It all started this year at our new location, PNH 2 with our pilot Nik Suddards. I put together 10 of my good friends to share expenses and open up the new land. I now know what the astronauts felt like when they first landed on the moon.

What a place! From the beautiful lodge to the ski area itself. We were able to go in and safely ski a whole new area of the Chugach that has never before been ridden by anyone! First descents were around every corner. We were like kids in a candy store getting to ride and name new runs on every landing.

Next spring will be no different. I hope you can join us.

After PNH 2, the crew ventured across the Chugach to Valdez where we found ourselves back in the maritime snowpack of the Chugach. A couple big days in Valdez were some of the best! Knee deep conditions provided smiles throughout the crew. Mt. Meteorite is awaiting our return!

We ended our epic Chugach crossing journey in Cordova and started off our season with a full house and 3 A-Stars. As Dorothy said, "there's know place like home". Cordova is truly our gem! Once you get to ride in the Chugach, your life will never be the same again. As one of our lead guides, Kelly Gray says, "Welcome to the suck"! That is exactly what the Chugach does to a person. It sucks you in.

This season was a special one. I can remember a couple weeks that were truly golden. With 5 Olympic athletes in house along with a new Gold Medal, it was a special time. Thanks to all of our Olympians for representing PNH proudly around the planet. One day that really stands out in my mind was the 10 run day I had on the various aspects of Pontoon with 5-0, Dean Conway, Seth Wescott and Ueli Kestenholtz. Conditions generally do not allow you to get after it like we did that day, however given the day and conditions presenting itself, not to mention the crew we had with us, it was on! 10 runs in 2 1/2 hours on the mighty 'Toon!

I could go on and on with the memories here so I hope that you are enjoying them. I can remember the Nick Mast crew literally at the airport with luggage packed and ready to load the plane. The Skies were grey and it looked as though the day was going to be down. Nick and his crew are wondering what the weather is going to do. I can only say to them, this is Alaska and it can change in 5 minutes. Their week was about over and they all opted to go home and call it. Something happened at the airport and I get a call saying that they are coming back to base ready to ride. During that 2 hour time frame, the skies started clearing and needless to say we were able to fire groups out into the field. The Mast crew was back in camp (now 3:00pm) with boots on and firing out into the zone as well. I think it turned out to be one of their best days of the trip! You never know what the weather is going to do in Alaska. Just another example of the Chugach.

Warren Miller was again in house this year filming for their latest new film, out this fall "Off the Grid". It was a time for me that I will ponder on for some time. I had the opportunity to be with 2 very special golden Olympians.

Monte Meir a 1 legged ski athlete and Kevin Bramble in his self made sit-ski. I dubbed Kevin "the mole in the hole". Conditions were so deep that I wish I had a flag on the back of Kevin's sled. He would have looked like an ATV coming down the mountain. All you could see was his helmet and goggles when he came up for air. As for Monte, only when he came up through the transition phase of his turn could you tell he had a single ski. I cannot even imagine how strong his leg must be.

Needless to say, sharing the Chugach with these two guys could be one of my greatest memories to date! Just getting to see the expressions on there face when we land somewhere makes it all worth it. I hope that everyone gets an opportunity to see this falls film, as I am certain it will be an amazing piece! I can hardly wait to see the 3 of us standing on top of OZ!

Thanks go out to the men and women throughout the region for keeping clients safe this year.
Not to over look some of the finer points this year as I know many of you are curious. The Chugach went through an avalanche cycle that we have only seen a few times prior. The cycle lasted about 2 weeks and was prevalent from Anchorage to Seattle. Needless to say the mountains were alive. Slide activity was everywhere. On all aspects and at all elevations. We counted 12 guides caught in slides from the operations working around Valdez and Cordova. What is really good about that number is that these were guides, not clients. I think that says a lot about those men and women working in the mountains to keep you safe.

We all have to accept certain inherent risks while heli skiing. To not have any clients captured during this 2 weekcycle says allot, given the amount of activity everyone was seeing. We ended up taking 2 ski days off to let the pack stabilize and that's just what it did. Some of the best conditions we had all spring were the last weeks of the season. Knee deep!

I know some of you are wondering about Kelly Gray and his leg. He is doing very well and getting ready to be married in September. As for Raif and his superman stunt, he is back at Sunnyside resort in Tahoe fired up to be back in Alaska! Both of these guides are true assets to our operation and I look forward to having them back in Alaska next spring!

Now its time to get down to business. We are currently taking reservations for the 2007 spring and already we have 4 of our weeks completely sold out. We are officially opening up PNH 2 this year for 2 weeks only. We are calling it the first descent trip. You must come as of group of 4 (due to group dynamics). I hope that you can join us, as it is truly an opportunity of a lifetime.

The Points North Gold Pass. Last season many of our 5 year pass holders finished their contract period. Most of the remaining pass holders are up this year. All of you are asking about another option to renew the pass. Here it is. We are going to offer only 4, 5 year passes again and that is it! There will be no more. Four (4) weeks a year of unlimited heli-skiing and lodging can be yours for $25K. This is an exceptional deal. As mentioned, we have only 4 and that will be it.

This summer Points North is going back to its roots. I am doing several multi-day float trips in the Lake Iliamna area of Alaska on the famous Alagnak and Kvichak River. Chasing huge Rainbow trout, gorging on wild salmon and safely viewing numerous brown bears each day is the order. Please checkout the summer link for information on our float trips. It is one trip you don't want to miss.

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I hope that this finds you day dreaming about Alaska, winter or summer. It is truly the last frontier and I hope to share it with all of you at one time or another!

Thanks for your time and I hope to see you somewhere prior to Alaska!

Kevin Quinn "Quinner"
President
Points North Heli-Adventures Inc.
Toll free: 877-787-6784