Heli-skiing Group trip to Canada

Posted April 29, 2026 under Blog

Panorama, British Columbia – March 2026

Back in March, we hosted our first Group Heli-ski Trip to Panorama, BC. And we were served up a powder treat. Cold temperatures and fresh snow greeted us on arrival, followed by a good dump mid-week that created perfect conditions for the heli-skiing.

Our group of eight—seven guys and one woman—ranged from seasoned heli-skiers to first-timers. With a flexible itinerary offering 3, 4, or 5 days of heli-skiing, everyone was able to tailor the trip to their own pace and ambition.

Warming Up at Panorama Mountain Resort

Before taking off in the helicopter, we spent time exploring Panorama itself—a resort that flies under the radar but punches well above its weight.

Steep, perfectly groomed runs on the front side and expansive, off-piste terrain in the back bowls made it the ideal place to get our legs heli-ready. Three chairlifts take you from the village base at 1,300m up to the summit at 2,450m.

From there, a short hike along Goldie Plateau opens the door to Taynton Bowl—home to a series of un-groomed double black diamond runs. With all routes funnelling back to a single return track, we were able to enjoy lap after lap of deep, untouched powder.

The Main Event: Heli-Skiing with RK

Then came the highlight of the trip: heli-skiing with RK Heliski.

RK takes its name from Roger K. Madson, a Panorama legend and pioneer of heli-skiing in Canada, who worked alongside Hans Gmoser in the sport’s early days.

With access to a vast 1500 square kilometres of terrain, vertical descents of up to 2,000 metres, and some of the highest landing zones in Canada, expectations were high—and they were exceeded.

Early in the week, snowfall kept us skiing in the trees, where we found exceptional conditions and perfectly spaced lines. As the weather cleared, we moved higher into the alpine, opening up long glacier runs and expansive powder fields.

Helicopters & Group Setup

RK operates both the larger Bell 212 and the more nimble AStar helicopter.

• Bell 212: carries up to 11 guests plus a guide
• AStar: carries 4 guests plus a guide

We structured the trip to maximise flexibility:

• 2 days using the Bell 212 as a single group of eight
• 3 days using the AStar, either as one private group or two semi-private groups of four

This setup allowed each participant to choose between 3, 4, or 5 days of heli-skiing—an approach that worked brilliantly for mixed experience levels.

Where We Stayed: Earl Grey Lodge

Our base for the week was the welcoming Earl Grey Lodge, a traditional eight-bedroom ski lodge run by long-time Panorama residents Phil and Clare Marshall.

Set among trees on a spacious plot, the lodge feels secluded and peaceful, yet it’s just a short walk from the lifts and village amenities. RK’s heli-base is also only a couple of minutes’ drive away.

Evenings to Remember

Four nights of the trip were catered by local private chef Marc and his wife Jody—and these evenings became a highlight in their own right.

After a day on the mountain, we’d gather around the open kitchen, chatting with Marc as he prepared each meal. His passion for locally sourced ingredients was evident in every dish—the melt-in-the-mouth bison short rib being a standout.

Paired with excellent Canadian wines and craft beers, these dinners were the perfect way to unwind after exhilarating days skiing or snowboarding.

On the remaining evenings, we explored a selection of relaxed and welcoming restaurants in the village.

Getting to Panorama

Panorama is approximately a 3.5-hour drive from Calgary Airport.

Direct flights are available from London with Air Canada and WestJet, while KLM offers convenient connections via Amsterdam, particularly from Scotland and the north of England.

Looking Ahead

We’ll be returning to Panorama in 2027 with more group heli-skiing trips.

Click here for details and to register your interest.