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The 2008 season started off with a bang and finished just the same. 6 huge days of high pressure on both ends of the season left guests claiming it was "all time". However, the weeks in the middle were rough on all of us in Alaska this year. As the professionals go over the weather records for south central Alaska, it turns out that it was one of the stormiest winters in 20 years. One day that comes to mind was in late April when we woke up to over 3 feet of snow on the heli pad in just under 24 hours at sea level. It was deep!
All of our guests this season were incredible and had great attitudes about the weather. It’s amazing (albeit frustrating) that a group can come one season and get six out of six days and come back the very next season playing the same numbers (dates) and only get one day. It makes me realize how special the Chugach is when you get it...there is no place like it.
One of our highlights this season that I still ponder on a daily basis was Ms. Madison Page, a true inspiration to all of us here at PNH. This young lady came to us with a dream to heli ski and we are so proud to have been able to make her dream come true. Madison was diagnosed with terminal cancer and had heli skiing on the top of her list of things to do. Jessica and the women's camp delivered for Madison. She got a huge day in the Chugach and it was a day that all of us would be proud of. For more on Madison please visit http://maddisonpage.blogspot.com/
 Points North is now an official member of Heli US. This is an organization that we have longed to be a part of since our inception 10 years ago. HSUS has set the standards for heli skiing in the US and to be a part of this organization is something PNH has worked extremely hard to obtain.
Operations that have been in the business for over 35 years are members and we look forward to learning as much as we can from all of them. We are one of only 9 members in the US to be a part of this Association (three of which are in Alaska: CPG, H2O and now PNH). We are very proud to have met that milestone.
Warren Miller - "Children of Winter"
 This fall the new Warren Miller film will be released and once again, I think we did it. I say this each and every year, but this could be our best segment to date. It consists of Olympic Gold Medalist, Seth Wescott and US Ski Team member and Olympic Gold Medal hopeful Marco Sullivan. Our crew was aboard the 85 foot Maritime Maid vessel for the week with one of our beautiful A-stars on the back. The sun, the snow and the energy was at a new level and we cannot wait to see the film this fall and hope you do the same: Make certain to check out www.warrenmiller.com for a show coming near you.
Rage Films
Rage Films came to visit us this year for their new film due to air this fall. Both Jessica and Jamie Burge will be featured and luck was on their side as well. Again, sunny skies and great snow prevailed and we are anxious to see the final product on the big screen. Rage won all kinds of awards for their film last year and we are fired up to be a part of it. Make certain to see their new film this fall. www.ragefilms.com.
Points North is going to Points South!
This fall we are headed to Antarctica for the first of what we hope turns into many trips to Points South. We have joined up with one of the leading polar explorers, Mr. Doug Stoup on board a 250 ft. boat leaving October 29 - November 10th. Space is becoming very limited as it has only been word of mouth to this point. This is an opportunity for you to join us on one of our many upcoming high-end adventures as we continue to grow. For additional information please log onto www.skicruise2008.com, and tell them you would like to join the Points North crew. If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to give us a ring or drop us an email. Again, we would love to have you with us on this unique adventure!
Ice Axe Expeditions: Ski Cruise 2008:
Journey to the Antarctic Peninsula
October 29-November 10th, 2008
A Day in the Life: Ski Cruise 2008
Our trip is designed for both skiers/boarders and those who want to experience the incredible natural beauty of our southernmost continent.
At each location, there will be ski objectives for all levels; something for those with little or no backcountry experience to objectives that will require crevasse rescue gear and experience. Groups will meet with their guides and determine objectives for the day.
After breakfast, teams will go out in zodiacs to their objectives. Teams can return to the ship for meals, or stay out all day. Most objectives can be accessed without glacier travel or crampons, almost direct from the zodiac landing. The peaks range from 500 ft to 3000 ft straight out of the water, although there are peaks that do require significant crevasse travel.
For those more interested in feathers and bergs than powder turns, a fleet of zodiacs will take folks on daily visits to penguin rookeries, light hikes, visits to science stations, and whale watching. Our onboard naturalist, marine biologist, historian and ornithologist will accompany the zodiacs to answer questions about the history and landscape of this amazing place.
At night, there will be slide shows, lectures or entertainment at the lounge/bar. And plenty of entertaining characters!
Please do not hesitate to call us for additional information.
PNH Staff update
This year we added to our staff: 4 new guides, 1 flight deck operator and 1 new chef. What a great addition all of them made. The experience and new energy that they brought to us was truly fantastic. We are extremely proud to have them join our team.
All of our exceptional pilots and mechanics were back for the 8th year in a row and we are extremely thankful for that. The experience, confidence and safety record that North Star Helicopters brings to us is unmatched anywhere. If you ever find yourself in Juneau, Alaska during the summer months, make certain you stop by and go for a flight with them.
www.northstartrekking.com
We would like to give a big congratulations to PNH team members Patrick "Whitey" White and Rich "5-0" Morin for their newest additions to their families, Gabrielle White and Slade Morin. Both were born just this past week and are healthy and happy.
Make certain to watch the progress of one of our lead guides, Kip Garre, and good friend, Ingrid Backstrom (along with an amazing expedition crew) as they have just set off to Pakistan to tackle and hopefully ski off the summit of Gasherbrum II. Gasherbrum II is the 13th highest mountain in the world, resting on the boarder of Pakistan and China. Gasherbrum II is the third highest peak of the Gasherbrum massif and is classified as being in the Karakoram Range of the Himalaya. The mountain measures an altitude of 8035 meters or 26,515 ft. To check out their progress, go to http://gasherbrum.wordpress.com. Our best wishes go out to them.
Support
We would like to make a special thanks to all of the companies that continue to support us. Volkl Ski Company joined us this spring and we are fired up to have the best skis on the planet at our finger tips. Columbia Sportswear will again be providing all of us our inner and outer wear for 2009 and we are extremely thankful for that. A big thanks goes out to Volkl / Marker, Dakine, Smith Optics, Black Diamond, Clif Bar, Ossur, Go Fast Energy drink, Wigwam, Giro, Suunto and Squaw Valley USA. All have given us great support.
Until next time...
In closing, we are very thankful to Steve Ranney and the Orca Adventure Lodge, along with all of our highly qualified and friendly staff members and most importantly, you and the loyal guests that visit us each year. We have a family at PNH and do hope that you consider yourself part of it. If you have not visited us yet, we certainly hope that you do so in the near future and become part of our worldwide PNH family! It is you, our guests that keep us going and growing!
Our best to all of you!
Kevin & Jessica Quinn
Points North Heli-Adventures Inc.
Toll-free: 877-787-6784
 info@alaskaheliski.com
www.alaskaheliski.com
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This season, we had our first Alaskan Ladies camps and they were filled with really fun, energetic and amazing women. There were 2 separate weeklong sessions and the days were filled with rope skills, crevasse rescue training, beacon drills, skiing and much more.
Enjoying the Chugach with a group of ladies like youself is really special. Jessica is excited for the camp next season and cannot wait to have all of the ladies back in house.
Please contact Jessica on our toll free number.
More on the Camp
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This next spring Points North is again offering you the Maritime Maid. This beautiful 85 foot vessel can take you to places you have only dreamed about! You and 7 friends can book this private boat with your very own helicopter for a 6 day ski adventure of a lifetime! This is an all inclusive trip providing accommodations and meals on board the Maritime Maid along with numerous other activities. Please see our web site for more details about the boat.
More on the Private Boat
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What a great way to experience the Chugach. When the weather is clear, and the conditions have been deemed safe, this opportunity will allow you to ski and ride where you choose. Put together a group of 4 or 8 friends and have at it: 2 Points North guides and the entire 1500 ski able square miles of terrain are yours for the taking. Imagine skiing from Cordova to Valdez and back, all in one day. Please inquire within for more details on the private heli.
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We are now offering ski touring with the assist of an A-Star. We have two tent camps set up and you can ski from one to the other. We will drop you off up high allowing you to get a good ski in prior to your next skin up. This is something that many of you have requested and again we hope you take us up on the opportunity. Options include overnight trips and multi-day tours. Please inquire for more details.
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The Chugach Awaits...
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