With tons of sunshine and incredible stability, we’ve had lots of opportunity lately to hit some of the more coveted lines in the Girdwood area. Check out this great video from client Collin Tilbe of our escapades on North Star and Banana Hammock couloirs.
Heli Skiing with Chugach Powder Guides, Girdwood, Alaska March 5th and 6th, 2011 from Collin Tilbe on Vimeo.
The one lift tour is one of the great products that Sun Valley Heli Ski offers. For those who like to earn their turns, but are eager to explore terrain off the beaten path, the helicopter combined with the experience of our seasoned guide staff makes a HASTA tour an ideal choice. The day starts off in the morning with a helicopter ride to a highpoint within the 750,000 acres of the Sun Valley Heli Ski permit. From there, your guide and group will spend the remainder of the day skiing and touring back to a pre arranged road pick up point. For an extra fee, a helicopter pick up can be arranged. Some backcountry experience and familiarity with ski touring is recommended. This trip requires the use alpine touring/randonee equipment which is not provided.
Have a look at a video put together by local Sun Valley resident Greg Martin on a recent one lift tour of the Lake Creek Headwall area:
One Lift Tour from Greg Martin on Vimeo.
This week we’ve had the great pleasure of heli sking with Sandra Dukat and Alison Pearl. With Sandra on a mono ski and Alison in a sit ski, we were astounded and humbled to see the way these ladies OWNED our heli terrain. Just when you’re starting to feel pretty good about yourself, you meet someone who shows you that maybe you’re not as cool as you think you are. Thanks for joining us! Check out the GoPro Hero footage from Alison’s camera.
Not bad for Day 1.
This week our Alaskan operation, Chugach Powder Guides started their 15th year of operation. We started with a full load of guests from Switzerland, Austria, Germany and the US. This week we flew 5 out of 7 days with cold temps, sunny skies and unbelievable powder. This is just the we like to see things start.
Being Valentines week, it seems that love was in the air as we had two heli ski marriage proposals and an actual wedding for two of our German guests in the CPG cat area. CONGRATULATIONS to Alex And Gabi. The ceremony was performed by CPG General Manager Chris Owens under a full moon and a perfect blanket of stars with the CPG crew there to witness and celebrate the event. With a bonfire and crystal clear views of the Girdwood valley, it was really a night to remember.
We are currently getting a fresh coat of paint and have fresh refills every run in the snowcat area. The birds are here, the crew is primed and week 1 is a thing of history. Check out the photos from this week below. There are still a few seats left scattered here and there through the season, so come up to Alaska and get your fix!
I was thinking about Warren Miller today. Ever since I was a kid, each year at his shows he would say, “…you’ll just be one year older when you do.” Today, about 40 years later, I finally did take his advice and went skiing with the great folks at Sun Valley Heli-Guides. Why did I wait so long? What a great day!
The day began early with a great breakfast at the Sun Valley Lobby Lounge that could hardly be called ‘Continental. Eggs, fresh pasties, a selection of meats and fresh fruit were laid out in culinary splendor.
The guides for the day were Bozo Cardoza and Pat Deal – each long-time locals. The groups were pretty small with only four people per guide. I definitely felt like I was getting the personal attention that I was hoping for. Even after sucking some big air after a couple of head-over-heel tumbles, Pat was vary patient and encouraging for an old guy who had put off his dream for way too long. We skied the high peaks of the Boulder Range, topping out at 10,600 feet and dropping in for over 3,000 blissful and uninterrupted vertical. Knife-ridged summits fell away on both sides of the landing zones. Big lines and steeps. I had to ask myself the question, “Am I really going to ski that?” Oh yeah, and it was great! Skiing knee-deep, untracked snow one week after the last big dump was a real treat.
Afterwards, I told my wife, Jana, that it was one of the top five days of my life. She asked, “What were the other four?” Quickly, I explained that the birth of our two children, the day we got married and the day I met her. Luckily, that satisfied her curiosity or I might’ve spent the night on the couch.
I went back to re-living the day’s adventures both above and within the mountains surrounding Sun Valley. In short, Sun Valley Heli-Guides – a division of Epic Quest – know how to take care of people and put on a good show. After 35 years skiing here and relishing Warren Miller’s commentary, I finally put everything aside to take advantage of the experience of a lifetime. And so should all of us or, simply put, we’ll just be one year older when we do.
Cody Townsend and Henrik Windstedt continue their epic battle in AK…
Check out Cody Townsend and Henrik Windstedt battling it out in Girdwood, AK. It’s always great to work with the Salomon crew.
As we prepare for our 15th operating season in the Western Chugach, we can’t help but reflect on the amazing path we’ve traveled to get where we are today. While the skiing to be found in our expansive terrain really speaks for itself, it’s the combination of world class heli skiing and the options afforded to our guests by the incomparable Alyeska Resort that truly makes our our heli ski experience unmatchable.
From the very beginning, Alyeska has been our strongest supporter and an irreplaceable part of our guest experience. When you come to see us, you’ll be staying in what is easily the nicest hotel in the state of Alaska. The Hotel Alyeska combines a truly top level lodging experience and amenities with a classic ski lodge environment that is perfect four our guests. This is a far cry from the lodging found in other Alaskan Each guest stays in a deluxe room with beautiful views of the Chugach Range. Amenities include room service, in-room coffee makers, safes, refrigerators, robes and slippers. A state-of-the-art fitness center, indoor pool, sauna and whirlpool aid recovery after a big day. Four on-site restaurants serve up creative dishes prepared with fresh Alaska ingredients and breathtaking views. The Sakura and Sushi bar have recently been remodeled for a great social setting to relax with friends and enjoy some of the best sushi you’ve ever had.
Perhaps more important than the top quality lodging is the fact that Alyeska Resort is the only ski resort in the mythical Chugach Range. With a 60 person tram at the back door, our guests have access to the famed “North Face” for ridiculously good powder skiing on “No-Fly” days. Add this to the fact that our private snowcat skiing departs 150 yards away from the tram breezeway and our in-hotel sales and information desk, and we have a winning combination of options that have made the Alyeska based heli ski program world famous.
After 15 years we’re happy to say that the relationship with Alyeska Resort is stronger than ever. In fact, Alyeska will be offering a special at their spa this season for EpicQuest guests. So after that big day in the Chugach, check into the spa and get the muscles loosened up so you can slay it again tomorrow!
Special offer at The Spa at Alyeska
Book two massages or other treatments and save 15% off
Spa Reservations: 907-754-2550
Spa Email: spa@alyeskaresort.com
Fine Print: Valid on services valued at $125 or more. Offer must be redeemed by guest on reservation. Expires April 24, 2011.
Link: http://www.alyeskaresort.com/hotel/alaska-spa.aspx
As always, we wish to thank Alyeska for supporting us for 15 years and helping to create one of the best ski experiences in the world. Here’s looking forward to continued delivery of powder dreams.
Shoot Alaska like a pro with Scott Markewitz.
If you’ve picked up a ski or snowboard magazine in the last 20 years, the chances are, you have one of Scott Markewitzs’ images burned into your memory. For a professional photographer like Scott , the ability to capture world class images requires a combination of vision, skill and being in the right place at the right time.
Scott Markewitz and EpicQuest have joined forces to bring those elements together and teach you how to shoot skiing and snowboarding in the big mountains of Alaska just like you’ve always seen in your favorite magazines. In addition, we’ve brought some other key players to the table to stack the deck and give you an experience that not only teaches you how to get the images, but also how to approach the scene safely and what photo editors seek when they review photos for publication.
The Team:
Scott Markewitz:
Scott Markewitz is recognized as one of the most influential outdoor photographers in the industry. His images have appeared on more than 400 US and International magazine covers, including Powder, Ski, Skiing, Outside, Men’s Journal, Bike, Mountain Bike, Bicycling, and Runner’s World, and in advertising campaigns for most major ski and outdoor brands. He first came to Alaska in 1992 and has returned almost every season since then to capture images of the best skiers and snowboarders in the world pushing their limits on the most incredible terrain on the planet.
Scott was featured in Men’s Journal as one of the World’s Greatest Adventure Photographers. He is the only photographer in Ski Magazine’s list of the 100 Most Influential Skiers of All Time and the 2000 recipient of Ski Utah’s Excellence in Journalism Award. His images have also received awards from APA, PDN, and The Spider Awards.
Scott will teach you how to get the most out of your camera in the mountains of Alaska. You will work on skills for shooting on slope, from the air and from remote (Barbie) peaks. You’ll learn how to shoot when the weather and light are perfect and how to capture imagery when it’s snowing or when Mother Nature dishes out less than ideal conditions.
David Reddick:
David Reddick is the Photo Editor and Staff Photographer at Powder Magazine and Bike Magazine and has been with these titles since 1992. His job involves collaborations with many of the world’s best action and adventure photographers, weaving their work through the pages of two of the finer titles in action sports.
A world renowned photographer himself, David’s images have left readers awed and inspired for more than 2 decades. In his role as Photo Editor for Powder Magazine, David sifts through thousands of photographs every year selecting only the most riveting and engaging for publication.
David will work with the group to help you understand what a top end photo editor looks for in images that ultimately provide impact and feed the enthusiasm for the readers of Powder Magazine. He’ll also teach you the common mistakes that are bound to send promising images to the circular file.
Jim Conway (The Sarge):
Jim Conway is Lead Guide at EpicQuest’s, Chugach Powder Guides operation in Girdwood , Alaska. Jim is one of the most experienced Heli-Ski guides in Alaska dating all the way back to the 1991 where he competed in the first World Extreme Skiing Championships. Jim continued coming back to Alaska pioneering many of Valdez’s notable first descents while working with the likes of TGR, Warren Miller, and Rap films. In 1994, Jim turned his passion for the mountains and technical engineering background into career in guiding film crews and clients into Alaska’s wealth of ski and snowboard terrain. In 1999 Jim became the Lead Guide for Teton Gravity Research, accompanying the world’s best ski and snowboard athletes into the world’s most challenging terrain.
Jim quite possibly has more experience than any other guide in the world with putting photographers and cinematographers in the right spot to capture perfect images while assuring their safety. Jim will work with the group on balancing the desire to shoot impactful photos with real world safety concerns in the mountains and around helicopters.
The program:
This one of a kind experience will focus on teaching you about ski and snowboard photography through access to the worlds best professionals while experiencing the best skiing or snowboarding you’ve ever done in your life. The Chugach Range has been the subject of photographic passion for good reason. Not only does the Chugach provide some of the greatest photographic opportunities in the world, it provides fantastic skiing for the shooter.
This experience will have only 8 participants and a private A-Star B-3 helicopter. This will allow the group ultimate flexibility to travel the range in search of the best photographic setups and opportunities. Participants will not only shoot in this amazing playground, but will also serve as subjects, so you will be sure to finish the week with some great photos of yourself in this amazing terrain.
Cost:
Single Occupancy: $12,200
Double Occupancy: $11,350
This package includes:
Stian Hagen and Chris Davenport put this video together fro their personal cameras while on location with us in Girdwood for the Warren Miller film, “Wintervention”. Check it out!
Ak from Stian Hagen on Vimeo.
EpicQuest was created by a handful of athletes and elite outdoorsmen to provide unparalleled adventures around the globe. We are a team that is dedicated to opening the door to a unique world of knowledge, access and experience ...
