Another Old Rich Gaper Heliski TR

[kmkmkmk]

First, a thanks to this community on TGR – without the education, information and psych up I have gotten from participating here, this trip would not have been as memorable/enjoyable. Second, I expect/hope to get flamed in some unexpected way, so have at it.

Thirty two years ago my father, a ski fanatic, took me on a CMH heliskiing trip as a college graduation present (although really it was a convenient excuse for him to go skiing without my mother complaining). Pictures here. Well, we learn from our parents, so with my oldest daughter graduating from college this spring and she also loves skiing, I thought it was a great opportunity to follow in my father’s footsteps and take her skiing with CMH and booked a trip to the Gothics for March 5-12.

The trip was really outstanding. They have an absurd amount of snow and it is quite stable (according to the guides). First two days was bright sunshine, skiing in the alpine, then clouds and snow for the rest of the week, with skiing mostly in the trees (but no complaints for that!). After spending so many years since my last trip dreaming about untracked powder, it really is an experience to have powder turns every run every day for a week.

In general the terrain was enjoyable, occasionally steep (but never ass puckering) but clearly the attraction is the snow quality. Temperatures were cold up high (15deg F or so) and warmer down low (often above freezing), so things could get crusty or manky down low near the pickups. The first three days I skied on DPS Lotus 138s (with my daughter on K2 Pontoons). The Lotii are a BLAST in pure powder – turn, float, skid, slide, easy in the trees – but not so much fun on crust or chunks. I then switched (as did my daughter) to DPS 112RPs and never looked back. They really are the perfect ski for that type of trip. Great float, easy to turn and maneuver, good in variable conditions. Just don’t slarve like the Lotii.

CMH had a professional photographer there for the week; he posted in CMH’s blog afterwards:

http://blog.canadianmountainholidays...e-Dream-Season

I had a GoPro with me, but will not subject you to another POV video. I also had a regular camera with me and took some regular pictures, here are some of the highlights (daughter in yellow coat, me in red)

Typical terrain in the alpine:


the non-ski shaped track is actually from a wolverine:



Wildlife on the ride back:



The lodge:

















And the highlight of the trip:

[montanaskier]

thanks for sharing....good stuff

[jonesy]

Hope your daughter keeps the tradition going. PS- Your dad was/is a fine skier.

[billyhoyle]

Nice looking lines. You have a lucky daughter!

[Grape_Ape]

This thread is useless without more pictures of the moose.

You thought I was going to say your daughter, didn't ya?
Throw some in of her too, for good measure.

Cool stuff, thanks for sharing rich gaper.

[1thenaton1]

very nice.

does your daughter know your handle is blomeasap?

[kmkmkmk]

very nice.

does your daughter know your handle is blomeasap?

excellent question.

[kmkmkmk]

This thread is useless without more pictures of the moose.

You thought I was going to say your daughter, didn't ya?
Throw some in of her too, for good measure.

Cool stuff, thanks for sharing rich gaper.

more moose, more daughter:

[LeeLau]

Such a gift to be able to do such cool things with your daughter and your dad

[Huck_Schmuck]

Fine fine stoke. Thanks for posting. You're both very lucky.

[MMP]

her smile says it all. these are my favorite TR's. family stuff.

[BigDaddy]

Looking at this with my 13yo daughter and making plans, planting seeds and dreaming. What a great trip... Thanks for posting.

[kevok2]

Awesome Dad, you are. My Dad blew out his knee playing soccer in college and hasn't skied since. No father-son heli trip for me.

Also the Norrona looks rad. I wish I had gone with the brighter colors.

[Grape_Ape]

more moose, more daughter:

Thanks blowme. But let me get this straight, you saw a moose just tauntingly going about it's own business without trying to take it down with a rifle shot? Has Palin taught you nothing?

I love the family stuff too. Can't wait till my 6 and 5 year old boys get the bug. I planted the seed this year!

[PassTheDutchie]

You looking to adopt a middle-aged son?

[sfotex]

You looking to adopt a middle-aged son?

No, no,no,no,no FAIL!!!

The correct answer is: I'm going to marry into that family! Does CMH has a gift registry??

[bendtheski]

Papa! At long last I have found you!
Mama says you were quite the stud back in college. Says you blacked out a lot though. Probably explains why you have no recollection of either of us. We'll be in touch soon!

Nice pics. Thanks for sharing.

[Tye 1on]

Awesome. And how cool to see wolverine tracks, did you see any of them cruising around?

[bern43]

Thanks for sharing. Love the family TRs. Gives me motivation for future skiing with my little guy. He isn't walking yet, so we have still have a bit to go.

[nogophers]

Dad of the year award winner.

[ole2planker]

Thanks for posting the photos and sharing the story. I remember when you posted the photos on the 30th anniversary of your first trip.

Family skiing is great and my best ski days have been with my daughters. I skied through college and stopped when I went to law school. I'll never forget the day my older daughter, then a second grader, asked, "Daddy, can we go skiing? All my friends at school are going skiing for the long weekend." I responded, "hell, yeah!" and we've skiing ever since.

[Woodlandclown]

You looking to adopt a middle-aged son?

Or a young girlfriend on the side? I dont care if you have a wife!

[MJbumper1121]

looks like a fun time!

[AKbruin]

Great tradition and great TR!

[Canada1]

I have three of these trips in my future about 20 years from now!

Thanks for sharing. I think the offer will be to pay for a wedding or a week of skiing. I can judge how good of a job I've done based on the response!?