CONTENTS
2023-24
TAKING CARE OF THE PEOPLE Our Staff Our Initiatives
2023-24 Staff Events Highlights Free Kids Ski Program
It Takes a Village
2023-24 Community Highlights
Philanthropic Footprint
TAKING
THE WIEGELE WAY
“A Company and a Community that sustain themselves economically, socially, and environmentally.”
Mike Wiegele
Our Tradition,
A
message from
Matic Vecko, Director of Sustainability
I am excited to share our first Impact Report with you, covering the period of August 1, 2023, to July 31, 2024. As the following pages will illustrate, however, these are far from our first efforts towards making a positive impact on the world around us.
Since the 1970s, our vision has been guided by our founder Mike’s friendship with the Simpcw First Nation and his immense respect for the wilderness and mountain environment. One of the most impactful lessons we learned from Mike was the importance of respecting and protecting the mountains and their animal inhabitants. His reverence for the wilderness and humility in the face of something much grander than ourselves left a profound impact on the way we do business.
Our Future
Mike never saw the company and our community as separate entities. He always understood that one could not exist without the other. This remains true to this day, and we honour his vision of a community of like-minded people who work, live, and play in the beautiful mountains surrounding Blue River. People are what make our business a sustainable, multi-generational success.
and vision. "Do more operate by his credo the important work ki with us. We have cting the land and its ght way. "
Sincerely,
Matic Vecko Director of Sustainability
Operating the Right Way
We pride ourselves on doing things the right way – the Wiegele way. Following the mandate of our founder, Mike Wiegele, all our decisions are grounded in ethics, integrity, and trust, with the multi-generational perspective of sustaining a healthy business for generations to come.
And above all, we continue to heed Mike’s mandate to always stay humble and never stop listening and learning the ways of the mountains.
The Helicopter in the Room
We recognize the environmental impact we have each time our helicopters take skiers into the mountains. It’s an undeniable fact of our industry. It’s also one of the reasons we are so committed to every sustainability effort we can make.We want to tip the scale toward positive impacts wherever possible.
We care deeply about the mountains.This is where our lives and passions intertwine. They have sustained people and wildlife for thousands of years.And they continue to provide both a livelihood for our families and life-changing adventure for our guests.They must be sustained for future generations.We take this shared responsibility seriously.
THE MOUNTAINS WE SHARE
Indigenous Allies | Cultural Sharing | Friendship
Our Indigenous Allies
We are blessed to be able to roam the mountains surrounding Blue River, which have been the home of our allies and friends the Simpcw First Nation since time immemorial. We cherish our friendship based on mutual respect, trust, and the shared vision of sustainable economic development rooted in stewardship of the Land we live, work, and play on.
Wiegele Helicopter Skiing
Mike with Simpcw racers and coaches during one of our Simpcw snowboard camps.
Cultural Sharing
Every fall, our Simpcw friends offer a prayer for a safe and successful season at our Annual General Meeting. In turn, we ensure our staff have repeated opportunities to learn about the culture of the indigenous people who were here long before us. Some of our favourite events are language workshops, Walks on the Land, crafting workshops, and storytelling evenings.
“They were here before us. ”
Mike Wiegele
THE MOUNTAINS WE SHARE
SIMPCW AVALANCHE SAFETY COURSE
Mike’s lifelong passion was sharing the love of the mountains and helping others enjoy them in a safe way. In 2023, we hosted our first two-day Avalanche Safety Course for members of Simpcw First Nation. We are proud to keep this part of Mike’s legacy alive and look forward to future joint courses with Simpcw.
HOSTING THE ELDERS
In March 2024, we were honoured to host Simpcw elders at our resort and offer them a birds-eye view of their territory from our helicopters. We cherish every opportunity to listen and learn from these knowledge keepers who are historians and visionaries of this Land.
STORYTELLING EVENING
Every year, we gather for an evening of storytelling and pizzas with the Simpcw First Nation’s Language & Culture Department. This event brings together our staff, the local community, and our Indigenous neighbors for a night of sharing stories by the fire in our cozy Cabana chalet.
TAKING CARE OF THE PEOPLE
Our People | Our Initiatives | Philanthropy
Our Staff
People will make this a sustainable industry on a long-term horizon. Allowing people to be true to who they are enables us to thrive and do our best work.
“Without our people, all we have is a bunch of cabins in the woods.”
Mike Wiegele
TAKING CARE OF THE PEOPLE
Our Initiatives
We hear from our guests, time and time again: “You have the best and friendliest staff ever!” We don’t take this for granted. Our mission is to be the best heli-ski place for our people to live, work, and play. We do this by truly caring about our staff and what they need to feel at home within the company and the community. We are committed to:
Competitive compensation and benefits.
A company culture where everyone can talk to anybody, and the leaders’ doors are always open.
Company culture and policies that promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
A focus on employee wellbeing with an Employee Assistance Program for all staff and their families.We also ensure that mental health is integrated into our First Aid Training and an integral part of our critical incident response, training and resources.
Staff programs and events aimed at physical, mental, and social wellbeing, such as employee recognition, ski days and ski lessons, Christmas and New Year’s dinners and gifts, and boutique discounts. We also host staff yoga, HIIT, and dance classes, candlelit cross-country skiing, skating lessons, campfires, wellness bingo, and the Wiegele Winter Games.
We encourage our staff to participate in social groups that match their interests, such as music, crafts, dogwalking, or pet-sitting. All intended to build a sense of community here in Blue River.
WIEGELE WINTER GAMES
As every winter, Wiegele World came alive in January with three weeks of indoor and outdoor activities. Staff were invited to compete, have fun, and win fantastic prizes. Whether you ' re a fan of winter sports or a creative soul, there was something for everyone. This initiative encourages our team to embrace the winter and enjoy activities such as skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, photography, arts and crafts, and much more.
MENTAL HEALTH WEEK
Each season, MWHS organizes a mental health week to empower staff with practical well-being strategies for everyday life. Activities, include wellness bingo, values workshops, daily journal prompts, and wellness yoga. Participants can also engage in outdoor walks, nature bathing, and recreational sports like baseball and crosscountry skiing, all designed to foster mindfulness, connection, and personal growth.
BUILDING CULTURAL BRIDGES
During the training week, we were joined by our friends from the Simpcw First Nation’s Language & Culture Department, who offered our staff the opportunity to learn the basics of Secwepemctsın (the language of the Secwepemc or Shuswap people). This was followed by a smudging ceremony and an evening of sharing Bannock and stories by the campfire.
TAKING CARE OF THE PEOPLE
Free Kids Ski Program
Mike was always a coach and mentor, passionate about providing the kids in Blue River with opportunities they might not otherwise have. He was a strong advocate for grassroots programs that offered local kids special experiences and ignited their passion for active living and the outdoors.
For decades, as soon as the snow is deep enough, kids from Blue River and the North Thompson Valley have gathered every winter Saturday at the Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing resort. Excitement and laughter fill the administration building as kids and parents prepare for a short flight to Saddle Mountain for a full day of snow-cat skiing. This free program was one of Mike’s passion projects, and he would often join the kids for a few laps. Many of these kids, now adults, have fond memories of growing up in Blue River, and for some, this first exposure led to a lifelong passion for snow and a career in the ski industry.
Living in a remote rural community like Blue River comes with its challenges, but programs like these ensure that kids have the opportunity to experience something truly special that not many others their age will have.
TAKING CARE OF THE PEOPLE
It Takes a Village
We would not be where we are today without the support of the people of Blue River. Mike’s dream was to create a year-round, self-sustainable community of like-minded people who work, live, and play in the beautiful mountains surrounding Blue River. We continue to make his vision a reality by supporting the local community in as many ways as possible.
Some of our community initiatives:
Providing free ski program to local kids on Saturdays.
Donating annually to the Blue River School for gear and school trips.
Maintaining the covered hockey rink for public use.
Sponsoring the weekly team sports night at the local gym.
Donating pickleball equipment for the use by the community of Blue River.
Sponsoring community events and organizations such as Santa Claus for the town kids, Blue River Community Association, Terry Fox Run, Spring Town Clean,Blue River Powder Packers, Canada Day celebrations, and the annual Harvest Dinner.
TAKING CARE OF THE PEOPLE
KIDS SANTA PARTY
A little-known fact is that one of Santa’s first stops on his long trip around the world every year is actually Blue River. Here, he lights up the faces of the staff and town children with gifts, filling our lodge with brightness and laughter. Meanwhile, our chefs spoil Santa, the kids, and their parents with lunch and baked Christmas goodies, making the day even more special.
CANADA DAY
Every summer, the community of Blue River hosts a day of festivities to celebrate Canada Day, honoring the nation's history, culture, and achievements. To add fun and energy to the day-long celebrations by Eleanor Lake, Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing and our chefs have traditionally baked beloved Canada Day cupcakes for all the visitors. These treats are especially cherished by the kids who join in the festivities.
PAC DONATION
Mike Wiegele always gave back to the community whenever he could, passionately empowering others and helping people grow. We continue his legacy by donating to the Blue River Elementary School Parents’ Advisory Council (PAC) every year to support funding for sports equipment, outdoor activities, and field trips. Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing was founded on a dream, and we hope these donations will provide young people with opportunities that inspire them to chase their own dreams and goals.
COMMUNITY PICKLEBALL AND GYM NIGHTS
MWHS purchased and donated pickleball equipment for staff and the local community, which proved to be very popular. Exciting matches took place throughout the summer months. During the winter, MWHS partnered with the Blue River Community Association to sponsor weekly gym nights at the local school gym. These evenings featured team sports like basketball, volleyball, and indoor soccer, providing lively action for staff and local residents during the dark winter evenings.
Philanthropic Footprint TAKING CARE OF THE PEOPLE
In 1996, six friends, including Mike Wiegele and then-senior company leader Andy Aufschnaiter, founded the Bruderschaft Friends Blue River Society.
Inspired by the Bruderschaft in St. Christoph am Arlberg, Austria, this non-profit organization helps people in need in the mountains. It provides immediate, onetime financial support. To date, the Bruderschaft has provided over $250,000 in financial assistance to those in need. Another goal of the Bruderschaft is to enhance the lifestyle in the community. The highlight of every winter is the Annual Andy Aufschnaiter Memorial X-Country Ski Race for all elementary school kids in the North Thompson Valley. The exciting and fun morning of racing is followed by a spaghetti lunch at the Lodge, which is the highlight for everybody involved—students, teachers, and volunteers alike.
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TAKING CARE OF THE LAND
Emissions | Environmental Initiatives | Stewardship | Conservation
TAKING CARE OF THE LAND
Our Climate Impact
Climate action is a cornerstone of sustaining our business and way of life. The mountains are where our livelihoods and loves intertwine. That is why climate change impacts us doubly, in our professions and our passions.
From August 1, 2023, to July 31, 2024, we started tracking and analyzing our greenhouse gas emissions in order to establish a baseline carbon footprint for our business. Our focus for the first year was measuring our direct emissions represented by Scope 1, and our indirect emissions from the use of purchased electricity, represented by Scope 2.
Transporting People:
Sources of MWHS’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions
MeasuredintonsofCO2e (Rounded to the nearest unit)
TAKING CARE OF THE LAND
Since the initial analysis was completed, on July 31, 2024, we have also started retroactively tracking and analzing our Scope 3 emissions. These will be added to our baseline and used to inform our reduction strategy. Scope 3 emissions are the indirect greenhouse gas emissions that occur in MWHS’s value chain, both upstream and downstream. Examples include emissions from the production of purchased goods and services, employee commuting, and waste disposal. These emissions are not directly controlled by the MWHS but are related to our activities.
Total MWHS emissions for Fiscal Year 2024: 8,306 tons CO2e
August 1, 2023 to July 31, 2024
TAKING CARE OF THE LAND
We will use this data to take data-driven, measurable actions to reduce our impact. With our baseline established, we are now working on developing a measurable emissions reduction strategy. The core of our mission is to reduce our carbon footprint through operational improvements and decarbonization. At the same time, we are realistic about our ability to significantly reduce our largest direct source of emissions – flying helicopters. While we are closely monitoring developments in sustainable aviation fuels and breakthroughs in the electric VTOL space, commercially viable technological solutions for our industry are still distant.
Our environmental impact mitigation strategy is three-fold:
1
Measure: Accurately assess our current emissions.
Reduce: Implement actions to lower our emissions.
Offset: Compensate for emissions that cannot be reduced through rigorously regulated and as local as possible projects.
TAKING CARE OF
THE LAND
Offsetting 100% Of Our Helicopter Fuel Emissions*
We've chosen to purchase emissions offset credits in a highly regulated and managed project that is as to us as possible. Located in the North and Central-Mid Coast and Haida Gwaii, B.C., Canada, the G Bear Rainforest is the largest remaining intact coastal temperate rainforest in the world. Coastal Nations have created a conservation economy, and through offsets, they’re able to preserve ecologically culturally rich landscapes and create jobs in the project area. This project is the first in North Americ First Nations territory with unextinguished land rights and title.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE GREAT BEAR RAINFOREST PROJECT
*Emissions from our helicopter operations are calculated in accordance with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, the internationally recognized standard for carbon accounting. Once emissions are calculated, BMO Radicle, an independent third party and a leading Canadian provider of climate solutions and compliance-grade carbon offsets, facilitates the purchase and retirement of offset credits through the Great Bear carbon project. Further details about these offsets can be found on BMO’s disclosure website.
TAKING CARE OF THE LAND
Footsteps Towards a SMALL
Nearly all the electricity used at our resort comes from renewable hydropower.
Fun fact: In British Columbia, where our resort is situated, the lifecycle emissions of hydropower are among the lowest globally due to the clean and renewable water cycle and effective environmental management, beating even solar by a substantial margin.
We provide four EV charging stations on the resort and practice a strict a no idling policy.
We offer a bus shuttle service for our guests. This way, fewer cars are needed, and less fuel is consumed.
Our Commercial Recycling Program diverts waste from landfills by recycling as much as possible at the Main Resort, Albreda Lodge, and our three motels in town.
Many of our resort buildings are using energy-efficient geothermal heating.
Our resort lighting is actively being converted to LED.
We have replaced plastic products, such as cutlery and containers, with reusable and biodegradable products in our food and beverage programs.
TAKING CARE OF THE LAND
Green Committee
The Green Committee at Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing is made of like-minded managers and staff who are passionate about reducing our environmental impact and working to promote sustainability in every corner of our operations.
The Committee meets to discuss current environmental practices, identify areas for improvement, and plan and implement green initiatives around the resort, as well as organize workshops, activities, and events for all staff to learn more about environmental issues and how to be more eco-friendly in their personal and professional lives.
The Committee also works closely with Human Resources to organize events focused on community and staff well-being, mental health, and resilience, reflecting our founder Mike Wiegele’s holistic vision of sustainability.
Some of the recent projects:
Phasing out disposable take-out containers at our staff restaurant.
Introducing stylish, branded reusable containers available to staff and guests for purchase.
Organizing a mental health week for staff in collaboration with HR.
Organizing a Green Week to help promote environmentally friendly behaviour.
Organizing a MW Thrift Shop for staff at the end of the season, all left over items are donated to local hospitals (Clearwater or Kamloops)
Organizing Wiegele Winter Games for our staff.
Installing a sensor light switch in the high-traffic staff kitchen at our administration building to prevent lights from being left on unnecessarily, Thereby reducing energy consumption.
Wildlife Stewardship
Mike always spoke with respect about the animals we share the mountains with. He witnessed the decline of once vast herds of mountain caribou around Blue River firsthand. This experience made conservation, grounded in local knowledge and scientific research, a crucial part of our operation. Between 2008 and 2012, our company sponsored one of the first research projects on the impact of commercial mechanized skiing on mountain caribou. Since then, we have sponsored additional wildlife research and conservation projects in our area so everyone can learn more, and do more, to protect the animals who live in the mountains.
All our guides undergo wildlife training at the start of each season, integrating research findings into our operational practices. We follow strict protocols to preserve and protect wildlife habitats, recording all sightings and adjusting or closing off ski areas and flight paths to avoid disturbing the animals. We maintain detailed records of wildlife sightings and share them with the government and First Nations to support wildlife management and conservation efforts.
KING CARE OF THE LAND
WOLVERINE PROJECT
Between 2018 and 2020, we supported a wolverine study in our tenure in partnership with the University of Calgary. The results help us, and others, better inform our efforts to protect this iconic and elusive animal with which we share these mountains.
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MIKE WIEGELE RESORT SPAWNING CHANNEL
We maintain a spawning channel, built in 1991, to increase oxygen levels in Eleanor Lake and provide a habitat for trout to spawn. This unique conservation project was one of Mike’s favorite stops during his daily walks around the resort. Every fall, upon shutdown, local schoolchildren spend a day collecting any remaining fish in buckets and returning them to the lake to hibernate for the winter.
LOOKING AHEAD
LOOKING AHEAD
Strength in Numbers
The climate change challenge can be overwhelming at times, but we believe the social, economic, and cultural systems causing it can be changed. While our efforts to create a positive impact are significant and measurable, we know they are just a small part of the bigger picture. That is why, through our parent company Alterra Mountain Company, we are engaging our stakeholders, partners, and vendors to join us in addressing their sustainability programs and opportunities to reduce emissions. It will take a collective effort to tackle the climate crisis, and we are proud to join forces with industry partners who share our passion for positive change for the planet.
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