Terrain

With more than 1,200,000 acres over 2 mountain ranges to choose from we find exciting powder terrain for all boarders and skier's interests and abilities.

Terrain for Intermediate to Advanced Skiers 

Your guide will select a skiing route that suits your ability and comfort level, and offers just the right amount of challenge. Depending on conditions, we often start with an open, moderate glacier run, or a gentler run through the trees. As the week progresses, and your confidence increases we progress according to the group's abilities.

Terrain for Expert Skiers

Guests who are expert skiers or boarders have the opportunity to challenge themselves with the world's best powder terrain. Please note that steeper slopes require additional caution and guides may take additional time to evaluate snow stability before skiing a run.  

Glacier Skiing

For many, high alpine glaciers provide the most exhilarating skiing/boarding experience of all - the freedom of carving 300, 500 or even 600 powder turns down a glacier surrounded by majestic snow covered peaks. When conditions allow, glacier skiing is suitable for all skill levels.

Tree Skiing

For many skiers and boarders, the trees are the ultimate experience, simply because of the conditions and terrain. The very highest quality of snow is found in the trees as the loose powder is protected from wind and sun. We spend  a great deal of our skiing time within the forest, glades and open spaces below the treeline using the buddy system to increase safety.

Private luxury accommodation

Discover Albreda Lodge. Perfect luxury many dream of – and you now have the chance to enjoy.

As the jewel of Wiegele terrain, Albreda Lodge complements its majestic mountain setting with sophisticated style and exceptional service. Personal guides and exclusive helicopter service allow you to enjoy the exceptional comfort, attentive service and full amenities you have come to expect from our Blue River location – in a more exclusive and intimate setting. Located 45 km north of Blue River, the handcrafted wooden lodge offers stunning views of Mount Albreda.

Albreda Lodge was inspired from the old lodges of Europe, handcrafted from huge reused timbers and accommodates up to 20 guests. Guests looking for the ultimate private experience book the 2-bedroom private suite with full kitchen, living room with a featured fireplace and a private balcony. The master bedroom has a king bed, fireplace, and the ensuite bathroom. The second bedroom contains two double beds.  Additional costs apply.

Albreda Lodge is exclusively available to small and large groups of guests booking Private, Semi-Private or Elite 7 Day Packages.

Albreda Lodge Features

• Skiing and boarding with professional ski guides
• 17 rooms plus a two-bedroom suite
• 3 Gourmet meals per day (packed lunch)
• Ski shop and boutique with full range of powder gear and accessories
• Fitness room, sauna, hot tub and massage rooms
• Fiber-optic link to Blue River Heli Village, including video link to Guides Haus
• Telephone, fax, wireless internet and satellite TV in rooms
• Climbing wall

Safety is our number one priority.

Professional guiding service 

Our guides are chosen for their ability to provide you with an exciting and memorable ski vacation while always caring for your safety and comfort. Many senior guides have been with MWHS for more than 20 years. 

MWHS guides are fully trained. They all have achieved qualifications with the Canadian Avalanche Association (CAA), Canadian Ski Guide Association (CSGA) or international equivalent, and the Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance (CSIA). Many of our guides have achieved the highest levels of qualifications available. Now, many of our senior guides are  involved in teaching courses in the CSGA or CSIA, gained through a minimum of 10 years guiding. In addition, our guides participate in a comprehensive MWHS 10 day training session prior to the season opening in the implementation of our operational and rescue systems.

Our guides are also your Resort hosts - they meet you on arrival, take you to your accommodations and show you our facilities. Every evening after their detailed guides meeting, they will meet you in the Powder Max Dining Room and the Silver Buckle Lounge for your gourmet dining experience and conversation. ??Every ski week is an instructional week. Whether you are a first timer or an expert powder skier, your guide is also a qualified ski instructor and will help you improve your technique to increase your powder enjoyment.  

Helicopters

• Bell 212            
• A-Star                       
• Bell 407

Vancouver Island Helicopters (VIH) of Sidney, B.C. has been our exclusive aircraft provider and has more than 50 years of operation. We use a mixed fleet of helicopters that are well-suited to our terrain and allow us to provide the Deluxe, Elite, Private and Semi-Private Packages our guests enjoy.  In our fleet, the Bell 212 serves two guides and nine guests (ten guests in Private Package), the Bell 407 serves one guide and five guests while the Eurocopter A-Star B2 provides service to one guide and four guests.

Pilots & Engeneers

MWHS's highly experienced pilots work with a team of talented engineers to maintain the industry’s highest maintenance and operating standards.

Our pilots have extensive mountain flying experience and take part in biannual training sessions, equating to three weeks, specific to the conditions of our Cariboo and Monashee mountains.

Our heated helicopter hangar allows the team of engineers to ensure that the rigorous maintenance schedules and inspections are always met, regardless of weather conditions.

Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing’s Heli Village and Albreda Lodge offer some of the most convenient and reliable access in the heli skiing industry. Guest fly from Vancouver, Calgary and Seattle to the International Airport in Kamloops and then travel on a well maintained highway to Blue River (214 km to the north) - or fly directly from Vancouver to the local Blue River airstrip. Guests booking Private Packages may choose to allocate helicopter hours to travel from the Kamloops airport.

Travel Options

Guests travel  to Blue River through a combination of air and ground transport from Vancouver, BC; Calgary, AB; or Seattle, WA. Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing waives responsibility for trip cancellation or interruption resulting from any travel option listed.

• Scheduled Aircraft, then Courtesy Shuttle bus (7-day packages only)
• Powder Express Scheduled Aircraft from Vancouver
• Scheduled Aircraft, then Ground Transportation
• Scheduled Aircraft, then Helicopter
• Private Plane into Blue River