Safety
PROFESSIONAL FOCUS ON ABSOLUTE SAFETY
Before booking your trip, we strongly recommend reading the "Safety & Risk Awareness" information by clicking here:
SAFETY is our priority
Is finding the best terrain our Number 1 goal?
Surprisingly not (although it’s a close second). With Bella Coola Heli Sports, your safety is our absolute priority.
We are committed to offering our guests an unforgettable heli-skiing and heli-boarding experience, but always in the context of 'safety first'. We employ ACMG, CSGA and IFMGA certified ski guides. Our helicopter pilots have many years and hours of experience flying in the mountains. Our helicopters are maintained and inspected daily, and our guides are CONSTANTLY monitoring snow and weather conditions.
All in all, our safety standards are of the highest caliber and are set by HeliCat Canada, an industry body with decades of experience.
STRICT SAFETY STANDARDS
Surpassing the strictest standards in the industry.
Bella Coola Heli Sports is a member of HeliCat Canada, and we are regulated by the most comprehensive and exacting heli-skiing guidelines in the world.
In addition, our safety plan and operating procedures are audited every couple of years by an independent risk management evaluator.
HUGELY EXPERIENCED GUIDE TEAM
Our team of Guides are certified by the ACMG / UIAGM (Canadian and International Association of Mountain Guides).
When you heli-ski with us, you’re in good hands. Our guides are real people, dedicated to everyone's safety. They want you to go home to your family – safe and sound – just as they want to return to theirs.
COAST RANGE STABILITY
BELLA COOLA’S CONSISTENT AND TEMPERATE CLIMATE – COMBINED WITH PLENTIFUL SNOWFALL – RESULTS IN A GENERALLY MORE STABLE AND SETTLED SNOWPACK.
We are lucky to be located in British Columbia's Coast Range, which has a more stable and settled snowpack than what is common in other Canadian heli-skiing locations.
HELICOPTERS, PILOTS & ENGINEERS
Sleek machines & ‘high hour’ mountain pilots & engineers
We’ve worked with helicopters and pilots from West Coast Helicopters (WCH) for more than a decade.
All WCH pilots that fly for BCHS have many hours of flying experience, including special training in mountain flying and heli-skiing operations. They also participate in the annual Guides Training Program prior to the start of the heli-skiing season – including running through a mock rescue scenario.
Our engineers work in a heated helicopter hangar, which ensures rigorous maintenance schedules and inspections are always met, regardless of weather conditions.
INFRASTRUCTURE & BACK-UP SUPPORT
We’ve setup a network of additional help and safety.
Our concern for your safety goes way beyond giving you a transceiver and telling you how to use it. Find out how we have created infrastructure to help in an emergency.
TOP SAFETY GEAR
AN EXCEPTIONAL HELI-SKI EXPERIENCE DEMANDS FIRST-CLASS EQUIPMENT
Your safety really is our top priority. That's why the use of our safety equipment is FREE!
GUEST SAFETY TRAINING
YOU’LL BE TRAINED IN THE BASICS OF SKIING IN THE BACKCOUNTRY!
On Arrival Day, just before you head out skiing, our guide team will go over some safety basics – from using the supplied safety equipment, to understanding how to behave around the helicopter.