Saturday, December 19, 2009

First Heli Drop of the season.



Jason from Kokanee helicopters dropped in to the lodge today and gave Cliff and Claire a lift up to Crane Pass. The views at the peak of the ridge were awesome- a white winter wonderland as far as the eye could see.




We looked down at one white bowl of untouched snow below us and dropped in for our first turns on the fresh powder.


With the recent dump of 60cm this week- Descending down into the treeline the powder just got sweeter and sweeter and deeper and deeper.




We skinned and snowshoed back up to the ridge to get a couple more runs in before descending down Cinnabar road to our base. Wow! What an awesome day!

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Another 15cms overnight and our personal forecaster/General Manager, Cliff Umpleby is calling for snow all day today. So far his forecasting skills have been bang on so I think its safe to say that we are in for a big dump! With all this early season snow stacking up things are looking good for a great season of heliskiing at TLH! We've also just set up our brand new office webcam, take a look and see the latest weather conditions at Tyax Resort and our beautiful views.


We're now in the final countdown to our first week of operations and everyone is starting to arrive at Tyax Resort. The Chalets are getting their finishing touches and are going to be awesome. We have put in some really cool electronics in the mezzanine lounge area, the downstairs lounge already has a plasma screen TV and a fireplace, perfect to cozy up after a long day of skiing and the kitchen and bar area are getting their final touches as I write this!

With more staff arriving everyday at TLH the lodge is starting to get festive. We've broken out the Christmas decorations and have started the preparations for a special TLH 'family' Christmas. We can't wait for the new year and are excited for a brand new TLH for the 2010 season!

Happy Holidays and all the best for the New Year!

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Lunch Time Hockey


Whether you could skate or not- the whole team of staff here at Tyax Resort downed tools this lunchtime - the lake was thick with ice and the sun was shining, so an impromptu game of hockey struck up!

With an international team of staff there were some nifty moves by some on display (those who had clearly played or at least skated before i.e. Canadians!) and some ungainly but somewhat crafty moves by those who had never played and whose skating skills ranged from the non-existent to the " I can move but I can't stop!".

The ice was perfectly smooth, the views sublime and the competitive spirit overwhelming!

A few dogs on the ice occasionally provided an extra challenge either as a trip hazard or a puck stealer. Not a bad way to spend your lunch hour eh?


Saturday, December 5, 2009

First of many turns this season



We took our first few turns on Cinnabar road today in deep fresh powder- what a thrill.

We've spent the last 2 weekends clearing the snowmobile trail up to this run of all the trees that the heavy snowfall has brought down to date. Now we've set a good track.

There are no helicopters here yet so unlike our lucky guests we had to snowshoe and skin up the run first to earn just a few sweet turns down.

The powder tasted so sweet, knee deep and untouched!


Just think you guys will get to do this over and over and over again with the benefit of a helicopter uplift! We're excited already. Hope you are!