8:00am
Departure Time
7 Hours
Duration
14+
Age
Physical
Activity
Dec-Apr
Season

Spend a day on an exhilarating backcountry ski experience in the majestic Purcell Mountain Ranges, located just outside Banff National Park.

YouTube video

Heli Skiing in the Canadian Rockies

Get your heart racing like never before on a thrilling Canadian Rockies heli ski trip. We’ll take you high into the Rocky Mountains where you can shred pristine powder on vast slopes as well as off the beaten track. Whether you are an intermediate, advanced or expert skier/boarder, you will love the vast virgin slopes surrounded by scenic glaciers and skiing untracked powder on gladed tree runs in the pristine and breathtaking Purcell Mountains in British Columbia, CA.

One day is all you need to create memories to last a lifetime! This is the ultimate Canadian mountain skiing experience and all of the ACMG certified guides excel in finding fresh untracked powder in terrain that matches the group’s ability level. Weather and snow condition dependent, you could find yourself on an open glacier run or in perfectly spaced trees.

If you have dreamed of heli-skiing and can comfortably descend blue runs and safely get down a black diamond at your local hill, this British Columbia heli skiing trip is everything you need! Plus, choose from a variety of powder skis and boards, which make all the difference for first time heli-skiers when skiing/boarding in the deep powder snow. For advanced and expert skiers, these skis will allow you to charge harder and faster.

Transportation

You have to self-drive to the RK heliplex, Panorama BC.

Please note that while driving through Kootenay Park, you will lose all cell service for about an hour or so.

In case of need, we can arrange round-trip transportation from Banff and Lake Louise. If you require transportation, please select your pickup location when booking and add on ‘Round Trip Transport.’

Included
  • Professional certified guide
  • Avalanche transceiver training
  • Helicopter safety briefing
  • Powder skis and poles or snowboard
  • RK Heliski certificate
Meal
  • Breakfast
  • Mountainside Lunch
  • Après-ski
Transport Options
  • + Transport (Banff)
  • + Transport (Lake Louise)
  • Meet at RK Heliplex, Panorama, BC
Guide Quote

Yannick's Pick

"Heli-skiing is a bucket list item and an unforgettable experience for any advanced skier or boarder." - Yannick , Reservations Agent, Discover Banff Tours

The best parts of the tour for most people include the following:

1

Majestic Purcell Mountain range

Experience the vast virgin slopes surrounded by scenic glaciers and skiing untracked powder on gladed tree runs in the pristine and breathtaking Purcell Mountains.
2

Designed for intermediate to expert skiers

If you are confident skiing or snowboarding on black diamond runs and are in good physical shape, heli-skiing / boarding is for you.
3

Everything is included!

Tours include breakfast, a mountainside lunch, use of powder skis and snowboards, ACMG certified guides, safety equipment and training and apres-ski at the end of the day.
Included
  • Professional certified guide
  • Avalanche transceiver training
  • Helicopter safety briefing
  • Powder skis and poles or snowboard
  • RK Heliski certificate
Meal
  • Breakfast
  • Mountainside Lunch
  • Après-ski
Transport Options
  • + Transport (Banff)
  • + Transport (Lake Louise)
  • Meet at RK Heliplex, Panorama, BC
Guide Quote

Yannick's Pick

"Heli-skiing is a bucket list item and an unforgettable experience for any advanced skier or boarder." - Yannick , Reservations Agent, Discover Banff Tours

The tour starts from the Heli-Plex at 8:00am and finishes at the Heli-Plex at 3:00pm for apres-ski in the lounge, approximately 7 hours in total.
The tours include breakfast, a mountainside lunch, use of powder skis/poles and snowboards, ACMG certified guides, an avalanche receiver and pack with probe/shovel/radio, safety briefing, a package of three or five runs (depending on the option purchased) and apres-ski at the lodge.
For guests that wish to self-drive, please meet at the Heli-Base located adjacent to Panorama Mountain Resort in Panorama, British Columbia, at 8am to check in and sign waivers. Please allow two hours to drive to the Heli-Base from Banff.

Private shuttle transportation from Banff and Lake Louise is available for an additional fee, please select your pickup location when booking and add on ‘Round Trip Transport’. Please note that transport is non-refundable.

If you are confident on blue runs and some black runs, are in good physical shape but are unfamiliar with powder then the answer is yes with the advancement of customized powder skis and snowboards. Please note that you must safely be able to get down a black diamond run. The ‘Abilities’ tab has a helpful video to determine your level as intermediate, advanced or expert.

The definitions for each are as follows:

  • Intermediate Skiers / First Time Heli-skiers: You are reasonably fit and ski blue runs (red runs in Europe) with confidence and without hesitation. You may have limited off piste (ungroomed) powder or tree skiing experience. You must safely be able to get down a black diamond run.
  • Intermediate Snowboarders / First Time Heli-boarders: You can snowboard on blue runs consistently linking turns without hesitation and have confidence at high speeds. You are capable of riding in an existing straight track through lower angle terrain. Limited powder experience. Good physical shape.
  • Advanced Heli-skiers: You are physically fit and have off piste powder and tree skiing experience. You can ski most types of terrain and descend black diamond runs comfortably.
  • Advanced Heli-boarders: You can ride blue runs with confidence and enjoy the challenge of black runs. Able to traverse in a single track through flat terrain. Some powder experience and in great physical shape.
  • Expert Heli-skiers: You are in top physical shape and have experience skiing off piste in powder and can ski all types of downhill ski runs including trees, moguls and steep pitches with confidence.
  • Expert Heli-boarders: You can confidently ride all mountain terrain. Many seasons of powder experience. Excellent physical shape.
Clothing should be layered for sub-zero temperatures. Don’t forget to bring goggles, hat, a face mask, ski gloves and boots. Please note that heated gloves are not permitted as they interfere with the avalanche transceivers. For sunny days, sunglasses and skin protection are certainly recommended. Helmets are not provided, but you are welcome to bring your own. Any extra items can be left securely at the lodge while you are out skiing, and valuables can be placed in the safe.

Guests are welcome to bring their own skies and snowboards, or to borrow the powder skies and snowboards free of charge. Skiing guests are with poles that have powder baskets. It’s strongly recommend that first time heli-skiers use the provided Powder Skis or Burton Powder Snowboards. If you choose to bring your own, your guide will assess them to ensure that it is suitable for the conditions.

The runs vary, but average about 800 vertical metres. The average time per run varies from 20 to 50 minutes depending on the terrain, snow condition and group’s ability level.
Sorry, you cannot bring your own avalanche gear – the operator needs to know that all used gear works and has been tested.
You are welcome to bring a camera, as long as it can be carried in your pocket or guest pack and is within weight restrictions. You cannot bring your own backpack, but you will be provided with a small backpack containing top of the line rescue equipment.
Heliski package deposits/payments are non-refundable in whole or in part. If you choose to stop skiing prior to completing your package on any given day no refund will be issued for the un-skied runs. All skiers are expected to be in suitable physical condition to complete your purchased number of runs in your package. In the event that you have not purchased trip cancellation insurance and you are unable to ski on your confirmed ski date, RK Heliski will not be held responsible for refunding any portion of your payments received. Payments received are non-transferable to other RK Heliski programs.

Weather or Mechanical No-Fly Days: If inclement weather, mechanical reasons or avalanche conditions prevents the helicopter from flying on your designated day, you will be provided with a partial or full refund based on the following conditions:

    1. If RK Heliski cancels on the day of your trip, we will try and re-book you if possible. If RK Heliski is unable to re-book, clients can either opt for a full refund or apply payment towards an excursion for a later date. Refunds will be issued in the same manner as the original payment. Direct refunds will be issued to travel agents for agency bookings.
    2. If RK Heliski cancels the day after breakfast and our mandatory safety training, a $50.00 administration fee will apply. Clients can either request RK Heliski refund the balance or apply the remaining balance towards an excursion for a later date.
    3. In the event that RK Heliski has proceeded with your day but the guaranteed number of runs could not be achieved. RK Heliski will refund you $190.00 + GST(5%), for each run not completed.
    4. If you are prevented from traveling due to COVID-19 travel restrictions or due to a COVID-19 illness, RK Heliski will either: (1) refund 100% of your ski or snowboard adventure or (2) retain the dollar value as a credit to be used towards a future ski or snowboard adventure (credit can be used up to a 2 year time period from date of purchase). RK Heliski will require travel interruption or COVID-19 illness proof.
    5. If you have to cancel your 2021/2022 heliski trip for any reasons other than COVID-19, then our standard cancellation policy applies. Please refer to our website and details under cancellation and refund policy. We highly recommend trip cancellation Insurance.

Trip Cancellation Insurance is recommended. This may be purchased through your Travel Agent. Please be sure that you are covered and are familiar with the cancellation policy.

Tips are not expected, but are certainly appreciated. If you think your guide did a wonderful job and would like to indicate that with a tip, it will be graciously accepted.
Included
  • Professional certified guide
  • Avalanche transceiver training
  • Helicopter safety briefing
  • Powder skis and poles or snowboard
  • RK Heliski certificate
Meal
  • Breakfast
  • Mountainside Lunch
  • Après-ski
Transport Options
  • + Transport (Banff)
  • + Transport (Lake Louise)
  • Meet at RK Heliplex, Panorama, BC
Guide Quote

Yannick's Pick

"Heli-skiing is a bucket list item and an unforgettable experience for any advanced skier or boarder." - Yannick , Reservations Agent, Discover Banff Tours

Please refer to the below video to help in determining your ability level for heliskiing as intermediate, advanced or expert.

YouTube video

Included
  • Professional certified guide
  • Avalanche transceiver training
  • Helicopter safety briefing
  • Powder skis and poles or snowboard
  • RK Heliski certificate
Meal
  • Breakfast
  • Mountainside Lunch
  • Après-ski
Transport Options
  • + Transport (Banff)
  • + Transport (Lake Louise)
  • Meet at RK Heliplex, Panorama, BC
Guide Quote

Yannick's Pick

"Heli-skiing is a bucket list item and an unforgettable experience for any advanced skier or boarder." - Yannick , Reservations Agent, Discover Banff Tours

  • Heli-skiing is only available for Intermediate to Expert skiers.
  • Skiers/boarders must be able to handle all kinds of snow conditions and maintain control, and also be of a reasonable fitness level.
  • The minimum age is 14 years and in all cases a parent/guardian must accompany the minor (14 – 18 years) during every run.
  • Every guest must read and sign a Release of Liability waiver form, which details the inherent risks involved in heli-skiing and snowboarding as well as helicopter travel.
Included
  • Professional certified guide
  • Avalanche transceiver training
  • Helicopter safety briefing
  • Powder skis and poles or snowboard
  • RK Heliski certificate
Meal
  • Breakfast
  • Mountainside Lunch
  • Après-ski
Transport Options
  • + Transport (Banff)
  • + Transport (Lake Louise)
  • Meet at RK Heliplex, Panorama, BC
Guide Quote

Yannick's Pick

"Heli-skiing is a bucket list item and an unforgettable experience for any advanced skier or boarder." - Yannick , Reservations Agent, Discover Banff Tours

Heliskiing near Banff
Heliski near Banff
Heliski near Banff National Park
Heliski in Panorama near Banff
Helicopter ski adventure
Experience heliskiing with your friendly guide with RK Heliski
Powder backcountry heli skiing
Powder backcountry skiing on a heliski tour
Heliplex ski base lodge