Cheap Heli Skiing Canada

Cheap Heli Skiing Canada

Affordable Heli Skiing

Cheap Heli Skiing Alaska

Cheap heli skiing, as you might guess, is relative.  It depends on what cheap heli skiing means to you.  Is cheap heli skiing the lowest price, aka affordable heli skiing, or the best value.

To find the cheapest heli skiing for your group, email TJ or call 866-HELISKI (435-4754)

Cheap Heli Skiing Canada – Lowest Price

The lowest price heli skiing is going to be a resort – based operator.  These heli skiing operators cater to first-timers.  The number of runs and the vertical feet are very low, compared with destination heli skiing operators.   These bucket-lister offerings require safety briefings every day.  The first run is usually very mellow, to make sure everyone can hang.  This is often combined with a long lunch, and quitting early.  Here are some of the cheapest heli skiing options in 2023 (as in lowest price).

OperatorPrice ($US)Runs$/RunExtra Runs
RK Heliski$7203$240$69
     
Whistler Heliskiing$1,1124$278$100
     
Selkirk-Tangiers$1,2305$246 
     
Eagle Pass DAY Program$1,4007$200$92
     
Silverton Mtn. Colorado, US$2831$283 
 $1,2906$215 
     
Phantom Heli (Whistler)$1,473Unlimited (8-12)$147$0

Cheap Heli Skiing Canada – Best Value

Calculating the cheapest heli skiing based on the amount of skiing, or value, is more challenging.

There are two pricing models in Canada:  Unlimited Vertical and Base Price Plus Extra Vertical.  So the more vertical you get, the less expensive the former and the more expensive the latter becomes.  And the price of extra vertical, and the vertical feet included also vary. 

Further, the relative value requires considering all of the other important factors in choosing a heli skiing operator and trip.   Those include location, terrain, snow quality and quantity, number of groups per helicopter, the size of the groups, lodging, food and amenities, travel, guides and safety.  Read our blog for more.

Here is an example of the analysis I did for a client who was trying to determine which pricing model fit them best: 

 BaseFeet IncludedExtra Vert / K080,00090,000100,000110,000120,000130,000
CMH Monashees$6,76271,438$47$6,762$7,164$7,634$8,104$8,574$9,044$9,514
Crescent Spur$6,18480,000$38$6,184$6,184$6,564$6,944$7,324$7,704$8,084
Northern Escape$7,50072,000$35$7,500$7,780$8,130$8,480$8,830$9,180$9,530
Northern Esc. Unlimited$8,819Unlimited$-  $8,819$8,819$8,819$8,819$8,819$8,819$8,819

I hope it’s obvious that the calculations can get complex.  But, I love doing it.  Let me know if I can help you choose your next heli skiing adventure.

Cheers,

tj

Shots of some of the operators mentioned:

Phantom Heli Skiing

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Whistler Heli Skiing

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Eagle Pass Heli Skiing

cheap heli skiing, RK HELISKIING

Selkirk Tangiers Heli Skiing Revelstoke

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Heli Skiing Cost – So How Much Does Heli Skiing Cost? Heliski Cost Explained

How Much Does it Cost to Go Heli Skiing?
Heli Skiing Prices Explained

mica heli skiing, mica heliskiing revelstoke chopper and skier
Heli Skiing Prices may seem high…… but it’s worth it!

What does heli skiing cost?

A good rule of thumb is heliski cost is $1,500/day/person US  ($2,000 Can.).  Heli skiing prices vary A LOT!  The cost of heli skiing in Canada for a week, 6-7 days, ranges from $12K-$20K USD ($15K – $25K Can.) per person.   A Private week of heli skiing costs 2 to 3 times that number!  Read heliskiing price details below.  Is it worth it?  Watch this video and tell me!

Free Expert Canada Helicopter Skiing Advice & Recommendations

Also see our blog post:  Heliskiing vs. Resort Skiing, We Do the Math

What determines heliskiing cost?

How much does it cost to go heli skiing?

Heli Skiing Prices vary by:

helicopter skiing, CMH adamants helicopter skiing
Heli Skiing Prices may seem high…… but it’s worth it!
The time of year (early and late season the cost to go heli skiing is significantly less) The scale of the operation (large helicopters are less expensive, and boutique operations are more expensive) The number of days (some weeks are 6 days of skiing, some 7). Longer heliskiing trips cost less per day The number of groups per helicopter (fewer is better – less waiting, but more expensive). Some operators ski four groups per helicopter, some two. Private is one group per helicopter. The amenities and the travel options (some fly you in by helicopter; some heli skiing prices include a hotel in Vancouver or Calgary). Most require an additional flight from Vancouver into British Columbia which can add $300 to $500 Can. to the heliski trip cost. Some fly from Calgary. Some airlines fly to Kelowna BC from the US, which can reduce the travel cost) Location: Alaska Heli Skiing prices are often lower, but there are reasons, which we can explain. Resort heliskiing prices are higher, relative the to amount of skiing.  

Heli skiing pries are largely a function of the helicopter cost.

  • Helicopter cost is a function of  the flight time of the helicopter.  Longer trips cost more (including fuel runs, first/last runs, changing ranges, etc)
  • The amount of heliskiing is primarily measured in vertical feet or meters.  Operators guarantee a minimum, below which one gets a credit or refund.

3 Heliskiing Price Models

  • One pricing model includes a set amount of vertical feet, typically 100K vertical feet per week; 70K for 5 days; 60K for 4, 45K for 3 days (roughly, but it’s important component of the cost).  Over that, one pays $37 to $56 per thousand feet Canadian Dollars. ( $28 to $42 USD).  Again, the difference in the additional vertical price can have a big impact on the cost of a heli skiing trip.  Here are the average base price costs for 4, 5 and 7 day trips, organized by season – early, high, late.  Note that extra vertical increases the final cost.
Heli Skiing Prices are Canadian Dollars

  • Other operators charge a higher base price but include unlimited vertical – Heliski as much as you want!   This is great if you ski fast and works better when the days are longer – think March.  Below is a graph of the average price of 4, 5 and 7 day unlimited vertical trips by season.
  • So Where is the Breakeven for Unlimited Vertical vs. Base Price Plus?

  • That’s the 100,000 foot question….   Here is a comparison of the average heliskiing price for unlimited vertical for 7-day trips in Peak Season (in black), compared to the price of base plus offerings:  lowest (green), average (yellow) and highest (red).
  • From the chart below you can see that the breakeven varies.  For the lowest base + price operator, the breakeven is not reached until over 200K vertical!  Below 200K, the low base price + is less expensive!   Which operator is that?  Email us!
  • However, for the highest base + price operator, the base price + is more expensive beyond 120K vertical is reached!  And it can be a lot more!  At 200K, the extra vertical charge is $5K, dwarfing even my bar tab!  Which operator is that?  We can tell you.
  • For the average base price + offering, the breakeven occurs at 140K vertical.  Beyond that unlimited is the less expensive option with most operators.
  • Conclusion?  Not all pricing models are equal.  It pays to do the numbers.  We are happy to do it for you.  Email us!
 
  • Heliskiing Costs by the Hour:   Heli Skiing in Alaska and Private heliskiing options are often priced by the hour of helicopter flight time, or Hobbs (common in Privates and in heli skiing Alaska).   Again, a certain number of helicopter hours are included, and above that gets price – $2500 Can/hour.  But an hour is A LOT of flying and skiing.

Trips come in all sizes, typically 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 days.  The heli skiing price per day typically goes down as the trip gets longer.  So the cost to go heli skiing is higher per day for shorter trips.  Food, lodging and helicopter skis are included in all of these helicopter ski trips.  What are the best heliskis?

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Single day heli skiing prices can be lower, but the value is also lower.

For example, a 3-Run helicopter ski package can be $700-$800 US or less.  There are 1-day operators, usually found near a resort. It’s a taste of the real thing, and expensive for what you get.  One has to be prepared to go over the safety briefing every day, and they cater to newbies and bucket-list heliskiers, so be ready for the challenges and delays that can bring.

Some operators combine catskiing and/or resort skiing with heliskiing. This can be a good way to warm up, and it keeps the cost down. Catskiing is about 50 to 65% of the cost of heliskiing.

Heliskiing cost is one of many factors to consider….

How does one decide?  Call 866-HELISKI or email me (TJ)  and I will put together the best helicopter ski options for you.  Answer 4 quick questions, or

EMAIL TJ

Check out our Heliskiing Canada Guide  and

Top 10 Things to Consider when Booking the Best Heli Skiing

 

How Much Does Heli Skiing Cost?

How Much Does Heli-Skiing Cost?

How Much Does Heli Skiing Cost?  It’s not a simple answer, but a good rule of thumb is heli-skiing cost is $1,500/day/person US.  A week of Canada heli skiing cost ranges from $8,000 – $20,000 US, per person. Heliski cost varies depending on many factors.

Give us a call or email and we can help you find the best heli ski cost for the trip that suits your group.  866-HELISKI.  or EMAIL

Here is an example of options we put together for a group of 8 looking for 4-5 days next January:

OperatorJanuary Dates# DaysGroup SizeGroups Per HeliSki TogetherVertical FeetHeliski Cost Per PersonHeliski Cost Per DayTravel
       (US)  
Silvertip21-25482YesUnlimited$6,902$1,726Van-Williams Lake, Heli to Lodge (all included)
 29- Feb 2482YesUnlimited$7,672$1,918 
 Ski in one group, cool lodge on lake, travel from Vancouver included.  
          
Stellar11-14442 or 3NoUnlimited$8,210$2,053Fly to Spokane, WA; rent Cars, drive 4.5 hrs
          
          
Crescent Spur1-64102YesUnlimited$5,572$1,393Fly Van-Prince George, 2 hrs in Shuttle, incl.
 6-125102 80K$8,412$1,682 
 6-136102 100K$9,095$1,516 
      extra @ $37/K  
          
Great Canadian8-12443NoUnlimited$7,913$1,978Fly to Calgary, Van 4 hrs., $2300 US total
 14-17483  $9,221$2,305 
          
Mike Wiegele13-205103 or 4YesUnlimited$8,640$1,728Fly to Kamloops, 2.5 hrs by rental car or shuttle
 20-275104 or 4     
 27-Feb 35105 or 4     
Here is a link to a map showing your options in red. In case the labels don’t show, they are top to bottom: Crescent Spur, Silvertip, Mike Wiegele, Great Canadian, Stellar

heli skiing cost, how much does heli skiing cost example

Heliski Cost varies by:

The time of year (early and late season heli-skiing costs less)

The scale of the operation (large helicopters are less expensive, and boutique operations are more expensive)  Even within CMH heli skiing costs vary widely.

The number of days (some weeks are 6 days of skiing, some 7).   It’s best to look at what heli skiing costs per day and per vertical foot / meter to compare the cost of heli skiing.

The number of groups per helicopter (fewer is better – less waiting).  Some operators ski four groups per helicopter, some two.  Heli skiing costs less with more groups.  Private is one group, and expensive.

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The travel options (some fly you in by helicopter; some include hotel in Vancouver or Calgary).  Some operators include the flight in the heli-skiing cost.

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The amount of skiing, measured in vertical feet or meters. Most guarantee a minimum, typically 100K feet per week.  Over that, one pays $40 to $60 US per thousand feet. Some operators charge a higher base rate, but include unlimited vertical. Ski as much as you want. Some charge by the hour of helicopter flight time aka Hobbs.   This is more common in Privates and in Alaska.

Trips come in all sizes, typically 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 days.

The amenities and other add ons, including massage and alcohol (in most cases).  Some packages include EVERYTHING in the heliski cost!

COST OF HELI SKIING, ALCOHOL, WHAT DOES HELI SKIING COST?

There are 1-day operators, usually found near a resort. It’s a taste of the real thing, and expensive for what you get. You have to be prepared to go over the safety briefing every day, and they cater to newbies, so be ready for the challenges and delays that can bring.  The cost of heli skiing for one day is usually very high compared to longer trips, especially considering the vertical you ski.

Some operators combine catskiing and/or resort skiing with heliskiing. This can be a good way to warm up, and it keeps the heliski cost down. Catskiing is 40-50% of the cost of heliskiing on average.

How does one decide? Call or email me or one of the HELISKI.com team.

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