Archive for the ‘Hobbies’ Category

Heli Skiing BC Canada – It’s Not Just for Professional Skiers!

Saturday, July 24th, 2010

Heli skiing reigns supreme over all other alternatives to skiing, and when you choose the right location for practicing it, you are definitely in for the experience of a lifetime. With that in mind, if you really want to get the most out of your next heli skiing trip, consider choosing BC Canada as your playground. This region has all it takes for a memorable heli skiing adventure – from perfect skiing scenery and breathtaking landscapes to the right snow consistency and the best weather for practicing winter sports all the year round.

With heliskiing in BC Canada, the helicopter ride in itself stands out as a unique and thrilling experience that can satisfy every daredevil’s taste for adrenaline. Compared to heli skiing, cat skiing lacks a bit in terms of excitement, but this minor drawback is however counterbalanced by the longer time spent on the slopes skiing. If you have never tried cat skiing and heli skiing in Canada before, then you should do it at least once in your ski career. Be warned though, as both cat skiing and (especially) heli skiing can be very addictive and can get you hooked for life in an instant! As soon as you try out some of the popular destinations in BC Canada and experience the thrill of heli skiing and cat skiing, chances are you will definitely want to come back for more.

Depending on your personal preference, you can either choose to book daily heliskiing BC Canada offers while staying in a ski resort in the region, or opt for a multi-day service package that will include accommodation. Considering the latter option often proves cheaper and more convenient, only try your hand at daily heli skiing if you are a novice to this sport or you have very little time at your disposal for skiing.

Similar to other winter sports options, the downsides to both heli-skiing and cat skiing are the increased number of variables (especially meteorological conditions, snow practicability and skier ability) that can sometimes influence your skiing experience in a negative manner. Particularly in the case of heli skiing, the major inconvenient is weather, which can keep a whole group pinpointed to the ground for hours or sometimes days before the helicopter can get permission to take off and head for the slopes. Due to this, it is recommendable to include some other activities in your winter vacation plans as backup.

Another possible inconvenient is the higher cost of heli skiing as compared to other skiing options; however, considering the unequalled excitement and unique nature of the experience, you are in fact getting the best value for money you can ask for.

As for the minimum skill level required for taking on heliskiing in BC Canada, know that you really shouldn’t worry too much about this aspect. Just like cat skiing, heli skiing isn’t exclusively intended for expert skiers, and with the right choice of slopes and the right guides, intermediates can also get a taste of the sport. If you are less familiar with this form of skiing, you won’t have to sit off the cool rides and let others have all the fun. To avoid this scenario, all it takes is to find a heli skiing BC Canada operation that also caters to less experienced groups, and you too will have the chance to enjoy the thrill and excitement of heli skiing.

Ever Thought About Going On A Snow Cat Skiing Adventure?

Saturday, July 17th, 2010

For those of you that might not know yet, powder cat skiing or snow cat skiing is just the best version of skiing you are ever going to find. Powder cat skiing is basically skiing on fresh snow in remote regions of a mountain where there are no regular tourists. Also, there aren’t any kids crowding the slopes simply because there aren’t any slopes. This is the reason why so many people are being drawn to this almost extreme sport. I say almost extreme because even though many people might see it as just that, the reality is that in many countries around the world, like Canada for example, you can always find a portion of the mountain that is suitable for your level of skill.

Snow cat skiing makes good use of the snowcat which is a fantastic piece of machinery that can get you up and down the mountain comfortably and fast. You can forget about those uncomfortable mountain chairs or always over crowded cable lifts because as long as you are inside a snow cat skiing vehicle you will feel quite comfortable and warm. This all changes when you reach the starting point, and this is basically the moment when you have to activate all your senses and reflexes, because a powder cat skiing descent will require them to be at maximum levels.

It would be highly inaccurate to compare powder cat skiing to regular skiing because everything is taken to the limit, your reflexes, your ability to change course in a split second and so on. Because powder cat skiing requires you and your friends to ride down a portion of the mountain with freshly fallen snow, there is an increased risk for an avalanche and this is the vast majority of companies specializing in snow cat skiing require that each group is accompanied by a well experienced expert that knows how to navigate through the most dangerous situations. For example, getting across large openings will always be done by one skier at a time to minimize any risks of provoking an avalanche.

There are also safety meetings held to educate everyone not only on the risks they face and ways to minimize them but also how to act in certain circumstances and use the safety equipment that is supplied. If you don’t already have a pair of skis that are especially created for snow cat skiing descents you don’t have to go out and buy a pair immediately because every resort that specializes in offering tourists this type of service will always have a few pairs available for rent.

Depending on the mountain region you plan to make your powder cat skiing descent on, there might also be other requirements. For example, in more dangerous regions the service providers will most likely require each one of their customers to wear safety helmets. If you are not yet convinced of the great opportunity available through snow cat skiing, then you will most likely be after your first day spent on the mountain.