BELLA COOLA HELISKIING - BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA
"Bella Coola was one of the most stunning places
I've ever had the opportunity to heli ski. Swede and crew
have truly discovered an amazing new powder kingdom. I was
constantly glued to the window of the heli scoping out some
of the most spectacular terrain I have ever seen. Big, steep
and deep, here's terrain for the fearless, as well as for
the pussies. Wax your boards and get your ass up to Bella
Coola." Shane McConkey, Professional Skier.
Want to combine heli skiing with some world class salmon fishing? Click here to find out more
Why Heliski Here?
- Possibilities to heli ski genuinely steep terrain.
- "Coast Mountain Lodge" packages offer some of the best value heli skiing on the market.
- Only two or three groups of four or five per helicopter.
- Quick and easy access.
- Heliski on arrival and departure days gives a total of eight possible ski days.
- Excellent for those looking for more freedom than might be found at more traditional heli ski operations in Canada.
Location
(click here to view location)
Bella Coola Heli skiing is in the heart of British Columbia's
Coast Mountains a 1 hr 15 minute flight north of Vancouver.
The Heli Skiing & Heli Boarding
This is one of the world's most exciting new heli ski destinations. If you are someone who feels restricted and unchallenged by heli skiing in Canada, this is the place for you. A stable coastal snow pack and a team of highly professional heliski guides with refreshing attitudes allow you to enjoy a certain freedom that until now was unheard of amongst heli ski operations in Canada. If you want to challenge yourself - and conditions permit - there are opportunities to heliski on steep terrain. Equally if you prefer a gentle cruise, there is plenty to keep everyone happy.
Accommodation and Facilities
Guests stay in newly constructed cabins with private bathroom and shower, a main bedroom, a loft, and a fireplace. The main lodge - Tweedsmuir Lodge - includes: a huge dining room / living room with fireplace; sports bar with pool table and games; satellite TV; a large outdoor hot tub; a guest media room with satellite linked computer; fax and phone service; and a fitness room.
Guests choosing the alternative package will stay in the nearby Coast Mountain Lodge. Combining the comforts of a lodge and a hotel, the Guest House has fourteen well appointed rooms. All rooms include private baths, full kitchens, satellite TV, VCRs, telephones and all the modern amenities. There is a common room with pool table, darts and games, and Internet access is also available. There is also a tea & cappuccino bar and exclusive access for BCH guests to sauna facilities. You can choose from a variety of rooms.
Helicopters and Safety
Only 3 groups of 4 or 5 heli skiers or heli boarders share an A-Star B2 helicopter.
Pilots are highly qualified, with years of experience flying in the Coast Range. Both pilot and machine are regulated to exacting standards by Transport Canada, the governing body for all aviation in Canada. Furthermore, your pilots undergo specialised helisport training. Helicopter maintenance and check-up are done on a daily basis by a team of professional engineers. Overnight storage of the helicopter is in a hangar. This improves both the reliability and quality of maintenance.
Heli ski guides are all dedicated professionals and are members of the A.C.M.G. and the U.I.A.G.M. (Canadian and International Association of Mountain Guides) and/or the Canadian Ski Guides Association (CSGA).The exception to this rule would be if you are guided by Peter "Swede" Mattsson. "Swede" is one of the owners of the company and has 18 years of guiding experience.
BELLA COOLA HELISKIING PRICES AND PACKAGES - 2011
Seven day packages run from Saturday to Saturday. Departure from your home country is on the day before your heli ski package starts.
Rates in Canadian dollars and subject to 6% HST for non-Canadian citizens.
(Click here for up to date exchange rates and other currencies)
STANDARD HELI SKIING PACKAGES
| 7 Day Packages: Saturday to Saturday |
Tweedsmuir Lodge | Coast Mountain Lodge |
| Dec 18 - Dec 25 | $8,580 | N/A |
| Dec 25 - Jan 01 | $8,580 | N/A |
| Jan 01 - Jan 08 | $8,980 | N/A |
| Jan 08 - Jan 15 | $9,980 | N/A |
| Jan 15 - Jan 22 | $9,980 | $8,380 |
| Jan 22 - Jan 29 | $9,980 | $8,380 |
| Jan 29 - Feb 05 | $9,980 | $8,380 |
| Feb 05 - Feb 12 | $9,980 | $8,380 |
| Feb 12 - Feb 19 | $9,980 | $8,380 |
| Feb 19 - Feb 26 | $9,980 | $8,380 |
| Feb 26 - Mar 05 | $9,980 | $8,380 |
| Mar 05 - Mar 12 | $9,980 | $8,380 |
| Mar 12 - Mar 19 | $9,980 | $8,380 |
| Mar 19 - Mar 26 | $9,980 | $8,380 |
| Mar 26 - Apr 02 | $9,980 | $8,380 |
| Apr 02 - Apr 09 | $9,380 | $8,380 |
| Apr 09 - Apr 16 | $8,980 | N/A |
| Apr 16 - Apr 23 | $8,580 | N/A |
For single occupancy add: CA $275 extra per night at Tweedsmuir Lodge and CA $50 extra per night at the Coast Mountain Lodge.
* Three, four and five day trips are also available from CA $4,780 and can easily be combined with a few days skiing in Whistler. Please ask us for details.
Included:
- Return flights from Vancouver to Bella Coola and ground transfer to the lodge.
- Eight possible days heli skiing including 30,500 vertical metres (100,000 vertical feet).
- Seven nights' accommodation at Tweedsmuir Lodge or the Coast Mountain Lodge (double occupancy).
- All meals.
- Guide service.
- Avalanche transceiver.
- Use of powder skis.
- Ground transport in the Bella Coola valley.
- Use of all lodge facilities.
- Use of safety equipment including: avalanche transceiver and avalanche airbag.
Not Included:
- Anything not mentioned above.
- International flights.
- Extra skiing on top 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.
- Drinks.
- Massage.
Of the 100,000 vertical feet included on a seven day trip, if you do not manage to ski 80,000 vertical feet (24,400 vertical metres) either due to mechanical failure or poor weather; we will refund all un-skied vertical below this 80,000 vertical foot threshold at a rate of $44.00 per 1,000 feet.
PRIVATE HELI SKIING PACKAGES
With one helicopter for the exclusive use of your group you will have the luxury of 100% flexibility to ski or snowboard entirely at your own pace and without any concern for others. The situation is particularly advantageous to groups who are of a very high standard and those who are less confident in their ability.
PRICES AND PACKAGES
| 7 Day Packages: Saturday to Saturday |
Tweedsmuir Lodge Group of 8 / Group of 4 |
Coast Mountain Lodge Group of 8 / Group of 4 |
| Dec 18 - Dec 25 | $91,880 / $54,880 | N/A |
| Dec 25 - Jan 01 | $91,880 / $54,880 | N/A |
| Jan 01 - Jan 08 | $91,880 / $54,880 | N/A |
| Jan 08 - Jan 15 | $99,880 / $60,880 | N/A |
| Jan 15 - Jan 22 | $106,880 / $66,880 | $85,880 / $50,880 |
| Jan 22 - Jan 29 | $106,880 / $66,880 | $85,880 / $50,880 |
| Jan 29 - Feb 05 | $106,880 / $66,880 | $85,880 / $50,880 |
| Feb 05 - Feb 12 | $106,880 / $66,880 | $85,880 / $50,880 |
| Feb 12 - Feb 19 | $106,880 / $66,880 | $85,880 / $50,880 |
| Feb 19 - Feb 26 | $106,880 / $66,880 | $85,880 / $50,880 |
| Feb 26 - Mar 05 | $106,880 / $66,880 | $85,880 / $50,880 |
| Mar 05 - Mar 12 | $106,880 / $66,880 | $85,880 / $50,880 |
| Mar 12 - Mar 19 | $106,880 / $66,880 | $85,880 / $50,880 |
| Mar 19 - Mar 26 | $106,880 / $66,880 | $85,880 / $50,880 |
| Mar 26 - Apr 02 | $106,880 / $66,880 | $85,880 / $50,880 |
| Apr 02 - Apr 09 | $106,880 / $66,880 | $85,880 / $50,880 |
| Apr 09 - Apr 16 | $99,880 / $60,880 | N/A |
| Apr 16 - Apr 23 | $91,880 / $54,880 | N/A |
Private groups of four heli skiers have exclusive use of their own helicopter and ski as one rotation with 8 hours of helicopter flying time included. Extra flying time is charged at $2,580 per hour.
Private groups of five to eight heli skiers have exclusive use of their own helicopter and ski as two rotations with 14 hours of helicopter flying time included. Extra flying time is charged at $2,480 per hour.
Included:
- Return flights from Vancouver to Bella Coola and ground transfer to the lodge.
- Eight possible days heli skiing including either eight or fourteen hours of helicopter flying time.
- Seven nights' accommodation at Tweedsmuir Lodge or the Coast Mountain Lodge (double occupancy).
- All meals while at the lodge.
- Guide service.
- Use of powder skis.
- Ground transport in the Bella Coola valley.
- Use of all lodge facilities.
- Use of safety equipment including: avalanche transceiver and avalanche airbag.
Not Included:
- Anything not mentioned above.
- International flights.
- 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.
- Drinks.
- Massage.
Typical Itinerary:
| Saturday | Fly Vancouver to Bella Coola (1 hr 15 mins). Change into ski gear at the airport and heli ski back to the lodge (baggage transferred by road). |
| Sunday-Friday | 6 days heli skiing. |
| Saturday | Heli ski to the airport. Change in to travel clothes at the airport. Fly Bella Coola to Vancouver. Overnight in Vancouver or international flight. |
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