist storms from the west collide with cold Arctic air from northern Alberta. The net result is consistent,
deep, dry powder snow from November through to early May. Mica Heliskiing has the goods - any terrain you desire and as much of it as you wish. Combine the
greatest terrain on Earth with dry, light, Rocky Mountain powder and the result is absolutely the best skiing and boarding on the planet.
Mice Heliskiing offers an incredible variety of terrain, from beginner powder skiers to slopes that will excite the true expert. There is plenty for everyone!
The valleys we operate in each have their own character and terrain style, and each contribute to a diverse skiing or boarding experience. Our ski tenure contains
spectacular peaks, huge alpine cirques and bowls, and massive glaciated runs with 50 percent of our terrain being steep tree runs. The operating area is divided
into eight areas or zones with ski run descents ranging from 500 to 1400 meters vertical.
To date we have skied only about 50 percent of our total terrain area. For this season Mica Heliskiing continues to give each group the opportunity to be
the first to ski a new run - and to name that run. Here's your chance to be a part of Heli History! First tracks? How about first tracks ever?
The Dawson Creek Valley has a massive wide-open cirque at the valley's end with enough room for a thousand skiers. Take a jump-run over the northeast corner of
Dawson Valley onto the Iroquois glacier. The 2 km-wide north-facing run drops 1,500 vertical meters (4900 feet) at a constant 35 degrees. There are numerous old
growth tree runs still waiting for their first descent - and their naming - in the surrounding valley. The Dawson Creek valley is one of Mica Heliskiings’
core zones and offers a wide variety of terrain, elevations and aspects.
The Harvey Creek Valley is also one of Mica Heli’s core zones. This valley offers excellent high elevation alpine bowl skiing (often glaciated),
and natural tree skiing at the lower elevations. The north side of Harvey Creek offers some of the longest and most dramatic skiing within the tenure area.
This valley is a favorite spot for many of visiting film crews. Harvey is where you find "Pillow Talk," a run named by Teton Gravity Research. Huge bowls
and steep tree lines dropping more than 1,200 vertical meters litter the back end of the valley. The skiing and boarding here is amazing - truly unique
terrain that you won't find anywhere else.
The Molson Creek Valley/ Mt Dainard Zone begins immediately above the lodge, which sits at the base of Mt. Dainard, and continues up Molson Creek to the south.
This drainage is characterized by beautiful, gladed tree skiing that feeds seamlessly into a large alpine cirque at the head of the valley. You'll find more than
6,800 hectares (16,800 acres) of old growth trees, chutes, bowls, peaks and faces, with typical runs of about 800-1000 vertical meters (2600-3300 feet). Molson
alone is bigger than the largest North American ski resorts, but it's only for you and your friends. On the odd chance that the weather is better for skiing than
it is for flying a helicopter, how about some snow cat skiing! We recently purchased a new snow cat which enables us to access the exciting new gladed terrain above our lodge.
The Hugh Allen Creek Valley forms the northern boundary of the operating tenure. When mountain and weather conditions allow, this zone offers great skiing on north faces.
To date most of the skiing in this zone has been exploratory in nature. But with the new private group package we are expecting a number of first descents this season!
The Jeffrey Creek Zone offers great skiing consisting primarily of open, glaciated and alpine terrain, with some limited tree skiing on the lower portions of a few runs.
This area tends to receive proportionately more snow than several of the other zones. Due to the complex, glaciated nature of the terrain, as well as it s remoteness, skiing
in this zone is limited to periods of good visibility.
The Wood River Zone is likely the most diverse of the operating zones and offers a variety of different types of ski terrain. The Wood River Valley is home to more than 30
huge alpine bowls, each dropping more than 700 vertical meters (2300 feet) - all above the tree-line. Many lead into old growth forests that extend another 1,400 vertical meters
(4600 feet) to the valley bottom. Looming above is Mount Clemenceau - one of the tallest and most spectacular peaks in the Rockies.
The Tsar Creek Valley is nestled between Cummins Park to the north and the Kinbasket River to the south and contains 5,000 hectares (12,000 acres) of the coolest 35-degree
gladed tree lines in BC. Take your pick - they're all fantastic!
The Kinbasket River Valley forms the southern border of the operating tenure and is the furthest zone from the lodge. This valley contains huge, open, glaciated
terrain ranging from 1,000-vertical-metre mellow cruisers to extreme faces. The view of the high peaks of the Rockies to the east is absolutely breathtaking.
When conditions warrant, this area provides some of the most stunning scenery within the entire Mica Heliskiing tenure. To date the majority of skiing done in
the area has been exploratory in nature, allowing for plenty of opportunity for new runs!
|
Safety
Tour Info & Reservations
Directions & Arrival
Meet the Staff
Backcountry Lodge
Mica Heliskiing Terrain
Historical Significance
Current Weather
FAQ
Testimonials
Contact Us
Links to Friends
Map To Mica Heliskiing
Currency Conversion
Translation Service
|
