3 NIGHTS I 3 HELI-SKI DAYS
Spend 3 days heli-skiing with us in the Skeena’s and Kitimat mountain ranges located in the remote northwest corner of British Columbia. You’ll get to spend 3 days heli-skiing world class, and world renowned heli-ski terrain, with one of the deepest and most reliable snow-packs on the planet.
You will have exclusive access to over 5,500 square kilometres of high alpine peaks, glaciers, perfectly spaced old growth forests with deep, deep powder, and spectacular pillow drops. There are no down days out here when the weather is bad. On days when it’s snowing too hard to fly safely, we have a cat skiing backup plan. The heli-ski operation maintains more than 50 kilometers of cat access roads. If we can’t fly, we simply load up the cats and our guides will show us the incredible cat accessed backcountry. Out here there are endless lines and deep powder stashes.
To date, Northern Escape has established over 250 helicopter ski runs with the opportunity for many more first descents yet (along with naming rights of course). Each day you will ski/ride at elevations between 450 and 2,450 metres (1,500 – 8,000 feet). You’re sure to find what you’re looking for with ski runs of more than 2,000 vertical meters (6,500 vertical feet), many of which start high in the alpine and end deep in the valley bottoms, well below the tree line!
Combine the access with the vast mountain ranges, plus a huge annual snowfall, and you’ve got the makings of the ultimate heli-ski experience. Northern Escape Heli Skiing terrain offers one of the deepest, most reliable snow packs on the planet, with the ultimate in dry powder.
Getting Here is Easy
Although the location of Northern Escape Heli Skiing in northwest BC Canada is remote, it is easily accessible and serviced by several daily direct flights from Vancouver International Airport to Terrace Regional Airport. The mountain ski lodge where we stay is only a 20-minute drive from Terrace airport, this direct access will save you additional travel time and expense, as well as allow you to ride a FULL day every day of your package – including your day of departure.
Unlimited Vertical Option
Northern Escape Heli Skiing offers the industry’s leading vertical guarantee. With the addition of the Unlimited Vertical Option, you get unlimited heli-skiing and your minimum vertical guarantee is increased. Ask us about the pricing.
Snowcat Backup
Everyone imagines those Bluebird days with deep untouched champagne powder. However, all that snow must come from somewhere and when it’s snowing too heavily to fly a helicopter safely to the mountain peaks, we simply switch to the Snowcat Skiing Backup. You have a guaranteed seat in one of the Snowcats that are always ready and standing by. It may not be heli-skiing but on those poor weather days, Snowcat skiing is the best down-day activity imaginable.
Cat Ski Area – 29 square kilometres
When it’s storming and the snow is lying deep in the trees, instead of waiting in the lodge, you will be enjoying some of the deepest powder riding imaginable, thanks to the Cat Skiing Backup program. The Cat Skiing Backup area encompasses over 29 square km’s, which is nearly the size of North America’s largest resort. The Cat Ski area has over 50 km’s of snow roads, offering some of the best tree riding options within their expansive tenure. With an average run length of over 600 meters (2,000 vertical feet), it is a powder paradise with everything from steep trees to pillows and open bowls. If the weather clears enough to fly while we are out Cat Skiing, the helicopter will pick us up and we seamlessly continue our day of deep powder Heli Skiing. Conversely, if we’re Helicopter Skiing and the weather starts to change for the worse, we will meet the Snowcats and switch to deep powder Cat Skiing.
Huge BC Ski Terrain
Northern Escape Heli Skiing operates in 5,500 square Kilometers of heli-skiing terrain. When combined with the deepest and driest powder this offers the ultimate skiing and riding experience. Runs often begin high in the alpine bowls that feature the deepest powder imaginable, ending with tree riding down long descents through old growth forests to the valley floor.
The Accommodation – Yellow Cedar Lodge
This well appointed mountain lodge offers a remote setting and all the amenities you’d expect. After a great day on the mountains you will enjoy the après ski atmosphere with tasty tapas and a beverage in the lounge, or in the unique, outdoor bar. Indulge yourself with a massage for those sore muscles or sit back and relax in one of our hot tubs. Their chefs have designed an exquisite culinary experience and, with our Sommelier recommended wine list, you are assured a five-star dining experience.
3 Day Heliski Tour Package Includes:
Included: 13,000m (43,000 ft) / Guarantee:10,300 m (34,000 ft)
Professional helicopter skiing Guide Services
Snowcat Skiing Backup and Guide Services
3 nights twin share accommodations at Yellow Cedar Lodge
All meals and non-alcoholic beverages
Use of Barryvox avalanche transceiver
Use of Snow Pulse Airbag
Powder Skis, Poles and Snowboards
Use of heli skiing Safety Equipment
Use of all Yellow Cedar Lodge amenities
Lodge Transfers to and from Terrace Airport
Throughout the tour you have a Mint Tours host and guide on hand.
Itinerary
11 January – Arrival Day
Our meeting point for this tour is Terrace Regional Airport. Although the location is remote, it is easily accessible and serviced by several direct flights from Vancouver International Airport. On arrival at Terrace Airport, your Mint Tours guide will meet you, then we will transfer to Yellow Cedar Lodge, which is our base for the tour. This secluded heli ski lodge is nestled in the mountains. Once you’ve checked in, you’ll have some time to get to know the guests and guides. Our guides will explain the tour plans and what’s in store. We will then have the first of our gourmet dinners together at the lodge.
12 & 13 January – Heli-ski days
Each day will follow a similar format. Join your guides for a group hearty group breakfast at the Yellow Cedar Lodge. Your guides will provide a briefing for the day, including what to expect for weather. After a thorough safety briefing, we load the heli’s and then head out with our guide for on average, 10-12 runs per day. This remote northwest corner or BC offers endless opportunities for deep untracked powder against a spectacular backdrop of rugged mountain ranges. Runs often begin high in the alpine, featuring huge open glaciers, and end with long descents through old growth forests to the valley floor. Our Certified Heli Ski Guides will show you all their favourite powder stashes and provide you with all the safety gear required for tackling this big mountain area. After a great day racking up that vertical, we enjoy the après atmosphere back at the lodge, relax in on of the hot tubs and then enjoy another gourmet dinner.
14 January – Heli-ski day & Departure
After breakfast at the lodge, we load the heli’s for our final day riding. After our final day of heli runs, we head back to the lodge for apres and our final gourmet dinner. After our final meal together we head back to Terrace Airport, where we say goodbye and you can fly out to Vancouver on an evening flight. For anyone wanting to extend, we can arrange for your final night in downtown Terrace at a local hotel with airport shuttle.