killclimbz

Actually, a good winter pack with an hydration system where the hose zips up into the sleeve is a good way to go. Make sure the tube is also insulated or it will still freeze. It's much easier to stay properly hydrated if you don't have to dig into your pack every time you want a drink. I have never had a problem with the hose freezing using the sleeve/insulated hose combo. BCA and Osprey both make packs that have this option. I'm sure there are a few other guys that are in on this design too.

The other plus is that as you drink you are creating a little more room in your pack. Water bottles don't facilitate that. The down side is that bladders to spring leaks. Usually after a couple of seasons. Regardless, it really sucks when that happens...

poutanen

I'm a former east coaster (well maybe not the coast but still)... After several powder days in Fernie and Lake Louise, I think I would spend more time focusing on my strength than on my gear. I was grinning a lot this year while riding the powder with a freeride board instead of a powder board. It worked fine but my muscles usually were way behind my ability and the ability of my board.

Train your quads, calfs, feet, abs, glutes, and anything else you might need while surfing the snow.

For what it's worth, I'm thinking about doing a couple cat days in the rockies next year and I'll be bringing my Burton T7.

poutanen

This is good to know. I typically like doing a few "extreme" runs in a day, and obviously I like doing them at my own pace. I think hitting the untracked powder would make a cat/heli day fantastic, but I'll stick to the resort moderated (i.e. avalauncher controlled) extreme runs for my thrills.

BTW, on my last days of this year I hit a section of Lake Louise called "the ultimate steeps". These used to be permanently closed, but in recent years they've done a lot of snowpack studying in the area and now open it up on occasion. I got a pic half way down to show the slope. It's a full 100% (45 degree) slope! Felt fantastic to be in there...

Obligatory pic, and yes the camera was held parallel to the horizon.


CRAP! After seeing this pic again it reminded me that it's been two months since I've been on the snow. IT AIN'T RIGHT! I miss snowboarding!!!

killclimbz

Any cat or heli operation is only going get you on "extreme" terrain if they feel the conditions are safe and people in the group have the ability. So if they are willing to take you to the "gnar", I would be all over it. It's pretty damn hard to beat riding steep powder lines.

Whitey161

Thank you for the further responses. Ill take on board all of the advice and info i can get.

Seems like i am possibly overthinking it though.

Im looking at doing the heli-boarding with Blackcomb whistler...probably 2 days, here is a link:

Whistler Heli-Skiing - Official Website - British Columbia, Canada

Anyone heard of or used these people?

poutanen

I haven't done anything out near Whistler, but you may want to look into stuff more in the interior of BC instead... Better snow?!?

Island Lake Catskiing - Snowcat Boarding, Snow Cat Skiing in Canada near Fernie...

Baldface Where redbull supernatural was filmed...

They're both selling out fairly quick though.

killclimbz

I had a friend use that outfit when he was on a company paid trip to Whistler. He liked them well enough. There is definitely great terrain that can be accessed from that location. From what I remember is that it was mostly alpine in Nature. That means they will only fly if conditions are favorable. Poor visibility/high winds = no fly and would be no fun to ride in anyway. Outfitters with below treeline terrain can fly or operate on more days because the tree'd terrain allows you to see variations in the terrain in poor conditions. If you have to go heli, I believe Micah powder guides flies in most conditions due to the huge amount of terrain they have access to that is below tree line. Most cat operations have below tree line terrain they access.

Whitey161

Thats great information thankyou.

So is the general opinion that you get better conditions further inland. Ive never boarded in the US/Canada so dont know much about it. Any good recommendations?

killclimbz

Generally speaking, you get heavier snow fall totals the closer you are to the coast. As you move inland, the snow fall amounts back off, but the snow quality is of a much lighter and drier snow. It also ratchets up the avalanche danger though. It really depends on what you want to ride. Some people will argue that the lighter snow is ideal. The blower stuff is great and riding it in the deep feels like you are on a cloud. The wetter coastal snowfalls tend to dump a lot more snow, and the avalanche danger generally stabilizes withing 24-48 hours. It also sticks to much steeper lines. That is why Alaska has become to big mountain rider's mecca. So positives and negatives to either option.

I personally don't care, 2 feet of fresh snow is awesome. Regardless if you are riding a wetter Maritime climate or a super dry Continental climate. You'll still have that shit eating grin on your face.

timmytard

I totally forgot about Island lake Lodge, as soon as I read that name, my memory was flooded with pictures accumulated from 23 years of magazine readin' & video watchin'
As far back as I can remember, all the best heli/cat boarding that I've seen comes from there.

If there was one place in the world I could go, that's the place.
I'm going to go there this year, I just made up my mind.
Woooooo!!!!!!!
Thanks poutanen, that just made my day


Try & find some vids on google, I' sure there all lots of insanely deep bluebird days on there.

Just curious if anyone from here has been there?

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