2 metres in 1 week = extra white Christmas

Wow what a week!  We have witnessed a lot of storms at Island lake Catskiing, but this week has been nothing short of surreal.  Day after day of perfect temps and pounding snow.  The 1 week storm total is now at over 2 metres or 6.5 feet.  The cold, low density snow is true "over the head blower pow".  This is the biggest pre-Christmas storm anyone can remember and is making for an extra white holiday season.  Get out and enjoy the conditions!
www.islandlakecatskiing.com

Catskiing at its best

We have had over 130 cms during the last 4 days.  Low density over the head blower pow.  The current storm shows no sign of giving up either. Catski conditions are as good as they get.  Even our powder saturated guides are saying things like "unreal" and "all-time".  What a start to the season!

www.islandlakecatskiing.com

Early season catski video

A few staff went out for a couple runs via our new Piston Bully 400 snowcat. Watch the video and see for your self.  Conditions are looking great!  Hope your legs are ready.

Catskiing in BC

Catskiing has started

A few Island Lake staff members went up for some catski powder training yesterday.  There is a good 250 cm base in most places and more in others.  Mount Baldy, which is covered in spectacular glades was the destination and a few great runs were documented.  There are still some early season seats available- you should call the office at 1-888-422-8754.

Here are a few photos of the current conditions at Island Lake Catskiing:

www.islandlakecatskiing.com

Catski Safety Overview Video

At Island Lake Catskiing the safety of guests and staff is the foremost priority.   The ACMG certified guiding team has 2 meeting a day, reviews data from the area and across the province and meticulously plans the skiing day.  A fairly comprehensive bombing program also takes place on the Island Lake property.  Watch this video for a safety program overview.

www.islandlakecatskiing.com

more snow photos to get you stoked for catskiing

Staff were up yesterday building more snowcat roads and yes - skiing a few lines.  Things are progressing quickly and we are hoping to be catskiing with guests in the next couple of weeks.  FYI - we still have space availability Dec 18-20, Dec 20-22, Dec 22-24 and Jan 4-7.  Call now to discuss your options 1-888-422-8754.
Here are a few photos from Yesterday Nov 27th.

www.islandlakecatskiing.com

The Characters of Island Lake

Island Lake Catskiing has always attracted a plethora of interesting guests and staff.  It is part of what makes the place special. We consider the lodge experience to be as important as the snow experience. A big part of that is the staff. A few of our long term staff are highlighted in this new webisode.

It is time you experienced the Legend!
www.islandlakecatskiing.com

The snow is stacking up.

Rick - one of lead guides and cat driver Marcelin went out into the terrain yesterday for a look around and to start building roads.  Rick reports good early season coverage with 135 cms on Mount Baldy.  40 cms of low density blower pow on top of a good solid layer.  The guys built roads on mount Baldy without any issues. This is a great start and we look forward to skiing soon.  Here are a few photo from Rick.

www.islandlakecatskiing.com

Sherpas Cinemas Group Shred edit from Island Lake Catskiing

The movie ALL.I.CAN from Sherpas Cinema has received rave reviews around the world and won many awards.  The Sherpas transcended ordinary ski movie making and created something special.  The boys are currently working on their new project, but have just released a few short edits from ALL.I.CAN.  Here is the inspirational Group Shred sequence filmed almost entirely at Island Lake.

vimeo.com/sherpascinema/groupshred

www.islandlakecatskiing.com

New K2 skis for our catski guests

We have received a new fleet of skis for our catski guests to use.  Here at Island Lake Catskiing we want our guests to have the best possible experience.  Part of that is providing (free of charge) a variety of skis to use.  The new fleet of k2 skis includes mens: Sideseth, Darkside and Pon2oons as well as Sidekicks, Missdmeanor and Gotbacks for the ladies.  This collection of big mountain skis helps our guests take advantage of the terrain and powder snow at Island Lake catskiing.

                               
Darkside:

Gotback:

Missdemeanor:

Pon2oons:

Sidekick:

Sideseth:

www.islandlakecatskiing.com

http://k2skis.com/

New Glading and Catski Terrain

Island Lake Catskiing has long been known for a diverse terrain mix. High Alpine bowls blend into small sub-alpine trees, then into perfectly spaced gladed tree runs.  Our crew of gladers are also ski guides in the winter, so they have an in-depth understanding of the terrain and needs of our skiing guests.   They spend considerable time strategically planning enhancements to the skiing and boarding experience focusing on new roads, new runs, trail widening, brush-work, more uninterrupted skiing and improved ski outs.

This summer was an exciting glading season with construction of a new access road called “The Woodsmen Road”.  This road will enable better accessibility to existing terrain in the guest favorite Woody’s area and open up new terrain on West Baldy.  The glading crew did just that by creating new skiing terrain in the Woody’s area.  This new ski terrain, “The Silver Glades”, has been named in honor of Island Lake’s Silver Anniversary this year and is comprised of:
            - Vertical of  550m, 1800 ft
            - Slope Angle of sustained 35 degrees
            - Additional Skiing Terrain of over 24 acres
            - West aspect terrain with sustained fall line

Island Lake is very excited about the future glading opportunities provided by the Woodsmen Road allowing us to continue expanding our catski terrain into this outstanding area of Island Lake.   

www.islandlakecatskiing.com

photos:

New catski video - Scot Schmidt

If you have been skiing in the last 30 years you have probably heard of Scot Schmidt. Scot is considered by many to be the original freeskier. He was the first pro skier to make a living at big mountain, or "extreme" skiing. He was also a shareholder at Island Lake Catskiing, along with Craig Kelly, Mark Gallup, Jason Ford and Jake Blattner. It was at Island Lake that Craig and Scot tried to bring ski and snowboard culture together in the movies Siberia and P-tex, Lies and Duct Tape. Scot has catskied at Island Lake more then anyone except a few of the long-term guides, probably 350-400 days over the last 20 years.  Thats a lot of catskiing! Here is the latest webisode from Island Lake Catskiing.

Located in Fernie BC, Island Lake is celebrating 25 years of catskiing this season.

catskiing in fernie bc

Oct 22 - Winter Wonderland

Fernie was hit by a couple storms over the weekend leaving Island Lake Lodge covered in a nice blanket of snow.  After a long hot fall, it seems that winter is on the way and catskiing is in the air.

Call now to ask about availability or to be added to our standby list.
www.islandlakecatskiing.com

A Day in the Life of a Catskier or Snowboarder

Here is another webisode from Island Lake Catskiing.  This installment gives an overview of a typical day of catskiing.  From sunrise to powder to apres ski, this video will show you what the experience is like.  Enjoy and share!

www.islandlakecatskiing.com

A Brief History of Island Lake Catskiing

As part of the 25th anniversary celebrations here at Island Lake Catskiing, we have produced a series of webisodes.  The first installment is called A Brief History and has interviews with Mark Gallup, Jason Ford, Scot Schmidt and Jake Blattner, all of whom are past shareholders of Island Lake.  A full length documentary will be released fall 2013.  Here you go!

www.islandlakecatskiing.com

A great summer season has come to a close

The summer operating season has come to an end at Island Lake Lodge.  After a few months of amazing hot weather, great hiking, several weddings and a busy restaurant, we have now shut the gate.  We would like to sincerely thank all our guests and staff for making it one of the best summers ever. We now start looking forward to the coming catski season, which is just around the corner believe it or not.  If you are interested in catskiing with us during our 25th anniversary season, call quick because the seats are filling quick.

www.islandlakecatskiing.com

limited edition Island Lake snowboards coming off the line.

Island Lake Catskiing has partnered with Prior Snowboards to create limited edition 25th anniversary snowboards.   The Prior Spearhead and Khyber big mountain models were used with a custom graphic.  These boards are some of the best powder and big mountains snowboards available and will be available for Island Lake guests to use in the 2012/13 season.   

www.islandlakecatskiing.com

Island Lake Lodge Catskiing history book

Oolichan Books and Island Lake Catskiing announce an illustrated history of Island Lake and the Cedar Valley.

Oolichan Books is collaborating with Island Lake Catskiing to produce a special book celebrating the history of Island Lake and the Cedar Valley. Island Lake Lodge rose to fame in the early 90’s when it became a Mecca for ski /snowboard media and pro athletes. Stars like Craig Kelly, Scot Schmidt, Mark Gallup and Jason Ford not only filmed and shot photos there, but ultimately became owners as well. 2013 will mark the 25th anniversary of catskiing at the lodge.

“Island Lake is steeped in history and great stories, it is time to document what went on there” said internationally renowned photographer Mark Gallup.  Bears Above the Valley includes many outstanding images documenting rich natural and snow-sporting history of Island Lake and the Cedar Valley. The book is co-authored by Mike McPhee, Mark Gallup and Lee-Anne Walker with an introduction by famed ski-journalist Leslie Anthony.  

The book is set for release at the end of October 2012.

Island Lake Catskiing is located in the Lizard Range of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, 10 kms from Fernie B.C.  

Oolichan Books is a Fernie based publisher known for unique and authentic Canadian literature.

www.islandlakecatskiing.com

More hiking around Fernie BC - with photos

The beautiful summer weather continues in Fernie B.C.  Because it has been getting pretty hot during the day, we started on a hike up to the top of the Tamarack Trail near Island Lake Lodge at about 8:30 am.  The trail winds it's way through Old Growth forest, then through some open slide paths.  The wild flowers and berries are still in their prime on many aspects.  An elevation gain of 650 m gets you to the top of the ridge, which is actually a should of Mount Fernie.  Nice catski terrain in the winter makes for nice open meadows with wild flowers in the summer.   From the top of the ridge you can see towards windy pass and the 3 sisters, as well the Lizard Range and Island Lake Lodge.  This trail is the end of Heikos Trail if you start from the other side of the 3 sisters.  Round trip was 16 km and took about 4.5 hours... with stopping to take lots of photos and lunch on top.   It's a good moderate level hike.  Here are some photos.

Hiking in Fernie BC

Toronto Star article on Fernie and Island Lake Lodge

Tracy McLaughlin  from the Toronto Sun recently paid a visit to Fernie BC and Island Lake Lodge.  She seems to have had a great time exploring different adventures in the area.  You can read her full article here:
 
http://www.torontosun.com/2012/08/28/kootenary-rockies-a-little-piece-of-heaven

Don't forget - the catski season is right around the corner and seats are filling.

www.islandlakecatskiing.com

Check out this real food traveler article on Island Lake Lodge

Though best know for catskiing, Island Lake Lodge has gained a great reputation for summer as well.  Bobbie Hasselbring from therealfoodtraveler.com dropped by in early summer to experience Fernie and Island Lake.   Have a look at the great article she wrote:

http://www.realfoodtraveler.com/2012/08/island-lake-lodge-fernie-bc-rustic-elegant-lodging-and-dining/

The hiking trails are in prime shape.

The hiking trails at Island Lake are in prime shape right now.  A few keen hikers went up the Spineback trail a couple days ago and report a fantastic wildflower display.  Because there was so much snow last season the wildflowers got off to a late start, so up high in the subalpine they are now in full bloom.   The Spineback trail is a medium 3-5 hour hike with a elevation gain of 530 metres.  You pass a really neat fossil bed along the way and get great views of the valley.  Guides are available from the lodge and are a great way to learn about the flora and fauna of the area.  They must be booked in advance though.  Here are a few photos from the trail:

Hiking in Fernie BC

Toque and Canoe visit Island Lake Lodge

Kim Gray from the award winning travel site Toque and Canoe recently visited Fernie and spent a few nights at Island Lake Lodge.  Kim and her family had a great time partaking in various activities around Fernie including: White Water Rafting, Fly Fishing and Hiking.  The weather was stellar and Fernie showed the  adventure seeking family it's best.

You can find the whole story here: http://toqueandcanoe.com/2012/08/13/adventures-fernie-b-c/

www.islandlakecatskiing.com

Our catski TV show has hit 100,000 views on youtube

Our TV show The Balance of Powder has hit 100,000 views on youtube.  Thanks to all our friends for helping to make this happen!  The show has also been on network TV across the USA and Shaw Video on Demand across Canada for the last year.  It will continue to be viewed on various station into 2013.  Produced by Sherpas Cinema the 1/2 TV show is a beautifully filmed powder filled journey to both Island Lake Catskiing and Mica Heliskiing.

catskiing
heliskiing

Greg Stumps trailer for Legend of Aahhhs

Greg Stump revolutionized ski movie making in the late 80's and 90's.  Greg filmed an iconic segment at Island Lake Catskiing for his 1994 classic P-Tex Lies and Duct Tape.  Well, he is back in action with a new movie due out this fall.  Legend of Aahhhs looks like a must see movie for any skier or anyone involved in the ski industry.  Here is the trailer:

Catskiing

Fly fishing on the Elk River in Fernie BC

We recently had the gang from Fly Fusion Magazine up at Island Lake Lodge. Author / photographers Jim and Linda Mclennan were also up for the retreat.  Needless to say they spent some time on the Elk River making friends with the Cutthroat Trout.  The Elk is looking real good and their were some great hatches during the day.  Here are a few photos from the Elk River.

Fly Fishing in Fernie BC