Amie Engerbretson makes her mark in some fresh pow. The team worked with a guide to make sure that when they found big lines to ski, the snow would be safe. This is one of the many winning spots they came across outside of Bracewell’s Lodge.Photo courtesy of Zach AlmaderIn head-to-toe pink and purple, Engerbretson is hard to miss against the walls of pure white she sprays as she shreds.Photo courtesy of Zack AlmaderCeccanti and Engerbretson mess around during a down day at Bracewell’s Alpine Lodge. The pair frequently goofed around during the week-long shoot, much to the entertainment of the rest of the crew.Photo courtesy of Tyler CeccantiCeccanti shows off his K2 fatties as he throws down a quick trick. The pro freeskier has been competing in freeride competitions since his earliest days at Washington’s Crystal Mountain.Photo courtesy of Zach AlmaderDid someone say breathtaking? Engerbretson and Ceccanti hike up to their designated drop-in point with some serious views as their only company. This was Ceccanti’s eighth Warren Miller film and Engerbretson’s third. Just another day at the office.Photo courtesy of Zach AlmaderEngerbretson and Ceccanti make some four-legged friends on the way to Bracewell’s, located alongside Tatlayoko Lake. The horses greeted the pair at the fence, and Engerbretson, a horse lover, insisted they stop to say hi.Photo courtesy of Zach AlmaderBracewell’s guide, Klemen Mali, and pilot, Wayne Goodridge, scoping out potential locations to ski.Photo courtesy of Zach Almader
From the lodge, the sunrise illuminates Alf Bracewell Mountain, a majestic peak named for Alex Bracewell’s father, Alf, a pioneer of the area. Alf Bracewell is known for helping carve 30 miles of the Freedom Road, a mountain pass in the Bella Coola Valley, in 1952.Photo courtesy of Zach AlmaderEngerbretson shreds against a shadowy background while cinematographer Jeff Wright captures her on camera.Photo courtesy of Zach AlmaderA candid moment between Engerbretson and Ceccanti in the living room at Bracewell’s Lodge. The lodge is quintessentially rustic, completely heated by wood, powered by diesel generators, and ideal for a truly remote getawayPhoto courtesy of Zach AlmaderPhoto courtesy of Zach Almader
Howard Peak soars out of the surrounding glaciers and plays host to Ceccanti as he shreds a steep, snowy line. If you squint, you can see him ripping down the mountain early on in his run, not another soul in sight
Photo courtesy of Zach Almader
Amie Engerbretson shreds under a cloudless sky
Photo courtesy of Zach Almader
Talk about 360-degree views. The helicopter is barely visible among the magnificent alpine landscape before dropping photographer Zach Almader and cinematographer Jeff Wright off, allowing them to find their angles and set up their gear before the skiers dropped in
Photo courtesy of Zach Almader
Engerbretson scopes out potential lines on the topo map
Photo courtesy of Zack Almader
Tyler Ceccanti drops in among the peaks of the Chilcotin Mountain Range
Photo courtesy of Zack Almader
Ceccanti enjoys a cuppa joe on a down day
Photo credit: Zach Almader
A quick 20-minute heli ride delivers the crew to its destination.
Photo courtesy of Zach Almader
Ceccanti and new friend Sasha explore the land around Bracewell’s Lodge. The lodge was established in 1918, and the current owner, Alex Bracewell, has lived in the area his entire life.
Where to Go to get to Bella Coola:
Getting There
Bella Coola Heli Sports caters to skiers and boarders who have experience heli-skiing as well as those who don’t. Despite a truly remote and rugged location deep in the Coast Range, the heli op’s base is only a 70-minute flight north of Vancouver. There are numerous flight options out of Vancouver International Airport, and transfer flights to Bella Coola Heli Sports is included in most multi-day packages. Visit their website for info.
Lodging
Bella Coola Heli Sports is known for offering excellent small-group heli-skiing over 3.25 million acres in the Coast Mountains of B.C. Skiers lodge at one of five properties: Tweedsmuir Park Lodge, Eagle Lodge, Pantheon Heli Ranch, Mystery Mountain Lodge, and Terra Nostra Guest Ranch. Bracewell’s Lodge, featured in the film, is not currently open to the public, but plans are underway to add it to the operation’s lodging portfolio in the future.
This article originally appeared in SKI Magazine’s Special Edition for Warren Miller Entertainment’s “Timeless,” presented by Volkswagen. Find out more about the movie on WME’s website.
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