Heli-Skiing in Whistler: Goodbye Lift Lines!

By 5:00 a.m., over forty centimetres have fallen overnight. You head to the ski resort despite the early hour, and to your surprise, the parking lot is full. About twenty skiers are already lining up for the lift. At most, you’ll have one powder run before the trails are completely skied out for the rest of the day. Does this sound like your experiences in Quebec and on ski trips out west?

Perhaps your time has come for a day of heli-skiing! Canada is considered the premier heli-skiing destination in the world, and British Columbia is the capital. There are more than a dozen heli-skiing operators in the area north of Vancouver, including Whistler Heli-Skiing. A ten-minute shuttle ride from Whistler Village, the helipad is the starting point for the adventure. The terrain covered by Whistler Heli-Skiing is fifty times the size of the Whistler Blackcomb ski area.

Safety in the Mountains

There are number of factors that go into a prime heli-skiing day. It all starts with clear weather for good visibility. The advantage of choosing a destination that also offers resort skiing, as is the case in Whistler, is that you can get a package including first runs and priority lift lines if the heli-skiing outing is compromised by poor visibility. The mountain guides do almost daily snow stability tests, and the weather radars are thoroughly analyzed in the morning with the helicopter pilots to determine whether a day of heli-skiing is feasible.

Once on-site, you’re required to take a basic mountain and avalanche safety training. The guides explain how to use the necessary gear; namely, the avalanche beacon, which you’ll wear, the probe and shovel, which will be in your backpack. Some backpacks feature an airbag that allows you to float in an avalanche, cutting the risk of death in half. A hands-on simulation with the team allows beginners to fully understand the steps involved in a self-rescue and how avalanche safety gear works. If you want to get your own equipment before your trip, brands like Mammut offer a complete line of avalanche safety gear.

During the training, you quickly understand that the risks are very real and that every minute counts after an avalanche. Whistler Heli-Skiing guides have an average of fifteen years of experience in the profession, which ensures a superior level of safety.

An Unparalleled Playground

Once the avalanche training is done and the instructions for the helicopter transport have been provided, it’s time to fly away to a playground like no other! Whistler Heli-Skiing offers four- and six-run tours, and packages are available for intermediate to expert skiers.

When you fly off to the first descent, you’ll be dropped off at the mountaintop, where you’ll be the first to ski since the last snowfall. Powder guaranteed! The fundamental rules are to always listen to the guide’s instructions and never ski in front of him or her. If you wanted first tracks, that’s exactly what you’ll get on every run. The terrain is blanketed by an average of thirty to seventy-five centimetres of powder on unmarked slopes that haven’t been skied for many days.

The morning will feature three (unbelievable) runs followed by a gourmet lunch—all deep in a mountain wilderness. In the afternoon, you’ll enjoy three to four runs that are just as exhilarating.

There’s an ineffable magic to the idea of getting back on a helicopter for the next descent. The bird’s-eye view of the surrounding mountains, the feeling of freedom and touching down on a new peak covered in untracked powder seem unreal. If you have a GoPro, it’s the perfect time to put it to good use. Take the time to capture the moments in photos and videos. The unique adventure is worth immortalizing.

To fully enjoy your outing, skis with a waist between 100 mm and 120 mm are recommended. You don’t have this type of ski in your quiver? No problem! Whistler Heli-Skiing, like most operators, offers gear rentals at no additional cost. One thing is clear: there definitely aren’t any lift lines in heli-skiing!

Julien Héon’s Top Picks for a Heli-Skiing Trip

• Barryvox Avalanche Safety Kit

• Alugator Ride 3.0 Shovel from Mammut

• Rossignol Blackops 118 Open

• Rossignol Opside Mid Layer

• Fall Line Hestra Mittens

• Thermic Heat 3D Heated Insoles