First of all, we would like to extend our warmest thanks to all the kind people we met with on our European media blitz this past November. We had a great reception, everyone was very generous and hospitable, and we definitely managed to get people excited about Bella Coola and the coming winter season. In fact, we will do another tour next autumn; so if you would like us to drop by and give you and your friends a presentation, let us know.
Secondly, we would like to thank all those people that have booked with us and look forward to sharing our incredible playground. We welcome back those of you who have skied or boarded with us before, and are eager to show our new guests the magic that is Bella Coola.
WEATHER REPORT
The snow began to fall a month ago and it just won't stop. Already there is a meter of snow in the valley and more than 2 meters in the alpine. The outlook is also good. The Farmer's Almanac is predicting a BIG SNOW year with cold temperatures: the perfect combination. Furthermore, the early snow is bonding well as it fills in our alpine bowls, couloirs and tree runs. All indications are that we will once again benefit from a snow pack that is rightfully world famous for its stability and depth. So let the fun begin! this is going to be a great season and one you don't want to miss.
WHAT'S NEW
The big news is that our playground has more than doubled in size. We now have the exclusive right to heli ski in a 5,700 sq/km (2,226 sq/m) wonderland of snowcapped mountains. This is more than 200 times the size of Vail, Whistler or Verbier. For you, our guest, this means you will never cross somebody else's tracks or feel rushed to ski a line lest somebody else skis it first. It's just going to be you, your friends, and endless pitches of untracked snow.
The
other news is that we have added new skiing tour in an effort to be
more flexible and accommodating to your needs. We have created the three
and four day ski package for those of you who just don't have the time
to ski with us for a full week, and we are offering the Deluxe Week
to individuals that just can't quite afford the exclusivity of the Semi-Private
Week and furthermore, like the idea of a guaranteed amount of vertical.
For more information on the three and four day tours go to our website
at http://www.bellacoolahelisports.com/Three&FourDayTours.html
and for more information on the Deluxe week go to http://www.bellacoolahelisports.com/indiv.html.
Also check out our
“Ski Camps”. This is an exclusive opportunity to ski with legendary
athletes Wendy Fisher, Alison Gannett and Chris Davenport. For more
information go to:http://www.bellacoolahelisports.com/special_events.html
MEDIA ROOM
Did
you see the Globe and Mail article about us?? Canada 's #1 National
News Source says Bella Coola is " Hot Coola .....the most sought
after heliskiing on the planet". Please click here to download
the pdf. http://www.bellacoolahelisports.com/globeandmail.pdf
and read the full article.
In Europe check out this months copy of “2 Magazine” ( issue #6 Dec 2003) and the ten page feature article titled “ Incredible Bella Coola: Heliski British Columbia 's Shangri-La”. The pictures and story are awesome and will have you rushing to email us in order to enquire about availability.
If you're not the reading kind, check us out in the new Warren Miller film “Journey” (showing in theaters now) as we host Bode Miller in a rare moment away from the racing circus. Or go out and buy the new Matchstick DVD titled “Focused” and let the talents of Seth Morrison, Hugo Harrison and Shane McConkey ripping it up in Bella Coola inspire your awe.
Our Bookings
Many of our 2004 tours are already booked, but there are a few spaces here and there. So if you haven't booked, don't be shy, give us a call and we will find you a spot. As Warren Miller is fond of saying “if you don't do it this year, you will just be one year older when you do”. Please contact our offices at reservations@bellacoolahelisports.com or give is a call at 1.604.932.3000. If you want premiere tours for 2005 book early to avoid disappointment as these tours are also starting to fill up.
A WORD FROM EL PRESIDENTE
Salute Amigos! Your friend “Swede” here. This fall I spent a lot of days working in our office when I should have been out playing with all of my good friends, sorry guys and gals. But I was busy organizing this winters operation, making sure that our guests heli skiing experience will be the best ever, and logging many hours answering emails and fielding telephone calls from all over the planet. Folks have all kinds of questions and concerns, and rightly so. The following addresses briefly some of those requests.
Bella
Coola Heli Sports was created by skiers and boarders for skiers and
boarders. With us, it's all about the skiing. We do not operate and
do not wish to operate an amusement park. We do not pack them in. There
are no lengthy line-ups and wait times for helicopters, or the buffet
tables. I can tell you that small helicopters with small intimate groups
are the only way to reach the “quality goods”. Furthermore, you do not
have to take an 8-hour bumpy bus ride to reach our location. Our guests
take a short 1 hour fifteen minute flight over the heart of the Coast
Range Mountains to Bella Coola, and have the opportunity to be skiing
later that afternoon. Although skiing 
is
our focus, that's not too say that your accommodation is anything other
than perfect. Our remodeled historic Lodge is nestled in old growth
forests on the edge of British Columbia largest park. The views and
ambience are inspirational. National Geographic, in their TV special
last year on the Coast Range Mountains , deemed it one of the most captivating
and beautiful in the world. But back to the skiing and the snow, 9 times
out of 10, we have the deepest, yet safest snowpack in the world! Ask
any snow expert or check out any avalanche bulletin board. This explains
why the film crews love and prefer our location. They can safely ski
and ride what they prefer, stuff that's not possible anywhere else,
all right, its also possible in Valdez , Alaska . But what you can't
do in Valdez is go tree skiing. Bella Coola, on the other hand, has
an abundance of great tree skiing, so you won't have to wait for the
weather to clear, but will be out ripping it up. For more information
on our weather please go to http://www.bellacoolahelisports.com/geo.html
and click on the weather report at the bottom of this page. As
I come to a close, I want to make one more point. Our client's will
have their skis and boards in the powder the day of their arrival and
the day of their departure. As far as I know, no other operation can
deliver this level of skiing opportunity.
Peter “Swede” Mattsson
President, Bella Coola Heli Sports Inc
P.S. Attention all fishermen ! Bring your fly gear as we offer, by far, the best-damned winter coastal river fishing you have ever experienced. What could be better Big Fat Rainbows and Big Fat Pow!!
A big thank you from all of us at Bella Coola Heli Sports. See you in the POW!
