I live in Vancouver, British Columbia, and I usually purchase the Cypress Mountain season pass for downhill skiing. I love the days when the sun is shining after a good drop of fresh powder, mainly because you get to see the untouched mountains in the distance covered in snow.
But this got my imagination going, as I looked at these huge mountains in the distance I wondered if anyone was skiing on them? How would you even get there? That’s when I thought about heli skiing and what are some places you can do it in my own country.
Heli skiing is all about getting to the most remote and otherwise inaccessible mountaintops to ski down, something nobody with a regular lift ticket can ever experience! After a lot of in-depth research and deciding what my next extreme adventure could be, I have found the 10 best heli skiing options in Canada (pretty much BC only) that all skiing and snowboarder lovers can do, but you may need to spare a few extra bucks.
Here are 10 of the best heli skiing adventures in Canada:
1. Revelstoke, British Columbia
Known for its deep powder and vast terrain, Revelstoke is home to various heli-skiing operations that are perfect for people looking for some of the most exciting heli skiing across the globe.
Located smack dab in the heart of the rocky mountains, Revelstoke is by far one of the most popular heli skiing destinations in Canada and the world. It also happens to be very closer to several other mountain ranges where heli skiing is popular, particularly between the months of December and April.
Revelstoke features some of the biggest bowls, densest tree runs, and steepest chutes, so it’s certainly not for the faint of heart, but it most certainly is exhilarating. Due to the difficulty level, it’s recommended that only seasoned skiers with quality gear attempt heli skiing at Revelstoke.
Revelstoke, British Columbia heli skiing operators include:
- CMH Heli Skiing Revelstoke
- Eagle Pass Heli
- Selkirk Tangiers Helicopter Skiing
- Kingfisher Heli
- Mica Heli Skiing
2. Whistler, British Columbia
Heli skiing in Whistler is great for people who just want a single day adventure, but of course, guided tours that last for several days or longer are available as well. Some of the biggest heli skiing operators in the area include Whistler Heli-Skiing, Powder Mountain Catskiing & Heli-Skiing, and Coast Mountain Guides.
Whistler is just a quick drive from Vancouver, BC, so it’s very accessible, and the area is known for having some of the highest snowfall levels in the world. However, because it can be a bit warm in this part, it’s recommended to go in either January or February.
Furthermore, Whistler offers heli skiers of all skill levels something worth checking out, although like Revelstoke, there are some pretty difficult runs with steep chutes and plenty of trees. Of course, Whistler is also a fantastic place to be for regular skiing and snowboarding.
Whistler, British Columbia heli skiing operators include:
3. Bugaboos, British Columbia
If you’re looking to do some heli-skiing in a remote and untouched location, then the Bugaboos are the place to be. The Bugaboo mountains are located right at the Alberta border in BC, and they are very remote. Getting there takes some time and effort, but if you like the wilderness, then this is the place to be.
As far as the terrain is concerned, the bugaboos are known for having some of the most difficult heli skiing runs out there. There are some extremely steep portions, but what many people like is that many of the slopes are free of trees, so you can really get some speed going. That said, there are plenty of tree runs too, and even open glaciers to ski on.
Let’s not forget that this is often considered as the birthplace of heli-skiing. The best operator in this area is CMH or Canadian Mountain Holidays Heli Skiing, which is a very reputable company with some truly fantastic packages available.
Bugaboos, British Columbia heli skiing operators include:
4. Golden, British Columbia (Purcell Mountains)
Golden, BC is yet another fantastic Canadian heli skiing destination to consider, one that is nestled right in the middle of the Rockies, and is technically a part of the Purcell mountains. If what you are looking for is some beautiful backcountry skiing, then this is it.
What many people appreciate about heli skiing in Golden is that it features a wide variety of terrain types including thick tree runs, open slopes, glades, bowls, and super steep chutes too. This area is also known for having very deep powder, which can make it difficult to ski, so only skiers of higher skill levels should visit certain locations here.
Great Canadian Heli Skiing and Purcell Heli Skiing are the two major operators in the area that most people choose. On that note, you always want to have experienced guides and safety personnel with you here, as this is an avalanche hotspot.
Golden, British Columbia heli skiing operators include:
5. Bella Coola, British Columbia
If being in a remote location is what suits your fancy, then the Bella Coola area of BC is where you need to be. This is some of the best backcountry skiing in the world, particularly if you like terrain that is rarely touched, combined with snowfall levels nearly unrivaled by anywhere else in the world.
If it’s tons of fresh and deep powder that you want, then Bella Coola is the place to be. Beware that this is close to the coast, as it is technically a part of the Great Bear Rainforest, which means that temperatures are usually quite moderate and never overly cold.
Therefore, going in January and February, the coldest months, is recommended. Furthermore, if you like very steep and sometimes near-vertical slopes, then this is the place to be. There are several operators in the area, Bella Coola Heli Sports being one of the most popular.
Bella Coola, British Columbia heli skiing operators include:
6. Skeena Mountains, British Columbia
Northern Escape Heli-Skiing in Terrace offers challenging and thrilling runs amidst the Skeena Mountains, with Terrace being the closest town to stay in. Beware however that this area is quite remote, so it takes some time to reach, and accommodations are somewhat limited too, although most people would certainly consider it worth it.
Skiing here offers many different types of terrain, everything from tree-laden runs to totally open and super steep runs that will have you barreling down a mountainside at breakneck speeds. It is located in the Northwestern part of BC, so coastal weather can take hold at times, which is why going during the coldest months of the year is recommended.
Skeena and Terrace, British Columbia heli skiing operators include:
- Northern Escape Heli-Skiing
- Skeena Heli Skiing
- Last Frontier Heli Skiing
- White Wilderness Heli Skiing
7. Cariboos, British Columbia
If you like remote areas that are super pristine because they barely ever get touched, then checking out heli skiing in Cariboos, BC is strongly recommended. If beautiful scenery is your thing, then this is the place to be.
This is also a very remote location, which can make it difficult and costly to travel to. This is often considered a premium destination, so costs are usually quite high, but most would agree that the Cariboos offers a truly stunning heli skiing experience to anyone willing to travel to it.
The terrain here is quite diverse and luckily for people other than true experts, features some runs and areas that people of intermediate skill levels can navigate. Yes, most of it is expert territory, but there are some easier runs as well. If deep powder is what you want, then February is the time of year to go. One of the most commonly used heli skiing operators in the area is CMH.
Cariboos, British Columbia heli skiing operators include:
8. Kootenay Region, British Columbia
If you like picturesque locations that are as beautiful to look at as they are fun to ski, then Kootenay is the place to be.
This is by far one of the most diverse heli skiing locations in the world, as it allows for access to many mountain ranges, including the Monashees, the Purcells, and the Selkirk mountains. If you’re travelling here, you’ll likely start in the town of Nelson, as this is where most accommodations and heli skiing operators are based out of.
What many people love about this area is that it is suitable for most skill levels, even for people who are relatively new to skiing. Sure, there are some challenging runs, tree-heavy areas, and steep slopes, but there are also runs that are more ideal for beginners too. CMH and RK Heliski are just two of the many available operators in the area.
Kootenay Region, British Columbia heli skiing operators include:
9. Albreda Lodge, British Columbia
If you want to go heli skiing, but also stay in a luxury resort, then the Albreda Lodge in BC is the best place for you. As far as resorts go, this lodge is at the top of the list, as it features amazing architecture, state-of-the-art amenities, and much more.
It even has a gym, sauna, climbing wall, gourmet dining, an in-house massage therapist and more!
Of course, this is an elite lodge, so it doesn’t come cheap, but it’s certainly worth the investment if you want to see some of the most beautiful scenery in the world, all while enjoying a unique and intimate heli skiing adventure. If you want the best of the best, check out the Elite A-Star package!
Whistler, British Columbia heli skiing operators include:
10. Chic Choc, Quebec
If for whatever reason you’d rather stick to the center of Canada than the west coast, you could always check out heli skiing in Chic-Choc, Quebec (Chic-Choc is the mountain range, Chic-Chac is the company running the heli ski tours).
It’s a remote area in northern Quebec that offers some of the best heli-skiing in this part of the country, and the tours are somewhat affordable too. If you’re looking for fresh powder, and you don’t mind very cold temperatures, then this is a prime heli ski destination for you.
There is not much heli-skiing outside of British Columbia, but this offers people outside if that area some options!
Chic Chac, Quebec heli skiing operators include:
Jamie is the founder of Action Sporter. He is the chief zipline writer and the lead editor. He has 5 years of zipline experience being a tour guide in Newfoundland. Most of the time you can find Jamie adventure traveling, hiking, skiing, skateboarding, or anything action related!
