First Time Heli Skiing With Bella Coola Heli Sports

What to expect from your first trip to Bella Coola Heli Sports? Well, simply put, expect that it won't be your last. We are confident our unrivaled terrain & snow, professional service, accommodation options and adventure programs will exceed your expectations and leave you more than satisfied—yet at the same time—wanting more.

Amazing Terrain and Snow, All to Yourself

We can't come straight out and promise you perfect chest deep powder, but we can certainly stack the cards in your favour, and we will. With a strict adherence to our 'small group' heli skiing policy and our expansive tenure, crossing tracks won't ever cross your mind. There's no need to “farm the snow”, and we encourage our guests to gobble up as much freshies as they want as well as be creative in their choice of lines. We have more than enough terrain to play with. Add our consistently stable and reliably deep snowpack and more often then not, the Bella Coola experience will deliver the finest heli skiing and snowboarding on the planet.

Professional Service & High Safety Standards

We are committed to offering our guests an unforgettable heliskiing and heli boarding experience, but always in the context of safety first. To that end: we employ only highly certified mountain guides, all our helicopter pilots have many years and hours flying in the mountains, our new A-Star B2 helicopters are maintained and inspected daily by engineers in a heated hangar, and we constantly monitor snow & weather conditions. All in all, our safety standards are above and beyond the industry requirements set by HeliCat Canada. These standards are in turn by far the most stringent in the world. No other country or jurisdiction has the years of experience in developing safety protocols and providing great heli skiing experiences.

Accommodation

Bella Coola Heli Sports offers a choice of three different lodge experiences: Tweedsmuir Park Lodge, the Pantheon Heli Ranch and Bella Coola's Big Mountain Lodge. Each location is unique and has its particular advantages. However, regardless of which location you choose, you can expect the utmost attention to privacy and service during your stay. All the properties are in spectacular settings and only host small groups.

Weather Days

The goal at Bella Coola Heli Sports is to provide you with the best heliskiing and heli boarding possible. However, our amazing powder does need to come from somewhere, and stormy skies are both common and to be expected in the winter months. Fortunately, our unique location yields plenty of alpine tree skiing for weather days, and means we can usually get out even when it's snowing. Nonetheless, there are days when the snow is simply falling too fast and the helis can't fly.

Alternative Adventures

Fortunately there's no shortage of other adventures in Bella Coola to enjoy, be it because of a weather day, or because you've reached your vertical target or need a rest day. This is a perfect opportunity to take in some of the many adventures offered by the Bella Coola valley. Special Note: Some, not all, of these activities involve additional fees for rental equipment, transportation and guiding services. These activities are also available to non-skiing guests.

River Fishing

Both the Atnarko and the Bella Coola Rivers have a long history and offer world-class sport fishing opportunities. Keen anglers are invited to bring their own equipment. We are strong supporters of fly-fishing, and the catch & release program.

Sightseeing & Hiking

From quick hikes in the old growth forest to more intense hiking throughout the valley, points of interest can include the Sir Alexander MacKenzie Grease Trail. This trail marks the culmination of the first crossing of the North American continent in 1793.

Mountain Biking

The main road past the lodge is usually snow free in the winter and an excellent place to go for a ride.  There is very little traffic and the scenery is simply spectacular. Later in the spring it is also possible to go for rides on the many forest service roads in the valley.

Native Culture

The Nuxalk ("new hawk") culture is expressed in the Bella Coola valley, both through traditional dances and native arts. There are a number of small galleries highlighting local artists and carvers. Some of the local carvings are displayed in the Smithsonian museum. Arts and crafts are available for purchase. Tours to the 10,000-year-old Petroglyphs are also very popular and a local Nuxalk guide can accompany you.

Natural Hot Springs & Harbour Tours

These tours can be taken by our A Star B2 helicopters or by boat. The hot springs are situated on the coast of Bentinck Arm inlet, providing a beautiful eco-setting in which to relax and soak.