Pro photographer Ashley Barker goes North to visit Last Frontier Heliskiing

In March 2016, Professional photographer Ashley Barker embarked on a week-long Journey to the North of British Columbia, with the goal of capturing a usual ski trip to Last Frontier Heliskiing.

Michael Brackenhofer, Guiding Manager & Lead Guide at Bell 2 Lodge. | Photo - Ashley Barker

Ashley Barker didn't come alone. Every year, we picks a week well in advance, invite a filmmaker, a pro photographer and two athletes to come and ski their way around our tenure on a heliski tour. Thus, Ashley made the journey alongside filmmaker Grant Baldwin, and pro skiers Jen Hudak and Callum Pettit. Jen is a five time X-Games medalist and freeskier extraordinaire, and Callum is one of The North Face’s flagship big mountain shredders, who had already payed us a visit with TGR back in 2009 for the filming of Re:session.

With 10,100km2 of available terrain, making plans is critical for our guides. | Photo - Ashley Barker

Down time at Bell 2 Lodge. Perfect  reset the body clock before an intense shooting week in the Skeena Mountains. | Photo - Ashley Barker.

The week of choice this season was week 13 (Mar 19-25). The group embarked on one of our Heliski Safaris. Starting from Bell 2 Lodge in the northern portion of our heliski tenure, they spent the first few days ripping around the high alpine and eventually skied their way to Stewart BC, in the southern part of our tenure in Stewart, BC. It was an awesome week, with fresh turns, lots of fun and even some big laps in and around one of the coolest spots in our operating area: the Grand Duc Mine. This vast alpine zone is home to some of the largest glaciers in that part of the Coast Range.

The Blades are spinning and the cameras rolling. | Photo - Ashley Barker

We spoke to Grant about some of the high lights of the week. “It’s always a treat to come up here. But it’s not without challenge. Because the week is booked well in advance, I never know what type of conditions we’re going to see. Weather, avalanche hazard, snow conditions; all play a role in how the week goes.” 

Scoping big lines from the pick-up zone. | Photo - Ashley Barker

Even with a thorough plan in mind, a bookmap never gets obsolete. | Photo - Ashley Barker

And that’s the point and one of the reasons Grant is good at what he does. He is able to roll with whatever comes his way and understands that the challenges of not being able to pick and choose your filming days are the same challenges our guests face when they come to ski.“I think of the things that really helps is the variety and vastness of terrain on offer. So there are always lots of options. This year was especially fun in that we had a chance to film Jen and Callum skiing in the new tenure. Not many places in the world offer powder laps overlooking the ocean. It was pretty special.” That new piece of terrain will be open for business this year and is within short flying time of Ripley Creek.

Jen Hudak traded the halfpipe for her new favorite element: steep and deep snow. | Photo - Ashley Barker

Callum drops into a beautiful spine line, 3,000ft above a glaciated valley. | Photo - Ashley Barker

See the remaining photos from Ashley's visit at Last Frontier Heliskiing here. If you desire to walk into the steps of Callum Pettit and Jen Hudak,, please drop us a request here to plan your ultimate ski vacation.

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Since its inception in 1996, Last Frontier Heliskiing has been a pioneering force in Canadian Heliskiing and continues to be so. > The largest single heliski area on the planet > 100% small group heliskiing > 2 base location to choose from