SELKIRKS: Abma, Hoji and Heim and MSP

Mark Abma John Stifter

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"How was the day of shooting, boys?" asked one of the lodge guests.

"Well, besides the avalanches and the white-out timing of the clouds right when we were ready, then really not all that bad," responded Murray Wais, co-founder of Matchstick Productions.

Avalanches and capricious clouds aside, we have been skiing deep, smoky pow in late March at Selkirk Wilderness Skiing. The Helly Hansen crew comprised of the Canadian trio—Mark Abma, Eric Hjorleifson, and James Heim—is up here playing around in front of the MSP cameras for the week.

Founded in 1975 by Alan and Brenda Drury, Selkirk Wilderness—about an hour and a half northeast of Nelson, BC—acts as the first cat-ski operation in North America. Yet that’s not their lone claim to fame; the high alpine here is easily accessible courtesy of several cat roads built high up on the shoulders of windy, white peaks.

Although no one has been caught in any slides, we have set off two Class II avies about 50 to 60cm deep. It’s been a little unnerving to say the least, but with three guys who can all ski big lines, rowdy pillows, and hit stepped-out take-offs and giant backcountry wedges, everybody feels a bit more reassured.

Certainly, skiing blower conditions in March deep in the Kootenay’s is "really not all that bad."

More updates, photos, and interviews from the trip to come...

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