August 30, 2019 Mike's Message - Getting Ready for the 50th Season

The 512 km Tour De Blue has been preparing us for our winter season for over three decades and on August 18, we set off from Banff for Blue River with the Read family (Crazy Canuck Ken, wife Lynda, Alpine Canada athletes Erik and Jeff), longtime Senior Lead Guide/Assistant Operations Manager Elias Ortner, General Manager Matic Vecko and a great group of friends.

This year, we had a quick break at Bow Lake below Bow Glacier and this year’s trip was reminding me of younger times. I was Ken’s coach when he was a teenager and while he had incredible dreams and talent, I also felt that he needed to be comfortable in the mountains’ elevations, steepness’s and depth of heights, before his race season. So, I took him to Bow Glacier to experience the real thing… with glaciated high alpine terrain - big area with terrain variances. It took us three hours to get there by walking, and we had about three short runs – because we were glacier skiing in August! He had a natural and adapted easily of the Bow Glacier’s terrain and we knew he was going to be a star.

It was exciting to be on the road with such high level of competitors as the Read boys. These two skiers are amongst the top skiers in the world and it was a thrill to be riding with them.

After arriving back in Blue River, my muscles are still reminding me to always be preparing for gaining maximum strength for the required athleticism, so that we can continue to ski our hearts out or to the last breath on the mountain. Meeting back up with my own family, Michelle, Bonnie and Charlie for my 81st birthday topped off an awesome week and now I’m looking forward to seeing you very soon to celebrate our 50th season.

Let’s go skiing!

Mike Wiegele

Owner, Founder and Guide