First-time heli-skiing can be intimidating — even for the most advanced skiers — but it can also be one of the most amazing experiences of your life.
If you are interested in going heli-skiing for the first time, then you will probably have some questions about what to expect. In this post, we’ll address some of the most common concerns about heli-skiing and explain what you’ll need to be successful on your first trip.
Have more questions about a heli-skiing trip? Get in touch with the Skican team by calling us at 1-888-4-SKICAN or start your free quote today.
Do I Need to Be An Expert to Go Heli-Skiing?
This is the first question that most people will ask when they start to think about a heli-skiing trip — and the answer is ‘no’, you don’t need to be an expert skier to heli-ski.
The truth is that most heli-skiers are not extreme backcountry explorers or expert freeskiers. They are simply average skiers like any of us, who are looking to escape the crowds and want to experience the pristine conditions off the main pistes.
Your heli-skiing experience does not have to involve extreme terrain either. Most heli-skiing runs will be comparable to a Black Diamond run at a typical resort, which makes them accessible for many skiers. What sets them apart are the conditions and the length of your runs — you will typically cover more ground in a day of heli-skiing than you will skiing at a resort.
That said, if you want to get the most out of the experience, it is important to have experience skiing in deep powder before venturing into the backcountry. You should also try to explore some off-piste terrain to see if it’s the right fit for you.
Get the Right Gear
The first thing that you’ll need for heli-skiing is the proper equipment. Like any type of skiing, heli-skiing has many changes in elevation — but these changes can be more extreme. That’s why we recommend layering your clothing, so you can easily add or remove layers to stay at the proper temperature.
You should also make sure to invest in some warm, waterproof gloves, high-quality goggles, and a proper helmet to protect you, in case of injury. Depending on the terrain that you’re exploring, you may need other safety gear — so talk to your heli-ski tour operator for their recommendations.
Finally, you’ll want to get a good pair of powder skis. These fatter skis will help you float through the powder and get the maximum enjoyment out of the experience.
Get in Skiing Shape
If you’re going for a week of skiing, it’s always a good idea to get physically fit. Most seasoned skiers will know that you can’t get the most out of a ski vacation without some preparation.
As we’ve mentioned above, you will typically cover more terrain heli-skiing than you will during an average day at a resort. As a result, you will become more tired from heli-skiing than you will during a typical ski trip.
Don’t burn out early in the week or miss a day due to sore muscles. Make sure that you get the maximum value from your heli-skiing experience, by getting in top shape beforehand!
Find a Great Guide
At Skican, we believe there is immense value in having a trained, professional guide when exploring a new mountain — and this goes double for heli-skiing!
Heli-skiing guides are specially trained to understand the risks of heli-skiing and keep you safe from avalanches, dangerous terrains, and other hazards. They also know their mountains and they’ll be able to show you where to find the best fall lines, the perfect powder bowls, and much more.
A great guide will help elevate your heli-skiing experience from good to great. If you’re looking for a recommendation, our team can connect you with fantastic heli-ski operator across Western Canada. Start a quote today and let us know that you’re interested in heli-skiing.
Choose Your Resort | Best Resorts for Heli-Skiing
The final step in planning your first heli-skiing trip is choosing a resort. Not all resorts will offer good heli-skiing options, so it’s important to do your research and find the right destination.
Here are some of our top recommendations for heli-skiing in Canada:
Panorama Mountain Resort
Set in the middle of the Powder Highway, Panorama offers a great base of operations for a heli-skiing trip with fantastic snow conditions. It’s also an excellent family ski resort, so it’s a great place to put the kids into a ski school program, while you go adventuring in the mountains!
At Skican, we have partnered with RK Heliski to organize heli-skiing trips from Panorama to nearby peaks. RK Heliski have been operating for close to 50 years in the Purcell Mountains and offer a variety of packages for weeklong or single day trips. Explore a range of terrain from open powder bowls to perfect gladed tree runs!
Revelstoke Mountain Resort
Revelstoke has a legendary reputation among experienced skiers as one of the best destinations in British Columbia. It was formerly a mecca for cat-skiing and heli-skiing, before being developed into a resort, and there is still considerable terrain to explore in the area.
If you’re interested in pushing your limits with a heli-skiing adventure, Revelstoke is a great destination to choose.
Whistler Mountain Resort
Everyone knows that Whistler is the top skiing destination in North America, but it also serves as a heli-skiing base for the Coastal Range. Whistler has exclusive rights to 432,000 acres — an area 50 times the size of Whistler — and their heli-skiing service has been operating since 1981.
If part of your group is interested in heli-skiing, Whistler is a great destination, as it provides something for everyone! Kids can join a ski school program for the day, while you experience unbeatable big mountain terrain by helicopter.
Alberta Heli-Skiing | Various Locations
Want to enjoy a pure heli-skiing experience? At Skican, we can coordinate a number of backcountry trips directly from Calgary to locations near Banff & Jasper, with partners like CMH Heli-Skiing.
CMH Heli-Skiing is the world’s oldest and largest heli-skiing tour operator, with over 50 years of experience and offers private access to over 3,000,000 acres of terrain. CMH has industry-leading snow safety and helicopter practices, as well as luxury lodging and gourmet food for its guests.
A heli-skiing trip with CMH is a truly unique experience — and one that you’ll undoubtedly remember for the rest of your life!
Inquire today if you’re interested in booking a heli-skiing trip with Skican.