SMALL GROUP AND PRIVATE HELI-SKIING IN CANADA

Posted November 09, 2021 under Blog

Mixing with 10 or 11 other skiers and boarders from around the world and the camaraderie of a large group can be a lot of fun. But sometimes you might just want to ski with a small group of friends or family at the pace of your choosing. If that’s the case, then you should consider Small Group or Private Heli-skiing in Canada.

Small Group Heli-skiing & Boarding

The Eurocopter AS350, or ASTAR as its known in North America, is usually the helicopter of choice for small groups. This nimble and comfortable machine has four forward facing passenger seats in the back and one in the front, next to the pilot. It’s therefore the perfect machine for a group of four heli-skiers or boarders with a guide. 

The advantage of small groups is it’s easier to get a few friends together who all ski at the same pace and at the same level. There is less impact on the terrain too, making it easier to pick your perfect line in fresh snow. And with fewer people to hang around for (and the guide to keep an eye on), the pace tends to be quicker. But the speed and agility of the ASTAR means three groups can comfortably share this helicopter with little or no waiting around between runs.

For more details on Small Group Heli-skiing click here

Private Heli-skiing & Boarding

Or why not take it up a notch with your own private helicopter. Just you and a group of your friends and/or family with no-one else to worry about. Enjoy maximum flexibility with only one group using the helicopter. Fly further between runs to search out the best snow and take advantage of the smallest weather windows to get out into the mountains. Ski as much or as little as you like at exactly the pace of your choosing. There is no need to hurry up or slow down to fit in with other groups.

Depending on your group size, either the larger Bell 212’s or 205’s or smaller ASTARs can be used for private groups. The bigger helicopters are ideal for groups of 4 to 7 while the ASTAR is perfect for 1 group of three or 2 groups of four. Two guides will accompany you, to ensure your safety at all times.

For more details on Private Heli-skiing click here

Luxury accommodation suitable for Private Heli-skiing

If you are going private you will probably want to stay somewhere that lives up to the level of your on mountain experience. Here are three of the best private lodges in Canada… and one of them floats!

Bighorn, Revelstoke

Bighorn has well and truly raised the bar on the luxury heli-ski experience. This fully staffed, eight bedroom private lodge comes with an outdoor hot-tub, spa area, games room and cinema. The piece de resistance, however, is the helipad out back, from where you’ll be picked up each day and whisked to the best terrain on offer in the Selkirk & Monashee Mountains.

After an exhilarating day skiing British Columbia’s finest powder, return to Bighorn for an exquisite dinner prepared by your own private chef. Heli-skiing experiences don’t come any better than this.

Stonewater Lodge, Panorama

Perched on a granite outcrop, with uninterrupted views of the surrounding Purcell Mountains, Stonewater Lodge is a traditional log construction with all the amenities you’d expect for a private, luxury heli-ski trip. Relax in front of a roaring log fire, after a day shredding some of the worlds finest powder, or soak in the hot tub drinking a glass of something sparkly while drinking in the splendour of the surrounding mountains.

With five individually styled bedrooms and six lavish bathrooms, some with steam showers, this extraordinary lodge is the ideal base for a private group of four to nine people. Stonewater Lodge is your gateway to the world class heli-sking and boarding of the legendary Jumbo Glacier area just to the south of the Bugaboos.

MV Cascadia

It doesn’t get more remote and private than staying on a well appointed catamaran for your heli-ski trip. This ultra stable vessel, with eight guest cabins, cruises the fjords of British Columbia’s coastline where the mountains cascade to the sea. Fitted out in the style of a gentleman’s club, with wood panelling and comfy leather sofas and arm chairs, the Cascadia is the perfect place to unwind after exploring the worlds largest heli-ski area.

Should you happen to have any energy after a day of first descents, there are shore boats and kayaks on board, to explore the many inlets and ancient rain forests of BC’s west coast. Or if you prefer, just ease any aching muscles with a massage, followed by a soak in the hot tub on deck, before dining on crab, prawn and halibut, that you may have caught earlier in the day.

To arrange your bespoke Small Group or Private Heliski Trip call or email James Orr now on 

0333 006 5816 or 07887 576893 or contact us online