Heli Skiing

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.

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. 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.