For anyone who loves snow and adrenaline, helicopter skiing Canada stands out as an iconic holiday experience. There’s much to say for the ski conditions in Canada; vast stretches of spectacular and varied terrain laden with heavy powder snow, perfect for backcountry skiing.
It’s suited for skiers of all experience levels. The country also offers boundless natural beauty and endless potential for exploration. It has an established history with the sport and a great skiing culture. And perhaps above all, Canada is known for the outstanding quality of its ski lodges and resorts. High-quality lodges exist here in great numbers, offering guests great diversity in terms of preference and budget.
Pure Powder is the largest facilitator of helicopter skiing trips in all of the UK. In this article, we’ll discuss why people choose Canada as well as some of the most popular Pure Powder affiliated lodges that cater to guests looking for convenience, remoteness or luxury.
Helicopter Skiing Canada: A World-Renowned Location
Canada has always been a popular destination for the extreme sport of helicopter skiing. When you consider the historical context, that comes as little surprise. Canada was, after all, the birthplace of the sport.
In the late 1950s, geologist Art Patterson first came up with the idea of using helicopters to reach prime skiing terrain when they weren’t in seasonal use. He partnered with experienced mountain guide Hans Gmoser to pioneer the first test runs, but Patterson soon blanched at the prospect of all the potential risks and withdrew from the venture. Gmoser, on the other hand, kept his nerve and set his focus on refining the process to make helicopter skiing a reliable and safe sport accessible to many.
Gmoser’s dedication was a success, and helicopter skiing has attained the status of an exclusive and desirable adventure for dedicated skiers and passionate thrill seekers worldwide. Despite heli ski destinations cropping up all over the world over the years, Canada remains the most established of them all, attracting the highest amount of heli ski tourists of any available destination.
The reasons for this are plenty, associated both with the natural terrain of the area and with the quality of services provided. First off, helicopter skiing Canada is a delight due to its stellar ski conditions, with consistent and deep powder snow that is known as some of the fluffiest and driest in the whole world.
Secondly, there’s a great variety of skiable terrain, from gentle and open snow bowls to extremely steep slopes and long runs. This makes helicopter skiing Canada possible for both novices dipping their toes into the world of heli skiing and for grizzled experts testing their limits. The environment in Canada is incredibly beautiful and hard to match. This northern nation is renowned for its titanic swathes of untouched woodland, fast-slowing rivers, glacial lakes and snow-capped mountains. Beyond that, its majestic wildlife is typified by iconic species such as grizzly bears, moose and elk. This makes Canada a prime location for nature lovers who can intersperse their time on the slopes with hikes, paddles, birdwatching and more.
There’s also much to say regarding the outstanding quality of services regarding helicopter skiing Canada. Most helicopter skiing in the country falls under the jurisdiction of the Canadian Mountain Holidays (or simply CMH), which was established by Hans Gmoser himself in the 60’s. They’ve been honing their craft for over half a century, thus bringing to bear some of the best-trained guides and knowledgeable operators in the industry. Skiers in Canada will also find that there are many different kinds of ski experiences available.
As a partner of CMH, Pure Powder can connect you with the exact skiing package to suit your needs. We have options for everything, from large group skiing and private excursions to novice introduction courses and expert training expeditions. Finally, Canada is also home to a healthy variety of accommodation options, including some of the most renowned and luxurious ski lodges on the planet. When you’re not on the slopes, you can enjoy the serene nature of your lodge and take in your gorgeous surroundings.
Helicopter Skiing Canada: Convenient Destinations
One of the greatest things about helicopter skiing Canada is the relative ease with which it is done. In contrast to a number of heli ski destinations, where resorts are distantly remote and take great amounts of time, effort and money to reach, much of Canada’s finest skiable terrain is accessible from major hubs located near international airports.
For example, the great Kootenay Lodge, a heli skiing lodge on the outskirts of the sleepy town of Nakusp, an easy drive away from the larger centre of Kelowna. This makes getting to and from Kootenay an absolute breeze, meaning that you will have more time to spend on the slopes rather than travelling to get there.
Moreover, it allows you to make the most of your breaks from time spent on the snow, with Kootenay Lodge offering easy free access to town life, bars, restaurants and even nearby hot springs. It’s an ideal way to unwind after an exhilarating day on the slopes.
Another great option for convenience is to stay in Revelstoke. Easily accessible from both Calgary and Kelowna airports, this bustling little town has well-earned its reputation as the ‘Powder Capital’ of North America.
Seasonally, this charming spot bustles with enthusiastic skiers ready to take advantage of the great mountains and powdery snowfall, and the town works hard to accommodate and entertain these adventurers. There are tons of options for accommodation in Revelstoke, suited to a variety of different needs and budgets. All of them offer great access to the amenities of the town, as well as the many bars and restaurants that line the streets. As a result, Revelstoke has a very social atmosphere, perfect for those eager to participate in Canada’s famous ski culture.
Helicopter Skiing Canada: Remote Accommodation
On the other hand, others interested in helicopter skiing Canada aren’t doing so to encounter crowds. Some might be there for the vast and silent wilderness of this beautiful country and the privacy it offers, even if that means sacrificing convenience. Many would say that this sacrifice is more than worth it, with a remote and rustic holiday amidst the mountains offering the finest experience of Canada’s mountain wilderness. It certainly helps that Canada’s most remote lodges are also some of the nation’s most exclusive, luxurious or beautiful options.
Cariboo Lodge is a remote, authentic option for skiers looking for a laid-back vibe. It’s a far-flung spot accessible only by helicopter, giving you almost exclusive access to an incredibly large stretch of excellent skiable terrain where pristine slopes await you. The lodge itself is positioned to offer guests sweeping views of all of this, making it an incredible spot to unwind after a long day on the slopes. It’s the kind of place where friends gather around the fire after a day of fun, sharing stories and drinks in equal measure.
The Monashee Lodge is another prime remote lodge, accessible by road instead of exclusively by helicopter. Nevertheless, this recently built lodge gives guests nearly exclusive access to gorgeous mountains and lakes, which they’re free to explore. This lodge is known for its access to some of the best tree skiing in the world, a thrilling challenge for those skilled enough to brave these challenging runs. Afterwards, tired guests can slip up to the rooftop hot tub where they’ll have unobstructed views of the stunning scenery that surrounds the lodge, and where they can soak their tired muscles.
Helicopter Skiing Canada: Luxury Resorts
Another major advantage of heli skiing Canada is the rare opportunity to visit some of the world’s most acclaimed and exclusive ski lodges and resorts. These accommodations offer an unparalleled level of quality when it comes to amenities and comforts, as well as access to spectacular skiable terrain.
There is no better example of these accolades than the Bighorn Lodge, situated around the Revelstoke area, tucked between the Monashee and Selkirk mountain ranges. This luxurious lodge is furnished with amenities such as a wellness area, sauna, gym, outdoor hot tub, pool table, video game consoles, TV, computer and even a private cinema.
This lodge is also known for the 1597 square kilometres of pristine skiable terrain that surrounds it, offering guests an incredible amount of freedom to explore and conquer powder-laden slopes without contesting with any crowds. The sheer size of this terrain, paired with a private helicopter, means there will virtually always be some part of the mountains where you can ski, so you’ll never have to miss out on the fun.
Alternatively, you can enjoy the Bobbie Burns Lodge. Despite being accessible exclusively by helicopter, it is located relatively near Calgary, making travel times minimal. Although the accommodations here aren’t quite as decadent as the Bighorn Lodge, they are still well-appointed with a sauna, outdoor hot tub, gym, climbing wall, Wi-Fi, computers, a shop and access to a cross-country track.
The lodge may also have the CMH’s best stocked wine cellar available, which you are welcome to put to good use when relaxing after time on the slopes. The terrain that surrounds this lodge is steep and challenging, making it the perfect thrill for an expert seeking a challenge, but perhaps not very well suited to beginners. Snowfall here is deep and powdery and the slopes are dotted with enough trees to add an extra layer of difficulty.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, heli skiing Canada has remained a global favourite for a variety of reasons; a strong and long history, beautiful and varied skiable terrain, great powder snow and of course, spectacular accommodation options for adventurers of every taste. Since the inception of the sport by Hans Gmoser over fifty years ago, Canada has been the globally leading heli ski destination, attracting skiers of every sort from all around the world. To accommodate both this quantity and variety, a vast range of different heli ski accommodations have been established.
There are convenient options, such as Kootenay Lodge or any of the accommodations in Revelstoke that are easily accessible from major population centres. They also offer the chance to mingle with your fellow skiers amidst Canada’s charming mountain towns. Alternatively, places such as the Cariboo or Monashee Lodges are situated deep in the remote wilderness, where convenience is sacrificed for beauty, privacy and tranquillity.
Finally, accommodation spots like the Bighorn lodge offer some of the most exclusive and luxurious means of experiencing the extreme sport, being equipped with world-class amenities and comforts. The great news is that all of these places are partnered with Pure Powder, and it takes us minimal effort to contact them and set you up with your perfect Canadian holiday.
To learn more about what we do or to book your next helicopter skiing trip, give us a call at +44 (0)20 7736 8191 or visit our website today!
