End of January to early February
It was a good start to the 2006 heliski season in Bella Coola, BC. We skied 3 of 5 potential days and experienced both a DEEP day with big vertical while the other two days were a little more challenging with wind affected areas combined with snow pocket deposits. From the clients perspective, Allen made the right decision and extended his trip by a day which turned into a 34,000 foot day of knee to waist deep storm snow. It was the first time we've seen a client arrive on a pair of 203cm Snow Rangers and rip it up, great job Allen. The Colorado Boys (brothers Don and Joe) enjoyed their first ever heliskiing experience.
Mid-February
We managed to ski 3 of the 5 days. Variable conditions for the first two days though that also meant bluebird and views that went on and on. 4,000' runs with knife-edge landings. Clients enjoyed two first descents with one run in plain view of the inbound Pacific Coastal flight from Vancouver. Nice. We managed to skied close to 70,000 vertical feet in two and a half days of skiing.
Early March
We skied 5 out of 7 days. A little bit of everything for weather with the last day being bluebird with 50cm of fresh. We also spent a few days on the Ocean Explorer and when not skiing we were crabbing, soaking in the hot springs and Patrick even went water skiing behind the zodiac. Almost forgot - we enjoyed 5 first descents. New friends made and plans already underway for next years trip.
March 3: Most of today skiing was in the Nusash zone skiing 'Speechless' and 'Home Run'. Our mid day arrivals, 3 from France and one from the Seattle area were in awe of +6°C in Bella Coola and -3°C and powder in the alpine. Awe, the beauty of heliskiing in Bella Coola.
March 4: What a day. Two first descents by Todd, Alain, Patrick and Thierry ~ now named 'Yahoo' and 'Yahoo Two'. Mostly sunny throughout the day with the boys skiing 26,000'. Big smiles and a 'Lucky Lager' to celebrate another great of heliboarding and heliskiing in Bella Coola.
March 5-6: Two days based from the Ocean Explorer. Sunday was a pretty good day with two more first descents though the light was tricky at times. We were treated to fresh Dungeness Crab and watched a bit of the film crews efforts for the upcming HDTV series. Yesterday was a late start with a chilly morning and shrouded peaks. We were out by 13:30 then the skies opened up to bluebird. By 16:30 we had skied 24,000' and were ready for another night of fabulous hospitality aboard the Ocean Explorer.
March 10: We awoke to a blue sky and were flying by 08:30. Phenomenal snow, deep and stable. Managed to ski 20,000' by 11:15 then took Patrick and Alain to the airport for their departure. Both of them tried, in vain, to get a different flight back to France as the next two days are supposed to be bluebird. We shared an amazing week with all, thank you.
March 27: Bluebird by 13h00 and the crew was skiing and filming through the afternoon and into the alpine glow. A fabulous day in town and the alpine.
March 28 and 29: The group has continued to explore the Comet and Kimsquit zones of our tenure. Chatter is that the boys will be back as clients because they are in awe of what our terrain and tenure has to offer. A pod of Orcas' was close to the boat yesterday ... trips from the Ocean Explorer have many benefits.
March 30 and 31: The TGR crew wrapped up filming the last two days. Celebrations were enjoyed into the wee hours and after a solid 10 days aboard the Ocean Explorer, each of the crew was off on another mission. Seth and TGR crew to Haines, Jeremy to his place in AK, Eric and Jonas were playing it by ear, Harrow back home to Auz with Mr. Jones and CG making their way home too. It was great to host TGR and the crew, thank guys.
April 1 and 2: Spring has sprung. Skiing on North and Northwest aspects remains pretty good, though south facing is now in spring transition. A full boat is now anchored in the South Bentick with two groups working the zone with some nice 4000' runs. Calm conditions throughout as the Central Coast inches into spring.
April 13: End of the season. Check back soon for "stats" from the 2006 season. Hope you'll visit us next season! Visit the Photo Gallery 2006. Thank you to all that made this year possible!
