Zone Report

March 26, 2005

Its that time of the week again where we have to say goodbye to our friends, new and old.  Turnover Day is in full-effect.  We also say good-bye to some Gold Passers until next year.  It is hard to believe that we are entering Week 5 already.  It has been unreal so far this season.  The crew is hard at work preparing everything for the upcoming week!  Whether it be working on the driveway filling potholes, placing logos on the helis or cranking in the kitchen...this place is full of energy!

Playtime!  Two helicopters are out at the beach on Hitchinbrook Island.  There are sea kayaks in front of the lodge.  People are packing their rigs for skydiving and paragliders are heading to the ridge behind the lodge.  The kitchen boys and Seppi and his gang have ventured up into the backyard for some earned turns.

March 25, 2005

The Helis are unwrapped and its blue over the zone.  Those that were here this week had some great timing as they got to see the full cycle of storm to blue skies!  We will be back with some fresh photos from the day...

We ended the day a little early due to increasing clouds and people ventured into town to celebrate an incredible week.  There were about 35 people at the Reluctant Fisherman for a good portion of the evening and then returned to the lodge for dinner and a bonfire - PNH Style!  Look closely into the fire and you might find what is left of our ski sacrifice.

March 24, 2005

It's time to go out and see what the storm has left in the mountains.  We are predicting anywhere from 1-2 feet of new snow out there.  The plan is to head straight up the middle of the Zone and deliver faceshots on a platter today - Alaskan Style!  The photos below are of Pilot Ken Dewey unwrapping the helis.  You can see the marine layer breaking up to show us what awaits!

And here is what happened!  Some of the lightest, softest snow I've ever experienced in the Chugach - top to bottom...Period!

Client Perspective
Quinner was out with Ken Hudson, John Fallen, John Goss and Rich Morin (5-0).

March 23, 2005

We woke this morning to more snow down here at Orca.  Although the helis didn't fire up yet today, people have spread all over Cordova to enjoy the day.  There are currently people up on the ridge in the backyard and over at Mt. Eyak skiing and boot packing for some turns.  I'll try to get some photos from them as they are just coming home now.  Others are in town at the gym, the museum and having fish n' chips at the Reluctant Fisherman.  The good Dr. Buddy Love just came back in with Jethro, Klaus, Eric, and George after a day out fishing.  They hooked 3 big king salmon, a halibut and a large bottle of Crown Royal this afternoon.  One of the salmon is in the back in the kitchen currently being filleted to make some sushi as an appetizer before dinner tonight.

Oh yeah...some more skydives before dinner by Schaf and J. Kelly!

March 22, 2005

What a difference a day makes.  It is currently snowing outside the lodge with more snow expected throughout the day and tonight.  Two to three inches has fallen since the early morning and it is coming down out there.  With these accumulation amounts down here at sea level, we are sure to see more wonderful snow in the mountains!

It is now afternoon and the skies have broken a bit here over base.  However, the storm is still in the zone to the North and it looks as if there is more on its way from the South rolling in.  However, it is gorgeous here now!  Below are current photos of a heli class that Pilot Nik put on about the mechanics and operations of helicopters.  There are also images taken just outside the lodge so that you all can see what it looks like now compared to this morning and the two images above.

Hmmm...we've got an hour to dinner...how about a group of four skydiving!  Congrats to Tal Fletcher...first jump of the season in AK!

In the time I put this last set of photos up, the boys have repacked and are jumping again!  Super psyched for Raif Anderson for his first jump in AK and out of a heli.  See you all tomorrow...

March 21, 2005

Day 8 in a row!  We were thinking that today was going to be a down day due to high winds...however, our incredible pilots were able to get us out in the zone all day long.  People came in with smiling faces as the wind has moved the snow around and deposited it in key locations creating great riding conditions.

It looks like we are going to be getting some snow starting tonight and going through tomorrow.  The forecast is calling for accumulations of up to 3 inches tonight, 3-6 inches tomorrow and another 3 inches tomorrow night.  We all know what that means for the zone!  Those forecasted accumulation amounts are for here at the lodge down at sea level.  This could mean up to 2 feet or more out in the mountains over the next day or two.  After a little replenishment out there, we will then be out doing it all over again!

March 20, 2005

Week 4 is underway!  We had groups out in the zone all morning enjoying the powdery Chugach.  Unfortunately, the winds picked up a bit and we had to come home a little earlier in the afternoon.  However, this allowed people to do some exploration of Cordova.  A van full of people went out Whitshed Road and hiked on the Heney Range trail to the "Big Tree".  Most people met up at the Reluctant Fisherman for some afternoon fish-n-chips and their favorite adult beverages.

March 19, 2005

Wow...we are running out of words to explain how good the Chugach has been to us this week.  Day six in a row and we had three groups out in the field.  A group of four new guests from Finland arrived earlier in the day and we had them on a helicopter by early afternoon to get out and join the others in the field.  Others simply took the day off to rest up for the week ahead. 

Saturdays this season are big turnover days as we say good bye to those we have shared great times with and invite new guests to the Points North experience.  The new guests were greeted with multiple skydives taking place in the orange sunset skies over Orca Bay this evening as they pulled into the lodge.

It looks as though we will be skiing again tomorrow.  In the next few days, we are expecting a system to start pushing through that will give the Zone a fresh coat of 12-18 inches to enjoy this next week!

March 18, 2005

What an incredible end to an incredible week.  People are so psyched right now in the NEFCO!  The energy in here is unbelievable.  From Pontoon and Cartoon to the Worm Glacier and Butter Bowl.  Multiple skydives from Chris Shafer in the evening and Tri-Tip for dinner!  It was quite a week and the memories will last forever for all of us here who experienced it.

Film / Photo Crew Perspective
Yehaa!!! What an amazing day, the best day ever in the Chugach. We started on Filthy Spine as a  warm up, then headed to the big daddy, Pontoon. The winds were nuking, 50mph, it was incredible!!! The first chics ever on that special peak:) - Jessica Sobolowski & Andrea Binning.

March 17, 2005

Another day in the Chugach.  Groups were out in the Butter Bowl and Trailer Park areas.  We also had groups out in the Sprinkles region covered in great snow.

March 16, 2005

At it again...lots of snow out there...there hasn't been snow like this in the Chugach for years!  The cold temps are creating blower powder top to bottom.  Many came back home watching skydivers and paragliders in the skies above the Lodge!

Film / Photo Crew Perspective
Amazing week in the zone!!! Andrea Binning and myself are filming together with Seppi Dabringer, Tony Harrington and Team 13 until March 25th. The first 2 days out were some of the deepest conditions I have seen. Check out a few of our first descents below. -Jessica Sobolowski

Client Perspective
Today was our third day of blue ski and the most incredible visibility we have seen, from the Pacific Ocean all the way to Disney Land (the amazing Chugach).  We lapped Butter Bowl seven times, line after line of fresh on the North facing glacier.  Five in the group with acres of space and colder temps made for another corker!
- Matt Bryant :: France

March 15, 2005

Another great day out in the zone.  The sunny skies were out and we had all three helis in the air all day long.  There is a strong ridge of high pressure building and we are expecting to be skiing most of this week.  Its been epic and we can't wait for tomorrow.  Check out the sun setting on the Sound on the flight in to the lodge tonight.

Client Perspective
Our second bluebird day riding in the Chugach has once again provided sensational magic carpet rides to the top of challenging and awe inspiring terrain.  Run of the day for our group was skiers left of "Wizard Rings" where we found steep and deep that got the heart racing!  Conditions are great up high and every descent will be a run to remember.  Peace, love and powder.
- Lawrence & Selena Cockx :: France

March 14, 2005

Hello to everyone! Here is an update that will make mouths water. Today we had the day we have been waiting for! 3 aircraft in the field and everyone came back with huge smiles on their faces.  We have photos from this day that Seppi took and he will be sending them shortly for us to put up.