Canada has, without a doubt, one of the world’s best heli skiing playgrounds for advanced skiers looking to experience the thrill of the wilderness and untracked, pristine powder. It’s a picturesque, beautiful country boasting vast, rugged mountain ranges and remote landscapes, making it a unique place for expert skiers to push their limits in some of the world’s most stimulating environments. The real allure of heli skiing here lies in the unparalleled access skiers have to the untouched territory, quite simply, those areas that you won’t find at the many traditional ski resorts and that are worlds apart from the reach of groomed slopes.
In this article, we cover heli skiing Canada and delve into some of the top heli skiing destinations in the region for the experienced skier, as well as highlight the various breathtaking landscapes and the expert-level routes that await you.
Why Choose Canada?
For any true snow hound, Canada has some of the best technical terrain to put both your skill and confidence to the test. Think steep tree skiing, technical descents, and wide open, powder-filled bowls that seemingly go on forever. It’s these deep snow conditions, affectionately known as champagne powder, that are light, dry and delightfully quick to always deliver an exhilarating feeling as you carve through the fresh tracks.
Beyond the wide and varied landscapes, the remote nature of these heli skiing destinations makes the experience feel both exclusive and adventurous. Heli skiing Canada’s untouched backcountry gives you the freedom to enjoy the rush of riding through the best, most pristine powder without any of the crowds that fill up resort slopes.
British Columbia – The Epicentre of Heli Skiing Canada
First up is BC, aka British Columbia, a region that is synonymous with heli skiing. This is particularly true in regions such as the aforementioned Selkirk Mountains, the Monashees, and the Bugaboos. These remote areas are celebrated by skiers from around the globe for being vertical, technical and abundant in snowfall, giving advanced ski enthusiasts the ideal conditions to push their skills to the limit.
Selkirk Mountains
The Selkirk Mountains have become a popular choice for advanced skiers, thanks to the deep powder and wide and majestic open bowls. The region will put even the most advanced skiers to the test thanks to its mix of technical and exhilarating runs. The terrain found here varies from those long, sweeping descents to steeper chutes peppered with rocky outcroppings. Plus, we recommend Kootenay Lodge as it offers direct access to the rugged region of the Selkirk Mountains, providing a convenient base for your heli skiing adventure.
Monashee Mountains
The Monashee Mountains also deserve a mention as they are home to some of planet’s most rewarding yet challenging expert level slopes in Canada. This region boasts steep, tree-lined slopes that will challenge the most advanced of skiers,
With reliable powder snow throughout the whole season and an average annual snowfall of 20 metres, the Monashee Mountains are a dream for anyone who loves heli skiing. Your best bet is to stay at the gorgeous Monashees Lodge for a luxurious yet remote setting.
Bugaboos
If you’re on the hunt for an isolated and adventurous heli skiing experience, the Bugaboos in BC should be right up your alley. This awe-inspiring mountain range provides sharp, often tough, routes with steep couloirs and some superb alpine bowls. Lauded for its dramatic scenery and untouched skiing territory, it is the go-to choice for many adrenaline junkies in search of their next epic adventure.
The region has over 1000 square kilometres of skiable terrain and has an average annual snowfall of 12 metres, making it the perfect place for expert heli skiing. In the Bugaboos, one of the best accommodation options available is the Bugaboos Lodge.
Alberta & The Canadian Rockies
Next up, we have Alberta and the Canadian Rockies, hailed as one of the world’s most iconic mountain ranges, offering advanced heli skiers’ dramatic landscapes, steep peaks, and the deep powder that helicopter skiers crave, which make it such a must-visit stop for expert skiers.
The Rocky Mountain Subrange of the Bugaboos
Alberta also has its side to the Rocky Mountain range, with some incredibly breathtaking and adrenaline-driving heli skiing areas including long descents, resilient cliff faces and untouched snow. The region is the ideal setting for helicopter skiing enthusiasts who are hungry for a blood-pumping, adrenaline-filled adventure with the backdrop of a stunning, remote setting. At Pure Powder, we facilitate stays at CMH Purcell, which provides easy access to the spectacular and awe-inspiring landscape of this remote mountainous region. This is a one-day programme perfect for a first taste of heli skiing or to twin with some resort skiing options.
Kootenay Range – A Hidden Gem
Next up, we have the Kootenay Range, nestled in British Columbia’s Columbia Mountains, a genuine hidden gem for expert heli-skiers. This region is known and celebrated for its steep, powder-filled bowls and notably more challenging tree skiing offering up terrain that will excite even the most seasoned skier. It’s an ideal region for those of us who want to get a feel for some steep, technical skiing runs that are also remote and beautiful.
The Kootenay Range
The Kootenay Range is best characterised by its challenging tree skiing, best suited to more advanced heli skiers.. Here, you can also expect a range of open alpine and more challenging tree skiing that make this region of Canada a top destination for powder skiing in an environment that is as beautiful as it is rugged. It’s got plenty of wide-open runs and expansive bowls, and you can guarantee you will find terrain that is varied with powder skiing at its finest. Not to mention, you can also find accommodation as part of Pure Powder packages at the Kootenay Lodge.
What Makes These Locations the Best for Experienced Skiers?
For expert skiers around the world, heli skiing Canada opens a doorway to a truly diverse array of environments that you just can’t find at any of your run-of-the-mill, conventional ski resorts. These off-the-beaten-path regions will give you the rare chance to carve through some of Canada’s (and the world’s) most immaculate snow while tackling steep and challenging descents, all far away from the crowded slopes of any mainstream ski resort.
Additionally, these regions in Canada have deep snowpacks that guarantee good conditions throughout the season, so you can expect consistent, high-quality and dry powder. You’ll get everything here: towering cliffs, wide-open bowls, alpine scenery and challenging runs, with locations striking the perfect balance between a good challenge and safety, allowing you, the advanced skier, to push your limits to the max.
Expertly Guided Heli Skiing in Canada
First founded in 1978, Pure Powder are the largest helicopter skiing specialists within the UK, organising more trips every year than anyone else in the country put together. As leaders in the industry, we pride ourselves on organising unforgettable skiing trips all around the world, and you’ll be given expert levels of care and attention before, during and after your trip. Going through us will also never cost you more than going directly to an operator, making it an easy decision for anyone who loves heli skiing.
At Pure Powder, our expert guides are more than veteran-skilled skiers, they are also trained professionals in avalanche safety, proper route analysis, and risk management. Before every heli skiing trip in Canada that we oversee, our skiers are briefed on the proper use of the safety gear we provide, like avalanche transceivers and airbag backpacks.
Our guides also continuously assess the areas and snow conditions to guarantee all of our clients’ safety. It is their extensive experience and love for safe heli skiing that give our clients that extra confidence to push it to the max on the slopes while resting assured that they have support from world-class safety professionals.
We have a full range of different heli skiing trips on offer for you to choose from, each suiting different budgets and skillsets. As passionate, driven and committed helicopter skiing specialists, our skiing trips never disappoint, and many hold the memory dear for life.
Ready To Take on Advanced Heli Skiing in Canada?
Canada is home to a majestic backcountry with pristine, untouched powder and diverse and beautiful terrain, and it offers expert skiers the change of a lifetime, true bucket list vibes, where they can push their skiing skills to the max. Whether you’re smiling while carving down deep untouched bowls in the Bugaboos or navigating the technically challenging yet fun ridgelines in the Kootenays, the unique and unbridled thrill of heli skiing Canada cannot be matched by any other region on the planet.
With Pure Powder’s seasoned guides, Canada’s perfect snow conditions, and some of the most gorgeous alpine landscapes, a heli skiing Canada adventure is so much more than just skiing, it’s a journey to some of the world’s most remote and jaw-dropping places. For anyone who loves the sport, helicopter skiing is the adventure of a lifetime.
To learn more about how we can organise your helicopter skiing trip, give us a call at +44 (0)20 7736 8191, or feel free to browse through our destinations and accommodation options on our website!
