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.
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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

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