Call Me Crazy – The Legend of Mike Wiegele

Mike Wiegele is celebrating his 50th season of heli skiing, it’s a monumental milestone and his intriguing and inspiring journey warrants celebration.

A ski-obsessed Austrian, with a vision no one else believed in, translates a lifetime of innovation into a legendary reputation as one of the most influential figures in snowsports.

When you have a vision that goes beyond the popular imagination, people tend to think you’re crazy. Mike Wiegele is no exception. He’s been called crazy his entire life. His pioneering vision and relentless determination have given people lots of reasons to. Despite the doubt and disbelief, he’s never given up on the future he wanted and the future no one else could imagine.

Born on a farm in post war Austria, Mike left for Canada in 1959, in search of freedom and the world’s best powder. His quest led him across North America – working first in eastern Canada, then Sugar Bowl Calf., and eventually to Banff and Lake Louise during the late 60’s. Thankfully for all powder lovers, in 1970 Mike began this heli-skiing dream in the heart of the Cariboo and Monashee Mountains. Eventually, Blue River was where Mike’s vision of a heli-ski resort would flourish, and where more memories and legendary moments in ski history were made.

Call Me Crazy tells the story of how a young Austrian with little more than a dream and a love for skiing, became one of the most influential ski pioneers in Canada and the founder of North American’s preeminent heli-skiing operation.

Mike’s commitment to his vision has enabled ski enthusiasts and die-hard powder-hounds to access some of the most sought after snow in the world. His contributions don’t end there; Wiegele has set the standard for avalanche safety in the mechanized ski industry, influenced groundbreaking changes in ski technology, and continues to inspire future generations of skiers, snowboarders, and guides.

The legend of Mike Wiegele, by award-winning director and cinematographer Andrea Wing, produced by Lainey Mullins and Origin Outside. The story of a ski-obsessed Austrian, with a vision no one else believed in, translates a lifetime of innovation into a legendary reputation as one of the most influential figures in snowsports. Here is is:

This is a ski movie with a story, that continues to be written.

“The making of this film made me realize how far we have come. There’s no better recognition than to have your life captured on film.” Mike Wiegele

Starring: Mike Wiegele, Bonnie Wiegele, Howard Ironstone, Bob Sayer, Bob Rankin, Rupert Huber, Cary Mullen, Jim McConkey, Wayne Wong, Sage Cattagriga-Alosa, Janelle Yip and Austin Smith.

Presented by: The North Face, Atomic, Hestra Gloves, Yellowhead Helicopters, SKI Magazine and Warren Miller Entertainment.