Last Frontier Heliskiing - Bell 2 Lodge
Bell 2 Lodge, the home of Last Frontier Heliskiing, is located in the Skeena Mountains about 220 miles northwest of Smithers, British Columbia. As the crow flies it is only 40 miles from Southeast Alaska and 200 miles from the Yukon.
With a massive 3,500 square miles (9,000 square kilometres) of skiable terrain, it is Canada's largest single heli skiing area...and even after 17 years of operation, only a fraction of the area has been explored.
Click here to read the article about Bell 2 Lodge - "A Head for Figures" by Alf Alderson
Why Heli Ski Here?
- Some of the most varied heli skiing terrain found in Canada.
- Remote location on the border with Alaska.
- Only five heli skiers per group.
- Atmospheric accommodation in beautiful log cabins with wood burning fires.
- The largest single heli skiing area in Canada (3,500 square miles of skiable terrain).
- Excellent late season heli skiing.
The Heliskiing
Last Frontier Heliskiing's tenure is reserved exclusively for a maximum of just thirty heli skiers per week who are split into groups of just five to explore this vast expanse of wilderness on the frontier with Alaska. Imagine an area twenty five times the size of Les Trois Vallees in France or sixty nine times the size of all Colorado's ski resorts. Now imagine bowl after endless bowl, steep lines through the trees and endless glacial expanses blanketed under an average annual snowfall of twenty five metres...prepare yourself to be spoilt!
When the likes of pro skiers Seth Morrison and Tanner Hall are heading here with movie makers, Teton Gravity Research and Matchstick Productions, there must be a pretty good reason.
The peaks in the region are not particularly high, topping out at around 2,500 metres and with the lowest pickups at around 600 metres. But even at lower elevations, the snow stays light and dry this far north. The runs average around 825 vertical metres with some in excess of 1,800 metres.
Above all, Last Frontier Heliskiing has some of the most varied heli ski terrain in Canada. Some heli ski operations may emphasize tree skiing or glade skiing but Last Frontier Heliskiing has it all; and at the highest quality - glaciers that stretch forever, wide open bowls and well spaced trees.
Lodging
Heliski guests stay in delightful new log chalets, which surround the main Bell 2 Lodge. Each room has two queen-sized beds with down duvets, private bathroom, telephone and wood burning stove. Between the main heli ski lodge and surrounding cabins there is a large sauna and open-air Jacuzzi, which make a nice stop after a day of heli skiing in the Skeena Mountains. Always on hand is the resident masseuse to ease those aching muscles. In the main lodge you will find a dining room, bar, lounge area, pool table and darts board.
Helicopters & Safety
Two A-Star 350 B2 or Bell 407 helicopters are used at Last Frontier Heliskiing to service a maximum of thirty heli skiers per week. The helicopters are immaculately maintained by a team of on-site mechanics; and are flown by highly experienced mountain pilots.
Safety standards at Last Frontier Heliskiing are exemplary. Without exception, all heli ski guides are seasoned professionals who have passed a series of comprehensive exams to qualify them as members of the A.C.M.G and the U.I.A.G.M., the recognised Canadian and International Mountain Guide Associations.
Last Frontier Heliskiing is also a member of "HELICAT Canada", which sets strict safety standards for heliski operations in Canada. The guides continuously monitor the weather and snow stability in an effort to balance maximum safety with maximum enjoyment.
Booking Enquiry
Please indicate the heli skiing destination you are most interested in and your preferred dates and we will respond as soon as possible.
Please note that if you are wishing to go heli skiing mid-season then you should let us know as early as possible to secure these popular periods.
Northern Discovery
A staggering 69 times the size of all Colorado's ski resorts combined, Last Frontier Heliskiing is reserved for the exclusive use of just 30 heli-skiers and riders a week.
In order to maximise your time and maintain the highest levels of flexibility and efficiency, there will never be more than three groups sharing a helicopter and five skiers or riders per group.
2012 Heliski Rates
| 7 Day Packages: Friday to Friday |
Double | 5 Day Packages: Sun to Fri or Tues to Sun |
Double | 4 Day Packages: Friday to Tuesday |
Double |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 16 - Dec 23 | $7820 | - | - | - | - |
| Dec 23 - Dec 30 | $7820 | - | - | - | - |
| Dec 30 - Jan 06 | $7820 | - | - | - | - |
| Jan 06 - Jan 13 | $8,590 | - | - | - | - |
| Jan 13 - Jan 20 | $9,230 | - | - | - | - |
| Jan 20 - Jan 27 | $10,150 | Jan 24 - Jan 29 | $7,470 | Jan 20 - Jan 24 | $6,010 |
| Jan 27 - Feb 03 | $10,770 | Jan 29 - Feb 03 | $7,930 | - | - |
| Feb 03 - Feb 10 | $10,770 | Feb 7 - Feb 12 | $7,930 | Feb 03 - Feb 07 | $6,370 |
| Feb 10 - Feb 17 | $10,770 | Feb 12 - Feb 17 | $7,930 | - | - |
| Feb 17 - Feb 24 | $10,770 | Feb 21 - Feb 26 | $7,930 | Feb 17 - Feb 21 | $6,370 |
| Feb 24 - Mar 02 | $10,770 | Feb 26 - Mar 02 | $7,930 | - | - |
| Mar 02 - Mar 09 | $10,770 | Mar 06 - Mar 11 | $7,930 | Mar 02 - Mar 06 | $6,370 |
| Mar 09 - Mar 16 | $10,770 | Mar 11 - Mar 16 | $7,930 | - | - |
| Mar 16 - Mar 23 | $10,770 | Mar 20 - Mar 25 | $7,930 | Mar 16 - Mar 20 | $6,370 |
| Mar 23 - Mar 30 | $10,770 | Mar 25 - Mar 30 | $7,930 | - | - |
| Mar 30 - Apr 06 | $10,150 | Apr 03 - Apr 08 | $6,800 | March 30 - Apr 03 | $6,010 |
| Apr 06 - Apr 13 | $9,230 | Apr 08 - Apr 13 | $6,800 | - | - |
| Apr 13 - Apr 20 | $8,590 | - | - | - | - |
| Apr 20 - Apr 27 | $7,820 | - | - | - | - |
- Rates are in Canadian dollars and subject to 6% HST for non-Canadian citizens.
- For single occupancy, add $130 per night.
- Departure from your home country is on the day before your heli ski package starts.
Included
- Return ground transfer from Smithers to Bell 2 Lodge.
- Seven, five or four nights accommodation at Bell 2 Lodge in a twin room with two queen-sized beds or one king-sized bed.
- All meals.
- Seven, five or four days heli skiing including 30,500, 22,000 or 17,500 vertical metres.
- Guide service.
- Use of powder skis & all lodge facilities.
- Use of safety equipment including: avalanche transceiver and avalanche airbag.
Not Included
- Anything not mentioned above.
- International Flights.
- Return flight from Vancouver to Smithers (approximately: CA $550 - CA $790. Please consult us).
- Hotel accommodation in Vancouver pre and post heli skiing (please consult us).
- Heli skiing in excess of the guaranteed vertical (charged at CAD $127 per 1,000 vertical metres).
- Insurance. This MUST cover you specifically for heli skiing. Please ask us for advice if you are unsure of your options or consider our customised heliski insurance.
- Drinks.
- Massage.
Typical Itinerary for a seven day trip:
| Thursday | International flight to Vancouver. Overnight in Vancouver OR take a scheduled flight to Smithers (2 hours) and stay at the Hudson Bay Lodge. |
|---|---|
| Friday | If not already in Smithers, fly from Vancouver and transfer by road to Bell 2 Lodge (3.5 hours). |
| Saturday to Thursday | Six full days heli skiing. |
| Friday | Either heliski a full 7th day and spend the night in Smithers or heliski half a day and stay in Vancouver. |
| Saturday | If not already in Vancouver, fly from Smithers and onward to your home country. |
Lodge to Lodge Heliski Safari
High-class adventure in the great white north.
Two world-class heli skiing locations are joined by air and skis. Starting at Last Frontier Heliskiing's base at Bell 2 Lodge and finishing on the border with south east Alaska, this is an adventurous tour aimed at those who want to see some BIG country.
A total of seven days are split between Bell 2 Lodge's legendary terrain in the Skeena Mountains and the epic tree runs and glaciers of the Coast Mountains surrounding Last Frontier's Ripley Creek base in Stewart.
In order to maximise your time and maintain the highest levels of flexibility and efficiency, there will never be more than two groups sharing a helicopter and five skiers or riders per group.
2012 Heli Ski Rates
| 7 Day Friday to Friday |
Twin |
|---|---|
| Feb 10 - Feb 17 | $9,890 |
| Mar 02 - Mar 09 | $9,890 |
| Mar 16 - Mar23 | $9,890 |
| Mar 30 - Apr 06 | $9,320 |
- Rates are in Canadian dollars and subject to 6% HST for non-Canadian citizens.
- For single occupancy, add $130 per night for Bell 2 Lodge and $55 per night for Ripley Creek Inn.
- Departure from your home country is on the day before your heli ski package starts.
Included
- Four nights at Bell 2 Lodge and three nights at Ripley Creek Inn.
OR - Four nights at Ripley Creek Inn and three nights at Bell 2 Lodge.
- Just two groups of five guests per helicopter.
- 30,500 vertical metres (100,000 feet) of guaranteed heli skiing.
- All meals while at the two lodges.
- Guide service.
- Use of powder skis & all lodge facilities.
- Return airport ground transfers to Bell 2 Lodge / Ripley Creek Inn.
- Use of safety equipment including: avalanche transceiver and avalanche airbag.
Not Included
- Anything not mentioned above.
- International Flights.
- Return flight from Vancouver to Smithers/Terrace (approximately: CA $550 - CA $790. (Please consult us).
- Hotel accommodation pre and post heliskiing (please consult us).
- Heli skiing in excess of the guaranteed vertical (charged at CA $127 per 1,000 vertical metres).
- Insurance. This MUST cover you specifically for heli skiing. Please ask us for advice if you are unsure of your options or consider our customised heliski insurance.
- Drinks.
- Massage.
BC Heli Ski Touring
Your week starts with the rewarding part - four days helicopter-accessed ski touring! Earn your turns before returning to the luxury of Bell 2 lodge for a soak in the hot tub or a massage. Mid-way through the week, skins are swapped for a shiny Bell 407 and you will be spoilt senseless with three full days of heli skiing in the legendary Skeena Mountains.
2012 Helicopter Ski Touring Rates
| 7 Day Packages: Friday to Friday |
Double |
|---|---|
| Week 04: Jan 20 - Jan 27 | $7,170 |
| Week 06: Feb 03 - Feb 10 | $8,200 |
| Week 12: Mar 16 - Mar 23 | $8,200 |
| Week 14: Mar 30 - Apr 06 | $7,170 |
| Week 16: Apr 13 - Apr 20 | $6,170 |
- Rates are in Canadian dollars and subject to 6% HST for non-Canadian citizens.
- For single occupancy, add $130 per night.
- Departure from your home country is on the day before your heli ski package starts.
Included
- Four days of heli-access ski touring.
- Three days heli skiing.
- Three groups of only five guests per helicopter.
- 13,100 vertical meters (43,000 feet ) of heli skiing guaranteed.
- Accommodation with en-suite bathroom at Bell 2 Lodge.
- All meals while at the lodge.
- Guide service.
- Powder skis, touring skis and poles.
- Ground transfers between Smithers and Bell 2 Lodge.
- Use of safety equipment including: avalanche transceiver and avalanche airbag.
Not Included
- Anything not mentioned above.
- International flights.
- Return flight from Vancouver to Smithers (approximately: CA $550 - CA $790. Please consult us).
- Hotel accommodation pre and post heliskiing (please consult us).
- Skiing in excess of the guaranteed vertical (charged at CA $127 per 1,000 vertical metres).
- Insurance. This MUST cover you specifically for heli skiing. Please ask us for advice if you are unsure of your options or consider our customised heliski insurance.
- Drinks.
- Massage.
Bell 2 Gold
With one helicopter for the exclusive use of your group you will have the luxury of 100% freedom and flexibility to ski or snowboard entirely at your own pace and explore deep into the vast wilderness of Northern British Columbia.
The Gold Private Packages are particularly suited to those who want to push the boundaries and also for those who are less confident in their ability.
2012 Gold Private Rates
| 7 Days Friday to Friday |
5 Days Sun to Sun or Tues to Sun |
|
|---|---|---|
| Price per group of four: |
CAD $80,960
12 hrs flying time included 7 hrs flying time guaranteed |
CAD $59,860
9 hrs flying time included 5 hrs flying time guaranteed |
| Two groups of up to ten in total. |
CAD $152,290
24 hrs flying time included 14 hrs flying time guaranteed |
CAD $112,490
17 hrs flying time included 9 hrs flying time guaranteed |
- Rates are in Canadian dollars and subject to 6% HST for non-Canadian citizens.
- For single occupancy, add $130 per night.
- Departure from your home country is on the day before your heli ski package starts.
- Additional hours of flying time are charged at $3,050 per hour or $305 per 6 minutes per helicopter load.
Included
- Meet and Greet at Vancouver airport.
- Limousine transfers in Vancouver between the airport and your hotel.
- Return ground transfer from Smithers to Bell 2 Lodge. Helicopter transfers can be arranged at an additional cost.
- Seven nights accommodation at Bell 2 Lodge in a twin or double room.
- All meals while at the lodge.
- Exclusive use of a private helicopter.
- Two guides.
- Five or seven days of heli skiing.
- Use of powder skis & all lodge facilities.
- Use of safety equipment including: avalanche transceiver and avalanche airbag.
Not Included:
- Anything not mentioned above.
- International flights.
- Return flight from Vancouver to Smithers (approximately: CA $550 - CA $790. Please consult us).
- Hotel accommodation pre and post heliskiing (please consult us).
- Flying time in excess of what is included.
- Insurance. This MUST cover you specifically for heli skiing. Please ask us for advice if you are unsure of your options or consider our customised heliski insurance.
- Drinks.
- Massage.
Prices and Packages
The skiing is very similar to what I have skied in Alaska, but it has many more options for down-day type skiing (bad weather skiing). Many tree runs with tons of features in them; cliffs, pillow walls, pillow poppers. And with a tenure a quarter the size of Switzerland, we barely scratched the surface.
Seth Morrison (2009), Professional Skier.