While many people avoid helicopter skiing due to the costs, affordable heli skiing is on the rise, and there are a few incredible destinations to choose from. Heli skiing is one of the most adrenaline-pumping and exhilarating ways of exploring the mountainous wilderness of Canada, giving thrill-seekers the level of freedom and adventure that run-of-the-mill ski resorts just can’t match.
At Pure Powder, we’re proud to be able to make this an affordable reality for all. Heli skiing should not be exclusively reserved for the ultra-wealthy. This is why we offer affordable, accessible heli skiing trips that will take you to some of the world’s most pristine, awe-inspiring and jaw-dropping terrains.
Each and every one of these locations gives you stellar, untouched, and breathtaking beauty, diverse and far-stretching terrain, and champagne powder snow perfect for skiers of all levels. At Pure Powder, our connections also mean we can guide you to affordable lodging options, so you can enjoy a lavish yet budget-conscious experience after a long day of hitting the slopes. In this article, we explore affordable heli skiing destinations and lodges for you to explore.
Affordable Heli Skiing Spots in Canada
Canada, without a doubt, is one of the world’s most exciting and diverse locations for affordable heli skiing. At Pure Powder, we have carefully curated some of the best locations for top-tier skiing at prices that won’t break your annual travel budget. We’re talking about everywhere from the Selkirk Mountains to the challenging, steep, and delightfully remote slopes of the Bugaboos. Each of our destinations will give you epic skiing challenges and awe-inspiring views without necessarily breaking the bank.
The Selkirk Mountains and The Kootenay Lodge
Ask any skier worth their mettle, and they’ll tell you that the Selkirk Mountains are every heli skiing aficionado’s dream. It has everything you’d want in a skiing destination, from massive alpine bowls and incredibly steep chutes to wide open surroundings and challenging tree skiing routes.
The Selkirk’s offer some of the most invigorating and exciting terrain that keeps your adrenaline pumping. The lush Kootenay Lodge sits nestled right within this mountain range, giving you direct access to some of the best and most pristine powder-filled bowls in all of Canada, and some might argue, the world. This incredible remote lodge provides cosy and gorgeous accommodation. Upon arrival, you’ll feel that warm Canadian, welcoming atmosphere. Skiers looking to unwind after a day of ploughing through the snow are bound to love this spot.
Simply put, the Kootenay Lodge is an ideal place for skiers seeking to experience the best in affordable heli skiing, thanks to our all-inclusive packages that ensure that every one of our customers gets the best rates without any compromise on their comfort or excitement.
The Monashee Mountains and The Monashees Lodge
This stunning lodge is located in the heart of the Monashee Mountain Range. The slopes found here are praised for being notably steep, lined with green trees and full of challenging drops. Across Canada, this spot stands out for its diverse and far-reaching terrain that helicopter skiers thrive on.
The area is also famous for some of the most technically challenging terrain in the CMH (Canadian Mountain Holidays) portfolio, which makes it perfect for advanced snow-lovers looking to enhance their skills and reach the next level. The lodge also has a comfortable, spacious and remote setting. As soon as you’re done on the slopes, the Monashees Lodge is the perfect place to unwind and reset.
The Bugaboos Range and Lodge
The Bugaboos Lodge, being one of the original CMH lodges, is found within the Bugaboos Mountains, an awe-inspiring helicopter skiing destination where skiers from all around the world travel to. The lodge and surrounding slopes hold a very special place in the greater history of heli skiing. Hans Gmoser, the founder of CMH, created this accommodation spot back in the 1960s, and it remains one of the most attractive and established lodges around.
The area itself is an advanced skier’s haven, famous for its rugged peaks and extremely deep powder, giving all our advanced snow hound customers a truly unforgettable experience. After a day of skiing, you can rest up in the rooftop hot tub or just take in the gorgeous views around you to rejuvenate.
The Gothics
Another must-visit location for affordable heli-skiing is the CMH Gothics Lodge. Rustic and laid back but still elegant, this lodge is the perfect place to rest up and kick back with a wholesome and hearty meal after a long day of heli skiing. The Gothics is also one of the CMH’s most expansive areas, boasting 1.932 square meters of fluffy powdered snow, running across both the Selkirk and Monashee Mountain ranges.
This region is best suited to intermediate skiers who prefer a speedy pace across a variety of long runs. With close to 2,000 sq km of surrounding skiing terrain, it stands out as one of the best skiing destinations in the world.
CMH Revelstoke
Another popular spot on our list of affordable heli skiing locations is CMH Revelstoke. This heli skiing spot is awesome for relaxed to moderately-paced skiing, perfect for the intermediate skier. The CMH Revelstoke ski base itself operates out of the popular Regent Hotel, which is at the epicentre of Revelstoke.
It boasts one of the town’s best eateries and a stellar and lively bar. Revelstoke itself has been dubbed as the Powder Capital of all of North America, and the heli skiing programme here is catered for everyone from beginner skier to veteran snow hound with its huge alpine runs on the glacier.
Pure Powder’s Tips for Saving on Heli Skiing Costs
While for the general masses out there, heli skiing might sound like an exclusive adventure reserved for the rich and famous, we know that there are plenty of ways to enjoy a heli skiing trip without a massive financial commitment. If you plan properly, you’ll be able to experience this amazing sport without putting a massive black hole in your bank account. Let’s explore some of our Pure Powder tips for making an affordable heli skiing adventure possible.
Always Book Packages That Have Inclusive Lodging
One of the most straightforward ways of saving bucks on a heli skiing trip is booking all-inclusive packages that provide both lodging and heli skiing. Why? Firstly, this saves you the headache of booking multiple trip components separately and will also make sure that you get the best bang for your buck.
Luckily, Pure Powder takes care of all of this for you. As the UK’s leading helicopter skiing trip facilitator, we’re well-versed in taking care of all the logistics surrounding your skiing trip. As such, we’ll find a package that suits your budget and needs, taking care of everything from finding the right destination to booking your accommodation.
Ensure That You Travel in Shoulder Seasons
The best time to find discounts on heli ski trips is to book during what is known as the shoulder seasons, i.e. the months that come just before and after the peak winter months. When you ski in early spring or late fall, you’ll benefit from lower prices and, of course, smaller crowds, giving you the power to enjoy and experience the mountains peacefully and intimately.
At Pure Powder, we often offer amazing special deals during the off-peak months, so you can truly enjoy the best powder and terrain all while saving on costs. Remember, it will never cost you more to go through Pure Powder than it would to go directly to a helicopter skiing operator.
Be On the Lookout for Those Deals and Promos
Always keep a lookout for special discounts and promotions, no matter the season. We do this for early bookings, group discounts, and even some last-minute deals. We recommend signing up for our newsletter or simply following us on the Pure Powder social media platforms to stay abreast of our latest offers. If you book early, or even last minute, you might just score on discounted rates and save loads.
Gear Budgeting – Rent, Borrow OR Reuse!
Another reason why heli skiing is commonly misconceived as an elite sport is due to its association with helicopters and special equipment. This is a misconception, though, as with Pure Powder, gaining access to this adrenaline-filled sport is much easier than you may have initially thought. A great way to vastly reduce your costs is by properly managing your expenses on the gear you need.
Rent Gear at The Lodge
Many of our partner lodges at Pure Powder, across all of Canada, provide high-quality rental gear on site. The gear on offer includes skis or snowboards that have been specifically developed for skiing in deep powder, as well as the vital and essential avalanche safety gear you need.
By renting gear, you can save money and avoid the hassle, not to mention the potentially hefty luggage fees that come with travelling with bulky equipment. All in all, if you don’t have your own gear already, renting can save you a good amount of money.
Use Your Own Gear, If You Already Have It
Of course, if you already have your own skiing gear that might be optimal for off-piste skiing, you should consider bringing it along. Using what you already own can save you on costs overall.
You could bring items such as your thermal base layers, mid-weight insulated jackets, and waterproof shells, which you’re going to need for high-altitude skiing, and you can layer up as per the daily weather conditions.
Affordable Heli Skiing with Experts at Pure Powder
Pure Powder, founded way back in 1978, is proud to be the largest proprietor of affordable heli skiing in the United Kingdom. We have organised more heli skiing trips than any other provider in the nation.
We pride ourselves on being leaders in this amazing, thrilling sport. Our veteran and expert guides are not just advanced helicopter skiers but also highly trained professionals in proper avalanche safety, route analysis and, of course, sound risk management. Before each and every heli skiing trip that we oversee in Canada, we brief our customers on how to use the safety gear that we provide.
Our guides are also always assessing the ski locations and snow conditions to make sure that your safety is prioritised. All team members at Pure Powder, regardless of their role, have a true love for heli skiing, and this is reflected in the experiences that our customers have cited having while on their respective adventures with us. We offer a diverse range of heli skiing trips, catering to all skiers of skill levels, all budgets and locations.
If you’re on the hunt for affordable heli skiing destinations, why not head over to our website and take the first leap? To learn more about helicopter skiing or to book your next trip, give us a call today at +44 (0)20 7736 8191 or get in touch online!
