Heli-skiing may sound like something reserved for the pros, but it's not—intermediate and above skiers and riders can explore off-piste terrain safely with the expert guides and pilots at one of the best heli-skiing destinations in the world—Whistler Blackcomb. Explore outside the traditional ski resort experience and get out into the backcountry, where it's just you and your friends and untouched powder. Take a day trip or come back for multiple days, and always be back in time for après. What are you waiting for?
What is heli-skiing?
Heli-skiing is an adventure of a lifetime. You’ll strap on your gear and head with your ski buddies to remote, powdery terrain, all via helicopter. Take in breathtaking views that you can’t see any other way, then spend the day making powder turns through untouched snow, all while feeling like you’re the only one on the mountain. Traveling by helicopter gets you access to terrain unavailable to any other mode of transportation, meaning you get to ski lines very few have had the privilege of seeing.
First time heli-skiing
First-timers can expect to be utterly changed by the experience. With several safety checks and briefings, as well as top weather forecasting, our pilots and guides make the journey as safe as possible. Rental gear is available, so you are kitted out with the best powder skis and boards. The weather must be reasonable for the helicopters to fly, meaning the skies will be clear for unmatched views the whole way. So strap in, hold on, and get ready for a winter adventure unlike any other.
Meet our guides
All the guides are certified through the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides, Canadian Ski Guide Association or International Mountain Guides Association. They are also trained and certified by the Canadian Avalanche Association and have extensive first aid skills. Not only that, but they are expert skiers and will happily give you some tips on how to master backcountry snow conditions. Most guides have been with Whistler Heli-Skiing for 10 to 20 years!
It's important to listen to your guide’s instructions and always ask if something isn’t clear. Your guide will communicate the hazards and be happy to explain their decisions while sharing some knowledge about backcountry travel.
However, safety doesn’t mean no fun—if you have a goal in mind, want to hit a sick jump, let them know and they’ll try and make it happen.
Our expert pilots know the way
Just like the guides, the pilots are trained and certified to the highest standards. In order to be a heli-ski pilot, one must have accumulated thousands of hours behind the stick, have an exceptional ability to read weather patterns and understand how the mountains can influence these patterns. Most of pilots are avid skiers and boarders, making them a valuable part of the team when discussing landings, pickups and ski lines with the guides.
432,000 exclusive acres
That’s right. The terrain available by helicopter is over 50 times the size of Whistler Blackcomb resort. With an average of only 50 skiers a day, untracked powder is waiting for all guests. Imagine yourself floating through powder in an endless backcountry skiing and riding paradise.
Whistler Blackcomb Heli-Skiing is honoured to operate on the Unceded and traditional lands of the Lil’wat and Squamish Nations and are working with members to understand more about the land where we are privileged to recreate. Whistler Heli-Skiing is also sharing their knowledge of backcountry travel skills with the youth through programs like Indigenous Women Outdoors, so that they may explore safely and have more opportunities to explore their own lands.
A typical day heli-skiing
- Day before: To make the day as safe as possible, your heli-skiing adventure starts the day before liftoff. You’ll check in at the Whistler Heli-Skiing Store, sign a waiver, and make sure you’re ready to go with the right powder gear.
- Morning: The morning of you’ll get a text with a link to check-in for the day, and it will let you know if the weather is clear and if we have a green light to head out today. You’ll then meet at the Powder Hut, get your gear on, then head to the heliport with your guide and group for the 45-minute helicopter and transceiver briefing.
- Late morning: Once the safety briefings are complete, we head out into the mountains, which sometimes includes a short drive to the staging area. Ski runs usually take 20 – 45 minutes to complete, and your guide will choose the best area, depending on current conditions.
Depending on the group’s ability, avalanche hazard and helicopter package you will ski and ride on our legendary terrain, wide open glaciers, rolling bowls and treeline ridges and everything in between with the majority of runs done before lunch. - Lunch: Now that you’ve worked up an appetite, you will be treated to delicious sandwiches, soup, tea and treats courtesy of the excellent Bearfoot Bistro, all served in the mountains. Backcountry lunchtime can’t be beat.
- Afternoon: After lunch, your group may continue the day with the opportunity for extra runs if time allows and your legs are willing!
- End of day: Most days you will be returned to Whistler Village by 4 pm. From here you are invited to celebrate the day with your group at our après partner, the legendary GLC at the bottom of the mountain! Want to really cap it off in style? Pre-book an exclusive patio table with outdoor heating.
Choose your package based on your ability
Determine whether you’re intermediate/advanced, advanced or advanced+, or expert to choose your package. Not sure of your ability level? Feel free to ask us! From there, you can pick one of our packages that are tailored to ability level in order to provide maximum safety, comfort, and fun.
Book worry-free
For the best experience possible, we have flexible cancellation and rescheduling policies. If we do not fly, you will receive a full refund. We will do our best to reschedule your ski day based on availability. Date changes are allowed with no penalty prior to 10 am the day before you’re scheduled to fly. Book your heli-skiing trip with peace of mind knowing that we will always make the safest choice and ensure your money is well-spent!
Try out Dawn Patrol
The next best thing to heli-skiing is here: Dawn Patrol. Beat the crowds and take on Whistler Blackcomb with one of the heli-skiing guides for a unique on-mountain experience. Start your day before the lifts open then get lift-line priority as your guide takes you across the mountain, giving tips and tricks, avy safety advice, and showing off powder stashes and hidden gems.
