Who could say no to a chance to sleep in-bounds on Whistler Mountain? Ten lucky winners and their guests got to do just that, thanks to a Helly Hansen, the outdoor gear company.
Coined Helly Hansen Summit Sleepover, Aug. 17 to 18 presented an opportunity to sightsee, conquer Whistler’s Via Ferrata, enjoy mouthwatering meals and an intimate mountain-top concert before tenting in the alpine.
The contest ran on Instagram during Helly Hansen's Open Mountain Month. Open Mountain’s aim is getting people outdoors regardless of their experience level.
Through random selection, locals from Whistler, Squamish, Vancouver and further afield arrived packed and ready for their trip.
The morning started with clear skies and a meet and greet at Helly Hansen’s Whistler store, where guests picked up gifted gear and a lunch before heading up the mountain.
To ensure everyone had a comfy weekend and were prepared for the always changing alpine, contest winners were given blaze softshell trousers, a women's LIFA® active solen graphic hoodie and a verglas 2.5 layer fastpack jacket, gear that kept winners dry and ensured their adventures were a sweat wicking good time.
Winner Gale Harrison lives in Vancouver, and the 55-year-old described herself as an active community member and registered phychiatric nurse by trade. She’s passionate about biking, running and is active on social media where she learned about the contest.
“I love to learn about what people do, travel and what are opportunities are out there. Helly Hansen is a brand I've used before, and I follow them on social media. So, when the contest came up, I'm like, ‘fantastic,’” Harrison said.
She’s done some hiking in Whistler, but she’d never experienced the Via Ferrata before. Having torn her rotator cuff in the past, Harrison wondered if she could fully participate. To ease her concerns, she watched videos online and realized it was within her reach.
“To be totally honest, if I knew exactly what the experience might be, I may have chickened out, but I was really glad I did it.”
A supportive group and guide helped her conquer the traverse, and the controlled camping environment was another bonus.
“I like to try new things and scare the living daylight out of myself sometimes,” she said about the trip with a laugh.
An experience money can’t buy
Courtney Tennant is the brand and customer marketing manager for Helly Hansen, Canada. She explained that once the company formed a partnership with Vail Resorts, she wanted to utilize it in the best way possible. Cue the sleepover, which is now in its second year.
“We decided that we wanted to try to provide an experience to consumers that money cannot buy,” Tennant said.
After last year’s success, Tennant amped up the aesthetics of the camp, from plush white faux fur rugs on benches to an ornament decorating station. The aesthetic was modelled after a Norwegian cabin, a call-out to the company’s roots.
Part of the company’s brand identity includes the tag line “trusted by professionals.” Tennent said one of the ways they show customers the statement rings true is by bringing customers and professionals together in experiences like the Summit Sleepover.
Weathering a storm
After dinner, campers returned to home base and settled in for an evening of music by Jenna Mae, where she brought her charisma and charm, combined with lyricism which weaves in journeys through the mountains and finding oneself through nature.
Conversations went late into the night, with some cheeky beverages, s’mores and jiffy pop over propane powered fire. Eventually, people turned into their tents, tired and warmed from connection and outdoor adventure.
Around three a.m., lights started flashing outside my tent. A thunderous sky and heavy rainfall accompanied a voice from outside my tent telling me everyone needed to evacuate into the Roundhouse.
I grabbed my sleeping pad and sleeping bag, threw on my rain jacket and met a WB safety operations truck. We packed our gear in, and the driver told us lightning strikes were 20 kilometers out, too close for comfort.
Tennant said while it wasn’t “ideal,” she appreciated the care patrol took ensuring attendees and organizers were safe.
“At the end of the day, this is a mountain setting, and even though we're in bounds on a resort, weather can still go sideways.”
Nick Voutour, manager of communications for WB and Vail resorts, wrote in an email that the patrol and safety team monitored weather patterns anytime guests are on mountain and responded in kind.
“Our teams responded quickly and moved everyone inside the Roundhouse and out of harm’s way. We’re grateful for their continued efforts to prioritize safety,” Voutour said.
We headed into Seppo’s bar and stayed for the night – another first that’s not typically allowed on Whistler.
The ending was somewhat fitting for an alpine excursion – you never know exactly what you’re going to face, and having a plan B is always good form.
