Heli skiing in Canada isn’t just a thrilling winter adventure—it’s the experience of a thriving, decades-old culture rooted in the nation’s passion for its boundless, snowy wilderness. But it’s not just the locals who love their land, as Canada has remained a consistent favourite for heli skiing enthusiasts the world over.
This article will be an exploration of all the factors that make Canada such a beloved getaway destination for heli skiers. We will examine the history of the exciting sport, which originated in Canada in the 1960s, and the positive impact it’s had on the quality of Canadian heli ski operators. We will also delve into the stellar quality of Canadian heli ski lodges, the accessibility of these remarkable ski destinations, the superb snow conditions, and much more.
By the end of this article, you’ll not only understand why Canada is so popular among heli skiers—you’ll be clamouring to experience it all for yourself! The great news is that we at Pure Powder have a longstanding relationship with some of the oldest and most well-respected operators in Canada, and we’d be more than happy to get in touch with them to help fulfil your wish.
Heli Skiing Canada: History
This won’t be a painfully long-winded heli skiing history lecture, so don’t worry. All you need to know is that in the late 50’s a Canadian geologist named Art Patterson came up with the idea of helicopter skiing during the long winter months when the helicopters he used for work in the summer weren’t being utilised. He struck up a partnership with a veteran mountain guide named Hans Gmoser and gave the idea a shot.
After just one commercial trip, Patterson got cold feet and dropped the plan, but the seeds had been planted in Gmoser’s mind, and he wasn’t going to give up easily. Not long after that, Gmoser founded CMH—Canadian Mountain Holidays—and became the first company to provide not only heli skiing trips but transport, accommodation, and guiding all in one package. CHM has been going strong since 1965 and has inspired the creation of many other Canadian heli skiing operators.
Canada’s operators are all incredibly experienced, and the Canadian heli skiing infrastructure has also had plenty of time to advance and grow. Plus, the longstanding existence of the sport in Canada has given it a strong culture in the region, which is great fun to engage with.
Heli Skiing Canada: Top-Of-The-Line Lodges
This point is built directly upon the last: Canada’s long history with the extreme sport has allowed for the creation of many dedicated heli ski lodges, virtually all of them being of outstanding quality. Here are just a few of the excellent lodges at your disposal:
Adamant’s Lodge: A stunning backcountry lodge perched on the junction of four snow-laden valleys. The lodge’s remote location makes it accessible exclusively by helicopter, giving it a sense of adventure and exclusivity.
Bugaboos Lodge: The very birthplace of heli skiing. This was the first lodge founded by Hans Gmoser when he started CMH in 1965, and they’ve been refining everything they do since then. Bugaboos Lodge was built to make the most of the incredible scenery of the mountains and glaciers surrounding it, making it a wellspring of breathtaking sights.
Valemount Lodge: Situated atop the Cariboos Mountains, this beautiful private lodge has exclusive access to nigh-endless fields and slopes decked with consistently deep and powdery snow for excellent skiing.
Bighorn Lodge: Are you ready to embrace the ultimate luxury experience? Voted as ‘World’s Best Ski Chalet’ four years in a row now, Bighorn Lodge offers the highest quality of amenities and services to the adventurers choosing to reside here. On top of this, they also have access to some of Canada’s best ski terrain.
With such stellar luxury lodges available, heli skiing in Canada is an excellent choice for those who prioritise their comfort in between the snow-packed excitement.
Heli Skiing Canada: Easy Access
We’ve all heard it: it’s not just about the destination, but the journey too. Especially when embarking on an adventure like heli skiing, a big part of the trip’s excitement can come from the process of reaching the final destination. This is certainly true for heli ski trips into the Chilean Andes or the expansive wilderness of Iceland.
However, there are other times when all you want is the convenience of getting to your holiday destination without much hassle. Fortunately, Canada is one of the most easily accessed heli skiing destinations!
Most of the nation’s major heli skiing lodges and departure points are relatively accessible from major cities like Vancouver, Calgary, and Kamloops. Considering all of these cities have airports, this means it’s not just locals who can ski freely: Canada is one of the most accessible heli skiing destinations for international travellers.
The accessibility means you’re spending less time travelling and more time skiing, also cutting down on extra costs associated with more lengthy and arduous journeys. These factors are certainly one of the top reasons why heli skiing in Canada remains a top option for enthusiasts worldwide.
Heli Skiing Canada: Out Of This World Powder
Canada’s northern latitude means that the winters here are really cold. Up in the higher altitudes, the sub-zero temperatures drop even further. This freezing cold air isn’t very good at holding moisture, and therefore humidity levels totally collapse.
Nowhere is this combination of frigid temperature and low humidity more extremely demonstrated than in the inland mountains like the Rockies, being situated far away from the moisture-releasing winds coming off the Pacific Ocean.
Whilst none of the conditions that have been described here sound ideal for a beach getaway, they do lead to one incredible outcome: when the snow falls in this region, it’s the driest, fluffiest, smoothest, deepest powder snow on the planet—snow known as ‘champagne powder’. It’s this consistent, plentiful champagne powder snow that makes heli skiing in Canada an absolute favourite among people of all experience levels, as it’s a true pleasure to ski.
Heli Skiing Canada: Extended Ski Season
Hold on, because the geography lesson isn’t over yet. The ski season in Canada is very long compared to some other destinations around the world, running from November until as late as May.
This is, again, the result of its northern latitude and the high altitude of Canadian mountains and other skiing areas, which result in an exaggeration and prolonging of the Canadian winter conditions.
Heli Skiing Canada: Open To All Experience Levels
A major factor that makes heli skiing in Canada globally appealing is that the region offers terrain suitable for skiers of varying abilities, from first-time heli skiers to powder masters. The snowy Canadian wilderness is replete with big open bowls and frosty glades, perfect for those entering the world of heli skiing. However, one can also find incredibly steep slopes, extreme terrain, and great tree skiing to challenge and exhilarate even the most experienced of skiers.
It’s not all about physical terrain either: Canada’s world-class operators employ some of the most highly trained and experienced guides in the industry, who all uphold incredibly sound safety standards. That alone makes heli skiing in Canada a great option for those looking to try out the sport safely.
If you’re still a beginner, why not start at Revelstoke, Canada’s ‘Powder Capital of the world’? Revelstoke is a thriving ski destination and home to one of Canada’s largest heli skiing tenures. It has access to terrain of every variety and is populated with great infrastructure and plenty of experienced guides.
On the other hand, if you’re a grizzled veteran, you might want to try out Monashees Lodge. Monashees is a remotely situated lakeside lodge with access to incredibly steep slopes and some of the best tree skiing on the planet.
Heli Skiing Canada: Breathtaking Wilderness
Canada’s breathtaking wilderness has long been considered one of the country’s most iconic features and is yet another reason Canada remains a global favourite heli skiing destination.
Canada is the second largest country in the world, and its expansive wildernesses are utterly vast and largely untouched by human hands (or skis). One can go days without encountering anything but endless reaches of deep green forest, rolling plains, rugged tundras, rocky mountains, and deep blue lakes.
This lack of human influence on the landscape does more than instil a sense of peaceful solitude; it works wonders for the local biodiversity too. Canada is famed for its incredible wildlife, including moose, elk, grizzly bears, wolves, and much more. It’s one of the best-preserved natural bastions on the North American continent, if not the whole world.
As a heli skier, you would likely be experiencing most of these natural wonders during the heart of winter, when a white blanket of snow settles over everything as far as the eye can see. The atmosphere this creates is incredibly serene, silent, and ethereal—something out of a fairytale.
Plus, heli skiers are given the best panoramic views of all these wonders, being atop the tall slopes and peaks of the Canadian mountains. It makes heli skiing in Canada not only a thrilling adventure but also an experience of profound beauty.
Heli Skiing Canada: Final Thoughts
In conclusion, Canada remains a global favourite heli skiing destination for a number of great reasons. Pioneered by adventurer Hans Gosmer, heli skiing has almost sixty-year-old roots in the country, which has given operators plenty of time to rise to the top of global standards.
Alongside this, highly advanced heli ski infrastructure and world-class luxury lodges have allowed Canada to raise the bar for this exhilarating sport. The accessibility of Canada’s major heli ski destinations ensures that both local and international enthusiasts are able to experience the thrill of heli ski with minimal hassle.
Once there, adventure-seekers become spellbound by the breathtaking scenery of the Canadian wilderness, the extended ski season, and the world-famous champagne powder snow. This diverse landscape of snowy bowls, deep valleys, and rolling slopes accommodates skiers of all experience levels, making it attractive to both the most novice and experts of the heli ski community.
The best part of it is that it’s all waiting for you. Contact Pure Powder to start planning your Canadian heli skiing trip and prepare to be immersed in a world of snow-laden wilderness, luxury comforts, and ultimate thrills.
