Cat skiing photos from Henry Munter

Author: Chris Owens

The CPG snowcat makes it's way to the goods.

It’s definitely “one of those years” here in Alaska. As February approaches and the heli season gets closer (we start in AK on February 12). We’ve been having the best early season we can recall. The snow has been deep, dry and plentiful. The snowcat skiing has been “all time”. As always, our first week of the heli season is discounted. Right now, we’re holding the goods. It’s time to make a February powder plan and get up to AK. We are still able to offer 20% off on Alaska Airlines for those who book their travel before January 31.

Check out these great photos of recent snowcat skiing from guide, Henry Munter.


Posted on: 1.25.2012
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Opening weekend for Sun Valley Heli Ski delivers

Author: Chris Owens

Looking good in Idaho

Sent in by Tyler Ferris of Sun Valley Heli Ski:

Right now, Sun Valley Helicopter Ski Guides can boast the best heli-skiing this side of Canada.

While other operations in the lower 48 are waiting for another storm or two to start up, SVHS was blessed with a couple of big ones at the end of 2011. The snowfall in our remote terrain doubled from 2 to 4.5 feet. On our first day of operation on January 6, stability was rated “fair” and skiing was rated “good” to “very good”. Groups skied several extra runs.

It may look thin on Sun Valley’s Balm Mountain web cams, but as often happens the jet stream came straight from the west and dropped two times the snow in the Smoky Mountains, the hidden gem of SVHS.

Ok, how can SVHS offer great skiing with only 4.5 feet? The secret is the terrain. Runs are typically long and consistent with few cliffs or dramatic breaks. There are open slopes and great glades of trees. Every aspect has a skiable line.

In the heart of this skiers paradise is the Idaho Smoky Mountain Lodge. Right now you can have a private “Canadian Style” heli ski experience right here in the US. Check out the footage from our opening weekend below!




Posted on: 1.10.2012
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It’s soooo deep right now!

Author: Chris Owens

The Alaska snow just keeps falling and it’s coming in light and dry. As a result, early season snowcat skiing and snowboarding has been nothing short of phenomenal. Our snowcats are running and you should be on one. Check out this video from two days ago by guest Kevan Dee. Right now, we are holding the best snow in the country. Come celebrate the goodness!




Posted on: 1.09.2012
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All Aboard the Glacier Express

Author: Chris Owens

The Glacier Express Ski Train

As all of the snow on the planet seems to be falling in Alaska and Europe right now, it’s great timing to see the latest episode of Salomon Freeski TV featuring the Glacier Express. This is such a cool way to explore the European ski experience.

The Glacier Express is Switzerland’s most famous train route, running from the foot of the Matterhorn in Zermatt to the playgrounds of European royalty in St. Moritz. Between, it passes through a dozen of Europe’s “little areas that rock.” The train works it’s way through the Alps’ finest terrain, allowing passengers to hop off in prime spots to explore gems like Andermatt, Arosa, and eventually the famous endpoint, St. Moritz.

You can join us and Epic Europe ski guru Jack Shaw on the Glacier Express this season. Combining this kind of access with the right guides and the local knowledge to find the secret stashes is really one of the best ways to tour and ski Europe.  Check out Salomon Freeski TV below and enjoy!



Posted on: 1.03.2012
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Early season bliss in the CPG snowcat area.

Author: Chris Owens

With the CPG snowcat area opening on Saturday, December 24, Henry Munter, Rob Durnell, Andy Ballou and the rest of the crew have been busily preparing to make our current gift of deep powder available to the public.  From the footage Henry took yesterday, it looks like things are really shaping up nicely.  The crew spent some serious hours in the area this fall with chainsaws improving the glades and making the tree runs better than they’ve ever been.  You know what they say about all work and no play.  Check out “Play Time” for Henry and the crew below.  The early season conditions in Alaska are “All Time” right now.  Snowcat starts this week and heli skiing begins February 12.  There is still space in the early weeks and the first week of heli is discounted.  Time to get some POW!



Posted on: 12.20.2011
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Where’s the snow? Pretty much all of it is in AK!

Author: Chris Owens

While much of the Western US is looking pretty bony from the snow standpoint, Alaska is piling up! Early season skiing and boarding at Alyeska Resort is all time, with the North Face and the High Traverse already open for deep pow lines. The last week has seen significant dumps with over 40 inches at the top of Alyeska in one night.

Here are the current snow totals:
Total Snowfall This Season: 182.6″ for the season and 270.6″ since October 1st

Check out these photos from the last few days of EPIC conditions at Alyeska. It’s time to pack up your gear and head North!

Chair 6 at Alyeska taking people to the goods.

The North Face is open! Photo by Jason Scheben

A fired up crowd is on hand for the opening of the High Traverse.

Alyeska patrol gets ready to open the North Face

The view from Alyeska is always mind blowing

Even the lower mountain is looking fat!

Woot! It's on!

The South Face


Posted on: 12.14.2011
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And the Winner Is…

Author: Chris Owens

Well, the videos were submitted, the votes counted and the people have spoken.  The winner of the CPG / Mammut / GoPro video contest was Ben Szekley.  Ben has won a 7 day, 8 night heli ski trip with Chugach Powder Guides in Girdwood, Alaska.  Congratulations, Ben!

A HUGE thanks goes out to all of you who submitted videos for this contest.  The time and energy put into these entries is amazing.  We were fully blown away by the quality of the videos submitted.

Check out Ben’s winning video “This Is The Year” and the other amazing videos submitted for this contest below.

THIS IS THE YEAR BY BEN SZEKLEY

ALASKA 2011 BY JOHN AND XAVIER

COASTIN AK STYLE BY BRIAN MCCLURE

CPG COMPETITION ENTRY 1 BY JASON WILLIAMS AND MIA LOW

CPG VIDEO CONTEST BY DAVID COHEN

CPG COMPETITION ENTRY 2 BY JASON WILLIAMS AND MIA LOW

ALASKA HELI-SKIING BY MICHAEL MCGEE

CPG 2011 BY ANDY SCHMIDT


Posted on: 12.12.2011
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It’s stacking up in Alaska – Can you feel it?

Author: Chris Owens

Melanee opens a gift from Ullr.

Ullr has been blessing AK with plenty of early season goodness.  With over 120 inches since October 1, the Chugach is starting to look fat and Alyeska Resort is getting ready to open (Nov. 23).

Our Office Manager, Melanee Stiassny recently went ski touring in our snowcat area, confirming that things are looking really, really good!  Check out these photos (pics by Thomas Bailey)  from her tour.  Let’s hear it for deep pow!

Skinning in the CPG Snowcat area

Skinning in the CPG Snowcat area

Deep November Pow

Thomas Bailey getting some pow in the CPG cat area


Posted on: 11.18.2011
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Help us celebrate winter! EpicQuest on Tour.

Author: Chris Owens

It’s that time of year.  Snow is starting to fall in Alaska and in our favorite resort communities and we’re going on tour!  Come join us for fresh photos, videos, drinks, great food and good times as we celebrate the oncoming winter season.  Check out the tour schedule below.  Want to attend and event?  DROP US A NOTE and we’ll send you an official invite!

 

Chicago – Nov. 7 – Lincoln Hall
Portland – Nov. 16 – Saucebox Annex
Portland – Nov. 17 – Multnomah Athletic Club (private event)
San Francisco – Nov. 19 – Eastside West
Seattle – Nov. 22 – Hard Rock Cafe
Denver – Dec. 1 – Hard Rock Cafe
Vail – Birds of Prey – Dec. 2-5
NYC  - Dec. 7 – The Blue Owl
SLC – Dec. 10 – Squatters
Park City – Dec. 13 – High West Distillery
Jackson – TBD


Posted on: 11.04.2011
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