Top 3 Misconceptions
Dreaming of heli skiing? Most dedicated skiers and riders have entertained the idea, drawn by the promise of remote terrain and unparalleled snow conditions. Although there is an endless list of reasons for booking a trip, a few myths cause some hesitancy for those who have yet to take the plunge…
#1 - I’d love to go, but heli skiing / heli boarding is beyond my abilities.
Although incredibly excitng and awe-inspiring, traditional ski films do little to entice potential guests. Have you ever watched a heli ski segment in a film and thought to yourself: “I could never do that.”? Truth: you don’t have to. The classic heli skiing experience is curated for most ages, abilities and fitness levels. Imagine your favourite ski area… now take away all the people, the lifts, evidence of human activity and blanket it in untouched powder. Now add a helicopter and expand that same mountain by a lot (we’re 520 times the size of Vail Ski Resort). This is heli skiing. Sound doable? It certainly is!
#2 - Heli Skiing is too expensive.
Skiing and snowboarding is expensive for certain. However, our regular per person price of $25,720 CAD (approximately $18,400 USD) includes taxes and absolutely everything once you’ve arrived at the South Terminal of the Vancouver International Airport: private charter and helicopter transport to the lodge,7 nights accommodation and food, 6 days of unlimited vertical, wine / beer / cocktails, massage, evacuation insurance, powder ski / board rentals and backcountry safety equipment. No hotels, car rentals, mountain highways or complex travel logistics; just get yourself to Vancouver International Airport and leave the rest to us. If you compare the costs of traveling to a destination ski resort, hotel, restaurants, lift tickets, etc… we’re not that far off. Especially if you consider the difference in the experience between resort skiing and heli skiing.
What really sets our operation apart from the rest is in the small details… a maximum of 12 guests at the lodge at any given time is something special; we’re able to curate and fine-tune the experience. We’re also the most remote heli skiing lodge in British Columbia. There are no roads or people here - just a small oasis of comfort in one of the wildest environments in Canada.
#3 - Heli Skiing is risky.
While it is true that we operate in remote, wild and uncontrolled mountain environments, safety is paramount. Our dedicated, professional and certified guides and pilots have spent decades honing their craft and risk mitigation techniques. Like many of our guests, we have families at home and our top priority - day in, day out - is to make the best possible decisions given the conditions we have. If that means we get to ski in big jaw-droppingly beautiful terrain, amazing! If that means that we’re relegated to skiing equally stunning, but lower angled glaciers or mellow treed runs, that’s great too! We have an abundance of terrain that provides incredible experiences in all conditions – and for all skiing / riding abilities. We take this part of our business seriously. And we acknowledge the weight of responsibility that you - our valued guests - place in us: to do our utmost to safely guide you through these incredible mountains.
Great Bear Heli Skiing is also a full member of HeliCat Canada, a standards and accreditation association for the snowcat and helicopter skiing / boarding sector in Canada.
Although I’ve had my fair share of amazing days of skiing at resorts, in snowcats and under my own steam in the backcountry, my absolute best days ever have been helicopter skiing. Combine best-ever skiing with an unparalleled lodge experience and you’ve found one of those life experiences that you’ll never forget. Heli skiing isn’t for everyone… but if it’s on your radar, we’d love to chat!
Ken Bibby is the Mountain Operations Manager and Lead Guide at Great Bear Heli Skiing. He has been guiding since 1999 and has taught and mentored hundreds of Avalanche Forecasters through the Industry Training Programs of the Canadian Avalanche Association. Ken lives with his very large family (4 kids, 2 dogs and 2 cats) in Revelstoke, BC.
