heliskiing
intro

Heliski - You're standing on the edge of big, snow covered country, you click in, take a deep breath of pure mountain air and contemplate the majesty of your surroundings. Then you let go, glide into exhilaration, adrenaline and the reality checking perspective of being tiny and inconsequential in an immense, silent mountain world - Heliski........

Your guide will lead you to the day's best heliski snow conditions. An ongoing sense of achievement and excitement is guaranteed. This is heli-skiing, a most perfect escape from the everyday.

You may be a first time heli-skier or a max vert regular, it doesn't matter, Extreme Sports Cafe and it's Heli-Ski partners in New Zealand and Canada will take you into the vast terrains of the Southern Alps and Whistler at precisely the level which best suits your ability.

If you can ski, you can Heli-ski..

Ideally you are a strong intermediate skier/boarder or better, with a sense of adventure. Extreme Sports Cafe has exclusive access to extensive terrain above and beyond Queenstown, Wanaka and New Zealand’s highest mountain, Mount Cook as well as some of the best Heliski areas just beyond the ski lifts of Whistler and Blackcomb in Canada.
There's a lot of choice and thousands of vertical metres offering easy rolling terrain for powder first timers or challenging chutes and steep valleys for the more experienced. You'll be part of a group of four led by a guide who is committed to your safety and enjoyment of this alpine environment.

Heli-Skiing works like this...
Early in the morning we check the weather and then we contact you. If it's on, we'll pick you up and take you to the staging area where you're introduced to your pilot, and group and given a safety brief covering avalanche transceivers, helicopter and mountain safety. Then you fly off to the first run. Each run takes up to an hour. All groups meet for a gourmet buffet lunch and a relax before the afternoon's heli-skiing.
If weather conditions preclude flying you can reschedule to the next day. Reservations must be reconfirmed by 6.00pm the day prior to flying. It is wise to book well in advance especially during our peak season.

Heliski areas and Daily Heliskiing - Canada.

Just beyond the ski lifts of Whistler and Blackcomb, minutes from North America's #1-ranked Ski Resort, awaits the ultimate high-alpine experience. Imagine carving through untracked powder, endless terrain and breath-taking scenery.
With hundreds of ski runs, there is a tremendous variety of slopes to accommodate all levels of skiers and boarders from intermediate to expert. The skiing varies from wide-open glaciers to beautiful gladed tree runs.
The heli-ski area is made up of several zones and is approximately 50 miles north/south by 30 miles east/west (80km by 50km). Your guide will select terrain within a zone according to snowfall, the weather, and your group's ability.

• Please check into our Heli-Skiing Store in the Crystal Lodge to confirm your arrival in Whistler.
• You must check in before 4:00 pm the day before you fly and preferably as soon as you arrive in Whistler.
At that time you will be required to sign a release of liability waiver. All members of your party who are heli-skiing must be present to sign their waiver.
• You may also arrange your rental powder skis or snowboard, if required, at this time.
• Our staff will advise you of the weather conditions for the next few days. If necessary, you may change your reservation at this time, depending upon space availability.
Morning schedule:
Meeting times:
- 8:15 am: Bell 407 guests requiring rental, to check in at the Crystal store.
- 8:30 am: Bell 407 guests, regular check in time at the Crystal store.
- 8:30 am: Bell 212 guests requiring rental, to check in at the Crystal.
- 8:45 am: Bell 212 guests, regular check in time at the Crystal store.
• If your heli ski day is cancelled due to weather or snow conditions, you will be telephoned between 7:30 am and 8:15 am. If you do not have a phone call by 8:15 am, please report to the Heli Ski store at 8:30 or 8:45 as required.
• After reporting to the store you will be directed to the Powder Hut (one-minute walk). At approximately 9:00 am at the Powder Hut your guide will introduce himself and assemble your group. You will have a heli ski introduction. We have guides that speak English, Japanese, German, and French. If you need assistance in those languages, please ask.
• At approximately 9:30 am you will leave the Powder Hut with your guide for the Whistler Heli -Port. At the heli-port you will receive additional instruction about the helicopters. The first group will fly at approximately 10:15 am.

• The guide will choose the best ski area for the day. He will take into consideration the wind, temperature, and new snowfalls prior to making his decision.
• You will ski with your guide all day.
• Mountain lunch is provided on the hill.
• Our professional photography staff captures one of your runs on video and still pictures.
Videos and photographs are available in the Bell 212 packages only.
• Smokers please bring a container to contain ashes and cigarette butts.
• No smoking is permitted near the helicopter.

• The heli-ski day ends at Buffalo Bills in the Timberline Hotel for the video party. We arrive back between 2:30 and 5:00 (depending on weather and number of runs).
• The video party starts 30 minutes after the first group arrives. The video plays at least twice for everyone's enjoyment. Invite your friends to join you there. We regret that, under BC law, children under 19 are not permitted in this licensed establishment.
• All orders for videos and photos, as well as payment for extra runs, are processed here.
• Prices for videos and photos
Videos are $55 Cdn
Photos are $15 Cdn
Special orders, including PAL conversions, are available through the photo/video department

All packages include: professional heli-ski guide with each group; use of avalanche transceiver and powder ski tracers; on-mountain lunch; and return ground transportation to the helicopter landing area from Whistler Village.

December 4/2005 to April 24/2006

(A) 3 Run Day Classic Heliski Package: Bell 212 Helicopter:
3 runs (approx. 4500 - 7500 vertical feet, or 1400 - 2300 vertical meters of skiing).
Cdn. $670.00 plus 7% GST per person.
Designed for intermediate to advanced skiers or boarders
Photo and video service provided for one run. View and purchase at apres party.
Extra vertical is available for Cdn. $80.00 plus 7% GST per person, per run.

(B) Experts' 4 Run Day Elite Heliski Package: Bell 212 Helicopter:
4 runs (approx. 6000 - 10,000 vertical feet, or 1800 - 3000 vertical meters of skiing).
Cdn. $750.00 plus 7% GST per person.
Designed for expert skiers or boarders
Photo and video service provided for one run. View and purchase at apres party.
Extra vertical is available for Cdn. $80.00 plus 7% GST per person, per run.

(C) Semi-Private 6 Run Day Ultimate Heliski Package (5 Person): Bell 407 Helicopter:
6 runs (approx. 9000 - 15,000 vertical feet. or 2700 - 4600 vertical meters of skiing).
Cdn. $970.00 plus 7% GST per person.
Designed for experts who wish to move quickly and are considering a lot of extra vertical, or for groups of five of similar abilities who are looking for a more private experience.
Extra vertical is available for Cdn.$90.00 plus 7% GST per person, per run.

Private Heliski photographer available on request for groups of four.
Heliski Photographer occupies 1 of the 5 seats.

Rossignol Powder Skis
Cdn.$40.00 plus 7% GST per person.
Burton Snowboards
Cdn.$40.00 plus 7% GST per person.

Our guides are the best in the business. Twenty-three years of operation has honed the skills of our professional and dedicated team, many of whom have been with us since we started. They are UIAGM/NZMGA certified and/or specialists in mountain safety.
Our guides attend an annual refresher course covering avalanche hazard evaluation and control, route selection, weather analysis, emergency first aid, mountain survival, rescue and ski instruction techniques.
Snowpack and weather are analysed daily and forecasts made accordingly, with slope assessment conducted prior to skiing.

Alpine skis, telemark skis, mono boards or snowboards are all OK. Slide on whatever you are most comfortable with. The new wide body powder skis are great for all abilities. Many of our guides use these and they’re wonderful for those wanting to go longer and harder in more advanced terrain. All equipment can be hired locally.
What to bring
Warm clothing, good eyewear, sunscreen and camera. A day-pack is recommended as gear cannot be left in the helicopter.

Heli-skiing/boarding takes place in an alpine environment, above the tree line and is weather dependent. We fly an average of 4 – 5 days per week during the 'windows' of fine weather.
When booking we suggest you register with us for daily heli-skiing as soon as you arrive in the area and allow some flexibility in your schedule.

Snow in the back country can vary from fine powder to crud to beautiful spring corn. 75% of the time conditions are very good. We usually enjoy light dry powder from July through to September and spring corn from late September through to October.

Payment policy - Canada

Simply complete and submit the on-line web form. Fill out your dates and specific requests in the NOTES area of the form and we will contact you to confirm your booking details.

• Your reservation is confirmed when your deposit funds are received and processed by Extreme Sports Cafe.
• Your reservation confirmation, with your reservation number, will be forwarded to you.
• Final payment must be made upon arrival in Whistler.
• Deposits are typically 10% of your full fees.

• If we do not fly, you will receive a full refund.
• You may cancel your reservation at any time up to 4:00pm the day before your ski date, for a full refund.
• If you cancel after 4:00 PM the evening before you fly, or on the morning of your intended flight, you will be charged $200.00 plus GST cancellation fee.
• If we are forced to return to Whistler without completing your reserved package the refund policy is as follows.