HELI-SKIING IN CANADA

Posted March 15, 2025 under Blog

For the best heli-skiing in Canada you need to go in a Small or Private Group.

Small Group Heli-skiing

Small Group Heli-skiing uses the ASTAR helicopter (Eurocopter’s Squirrel). This fast, comfortable and agile machine is perfect for helicopter skiing. All four passengers face forward on a rear seat with single seats for the pilot and guide in the front.  

Three groups of four can comfortably share the helicopter with little or no waiting time between runs. Small Group heli-skiing is perfect for friends and family who want to ski together.

Private Heli-skiing

Private Heli-skiing is when a single group has exclusive use of the helicopter. Both the ASTAR and larger Bell 212 helicopter are used for private groups. Usually, accompanied by two guides, the ASTAR carries three guests while the Bell 212 normally carries between four and nine.

Going private means you set the pace. And with no other groups to consider the helicopter can fly further and take advantage of the smallest gaps in the weather.

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Top 5 places to go Small Group or Private Heli-skiing in Canada.

Bella Coola Helisports, Bella Coola 

Bella Coola offers one of the most dramatic and exciting heli-ski areas in BC’s Coast Range of mountains. With fjord like scenery, big mountains and a more stable coastal snowpack this is your opportunity to ski epic  lines like a pro. Orientated entirely to small & private groups there are four different lodges all with their own unique atmosphere. Choose whether you want civilised and cosy or a bit more raw and wild west. Either way the skiing & riding will be epic. And if you’d really like to push the boat out, well you can do that… literally! Cruise up and down the coast on the eight berth MV Cascadia with the guides scoping out a different area to heli-ski each day. With over 3.5 million acres of terrain they won’t be be stuck for choice.

• Stay: 4 lodges & 1 yacht accommodating 5, 8, 9, 14 & 20 Guests
• Helicopters: 2 Koalas, 2 ASTARS & 1 Bell 212
• Terrain: Coast Mountain Range. Total 3.5 million acres
• Getting there: 70 minute flight from Vancouver
• Best for: Big Mountain skiing with long descents

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Great Canadian Heli-skiing, Golden

Sitting in a snow hole just to the east of the renowned Rogers Pass, Great Canadian is the original boutique operator specialising in small groups. Flying just two AStar helicopters, both can be used by one, two or three groups of four. And with a maximum of 24 people a week staying at Heather Mountain Lodge, you’ll find life never gets too hectic there.

Delicious dinners are served in the vaulted dining room which offers panoramic views of Glacier National Park and helicopters parked right outside. A bar and games room have a clubby feel about them and the outdoor hot-tub and sauna are the perfect places to sooth aching muscles after an exhilarating day in the Selkirk and Purcell mountains. Unlimited vertical comes as standard.

• Stay: Heather Mountain Lodge for up to 24 Guests
•  Helicopters: 2 ASTARS with 1, 2 or 3 groups of four
•  Terrain: Selkirk & Purcells
•  Getting there: 3.5 hour drive from Calgary
•  Best for: Tree skiing in Burnt Forests

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RK Heli-ski, Panorama

As one of the main founders of heli-skiing in Canada, RK Heli-ski have over 50 years of experience under their belts. The terrain is close to the famous Bugaboo Mountains and Jumbo Glacier. With the highest landings in Canada, snow quality and long descents are assured.  

RK is the place to head for exceptional value private heli-skiing, either in an ASTAR for unto four people or a Bell 212 for a group of four to nine.

Accommodation is provided in Earl Grey Lodge whose eight bedrooms are perfect for a private group takeover. Chefs are on hand to cater, if you’d like to eat in or there are restaurants nearby for nights you’d prefer to go out. A little known gem for private heli-skiing, make sure you get in quick before the word gets out.

• Stay: Earl Grey Lodge for up to 12 Guests
•   Helicopters: 1 ASTAR & 2 Bell 212’s
•   Terrain: Purcells
•   Getting there: 3.5 hour drive from Calgary
•   Best for: Highest landings in Canada

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Selkirk Tangiers, Revelstoke

Selkirk’s area sits in the heart of prime heli-ski country encompassing 500,000 acres of superb terrain that offers up old growth forest, wide alpine bowls and long glacier runs.

Winter 2026 will likely see their guests accommodated in a brand new hotel-lodge adjacent to the resort area. Purpose built, with the needs of heli-skiers & boarders in mind and a heli-pad right outside, the new accommodation will complement the already hugely popular private lodges like Bighorn and Bison.

Small groups of four can share an AStar and private groups of 3 to 9 can opt either for an AStar or a Bell 212 and will be accompanied by two guides.

• Stay: Hillcrest or Sutton Place Hotel 
•  & Bighorn or Bison Private Lodges
•  Helicopters: 3 ASTARs & 2 Bell 212s
•  Terrain: Selkirk & Monashees
•  Getting there: 2.5 hours from Kelowna
•  or 5 hour drive Calgary
•  Best for: Tree skiing in old growth forest

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Skeena Heli-skiing, Bear Claw Lodge

A northerly operation in the Coast Mountains, Skeena has a truly vast tenure but takes only a small number of guests each week. Bear Claw Lodge has just eight bedrooms and with two AStars, Skeena has the perfect set-up for for private and semi-private groups. With so much on offer, prime weeks sell out over a year in advance.

Unlimited vertical is included as standard with guests regularly clocking up 120,000 to 140,000 vertical feet. Bear Claw Lodge, where you’ll stay, has the feel of a luxury ranch. There is plenty of space to kick back and relax after a day shredding in the seemingly endless mountains.

• Stay: Bear Claw Lodge for up to 12 Guests
•   Helicopters: 2 ASTARs 
•   Terrain: Skeena Mountains of Coast Range
•   Getting there: 1.5 hour flight from Vancouver  & 2.5 hour drive 
•   Best for: 1 semi-private group of eight