December powder days - BC Catskiing is the best!

Do you like powder skiing and snowboarding?  Island Lake Catskiing has a 250 cm base and the terrain has filled in well.  If you want to try Catskiing is BC - it is time to book your trip.  Island Lake is currently at 90% occupancy for the winter ski season.  We still have a few seats coming up in January though.  The US TV show Board Stories - The White Room Episodes is currently filming a ski and snowboard show with us here.  Here are a few photos from the last couple of days.

It time you experienced Island Lake Catsking

Filming with the Sherpas at Island Lake Catskiing

Well - we just wrapped up the first film shoot of the season with the Rocky Mountain Sherpas.  They are making a unique ski & snowboard movie for us and we will be part of their 2 year project.   The early season snow conditions were good, with some decent turn to be had.
Island lake Catskiing in Fernie BC has been an industry leader for over 20 years.
Sherpa Cinema is an award winning ski movie film company based in Whistler BC. 

Island Lake Catskiing and Fernie Brewing form partnership

Fernie, British Columbia. December 5th, 2010 – Island Lake Catskiing and Fernie Brewing Company announce partnership. 

Island Lake Catskiing and Fernie Brewing Company have formed a partnership to leverage their respective brands.  Island Lake has a long Après Ski tradition, which involves an end of the day beer at the bottom of the last run.   This end of the day beer will now be one of the 6 craft beers produced by Fernie Brewing Company.  “We are very excited to be working with a local company that produces fine craft beers, which our discerning guests are sure to appreciate” said Island Lake CEO Doug Feely.  “We are committed to providing outstanding service and a unique experience while working with local companies whenever it is feasible” added Feely.  Island Lake and Fernie Brewing will also collaborate on joint marketing initiatives in the future. 

Island Lake Catskiing has been a backcountry ski industry leader for 20 years and operates near Fernie B.C. Canada.

Fernie Brewing Company has been producing award winning small batch beers for 7 years and is also based in Fernie B.C. Canada.

www.islandlakecatskiing.com

http://www.ferniebrewing.com/

Catskiing photos and article from Spencer Francey

This article was published last March on Push.ca and Sympatico.ca  I thought it was really good and worth reposting.  Check it out!

We are running low on seats for the coming winter...you might want to call one of our friendly reservation agents and see if there is anything that suits your needs.
Island Lake Catskiing

Win a catskiing trip to Island Lake Lodge!

Island Lake Catskiing has partnered with Spy Optics for a chance to win the ultimate powder skiing or snowboarding trip.  Every box of Spy Goggles has a ballot.  You can also enter on Spy's website.

Island Lake Catskiing

First Powder Tracks of the Season

The biggest pre-season storm in memory has left about a metre up on the Island Lake terrain.  Ryan, one of our guides laid down the first tracks of the season over this past weekend.  As you can see, the powder skiing is fantastic - true champagne powder!  Check out the photos
Catskiing will start soon...

The snow keeps coming. Catskiing very soon...

The Lodge is looking spectacular.  We have had close to 70 cms at the lodge from this storm and it looks like we will continue to get snow for the next few days.
Here are a few snow photos from today.
Check out some photos on facebook

Huge storm hits Fernie!!!!

Holy Cold Smoke!!  Well - the last couple days have been pure blizzard.  In town we have had about 45cms over 2 days - the resort is reporting 50 cms. We have had 50 cms at the Lodge and closer to 70 up high in the terrain.  Here are a few photos from the office, as we have not had any from the lodge yet...hopefully soon.  It looks like Ullar the snow god will continue to hammer us with snow over the next week as well.  Island Lake Catskiing

Win a Powder Ski or Snowboard Trip to Fernie B.C.

Yes - you could win the ultimate powder skiing or snowboard trip to the Canadian Rockies.  A few days at Fernie Alpine Resort to warm your legs up and then 3 days at Island Lake Catskiing!!  Enter to win here http://www.tourismfernie.com/contest

Snow in the Valley

Wow, looks like we will be getting snow all week here in the Elk Valley.  The jet stream is setting up nicely to push a couple systems into us.  With  a few feet up high already, things should start filling in quickly now.  Can't wait for the first turns of the season!

Work at Island Lake this Winter!

Come visit the Island Lake booth at the Fernie Job Expo on Nov.5 10am – 3pm at the Fernie Community Centre. We are looking to hire experienced bartenders, servers, housekeepers and kitchen staff. If you are looking for a great environment to work this winter, stop by and drop off your resume. See you there!

Island Lake Catskiing - Gladding update 2010

With another successful ILL gladding season at a close, we bring you an update. The crew of Corrie Wright, Steve Klopezig and Ryan Merrill, have manicured more than 350 acres of prime ILL fall line terrain, creating even more skiable habitat. Work was done on a variety of aspects and areas, giving us more skiing options on any given ski day. The Geisha South area formally known as “Lost in the trees”, now hosts many spectacular new lines of gladded trees. Skiing out of runs like Benches and Roller Coaster will never be the same. On the other side of Geisha Bowl, Valentines has some fine new open country, built for speed. Moving over to Face Shot Right, which used to resemble more of an over crowded Christmas tree farm, now boasts perfectly spaced trees. A significant effort was put into the backside of Lizard Pass a powder paradise with a lot more flow. Big Woody, off the West side of Baldly West has always been a favorite for its ubber good, consist - 35 degree fall line pitch. It now features classic ILL lanes and glades, I think this is going to make some people very happy. Imagine it with Powder! Sunny side on Baldy has seen a whole lot of improvements, and the Swiss Ridge Spooky zone is going to be frightfully good. Last but not least Mt. Fernie, all the front side runs have had an over hall and the back side Teli Fun is a couple of groups wider. Its like Agusta back there!  As per usual the crew spent there days working on the side hill motivated by thoughts of catskiing down these soon to be powder filled glades with some very happy people.

Yours - the Gladding crew

New Transceivers at Island Lake Catskiing

In an effort to provide the very best in safety to our powder skiing guests, Island Lake Catskiing has purchased all new avalanche transceivers.  The Barryvox Pulse represents the top of the line in avalanche beacons.  "Combination of a digital and analog device with three antennas. Easy. Fast and Effective. Clear instructions thanks to an easy operating concept. Fast and precise locating thanks to a 360° display and three antennas. Effective. A significant time saving, thanks to a clear overview in situations involving multiple burials". 
More info

Cat skiing is the safest way to experience backcountry skiing.
www.islandlakecatskiing.com

Snow is on the way - Catskiing as well...

It appears that we have some cool wet weather on the way.  The jet stream is positioned perfectly and it seems to be carrying moisture.  The next week should see some good accumulations.  Pray to Ullar!

Ski movie setup with Sherpas

The Sherpas have just spent 3 days setting up shots and starting a few time lapses.  Dave Mossop was climbing around like a chimp getting hardware and rigging placed in some big trees.  The boys also did a quick fly fishing shoot on Island Lake itself, which is full of cutthroat trout.  We are all amped for the snow to fall and to get catskiing.  The plan for filming is for the boys to visit Mica Heli Skiing in late December, then to Fernie and Island Lake Catskiing in January.  There will also be a late season ski shoot at both heli and cat operations.  Here are a few photos that the Sherpas took from the past week's setup.

Rocky Mountain Sherpas scoping terrain at Island Lake

The Rocky Mountain Sherpas whom are filming a new progressive movie for Island Lake Catsking and Mica Heli Skiing have been up at Island Lake all this week.  They have set up a couple wire cams for winter shoots and have been doing some timelapse filming.  Our Guides and handy chainsaw experts Big Steve and Corey have been showing the Sherpas around and helping with set-ups.  After alot of talking and planning the movie project feels like it is actually starting.  Were all super stoked and can't wait for the white stuff to fall.... Stay posted!

Powder Skiing Video from Tourism Fernie

Everybody loves some good ski porn!!  With winter approachiung, it's a good time to get stoked up about the coming winter ski season.  It should also add extra incentive to get those legs in shape for powder skiing and snowboarding... remember no friends on a powder day!!  Anyway, Tourism Fernie used some of our stellar pow footage for their new ski video.  Check it out here Powder Ski Vid

Our site is
www.islandlakecatskiing.com

Big snow winter on the way. Can't wait to go catskiing

Wow Looks like we are in for a great winter...La Nina is a coming!!!

"In the case of the cold La Niña event-- the opposite of the warm El Niño event-- the coastal waters off British Columbia tend to be cool. In a La Niña winter, the Canadian air temperature tends to be below normal, while the precipitation in southern Canada tends to be above normal. Southern British Columbia tends to receive more snow".

Powder Skiing and Snowboard images from last season

We were going through some of last years catski images and reminiscing about all the good times we had.  From the early season snow storms to the photo shootout contest, our professional powder photographers got some stunning images.  Have a look though and start daydreaming about your next powder catski adventure!

 

 

www.islandlakecatskiing.com

Winter and Skiing/Snowboarding are on the way

We woke up this morning to the 3rd day of heavy rain here in Fernie B.C..  Usually that would be gloomy, but the fact is there is heavy snowfall up in the mountains.  Non-skiers may not agree, but we are happily thinking of powder skiing.  Keep it coming Ullar (snow god).