Taking a GoPro Heliskiing? Our Tips for doing it like a Pro.

Skiing the Pow
Catching that shot

These days, on mountains all over the world, you can’t help noticing how many skiers and boarders have a GoPro attached to some part of their body.  We’ve become obsessed with digitally recording ourselves … and there’s nothing wrong with that as far as we’re concerned at Bighorn.  The breath taking vistas and snow conditions here at Revelstoke lend themselves perfectly to shooting incredible footage of your ski adventures.  So move over Warren Miller, here’s a few tips to ensure you actually record the memorable images you want (rather than a long bumpy video of your ski pants)!

  1. Where to mount the camera?

Helmet mounts:  a unique viewpoint from your own perspective – but make sure you mount it near the front (not on top).  Before you put it on your head, angle it down slightly.

Chest mounts:  work equally well for skiers, not so much for boarders as they are often standing sideways on, unless of course you just want to shoot your friends skiing.

Boot, board or ski mount:  provides a unique angle to show the view of the ski or board as it moves or you can invert it to show the skier.  The only issue is the adhesive doesn’t tend to last long in very snowy conditions and damage is more likely with it being so close to the ground.

Ideally to get the best varied footage, use a combination of the above.

  1. Filming your ski buddies? With the GoPro’s wide field of view, it’s best to get as close as possible to the action, ideally no more than a couple of metres away and aim the camera at the middle of the person, keeping their head to toe in shot.
  2. Which resolution? (i.e. the number of pixels). Whilst it’s tempting to go for the highest res, unless you really are planning on being the next Warren Miller, 720 is actually good enough for most computers and will save you memory space whilst making editing much easier.
  3. Anti-Fog Inserts. The conditions can be cold and humid on the BC terrain leading to a fogged lens.  GoPro has the answer with anti-fog inserts that protect your lens from fogging up.
  4. Battery Packs. Even if you fully charge your battery before you spend the day heliskiing, your charge may not last the entire day, so bring a spare battery pack or two.
  5. Get the GoPro App. It makes it really easy to control the settings and preview your amazing powpow shots from your phone.
  6. Do a test run with your trusty GoPro to check you’ve got it set up properly before your head off on one of the best powder descents you’ve ever done (speaking from experience!)
  7. Finally…sit back and relax at the end of the day with a well deserved drink in hand to watch your amazing powder adventures in HD in the Bighorn cinema.

…and cut! That’s a wrap, folks!

Bighorn is Vogue’s Choice of Winter Spa Destination

US Vogue recently shared its top picks for the best winter spa destinations. Bighorn, “a superindulgent, sprawling eight-suite lodge” won praise for the “views of the Columbia Valley from the terrace hot tub, on-site helipad, gourmet fare and private screening room”. With a “bounty of body wraps, facials and aromatherapy massages, it is easy to forget you are steps away from some of Canada’s best lift, cat, heli and backcountry skiing“. Other spa facilities include a indoor current pool, sauna, gym and 2 treatment rooms. Private yoga instruction, stretching and personal training is also available. The private chef can create healthy yet delicious menus and can happily cater for any dietary restrictions. Plus, the whole lodge is rented exclusively for your party so total privacy and dedicated service is guaranteed.

Bighorn: the ultimate winter health retreat.

Vogue features Bighorn as top winter spa destination

Best Ski Chalet Fashion

Stylish surrounds at Bighorn Revelstoke

 

What are the best things to wear for a ski chalet holiday? Aside from packing plenty of warm ski gear, how should you dress for après ski? The beauty of staying in an exclusive ski chalet like Bighorn is that you can wear whatever you like! This is your private domain and you make the rules. If you are looking for some suggestions, we recommend packing some cosy, comfortable and stylish clothes to match your surroundings. Here is our pick of the best ski chalet fashion for this season:

1) A cashmere sweater

Perfect for relaxing in front of a roaring log fire after a day on the slopes. Slip on a cashmere sweater for a little bit of easy luxury.

We love: Ralph Lauren Black Label Boatneck Cashmere Sweater at Barneys.com

2) The go-to shirt

You can’t go wrong with a classic white shirt. Teamed with jeans, a casual shirt with a stylish fit is easy chalet chic.

We love: Alfred Dunhill White Engineered Shirt at Dunhill.co.uk

3) Merino wool socks

Lightweight, warm and comfortable, merino wool socks are stylish enough to be worn alone. Who needs shoes when you won’t want to leave the chalet?

We love: Icebreaker Ultralite Crew Trojan at Icebreaker

4) For the ladies – soft leather pumps

More stylish than slippers but just as comfortable. Dressy enough for dinner and relaxed enough for watching a movie with your feet up in the home cinema.

We love: Ladies’ Lanvin Lambskin Ballerina Flats at Neiman Marcus 

5) For the ladies –  a cosy wool dress

Easy, comfy and smart. A sweater dress requires minimum thought, but looks effortlessly stylish.

We love: Ladies’ Stella McCartney silk and wool blend sweater dress at Net-a-porter.com

 

 

 

Robb Report Describes Bighorn as “A Heli-skiers Haven”

Robb Report Bighorn Coverage

The Robb Report is the definitive guide to global luxury. This month’s issue describes Bighorn as “A heli-skier’s haven raising the bar”. The author goes on to explain how the Bighorn concept excels in providing unbeatable access to the world’s best heliskiing.

“We landed atop one peak and shuffled out of the helicopter, which soon took off in a flurry of powder. Then in the quiet, with heavenlike views all around, we started down our first run. At the bottom I checked my watch: less than an hour earlier I was still in bed.” 

Bespoke private heli skiing is backed up by North America’s best chalet accommodation. The author praises the award-winning chef’s delicious cuisine and the sumptuous facilities including spa, outdoor hot tub and movie theatre  that allow guests to completely relax after an incredible day’s skiing.

Read the full article here

Dream heli skiing from Bighorn

Looking Forward to Winter

Amazing early snow in Revelstoke


With weather forecasters already debating whether it will be an El Nino or La Nina winter, we are gearing up for another awesome season of snow in Revelstoke. Whatever the weather pattern, Revelstoke’s snow fall history means we can be confident of around 12 metres (39ft) of snow per season, putting it in the super-snow league way above all European resorts (Lech is the snowiest Alpine resort averagng 7m per winter). Not only does Revelstoke get a lot of snow, but its location in the interior of British Columbia means snow is light and dry – perfect for getting the most out of the exciting terrain.

Revelstoke Mountain Resort has announced a tentative opening date of 1st December 2012, with good early snow expected. Last season, when Bighorn opened on December 10th, there was already 287cm snow accumulated at RMR making for a great opening week. Check out some footage showing the awesome conditions on the opening day here. This year we’ll be ready for guests on December the 8th, with Selkirk Tangiers Heli Skiing available to whisk you into the wilderness for the best start to the season imaginable!

The Most Luxurious Heliski Lodge in the World

Last week the definitive guide to the most exclusive and indulgent chalets in the world was launched. The Luxury Chalet Collection has named Bighorn as one of the top 20 properties in the world.

The gourmet cuisine and stunning design, coupled with exceptional feedback from guests, were factors in selecting Bighorn to be part of the collection. With first class facilities such as a movie theatre, games room, indoor pool, giant outdoor hot tub, spa and cocktail bar, Bighorn truly is the ultimate ski pad. Offering dedicated service from a team including an award-winning chef and expert housekeeping staff, guests can relax in the lap of luxury.

The private helipad at Bighorn really sets it apart from the competition, providing guests with a unique opportunity. Offering both heliskiing and exciting resort skiing at Revelstoke Mountain Resort, guests have access to the best snow, terrain and scenery anywhere in the world.

The Luxury Chalet Collection featuring Bighorn

 

Bighorn in Tatler

Bighorn in this month's Tatler

 

Bighorn features in this month’s Tatler magazine. Given that Tatler is the guide to glamour and high society, we wanted to share their thoughts.

The Wild Ones reviews the ultimate ‘grown up cribs’ for house parties. Describing Bighorn as “the king of heli lodges”, the property wins praise for “the most awesome heli-ski terrain” and “some of the best lift-accessed skiing in North America”. Many of the outstanding facilities got a mention including the “terrifically grown up dining room” and “super-charged teppanyaki grill” as well as our indoor pool, home cinema and “vast games room”.

In summary Tatler says “Come here to ski hard and play hard”. We couldn’t agree more.

view the full article

The Best New Ski Gear for Winter 2012/13

Testing the latest ski equipment in RevelstokeEach year, we look out for the big new product launches and we’re already itching to see how the latest ski products perform on the slopes. Admittedly we still have a few months to wait, but we wanted to share the insider’s guide to what will be causing a stir on the slopes next season.

1) Salomon BBR Skis

Salomon launched the BBR ski last year. With it’s novel V-shape and surf-led design it got noticed, but there were plenty of skeptics out there. If this new shape was so great, why hadn’t it been done before? It seems the haters were proved wrong as reports of amazing flotation and a great turning radius justified the radical design. Next year Salomon are expanding the BBR range to a total of 6 skis, for a full spectrum of abilities. With Revelstoke’s deep powder and awesome backcountry terrain, we’ll be skiing on the BBR 10.0, the biggest ski for advanced skiers who want the most fun. Salomon says it “uses the versatility of the V-shape and a metal backbone reinforcement to give expert skiers a single ski to tackle everything in the resort and far beyond the boundries”.

2) Zeal Optics ION Goggles

This revolutionary goggle, new for 2013, has an in-built camera and video technology. It shoots 10 megapixel photos and HD video, with an in-goggle viewfinder. No more annoying helmet mounts or missed shots. Plus it looks good and blends technology with style and function – it has a 170 degree lens for optimum visibility. We can’t wait to film our first run through the pow in Revelstoke!

3) Noronna Recon

As massive fans of Noronna’s ski jackets, pants and onesies, we are excited to see their latest offering. Blending technical excellence with fashionable colors and styles, this is perfect heliski wear that also looks cool in resort. For next season, channel your military side with the new Recon jacket and pants. Developed with Norwegian, Swedish and Danish Special Forces, it is Noronna’s most durable and weatherproof offering, suitable for all outdoor activities.

 

Bighorn Crowned Number 1 Heliski Destination

Outside Magazine's Best Heliski Destination

 

The team at Bighorn are delighted to have been crowned Number One Heliski Destination in North America by Outside magazine. Our inaugural season has started with a bang as guests have been blown away by the stunning accommodation, Revelstoke’s incredible snowfall and the amazing heliski terrain in the Selkirk and Monashee Mountains.

Outside is America’s leading active-lifestyle and adventure travel magazine and their travel experts search the globe for the best and most innovative outdoor experiences.  It is the unique experience on offer at Bighorn that Outside loved so much; “Bighorn is the lovechild of two outstanding concepts: the European catered chalet and a Canadian heliski outfit. Strap on your ski boots in the morning, shoot a round of pool as you watch for the bird to land in the backyard, and then hop in for a ride to 500,000 acres of bowls, glades, and glaciers in the ragged Selkirks”.

Bighorn offers heliskiing direct from the house helipad with Selkirk Tangiers Heliskiing and lift or cat skiing at Revelstoke Mountain Resort. Tim Neville from Outside commented that “there are plenty of things to do when storms keep the helicopter tethered to the ground—like ski out the door and ride the lifts at Revelstoke Mountain Resort, which has the most vertical feet of any mountain in North America (5,620 feet). Either way, you’ll get a powder day”.

Indulgence doesn’t stop with the outstanding skiing however, as Bighorn offers new standards of luxury accommodation, service and cuisine “Chef Peter Hughes will be waiting in the rotorwash to serve you champagne by a huge stone fireplace and salmon canapés or duck confit on the chalet’s 15-foot-long black walnut table”.

Click on the link below to read Outside’s full review:

Revelstoke vs. Alaska: Which is the best heliski destination?

Revelstoke a lot of benefits over Alaska - the best tree skiing in the world is just one

 

Heliskiing is the ultimate thrill for any avid skier. Unsurprisingly this comes at a price, so careful consideration is required when deciding where to go for this indulgent trip of a lifetime. We asked one of our experienced guests at Bighorn to discuss the risk reward profile of two of the best heliski destinations in the world: Valdez in Alaska and Revelstoke, BC.

1) Terrain

Alaska has the best steep skiing terrain in the world. The proximity to the coast and extreme cold throughout much of the winter create a very low risk of avalanche. This allows skiers to ski terrain as steep as 60 degrees. Revelstoke has the best tree skiing in the world, and also has an abundance of excellent high alpine skiing in large glacial bowls. The terrain is extremely varied but, on average, will not be as steep as Alaska.

2) Snow

Both Alaska and Revelstoke are snowsure places to ski, the difference is the quality of the snow. As Revelstoke is located away from the coast in the interior of British Columbia, the snow has less moisture and is lighter. In Alaska, proximity to the coast means the snow can be wetter and heavier.

3) Down Days

This is the major difference. A week of heli skiing in Alaska will typically on average have 3 down days, Revelstoke will on average only have 1. In Alaska, when you cannot ski, there is very little to do as there is no lift skiing. There is only so much table tennis one can play in the mountains. In Revelstoke, guests at Bighorn can experience the all new Revelstoke Mountain Resort, which provides the perfect alternative to heli skiing. Boasting the longest vertical drop in the whole of North America, it is the perfect antidote to being told you cannot fly. In the wider Revelstoke area there are also a number of cat skiing operations which operate irrespective of the weather. In short, there is never a zero ski day in Revelstoke.

 

No one can argue against the fact that Alaska has excellent ski terrain. Every real skier should tackle an Alaskan spine at some point in their life. However, to travel so far, and then not to ski is unthinkable. It happens. Revelstoke provides endless options for amazing skiing whatever the weather, and with the addition of Bighorn, can boast the ultimate in luxury ski accommodation and service.