When one thinks about heli skiing, Canada is often the first destination that comes to mind. This is largely due to the immense popularity of Canadian adventures and the overall quality of these experiences—from the exhilarating backcountry skiing opportunities to the luxury lodges where you can kick your feet up and relax after a day on the slopes.
While it is true that we at Pure Powder will handle the brunt of the planning and logistics involved in a prospective adventure, it can’t hurt to have an understanding of the background operations. Between our uncompromising concierge-style service and CMH Heli Skiing’s operational excellence, you can rest assured that your next adventure will be unforgettable.
In this brief guide, we will investigate how and when to book a trip, helicopter readiness and etiquette, ability-based grouping, and more. For skiers who are eager to push the limits and embark on a once-in-a-lifetime experience, heli skiing in Canada is the way to go. If these topics are up your alley, we encourage you to read along with us and discover more.
Heli Skiing Canada: What Sets Our Canadian Adventures Apart?
When you consider the variety of destinations available to you, including Iceland, Turkey, Chile, Sweden, Alaska, and more, you might struggle to decide which of these incredible destinations to choose. They are all unique and offer distinct challenges, cultures, skiing, snow conditions, and terrain, but in this guide, we hope to convince you to embark on one of our unrivalled Canadian adventures.
You may already know that Canada is the birthplace of our beloved sport, as we have explored this intriguing story in previous guides. However, the benefits of this long, storied history of heli skiing in Canada are more obvious today than ever before. By this, we mean that CMH Heli Skiing has had decades to perfect their operations, learning from prior excursions and elevating their experiences with each year that passes.
The trips at your disposal are significantly more finely tuned than they would have been in years gone by—when you’ve had 60 years to practice, this tends to be the case. This is also reflected in the infrastructure, technology, and expertise one can expect when heli skiing in Canada. Ultimately, CMH Heli Skiing sets the standard for the rest of the helicopter skiing world to follow, which is why they are generally considered the finest operator globally.
At Pure Powder, the enjoyment and well-being of our clients always come first, hence why our partnership with CMH Heli Skiing is a match made in heaven. We understand how tough it is to narrow down your options from the plethora of destinations at your fingertips, but we can confidently state that our Canadian adventures will exceed your expectations and forge memories that will likely stick around for a lifetime.
Heli Skiing Canada: Helicopter Etiquette
If you have never flown in a helicopter before or it has been some time, allow us to explore some basic tips and tricks to guarantee your safety between runs. Before you head off to hit the slopes, you will be given a comprehensive safety briefing in which your guides and pilots will run through all the crucial information and tips you will need to ensure everything goes off without a hitch.
First and foremost, always pay close attention to the pre-flight instructions from your guide/s and pilot, meaning keep selfies and high-fiving to a minimum when they are relaying important information. Don’t touch the helicopter unless you have been expressly instructed, and try to keep your backpack and gear as organised as possible during landings and loadings; this will streamline the process and help you get to the slopes promptly.
Keep your skis, limbs, hands, and everything else well clear of the rotor, and avoid walking behind the helicopter, even when the engine isn’t running. Beyond that, offer help to those who may need it, avoid knocking the snow off your boots upon entry as this can make the cabin quite slippery, and never throw anything out of the chopper at any point.
At Pure Powder, we are distinctly aware of our responsibility to preserve the beautiful wildernesses we frequent, and we always try to leave them exactly as we found them, pristine and unaffected by human influence. Otherwise, focus on soaking in the exceptional views in all directions and enjoying the unique vantage point that the helicopter provides—there truly is no better way to witness the beauty of these extraordinary destinations.
Heli Skiing Canada: Group Planning And Ability
At Pure Powder, we take your skiing ability into account when helping you decide on a destination and a group for you to join (if you don’t already have one in mind). As the most prolific heli skiing specialists in the UK, we have mastered the art of matching skiers with others of a similar ability and mindset. When you first get in contact with us, we will ask a series of questions to ascertain your skiing level and experience, all in an attempt to plan the perfect trip for your purposes.
That being said, we understand that some may still wonder if their skills and pace are up to the challenge. As heli skiing usually involves tough backcountry terrain and deep powder, one must be of an intermediate level or above to participate in most of our excursions. That is unless you opt for our Heli Ski Coaching programmes, which are designed for heli skiing first-timers.
However, if you’re eager to set off on a Private Heli Skiing adventure or one of our popular Classic Heli Skiing programmes, there are a few things to consider. To give you an idea of what we mean, let’s explore the “CMH-Ready Checklist” created by CMH Heli Skiing, as you may have guessed. This checklist consists of six questions, and if you can answer all of them with a resounding YES, you are certainly ready for the challenges of the backcountry!
Am I fit enough to ski for multiple days in a row? – Most of our CMH trips are between 3 and 7 days long, meaning it is critical to figure out whether or not your fitness is up to the task. If not, we highly recommend checking out our Ski Fitness Programme, as this should help you prepare for the skiing to come.
Am I a strong intermediate-to-advanced skier at most resorts I’ve been to? – By this, we don’t mean that you should be on the verge of going pro; however, you should be able to confidently traverse “black diamond”-rated runs at most resorts.
Am I comfortable traversing a variety of snow and weather conditions? – While your designated guides will use their knowledge and experience to find the best runs and skiing conditions, it isn’t possible to guarantee perfect snow and weather conditions at all times. With that in mind, it is necessary to be able to navigate variable conditions at your own pace.
Can I safely traverse tree lines and steep terrain? – Depending on the day and the chosen run lineup, you might be guided through treed and/or steep terrain. It is crucial that you feel confident in your ability to descend through such obstacles.
Do I plan to stop by a warm-up resort before my adventure? – While this isn’t compulsory, of course, the best way to get your ski legs is by skiing. With that in mind, we recommend visiting a local hill or resort to warm up before your excursion begins.
Do I understand the inherent risks of helicopter skiing? – Even though you have perhaps the most competent, attentive guides and team supporting you throughout the trip, it is important to understand that heli skiing does present certain risks and incidents can still occur. However, we will take any and all possible precautions to ensure your safety.
Heli Skiing Canada: How And When To Book A Trip
If you feel that you’re ready to throw yourself into the deepest powder and tackle the challenges of the wilderness, why not contact us and we can begin planning the heli skiing trip of a lifetime? To do so, call us at +44 (0)20 7736 8191 or email us at info@purepowder.com. Even if you’re not entirely sure which corner of the world you’d prefer to jet off to, our friendly team is more than happy to inform you about the options at your disposal and make tailored suggestions that make sense for you.
When heli skiing in Canada, the ski season stretches from late November to early April, boasting excellent weather and ski conditions throughout. Of course, there is limited availability, and some lodges require booking far in advance. But with Pure Powder, even if you haven’t made it in time to secure a Canadian adventure, there are always options in other parts of the world. Chile, for instance, is in the Southern Hemisphere, meaning the ski season stretches from late June to early September. Whatever your needs and preferences, we will do everything in our power to arrange the perfect adventure.
Heli Skiing Canada: Final Thoughts
For those considering heli skiing in Canada, we hope this post has filled in any informational gaps you may have had. Canada is the most popular ski destination in the world, and when you consider the snow conditions, weather, infrastructure, safety practices, expert guides, and terrain, it becomes quite easy to see why.
We cannot recommend embarking on one of these experiences enough, as everyone who does returns with a newfound love for the wilderness and skiing—not to mention enough stories to last a lifetime. At Pure Powder, we aim to craft experiences that emphasise unique cultures, incredible skiing opportunities, and cosy, luxurious accommodations.
