One of the biggest challenges that you’ll face when looking to go heli-skiing is paying for the trip in the first place. Although heli-skiing is one of the best winter activities out there, it’s also quite expensive when compared to traditional downhill skiing.
As you can imagine, enlisting a helicopter along with a trained tour guide to fly you up a mountain and then guide you back down doesn’t come cheap. So, how much does it cost to go heli-skiing?
Heli-skiing costs anywhere from $600 to $3000 USD per day per person. Many factors influence the cost of a heli-skiing adventure, such as the location, number of runs, length of trip, accommodations, private vs. open groups, and all other related travel expenses.
Heli-skiing trips typically follow one of two main pricing models:
- Some operators offer a lower base price but then add a charge for every 1,000 feet in elevation you ski, usually between $28 and $42 USD.
- Others might have a higher upfront cost, but it includes unlimited vertical skiing, meaning there’s no charge based on elevation.
While the price range gives a general idea of the costs, it’s worth diving deeper to understand what factors contribute to these expenses. The total cost can vary greatly depending on several factors. Let’s break down some of the primary influences on the price of heli skiing.
6 Factors that Influence Heli-Skiing Costs
There are a few factors that will work towards determining the overall cost of your heli-skiing trip.
1. The Location You Choose
One of the biggest difference makers here is the location which you choose. Some parts of the world are naturally more expensive than others, the main thing that influences the cost is simply supply and demand. If there is a high demand for heli skiing, but only limited companies at the location offering the activity, the costs are going to be increased.
Some of the priciest packages are currently found in Canada, particularly in British Columbia.
For instance, this was a 7-day tour offered by CMH Heli-skiing in BC, Canada, which cost $458,000 (although it comes with all of the bells and whistles you could imagine). It was a 50th-anniversary offering that included private helicopters, private jet transportation, private chefs, limited-edition ski gear, and so much more. This is just an example of how expensive things can get, which is not typical.
There are plenty of multi-day tours that have you staying in a special lodge resort or hotel. However, others have you staying on a luxury yacht, with the helicopter departing from the yacht every morning. As you can imagine, these trips can cost several hundreds of thousands of dollars.
However, there are also other locations in Canada, USA, and Europe where you can go heli-skiing for a single day, for a few runs, for around $1,000 or so.
The country and specific location make a difference, but what also needs to be considered is that certain locations require a lot more riding in a helicopter to get to the initial start point. The helicopter is the most expensive part of the equation, so the more it is needed, the more expensive the trip will be. That is why additional runs cost extra.
Examples of Heli Skiing Trip Costs
Here are a few locations I found doing research online on costs leading into the 2024 heli-skiing season. They are subject to change at any time, but this is what was shown online for me at the time of writing.
Whistler BC Heli Skiing and Snowboarding Day Trips:
| Heli Ski Tour | Group Size | Vertical Feet | Cost | Additional Runs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 RUN BELL 212 | 7 to 12 | Approx. 6000 to 10,000 ft | $1277 USD | $108 Each |
| 4 RUN 212 PRIVATE GROUP | Max 10 people | Approx. 6000 to 10,000 ft | $12769 USD | $108 Each |
| 6 RUN A-STAR | Group of 1-4 | Approx. 9,000-15,000ft | $1537 USD | $115 Each |
| PRIVATE HELICOPTER A-STAR | Group of 1-4 | Approx. 9,000-15,000ft | $13615 USD | Additional time 0.1hr: $405 |
See more info on their website here.
Canadian Mountain Holidays Heli Skiing Tours:
| Location | CMH Trip Type | Duration | Cost per Person |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revelstoke | Signature Trip | 7 Days | $7250 CAD Each |
| Kootenay | Signature Trip | 5 Days | $6820 CAD Each |
| Bugaboos | Family Adventure | 7 Days | $11,075 CAD Each |
| Bugaboos | Powder Masters | 7 Days | $14,300 CAD Each |
| Adamants | Small Group | 7 Days | $15,505 CAD Each |
See more info about trip types and offers on their website here.
Telluride, Colorado Heli Trax:
| Package Type | Cost | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|
| Daily Heli Skiing | $1875 USD per person | Each extra run is $225 per person |
| Custom Heli Ski Tours | $10500 USD per hour | Custom guests should budget around $2500 per person for a custom day |
See more info on the heli-skiing packages here.
HeliSki-Alpes Europe tours:
| Location | Type | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Heli-skiing in Courmayeur, Italy | VIP 6 Drops and + (Full Day) | 1280 euros each ($1370 USD) |
| Heli-skiing in Zermatt, Switzerland | Standard 2 Drops | 590 euros each ($630 USD) |
| Heli-skiing Summit of Mont Blanc | 2.5 Hour Run | 1200 euros each ($1280 USD) |
See more tour options on their website here.
2. The Length of Your Trip
The length of your trip will also make a difference in terms of the cost. There are single-day adventures possible for around $1000, as mentioned above. There are also trips that can last for various numbers of days, with anywhere between one and seven days being common.
If you can expect to spend up to $2000 per day on average, you can imagine that a weeklong trip can be relatively expensive. The cheaper options, which usually only last a day, generally only include the basics, such as the helicopter rental and a guided tour.
However, if we are talking about multi-day or even weeklong trips, these tend to be exponentially more expensive. This is because things like accommodations, food, and other necessities are often included. Often these are luxury stays at secluded lodges with private chefs, spas, and much more.
3. Accommodations
If you’re just going for a single day, you won’t really need any accommodations, which will greatly reduce your overall costs.
Let’s consider that a one-person accommodation in a hotel in the United States of America costs an average of $129, with a two-person room costing an average of $259.
However, as far as ski resorts go, the number can be much higher, several times higher. In some prime locations, during the busy seasons, you can easily spend up to $1000 per night for a 5-star ski resort hotel room.
Most accommodations are included in the cost of your trip, hence why they can be so expensive. However, all tours are different, and you may be responsible for various fees. Make sure you know all your included costs before booking a multi-day tour.
4. Private Groups vs. Joining Others
Whether you go on a private trip with your friends and family or in an open group with random people, it makes a significant difference in costs.
Generally speaking, if you plan on taking a private trip with your friends or family, expect to spend anywhere between two and three times as much as you would otherwise.
5. Trip Cancelation and Emergency Insurance Costs
It is recommended that you also purchase insurance for your trip. It is recommended to get at least $50,000 in medical emergency coverage and $100,000 in emergency evacuation coverage.
You will also need trip cancellation insurance so that you don’t lose all of your money if you have to cancel your trip. Depending on a wide variety of factors, this can cost several hundred to several thousand dollars.
CMH Heli-Skiing recommends reaching out to Uniglobe Specialty Travel Insurance. See what they offer on their website by filling out their no-obligation form here.
Read our related post on “Is Heli-Skiing Dangerous? (The 5 Primary Dangers)” here.
6. The Season/Time of Year
Exactly when the busy seasons and the off-seasons are depends on the country in question. However, the simple fact is that things always cost more during the popular times of the year compared to the off-season.
This can be influenced by the best weather for skiing when the powder is considered the best ski conditions. Early in the year may be cheaper then mid-winter as there isn’t as much snow yet. For example, in Canada, the best ski months are January, February, March, and the prices reflect so.
You will see when booking at different times of the year the cost can be different for the exact same tour. Just keep that in mind when you are on the search for a heli-skiing trip.
Other Possible Costs to Consider
There are also a few indirect costs that you should consider if you plan on going heli-skiing.
Traveling to the Destination
If you happen to live right beside the destination of your choice, then you are in luck. However, not everybody has this luxury.
Some people may have to drive for hours on end, take a domestic flight, or sometimes even an international flight. The cost of flights, gas, and other expenses along the way add up rather quickly. You can easily end up spending thousands just to get there and back.
On top of the travel, you may need accommodations along the way too, so you have hotels, hostels, and other costs.
Pre-Trip Avalanche Safety Training
An avalanche is a very real threat when going on such a trip. Therefore, you really should be prepared for the circumstances so you know exactly what to do. Avalanche safety training can easily cost anywhere between $600 and $800, depending on the provider. It isn’t always required, but it is never a bad thing to have completed before heli-skiing.
Pre-Trip Ski Lessons
Heli-skiing requires a good deal of skill, which means that you may want to take some skiing lessons first. In the USA, an average group ski lesson is $100, with a private lesson averaging around $500. Remember that you might need a few lessons to get to an adequate skill level for heli-skiing.
Never book a heli-skiing tour that requires expert-level skiing skills if you do not have those skills.
Are There Any Financing or Payment Plans Offered for Heli-Skiing?
There may be some providers that offer financing or payment plans, although it appears as though the majority require upfront payment for the entire trip.
Many will allow payment to be made upon arrival to the destination, although these usually always require a deposit of a certain amount, at least 20% to hold your spot.
What is the Refund Policy if the Weather is Bad?
The refund policy for bad weather depends on the provider in question.
Many operators will provide bad weather refunds based on what skiing you missed out on, such as the number of vertical feet that you were able or unable to achieve, how many guaranteed runs you were able to make, and so on.
The exact refund policy for bad weather, if there is any at all, can vary greatly from one operator to another. Consider this before booking your tour and see what the refund policy is.
Can You Get Heli-Skiing Discounts if You Book Early or Last Minute?
As is the case with any industry, you have the best chances of getting discounts the earlier you book. However, the later to your planned trip that you book, the more expensive it will become. There are major discount options for heli0skiing due to the expensive operating costs of the activity.
This is a very expensive hobby, you have the ability to research different locations and dates to determine the best options for you based of cost.
Final Thoughts – Is Heli-Skiing Worth it?
Although heli-skiing can be rather expensive, if you’re a thrill seeker and you love skiing, then it is certainly worth it to try at least once! You may fall in love and make it a yearly adventure with a few good friends. The memories you make heli-skiing are will stay with you for the rest of your life.
Read my related post “10 Best Heli Skiing Adventures in Canada (You Need to Try!)” here.
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!