Heli-Skiing in Whistler
Written: Feb 04 '01 (Updated Feb 28 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Remote wilderness, non-stop glaciers, snow conditions, vertical rise, great guides.
Cons: Can be costly during height of the season, Feb/Mar.
The Bottom Line: With an average day of skiing consisting of 12,000 vertical feet of untracked powder, and the thrill of being dropped onto a glacier via helicopter, need I say more?
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| ashley's Full Review: Whistler-Blackcomb |
Strapped into my seat, gripping a pair of gloves in one hand, I felt the helicopter lift off the pad. As we ascended into the air, even with 10 people on board, things were unusually quiet. The air inside was cool but humid from all of the breathing. As we flew north, I focused forward before deciding to peek out the window. Leaning over a body next to me, I looked out the window and felt the helicopter make a sharp left turn, thus giving me my first aerial glance of the wilderness within the Pacific Mountain Range. All about us were glaciers the size of Greek Gods. The glaciers looked mostly foreboding but beautiful at the same time. I took a deep breath, sat back and got a strangle-hold on my anticipation.
My first heli-ski trip happened last March, in the breathtaking mountains of British Columbia, Canada near Whistler-Blackcomb Resort.
We arrived a week early and settled into the tres expensive accommodations of the Chateau Whistler. (what can I say? we decided to live big on our first trip there.) Since I'd like to focus my content on heli-skiing, and not hotels, I will start off by saying that there are numerous accommodations to suit almost any budget if you plan and research ahead of time. February-March is the height of the season so expect places to be booked a year in advance. There is also no shortage of restaurants and nightlife, very self-explanatory once you arrive.
On our day of arrival we called the Whistler Heli-Skiing store in the Crystal Lodge to confirm our reservation for the end of the week. We made our reservation a month ahead of time online at: www.heliskiwhistler.com. The website gives details on how to make a reservation, when to plan your trip, and up-to-date costs. Our trip, which consisted of a 4-run package (approximately 10-12,000 vertical ft.) and rentals cost $580 Canadian each. If time permits, and your group is in agreement, you can do additional runs for $65 Canadian each. Almost everyone does an extra run so count that in your budget. Group size varies depending on your level and package, average group size is 5-10 people, and average number of runs are usually 4-8.
We spent our week skiing Whistler-Blackcomb panting in disbelief at the 5,000 vertical ft. runs. If you decide not to heli-ski, Whistler-Blackcomb mountains offer 20 lifts, 6 high-speed quads and enough vertical rise to satisfy even the most ferocious appetite.
The morning of our heli-ski trip we all met in the village at the Heli-Skiing Store at 8:30 a.m., coffees in hand. (If there are going to be any weather problems or cancellations, the heli-store will call you by 7:30 a.m. to re-schedule.) With our weather perfect, we were assembled and heading to the Powder Hut (a 2-minute walk) to meet our guide within 15 minutes. At this point I started asking myself questions, you know those self-doubting questions like; What if I hold the group up?, Who is in our group?, What if they suck and hold me up?, What if I incorrectly assessed my ability and end up as part of an avalanche?.
Your heli-guide will go over all of the details of the day with you. When you make your reservation you are placed in a group appropriate to your level. (on-line there is a skill assessment that you can take to determine your level) In order to attend a heli-ski trip at all, you should be at least an intermediate skier at your home resort or you will not have a good time. Our group was an intermediate/advanced mix which leaned more toward advanced.
The guide will choose your ski area for the day based on weather, ability of the group and snowfall. The guide will also go over all of the avalanche basics, give you a monitor in case you do get buried, and show you how not to panic. I felt pretty confident, after his instruction, that I would not die should a disaster occur.
Following avalanche instruction, there is some discussion about equipment and expectations for the day. Once the group was in agreement, the guide chose the zones, we loaded our equipment onto a bus and we were off to the airport.
At the airport you start to realize that your about to get into a helicopter that will, in turn, drop you off on a glacier. And I say drop off, but often times the helicopter will not even land (due to unstable ground), it will just hover above ground and wait for you to jump out. This is when you stop thinking and start going with the flow.
Landing on our first glacier was an experience to behold in itself. The helicopter pilot determined the best landing spot in conjunction with the guide. Once on top of the glacier we all hopped out and gathered our equipment. Wind was ripping snow in all directions from the force of the helicopter blades and we squinted as the helicopter pilot took off waving. We wouldn't see him for another 45 minutes at the bottom of our run.
I should note, our group consisted of: 4 members of the deaf, Japanese ski club (now nobody has any excuses) and two snowboarders from Norway. Usually they separate the boarders from the skiers, but this trip just worked out that we were mixed.
During your runs you have to remain behind your guide at all times. This was weird in the beginning because everyone is jonesing to take off. The guide will let you know when you are free to open up or take off and pass. This is understandable given the number of deep crevasses we flew by. I had to ask how deep one of the crevasses was and the guide casually remarked, "Oh, about 100 feet". I stayed behind my guide the whole time.
The glacier runs were unlike anything I had ever experienced. Just approaching the top of the steep bowls caused my heart to palpitate. Nobody wants to admit it is intimidating but it's just the case. The guide will sort of let two at a time go and the next thing you know your flying down 5,000 vertical feet of powder with a sloughing avalanche on your tail. The snowboarders we were with were amazing to watch, the guide let us open up and take over the entire bowl. The snow was great on our first 3 runs, heavy powder in some areas, lighter in others. On our sub-alpine tree run we hit some spring corn, but it was beautiful.
We stopped halfway through the day and had a great lunch, all packed and planned by the guides complete with hot tea. We also spent some time talking to the camera man and our helicopter pilot, Jose. He was a pilot in Vietnam and had some extraordinary stories to tell. This is also a good time to let the cameraman know if you want any special shots.
After our fourth run (moving right along) the group collectively decided to take a fifth run. Our fifth run was the steepest glacier run of the day. By the end of the day most inhibitions were gone and and the steep drop off into the bowl was an inviting playground. Our whole group ripped down the mountain, all at once, with gravity pulling us through the deep powder and everyone with a smile from ear to ear. A few skiers doing some tumbling exercises off to my left.
At the bottom of every run the helicopter pilot is waiting with anticipation to load us up and head to the next glacier. By the end of the day your leg muscles were screaming stop! but we were always ready for another run.
It goes without saying that the verbal translation of landing on a glacier, jumping out of a helicopter, looking around at a 360 degree view of some of the most incredible wilderness the Pacific has to offer, then plowing through 5,000 vertical feet of sheer bliss, is a little difficult. Cutting through the open tree runs, flying off unexpected elevation changes, diving into bowls of powder, feeling half the mountain rushing after you it is all part a Zen day that is unlike anything you will ever experience and must do firsthand.
Once you head back to village you get to re-live the whole experience again via video. At a place called Buffalo Bills in Whistler Village, the whole group assembles for drinks and appetizers an hour later. The video is complete with music and pictures are posted of the days highlights. We all watched the video and acknowledged a bond created in one unforgettable day. We still watch the video today and remember the feeling of standing on top of the Canadian glaciers.
Recommended:
Yes
Level of Experience Needed: Intermediate
Best Time to Visit: February
Best Suited For: Friends
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Epinions.com ID:
ashley
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Member: Ashley Montulli
Location: Menlo Park, CA
Reviews written: 4
Trusted by: 9 members
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