Best Heli Skiing Trips: Resorts + Heliskiing Best Short Trips

October 31, 2014

by tj with 2 Comments Best Heli-Skiing Canadian Heli-Ski Combination Heliski Catski Resort Deals Heli-Skiing Canada Heliskiing Reviews Whistler Heli-Skiing

Heli Skiing Trips + Resort Skiing Trips

Heli skiing trips plus resort skiing trips is next our series on the best heli skiing trips. Heliski.com clients often ask us to put together the best short heli skiing trips. This usually includes 3 or 4 days of heliskiing with minimal travel time and minimal risk. For some, it is more about getting the best deal. Others want to combine heli skiing trips and resort skiing.

Also check out our previous articles:

Revelstoke’s Best Short Heli Skiing Trips

Best Short Heliskiing Trips – Coast Range

Best Short Heli-Skiing Trips – SE British Columbia

Best Short Resort + Heli Skiing Trips

Here we discuss the best short heli skiing trips combined with Resort skiing.

Travel Time / Convenience

When combining resort skiing and heli skiing, minimizing travel time can save a day on the snow. Having said that, some prefer a day off.

Starting at a resort can help heliskiers get acclimated to the Pacific Time Zone.The is true specially for Europeans.

Short Heli Skiing Trips Cost

Another advantage to combining resort and heli-skiing trips is reducing the total cost.

Warming Up for Heli Skiing

Many HELISKI.com clients would like to get their ski legs before jumping into a helicopter. Combining resort and heli skiing trips is the obvious choice.

Whistler / Blackcomb Resort + Heli Skiing Trips

Whistler is probably the resort most commonly used to warm up before a destination heliskiing trip. Heliskiers connect through Vancouver on the way to all five of the Coast Range Heliskiing operators. And Vancouver is only an hour and a half away. For short trips including Whistler, consider Bella Coola Heliskiing, Northern Escape Heliskiing and TLH Heliskiing.

The Best Short Heli Skiing Trips – Resort + Heliski

Bella Coola Heliskiing

Combo trips with BCHS and Whistler work really well. in fact, we have many clients that do a pre- or post- Whistler trip.

There’s busses that leave from YVR every hour to Whistler, so transfers are super easy. Guests could sleep the night in Whistler, take the morning shuttle to YVR to meet the flight to Bella Coola, and be heli-skiing the longest descents in North America that afternoon.

A sample 7 night combo could look like this:

Day 1) Take a shuttle from YVR up the scenic Sea to Sky Highway to Whistler. Potential to ski in the afternoon

Day 2) Ski Whistler-Blackcomb

Day 3) Ski Whistler-Blackcomb

Day 4) Take the bus from Whistler to Vancouver Airport South Terminal for mid-morning flight to Bella Coola (70 minutes). After lunch and the safety briefing, heli-ski the rest of the afternoon

Day 5) Heli-skiing the epic terrain of the Coast Range

Day 6) Heli-skiing the epic terrain of the Coast Range

Day 7) Heli-skiing the epic terrain of the Coast Range

Day 8) Spend the morning heli-skiing the way to the Airport. On arrival, the guests luggage will be waiting so that they can change clothes for the short flight back to Vancouver, arriving around 2pm. Guests can then fly home that same evening!

Therefore a 7 night trip will give people 2-2.5 days of resort skiing and 5 days of heli-skiing (2 half-days and 3 full days). Not bad!

Great Canadian Heli-Skiing makes this list as well. Golden is home to Great Canadian Heli Skiing and Kicking Horse ‘The Jackson Hole of Canada.’ So it’s a great combination of terrain and easy travel.

Great Canadian Heli-Skiing will accommodate your group for as many days as you like, starting and stopping on any day.
All heliskiing is unlimited vertical at GCH, too.
6 groups of 4 in an A-Star, so you can find a group with similar ability and aggressiveness

TLH Heli Skiing Trips

TLH Heli Skiing Tenure is just North of Whistler. A shuttle takes guests from Whistler to Pemberton, where short hop by a chartered plane completes the flight to the lodge. TLH is unlimited vertical, and just one group per helicopter!

TLH / Whistler Heli Skiing

Combo Package can include: Unlimited Vertical Heli Skiing trips at TLH

4 nights’ accommodation at Tyax Wilderness Resort & Spa
3 nights’ accommodation in Whistler, BC
1 night accommodation in Vancouver, BC
Transportation from Vancouver to Whistler, Whistler to TLH and return to Vancouver (combination of land and air)
2 day lift pass for Whistler-Blackcomb Resort
All gourmet meals at TLH

Northern Escape Heli-Skiing is just 20 minutes from the Terrace airport. So getting from Whistler to the lodge is very easy and convenient. It is possible to ski Whistler Blackcomb in the morning, and have dinner at the Northern Escape Heli Skiing lodge.

Snowwater Heli Skiing has a resort / catskiing / heli skiing trip combo that is unique. It’s called the Kootenay Sampler.

One Resort day, 2 Catskiing days, 3 or 4 heliskiing days.

I have not done the Sampler, but I have heliskied with them, which was great. And the lodge is a ton of fun.

THE PEAK SEASON KOOTENAY HELI SKIING TRIPS INCLUDE:

DAY 1
– your trip starts with a night at the Prestige Resort in Rossland
– breakfast voucher for ski hill in the morning is included
– a day pass for Red Resort ski area

DAY 2 and 3
– 3 nights accommodation at Nelson’s Lakeside Prestige Resort and Convention Centre
– 2 days snowcat at their sister company, Valhalla Powdercats, lunch and morning snacks included
– breakfast at Prestige Resort in Nelson

DAY 4
– breakfast at Prestige Resort in Nelson
– pass for Ainsworth Hot Springs Caves and Mineral Baths.

DAY 5, 6 and 7
– 3 or 4 days of heli skiing with Snowwater Heli Skiing

– 3 groups of 4

– UNLIMITED VERTICAL!
– all alcohol (except cellared wine and premium liquor)
– 3 nights accommodation at Snowwater Lodge
– 3 delicious meals a day for the length of your Snowwater stay
– personal safety backpack with avalanche probe, shovel and water bottle
– use of digital barryvox avalanche transceiver
– avalanche safety and transceiver training
– helicopter safety briefing
– specially selected poles and fat powder skis
– transfer to and from the lodge from the base office.

Honorable Mention Heli Skiing Trips

Last Frontier Heliskiing, for the ultimate warm up plus a full 7-day package. 3 days at Whistler, 1 in Vancouver, and 7 days heliskiing at the Bell 2 Lodge. It looks like this:

Let us know if we can assist with recommendations for the best BC heli skiing trips!

Heliski-In/Heliski-Out at Whistler Blackcomb! Ultimate Whistler Heli Skiing House

December 4, 2013

by tj with No Comment Coast Range Heli-Skiing BC Canada Heli-Skiing Canada Whistler Heli-Skiing

Whistler Heliskiing’s newest thing: Heliski-In / Heliski-Out

Forget ski-in/ski-out, introducing Whistler’s newest and greatest thing – Heliski-In / Heliski-Out!

The ultimate in luxury and resort-based heliskiing convenience. Why waste powder time driving to the helipad when you can land right next to your chalet!?

The Belmont Estate in Whistler is one of the World’s only truly Heliski -In/Heliski-Out out chalets. And it is only 5 minutes drive to the lifts in Whistler, so down days are a thing of the past.

Check out this video of the helicopter landing at the house!

The Belmont Estate is, without a doubt, the most contemporary and private house in Whistler. The house boasts unobstructed and quintessential panoramic views over Whistler resort. The 7 bedroom estate sits on 7 acres of land and features a helipad, making it one of the world’s only truly Heliski-in/Heliski-out properties.

With 8100 sq feet of liveable space, Belmont is among Whistler’s largest houses. The main house has 5 bedrooms all with ensuite bathrooms, and the guest house has 2 bedrooms with a loft. Belmont is located in Stonebridge, Whistler’s most exclusive and private neighborhood and is a 5 minute drive from the ski-lifts at Creekside. The Estate features a gated laneway, heated outdoor pool, hot tub that seats 12 people, a steam room, outdoor firepits, a billiards room, a media room and a gym.

Rentals include 24/7 Private Concierge Service, a private driver, butler services and daily housekeeping provided by the professionals from https://www.maideasy.com.au/.

We work with all three of Whistler’s heliski operators. All three operators can land at the house. Locally based and very experienced concierge team will suggest which of the 3 is the best for your group based on group size, skier ability level, conditions and time of the year.

Special introductory rates are currently available. Call 866-HELISKI or email tj at HELISKI.com

2014 Heli-Skiing Special: Whistler + Last Frontier Heliskiing Deal

December 19, 2012

by tj Coast Range Heli-Skiing BC Canada Combination Heliski Catski Resort Deals Heli-Skiing Canada Whistler Heli-Skiing

Heli-skiing Special

Last Frontier Heli-Skiing special is offering some deals for 2014. See them summarized below, scroll down for details.
Book with HELISKI.com and we throw in a free massage for each guest.
So you don’t forget, order by midnight tonight!
tj

1. Combo of 3 days at the Whistler Fairmont + 4 days Last Frontier Heliskiing. $6550
2. Combo of 3 days Whistler + 5 days heliskiing. $8440
3. Combo of 3 days Whistler + 7 days heliskiing. $10,070
4. Safari 3 days heliskiing at EACH LFH lodge, and 1 day heliskiing from one to the other. $9470
I have done this trip, and it rocks!

Meet the Unofficial Mayor of Whistler Village: Interview with Powder Mountain Heliskiing and Catskiing

June 18, 2012

by tj with 3 Comments Heli-Skiing Canada Heliskiing Reviews Operator Interviews Whistler Heli-Skiing

POSTED BY: Tom Jackson, IN: Heliski.com November 3, 2011

Interview by Tom Jackson, HELISKI.com Recently we visited with Gordon Calder who runs Powder Mountain Heliskiing and Catskiing in Whister-Blackcomb, BC. He goes by Gord, and is the unofficial mayor of Whistler Village. What follows are 15 or so questions with HELISKI.com and HeliskiingReview.com 1. Gord, Powder Mountain used to be a catskiing-only operation. What made you decide to move up? (bad pun intended) It has always been a dream, and when dreams come along you grab them and run. 2. Where is your terrain, in relation to Whistler-Blackcomb Resort? 15 minutes South. [387 square miles of terrain, so there is always a good aspect and angle to heliski.] 3. You get more snow than Whistler, too, eh? 30% more snow on average; if you don’t believe me I’ll prove it to you.

whistler heli-skiing, helicopter skiing whistler bc canada

More Snow than Whistler!

4. Describe a typical day of heli-skiing with Powder Mountain. All I can say is “Bucket List,” with Whistler as your backcountry lodge. Your Heli Day: 7:45am Meet at Gone Bakery in the Whistler Village, behind the grocery store, to check in and sign your waiver. Be dressed and ready to ski except for your ski boots. We drive you and your equipment to our simple base lodge The Powder Mountain base Lodge is 20 minutes south of Whistler on Highway 99 at the Chance Creek turn off, or to the Black Tusk Heliport in Squamish depending on weather conditions, where you meet your guides. . With Gone Bakery being right behind the grocery store, you can watch everyone race for powder as you saunter over to the Backside of Gone Bakery with your guide for your ride down to our lodge. Please be on time. Time wasted is skiing wasted. You can never get back turns you missed. 8:00am Departure for “Your Best Day Ever” from the Gone Bakery. Don’t be late. 9.00am At our simple base lodge we have a cozy fireplace and bathroom facilities. After a short talk on the day’s proceedings and a short helicopter safety briefing, we load up the helicopter and head out into the backcountry. Book and Ski Guaranteed: If the weather makes it impossible to fly, your powder day will be from our snowcat that we keep ready in case of the weather not cooperating. If your day is from the cat instead of the helicopter, you will only be charged for a day of catskiing not heliskiing.[cool] 9.15am – 9.45am You step out of the helicopter and begin a quick orientation to make you feel comfortable and to ensure you are familiar with our safety procedures and equipment. After that, it’s time to get our first taste of the day’s snow. You will be at an altitude between 6,500 and 8,000 feet, clicking into your bindings for the first run of the day. The first run is always a “Let’s Get Acquainted” run to let everyone get warmed up and so the guide can get an idea of everyone’s ability so they can plan the day that gets the best skiing or riding for the group. The groups’ ability and snow conditions determine what kind of terrain and runs we will be riding. 3.00pm – 3:30pm The end of your day depends more on the energy level of the group, snow and weather conditions, etc, than what time it is. 3:30 – 3:45pm You return to our Base Lodge, then transfer into our 4×4 vans and head back to Whistler. 4:30pm You are usually back in Whistler, dropped at Gone Bakery. [grinning ear to ear] Bonus Question: As the unofficial mayor of Whistler, what are the best après-ski bars in Whistler Village? Longhorn Citta Amsterdam 5. If the weather looks iffy to fly, do you tell your guests to stay in town and ski Whistler? HAHAHAHAHAA! No we jump in a cat and hit the most epic trees on the planet. 6. You ski the A-Star, so groups of four? We do A-Star groups of 4 and a 214 for groups of 10. 7. How many groups per helicopter? A-Star up to 3 groups of 4. In the Bell 214, 2 groups of 10. 8. Do you usually have space on short notice, or should guests make reservations before they get to Whistler? If you only have one or two days to shred then book ahead. If you’re here for a week or so, feel free to roll last minute. We have a 24 hour cancellation policy and do not charge your card until the night before the trip leaves, so if you cancel there is no fee. [Cool]

While you’re in the backseat, get me a beer

9. Can you recommend lodging in Whistler? There are so many amazing places it does not really matter, just make sure your not right above a night club or you could get no sleep at all. [great insider tip...] 10. So, how did you come up with the name for Powder Mountain Heliskiing Catskiing? Pretty easy, we have Powder and a Mountain. [Huh!] 11. Other than a Private, you offer 3-run and 5-run packages. $595 for 3 runs $995 for 5 runs How much vertical does each usually get? Tons, most people don’t have the legs for what we offer!

Been there, skied that, got the T-shirt

12. Once your guests have had a taste, do you send them straight to What’s the right answer? Of course! 13. So you are my gateway drug, eh? We have Gateway and the Endway just jump on board for the ride. At Powder Mountain the answer is YES to every question. [Sounds like my old girlfriend] 14. Do you take a lot of heli-boarders? With Ken Achenbach and Don Schwartz as the owners that is a big yes.

helicopter skiing canada, heli-skiing british columbia canada

Powder Mountain is OWNED by Riders!

15. Do you provide powder boards for guests? No we suggest going to summit ski and sport in the Hilton hotel. Anything else you want to add? The only way to describe our place can be said in just two words. “ EPIC” Thx TJ LOL, you are the man, Gord!. Thanks. See you soon. tj Tom Jackson CPO (Chief Powder Officer) HELISKI.com HeliskiingReview.com WhistlerHeliski.com HEIBOARD.com 866-HELISKI (866-435-4754)

Interview with Coast Range Heliskiing, Whistler Blackcomb Heli-Skiing BC Canada

May 7, 2012

by tj with No Comment Heli-Skiing Canada Operator Interviews Whistler Heli-Skiing

Check out the latest in our series of Heliskiing Operator Interviews.

Also check out the New Blog Look – Comments Appreciated

Let us know if you want advice on the best trip for your group, too.
tj
Whistler’s Coast Range Heliskiing Interview – HELISKI.com and HeliskiingReview.com 15 Questions with Coast Range Heliskiing originally posted Nov 16, 2011 09:45 am | Tom Jackson

For starters, my partner Mike and I want to thank you for your generosity. When Mike’s grandson was in a bad accident, you offered a heliski trip to the charity auction on his behalf. Thanks again, Tyler!

1. When does the season open for Coast Range Heliskiing from Whistler?

We are set to fly our first tour December 10th, 2011.

Escape Whistler-Blackcomb

2. What do clients need to do to get your 10% advanced booking discount?

To take advantage of our early booking offer guests must make their 2011-2012 heliski booking before November 31st.

3. What if they have to change dates or cancel?

We have a 24 hr cancellation policy so guests always have the chance to re-schedule should something unexpected pop up.

4. Where is your terrain, in relation to Whistler-Blackcomb Resort?

Coast Range Heliskiing operates in several areas North-East of the Whistler-Blackcomb Resort. Guests are picked up in Whistler village and taken on a quick 20 min chauffeured ride out to our home base in the quaint town of Pemberton where they will board the helicopter to ski/board in our Mount Currie zone.

Coast Range Heliskiing Terrain Map

5. What made you decide to pioneer small group heliskiing in Whistler?

Some heli-ski companies ski in large groups of 10 or more. We like to offer a more personalized service where you get to know your guide, so we limit the group size to just four or five guests. Skiing in small groups makes it easier to match ability levels, reducing wait times and maximizing vertical so you’ll do more skiing/riding and ultimately end in a better experience.

6. What helicopters do you use, and how many groups per ship?

We fly in the A-star and Bell 407 helicopters. Both are fast dynamic machines that are quiet and nimble in the mountains providing a luxury experience for the smaller groups of 4-5 guests, maximum of 3 groups, that we specialize in.

7. Describe a typical day of heli-skiing with Coast Range Heliskiing.

Guests are picked up at one of our 3 Whistler locations at 7:45am. They are then driven 20 minutes north in our comfortable vans to our base in nearby Pemberton. Upon arrival at our base facility they will be welcomed by our friendly staff with hot coffee and a light continental breakfast while completing some formalities including our comprehensive release of liability.

Guests then receive a safety briefing from both the pilot and guide. The group is then divided into groups of 4 or 5 based on skill level or specific request. As safety is our main concern guests will go over a complete safety briefing with their guide which includes a personal transceiver orientation. After mastering the use of the personal transceiver guests will be introduced to the pilot who will take them through the helicopter safety orientation.

Lift off is approximately 10.00am. Typically we complete 2 or 3 runs prior to lunch which is served in the alpine amidst snow capped mountains and beautiful frozen lakes. Guests will take in the crisp fresh mountain air and soak up the view. After lunch guests are refueled and ready for more glorious powder runs in the pristine alpine. Once guests have completed all the runs in their package they do have the option of purchasing additional runs at $95pp until the days end between 3-4pm when they return to the base for après-ski and a photo slideshow of the day. Then it’s finally time to prepare for the quick trip back to Whistler.

8. If the weather looks sketchy to fly, do you tell your guests to stay in town and ski Whistler-Blackcomb?

If it looks as though we won’t be able to fly we do try and let our guests know in advance so they can make alternate arrangements to switch their heliski trip to a different day and enjoy one of Whistler’s many other attractions, which could include skiing on the mountain.

Deep, eh?

9. Do you usually have space on short notice, or should guests make a reservation before they get to Whistler?

We always recommend guests book in advance to secure their spots and also to get the best deal. We have a 24hr cancellation policy so if guests arrive in Whistler and decide that they would like to change their dates we are happy to accommodate them. Our booking office is centrally located in Whistler village across from the Whistler Gondola and we are happy to help out our guests.

10. Other than a Private, you offer 4-run and 6-run packages.

($960 for 4 runs; $1150 for 6 runs).

How much vertical does each usually get?

Our 4 run packages typically enjoys between 6,000-12,000 vertical feet of skiing, while our 6 run guests typically ski 9,000-18,000 vertical feet. It’s not unusual to get 4,000 vertical feet per run with a strong group on days when the conditions are in our favour. [Sweeeeeet!]

Ooooooooh Yeeaaaaaaahh

11. How much are extra runs?

Extra runs are $95 per person.

12. What percentage of your guests buy extra runs, and how many?

75-80%, 1-2 extra runs.

13. What percentage of your guests are heli-boarders?

About 35% are heli-boarders; a number that has increased over the past 10 years.

14. Do you provide powder boards for guests?

We are happy to arrange for rentals of new powder snowboards through our rental partner in Whistler.

15. Anything else you want to add about Coast Range Heliskiing Whistler?

Coast Range Heliskiing is the boutique heliskiing operator in Whistler. We work hard to offer an unforgettable service to our guests, one that they will remember for their entire lifetime!

Tom Jackson
CPO (Chief Powder Officer)
HELISKI.com
HeliskiingReview.com
WhistlerHeliski.com
HEIBOARD.com
866-HELISKI
(866-435-4754)

: Knowledge is Powder!

12 Minutes to First Tracks Heliskiing – from Downtown Vancouver!

January 5, 2012

by tj with One Comment Whistler Heli-Skiing

Powder Mountain Heli-skiing and Heli-boarding is one of the three operators heliskiing Whistler-Blackcomb.

Powder Mountain just announced that you can Heli Ski from down town Vancouver B.C.! They did their first recon trip last week, and the first run is 12 minutes from the harbour heli port.

If you live in Vancouver and want to go HeliSkiing but don’t want to fight the traffic to Whistler, there is now an option.

Or, you can heliski your way to Whistler. Your bags will go by ground and meet you at your hotel!

Call if you want to learn more or book your trip! 866-HELISKI
tj
Tom Jackson
CPO (Chief Powder Officer)
HELISKI.com
HELIBOARD.com
866-HELISKI
(866-435-4754)

Expert Advice – Knowledge is Powder

Posts in category: Whistler Heli-Skiing