Dates: 01.04. – 11.04.2010
4 days Whistler and 4 days Last Frontier Heliskiing

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• Skiing at the scene of the Winter Olympics 2010

• New highlight: PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola 4.5 km long journey, 450 m high

• Whistler offers an endless terrain for deep powder snow fans. Many routes are off-piste.

• Fairmont Chateau Whistler *****, rustic ski-in and ski-out luxury. Spa area, saunas.

• Pools, massages and the most famous bar in Whistler. Breakfast included.

• Airbag, avalanche transceiver, rental skis included in Stewart. Most of the guides also speak German.

• Only 5 guests and one mountain guide per helicopter. The maximum number of people in the lodge is 35.

• 1 nights accommodation in the dream city Vancouver

• German travel escort: Ernst Garhammer

 
This trip is ideal for intermediate and advanced skiers who have always wanted to fulfil their dreams of going heliskiing. First, you’ll discover the Olympic pistes of Whistler, the number 1 ski resort in North America. Whistler offers a huge play area for skiers with on- and off-piste routes up to 16 km long, lots of varied terrain and numerous possibilities to ski off-piste. The Fairmont Chateau Whistler ***** hotel is ideally situated at the piste. Convenience at your doorstep.
The imposing Skeena Mountains, which are covered by glaciers, offer almost unlimited and very unique possibilities to go heliskiing in a spectacular, untouched and remote area in north-west British Columbia. One of the greatest forest runs in the world, impressive glaciers, demanding terrain and an incredible amount of snow are waiting to be discovered by you. Enjoy the thrill and the freedom of powder snow skiing in a small group and at your own pace.
The basis of Last Frontier Heliskiing, the Bell 2 Lodge, is situated 360 km northwest of Smithers on the Stewart-Cassiar Highway. It is the ideal starting point for spectacular heliskiing. Luxury and comfort combined with the rustic touch of Canadian wilderness make the lodge a perfect spot to relax after an exciting day of skiing through Canadian powder snow. For your comfort, the helicopter always takes off directly in front of the lodge. Spaces are limited to 5 people. This really is the last frontier!

Schedule:

1st day: Arrival Flight from Frankfurt to Vancouver with Lufthansa (approx. 9 hrs.). Arrival in Vancouver and transfer to Whistler (approx. 2 hrs.) along the panoramic Sea to Sky Highway. On arrival in Whistler you can check into the Fairmont Chateau Whistler hotel. After dinner you can choose to visit the bar or have an early night. Those who need to rent skis, should do this on the first evening as well.

2nd - 4th day: Skiing in Whistler and Blackcomb:
The fantastic pistes of Whistler and Blackcomb Mountain await you. You have three whole days to explore the two joint skiing areas and to try the numerous runs. They offer runs for skiers of every level. Once you've finished skiing for the day, the quaint Whistler Village invites you to explore its cosy bars, restaurants and pubs and to relax. For more information go to www.whistler-blackcomb.com.

5th day: Transfer to Smithers and Bell 2 Lodge:
Around 9 am transfer to Vancouver and flight to Smithers with a propeller-driven plane to the north of British Columbia (2.5 hrs.). From there you’ll go on a 4-hour bus ride to the magnificent Bell 2 Lodge which consists of a main house and lots of typical Swiss wooden chalets.

6th - 9th day: Heliskiing Last Frontier:
Let the fun begin! 4 days of heliskiing that people will envy you for. The spectacular skiing area in the Skeena Mountains lies between 360 and 2,600 metres above sea level and offers over 600 different runs over an area of 9,000 km². Last Frontier has the biggest heliskiing region in the world. The runs usually average between 750 – 1,000 vertical meters, but the longest runs cover 2,000 vertical metres. This area is imposing consisting of many glaciers and is cold enough to offer almost unlimited and unique possibilities for heliskiing. The yearly snowfall at 1,600 metres is between 20 and 30 metres which results in an average snow depth of 4-5 metres. Snow quality can range from waist-deep powder to difficult and borderline conditions. Our mountain guides will find the best snow conditions for you ever day. If Saint Peter is in a good mood, you’ll be able to ski down a total of 17,500 vertical metres. Other factors which can influence the total number of vertical metres are the skiing abilities of the participants and the number of daylight hours. And if those 17,500 metres aren’t enough for you, you have the possibility to buy additional metres at a rate of CAN$121 per 1,000 vertical metres and have even more fun. For more information go to www.lastfrontierheliskiing.com.

9th day – Friday:
It’s the last day of heliskiing. You have the possibility to ski until lunchtime after which you’ll be driven back to Smithers. At 2 pm you’ll fly to Vancouver. You should reach the Fairmont Hotel Waterfront around 7 pm and have the rest of the evening to explore some of the excellent restaurants and bars.

10th day – Saturday:
In the morning you can go shopping or sightseeing, but this is optional. The return flight is in the afternoon.

11th day – Sunday:
Arrival in Germany

Accommodation:
The Fairmont Chateau Whistler *****
The castle-like luxury hotel is situated only a few minutes’ walk from the city centre and is next to the piste. It offers gorgeous views of the mountain scenery and makes your holiday all the more enjoyable. There are several shops, restaurants, a bar, gym, indoor/outdoor pool, sauna and steam room, 4 hot tubs and a spa. There is a choice of tastefully furnished rooms or studios with living area and one or two bedrooms, fireplace, bathtub/shower/WC, TV, telephone, coffee and tea maker and hair dryer. For more information go to www.fairmont.com.

Bell 2 Lodge
is a modern and luxurious heliskiing resort in the North of Canada. The comfortable round timber chalets of this wilderness resort offer everything the tired heliskier could wish for after a day's skiing: excellent gourmet meals, a masseur, an outdoor whirlpool, sauna, table tennis and gym. The helicopter always takes off right outside the lodge! For more information go to www.bell2lodge.com.

 

The Fairmont Waterfront Hotel *****
in Vancouver is situated right in the city centre, so sights and shops can easily be reached on foot. The luxury hotel offers ever conceivable comfort: heated outdoor pool, whirlpool, steam room and gym. You’ll be staying in beautiful and spacious rooms. For more information go to www.fairmont.com.

What is included:

Scheduled flight with LH/AC from Frankfurt to Vancouver and Smithers All taxes, fees and fuel surcharges Transfer from/to Vancouver to Whistler and back 4 nights accommodation in the 5 – star hotel Fairmont Chateau Whistler including breakfast buffet 3 day ski pass Whistler – Blackcomb Mountain Flight from/to Vancouver to Terrace Transfer from Smithers to Bell 2 Lodge 4 nights full-board accommodation at Bell 2 Lodge 4 days heliskiing with 17,500 guaranteed vertical metres Group sizes: 5 plus guide with a maximum of 3 groups per helicopter Rental equipment: avalanche transceiver, avalanche airbag, rental skis (fat boys) and poles At Bell 2 rental skis are free of charge. In Whistler rental skis are EUR90 for 3 days if booked in advance 1 nights accommodation in the Fairmont Airport Hotel or Fairmont Waterfront in Vancouver State-certified mountain guides as heliskiing guides Trip management: Ernst Garhammer Complimentary deep powder snow course (2 days) with Garhammer Ski Tours/Ernst Garhammer on 05/06.12.2009 at Zugspitze / Garmisch-Grainau

Not included:

personal spending, drinks, insurance tips (generally 15%, heliskiing tips come to EUR100 in total) dinner in Whistler and Vancouver seasonal flight surcharges connecting flights to Frankfurt EUR50 per Person additional vertical metres (CAN$121 per 1,000 vertical metres)

Price:
€4,590 per person sharing a double room, €5,290 per single room

Special offer! For only EUR200 extra per person sharing a double room you can choose to stay 7 nights in Whistler (including a 5 day ski pass). Only available from 29.03. – 05.04. The rest of the trip stays the same.


You can also book 7 days at Bell 2 Last Frontier. Ernst Garhammer will be at the lodge on 4 of those 7 days. 30,500 guaranteed vertical metres.
€5,950 per person sharing a double room, €6,660 per single room

The conditions of the tour operator Last Frontier Heliskiing apply. Hagen Alpin Tours acts as a broker for heliskiing packages.

Terms of payment/cancellation:
Deposit: EUR1,500 on booking
The remainder is due 3 months before departure
Up until 3 months before departure cancellation costs = deposit
From 3 months before departure till departure: cancellation costs = 100%

Liability waiver:
Participants need to fill in this form before the trip. Please read it carefully.
http://www.lastfrontierheli.com/content/international.php

Group sizes:
5 persons per guide per group

CLIMATE in Whistler:
The climate in Whistler is similar to the one in the Alps. Appropriate warm clothing is therefore essential in certain areas. However, temperatures are moderate due to the proximity to the Pacific and very rarely fall below –10°C. This maritime climate is the reason for the wonderful snow abundance in Whistler. Whistle itself is situated only 600 m above sea level in the Coast Mountains. The Coast Mountains are known for their extensive snow falls. It can get extremely cold on the mountains. Skiing is possible up to 2,300 m.


Snow conditions/weather – Skeena Mountains:
With a maximum of 30 skiers at one time, the skiing area lies between 300 and 2500 m above sea level and offers more than 300 different runs over an area of about 3,500 square kilometres. This equals a square with an edge length of 60 km. On average, the snow height during skiing season is up to 4 metres. In higher glacier areas you often find up to 5 metres of snow. The lodge is situated 500 m above sea level where there is usually 1-2m of snow. Generally, the temperature is quite pleasant for skiing and ranges from -5°C to -20°C. However, it is also possible that it rains for a short time or that the temperature falls to -30°C. During 75% of the heliskiing season, snow conditions range between good and excellent. But weather and snow conditions are fickle. There can be weeks where the snow is hard pressed, crusted or frozen or heavy and wet. In bad weather conditions you can often opt to ski through forests, but if it is really bad, you sometimes have to stop skiing for hours or even whole days. The risk of a bad winter and very diverse types of snow is as much part of heliskiing as is the rattling of the rotor blades. Only if you’re ready to take this risk should you book such a trip.

The amazing feeling of skiing in deserted alpine scenery, runs which start in powder and end in heavy snow, demanding passages in gorges or over ice and crust are as much part of it as the almost weightless gliding in waist-deep powder snow and face shots (when the powder snow flies up in your face). Even if weather and snow conditions aren’t optimal you can experience the joy of gliding over remote glacier areas, discovering beautiful mountain scenery and skiing in a small group in breathtaking wilderness.

Compared to other areas, Bell 2 offers a higher level of guaranteed snow and settled weather. On average, you’ll only miss about ½ day skiing per week. The warm spells which sometimes occur in British Columbia hardly ever affect the north. The mountains sprawl in all directions from the lodge. For this reason, refuelling is done at the lodge, which also gives you the option to stop for the day a little earlier, say around lunchtime or in the early afternoon. This is handy if you get tired.

Requirements:
All skiers need to be fit and in a good physical condition. You should enjoy skiing in a group with which you can explore nature. You should have intermediate to advanced skiing skills with experience in deep powder skiing.

Mountain guides:
Our mountain guides aren’t only selected because of their qualifications and guiding skills but also because of their enthusiasm and openness. All of them have passed a variety of extensive tests. In order to reduce risks for our clients they constantly watch and analyse the snow and weather conditions and evaluate snow stability. The runs are chosen so that they match the skills of our different groups. The Lead Guide and Operations Manager in Stewart is Georg Feitzinger from Upper Austria.

Tips:
In Canada, tips are customary and they usually make up part of a wage. Please tip the service personnel at the lodge about $30 – 40 for the week.
As regards tips for mountain guides, pilots, technicians and masseurs we estimate about $100/person.
Of course, these figures are only recommendations and you are free to tip however much you want.
 
Wildlife watching:
Watch out for the numerous bald eagles flying over your head. You’ll sometimes see mountain goats in the mountains, and in the forests you can find elks. With a bit of luck you’ll see a wolferine running over the glacier - you’ll be surprised at how fast they can move with their big feet. In the summer grizzly bears and American black bears flock to Salmon River to feast on salmon. Sometimes, they’re already awake in April!

Booking:
Please book through Garhammer Ski Tours – we’ll forward your bookings to the tour operator Hagen Alpin Tours.
Payment, confirmation, trip cancellation insurance etc. are handled by Hagen Alpin Tours

Operator:
HAGEN ALPIN TOURS Tel.: 0049 (0) 8366 98 88 93
www.pulver-schnee.de