NORTH CASCADE HELI

As the heat of summer turns us to other recreational pursuits, we can’t help but to look forward to the next NCH season. Here’s a little re-cap of 2009 to help share the love.

June 1, 2009

Only a few weeks to go before the summer solstice when the daylight gradually begins to decrease and winter looms like a distant dream of untracked powder. We’re still out skiing in the mountains off Highway 20, and while conditions often vary, swinging down across a slope of white corn reminds of just how much fun this sport is and how much we are already looking forward to next season.

Speaking of which, we have started booking reservations for 2010. We have posted our rates which we feel are very competitive as one of the lowest heli-ski costs around the U.S. and Canada. (Check out our early and late season rate for one day of flying and shredding: $700). That value keeps coming as we have increased the number of guaranteed runs from six to seven. Plus, keep in mind that our fleet of K2 powder skis like the Coomba and Pontoon as well as our K2 demo snowboards are included in the cost of your program – no extra fees here.

So give the office a call or send us an email about what dates and program you are interested in and we’ll turn these summer dreams into reality this winter!

Here is a great shot from last season to stoke that fire during these summer days. Thanks to shooter Bryn Hughes out of Whistler for this inspiring photo.

Helly Hansen team member Eric Pollard enjoying the white and blue.

While we wrapped our season on March 15th this year, the fresh coating of snow visible on the North Cascades this morning makes us start thinking about next year already (while throwing the boards in the back of the car for ski tour).

We have a few changes to announce for the 2010 season. Our season will begin on Friday January 8th and end on Sunday March 21st.

We anticipate partnering with the Freestone Inn to offer all-inclusive riding and lodging packages, with rates for these packages to be announced soon. We’ve also made some changes to our programs:

Heli-skiing/riding Programs

We’ll start the season with early season rates of $700 per day per person through Thursday January 14th. This rate will be valid for 1 day or 3 day programs and one day programs can be booked any day during early season.

Starting January 15th, we will be offering three day programs Fridays through Sundays and Mondays though Wednesdays. Thursdays will be the only day we are scheduling single day programs (or the option to add a 4th day to a 3 day program). We may be able to offer single day programs on a case-by-case basis outside of Thursdays.

This allows us to offer our guests a 3 day program for $2,400 per person. Thursday single day programs will be $850 per person.

Late season rates of $700 per person per day will kick in on Monday March 15th, and will be valid through the 21st. This rate will be valid for 1 day or 3 day programs and one day programs can be booked any day during late season.

Exclusive use charters are available any day where no other guests are currently scheduled, with a two day, 1.5 hour a day minimum required to book. Exclusive use will be $3,250 per hour in early and late season and $4,000 an hour during peak season.

We will be offering standby rates on a space available basis at $725 per day. Please email the office if you would like to be added to this list.

Ski Touring Programs

The North Cascades backcountry yurt will be available for 3 day trips Thursdays to Sundays, 4 days trips are Sundays to Thursdays. 3 day trips are $900 per person, 4 day trips are $999 per person, all inclusive. Longer trips can also be arranged on a custom basis.

Single day heli-assisted touring and the Nordic Super Tour will both be available 7 days a week. Heli-assisted tours will be $375 per person and the Nordic Super Tour will be $250 a person.

2010 Season Specials

In addition to the early and late season rates listed above, we’re offering a few special deals to help your get you heli on:

• Washington State ski resort pass holders will receive a 15 percent discount on any peak season heli-skiing program (not valid during early or late season).
• Guests who return for multiple trips during the season will be entitled to a 10 percent discount on subsequent trips during the season (not valid during early or late season).
• March Madness returns. From March 1st to March 15th, bring a group of 4 and get 1/2 off one seat, bring 8 and get one free. Heli-assisted tours are $325 per person and the Nordic Super Tour is $225 per person.
• As an incentive for return customers, we’re offering all guests 10% off any trip after their first program of the season. Come for a day early season, get 10% off our peak season rates for the entire season. Not a bad deal. Call the office today to schedule your trip. This offer does not apply to standby seats or ski industry discounts and cannot be combined with another offer.

Other news

We’re also proud to announce that North Cascade Heli has purchased the heli-barn, so many more years of good times and great riding will happen from the big red barn at Wilson ranch.

Here’s hoping your summers are wonderful and a North Cascade Heli trip is in your plans for 2010.

Thanks to Kyle Lucas for putting this together- now we’ll all have something to watch this summer to get stoked for next season! Filmed on 3/15/09.

North Cascade Heli Skiing POV.1 Helmet Cam 3/15/2009 from Kyle Lucas on Vimeo.

The boys at TGR put together a sweet preview clip shot on location here at NCH this season… enjoy!

Look for more NCH footage in next year’s film Re:session.

Wow- what an end to the season! While we’re a little sad to see the heli depart tomorrow, we’re happy to have had Mother Nature deliver the goods for our guests!

Deep snow, followed by a few days of blue and them even more snow. Big thanks to all who were able to head out this way in the past few weeks and enjoy some of the best conditions of the year. Pics follow for your enjoyment and stoke for next year!

sweet pow below Burgandy spire

Chico from DaKine product testing

Chico gets his jib on

The DaKine and Gore crew testing more product

Erik Pontooning!

Mmm pow at the yurt March 5th through 8th!

Mmm more pow at the yurt March 5th through 8th!

Sweet looking tracks on Mt. Tamarack

Mt. Tam tracks from B1

Shauna reaping the benefits of heli-touring on Silverstar!

Steve and Greg head down to Varden Creek

Big smile below Burgandy Col

Been a busy week with stellar conditions- clod, cold smoke out there, with bright blue today. Only one week to get your heli on- the ships goes away after the 15th of March.

East coaster + deep pow = good times!

that's some fresh

nice turn below Burgandy spire

Thanks to Randy Torcom, our partner at DaKine, for assembling a crew of consisting of Eric Pollard, Chris Benchetler, Sammy Carlson, and Michelle Parker, along with Freeskier writer Matt Harvey, photo-guy Bryn Hughes and cine-guy Ike Smith and coming out for a whirlwind 4 day session. 4 days in February, as any film crew can tell you, is a bit of a roll of the dice, especially when you add in the need for good shooting conditions. You can read more of their story here. And for the record, there are other ways to get the blue to come…

Thanks to Michelle Parker for the photos, will post em up when we get more in.

Chris Benchetler enjoying some cold smoke in the North Cascades

Eric Pollard throwing it down.

No, that's not Alaska.

Many thanks to Dave Waag from Off-Piste Magazine for coming out this week to sample the goods with some friends. Faceshots were had over 3 days.  Pics for your enjoyment!

Dave Waag enjoying being Off-piste

Scott enjoys a trip to the White Room

Nils thinking powder (C) Dave Waag/Off-piste Magazine

Niles, our powder model (C) Dave Waag/Off-piste Magazine

Larry enjoying some turns (C) Dave Waag/Off-piste Magazine

Nils enjoying some pow

Thanks to the gals with the Crystal Mountain connection for coming out for a day of heli-assisted ski touring with us on Monday. Good times, good turns, big smiles all around.  

The gals earning some turns

getting closer to the top

almost time to ski!

tasty turns

yee-haw!

Lisa enjoying the pow

Paisley pants are back, says Mary

always nice to get a bump from the heli

stylish drop knee

Psyched to almost be at the top

There was some blue sky too