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About

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Safety has been our steadfast focus at Bella Coola Heli Sports since we first started helping adventurers suit up, strap in, and boldly venture into the untamed backcountry of British Columbia’s Cariboo Chilcotin Coast in 2003. It&#8217;s not just our priority, it&#8217;s our passion and our promise to you.

A Culture of Safety

While we’re proud to have been named the Best Heli Ski Operation in the World for five consecutive years at the World Ski Awards, we didn’t earn those accolades by simply seeking out the best terrain. We got there by ensuring that the safety of our guests is our paramount concern.
Our training procedures, safety protocols, gear selection, and expert team reflect our unwavering commitment to exceeding the gold-standard safety benchmarks set by <a href="https://www.helicat.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HeliCat Canada</a>—the result of over 40 years of industry experience and development. To ensure we&#8217;re always at the forefront of safety, we undergo a thorough review of our mountain operations every five years by the HeliCat audit team.
Let&#8217;s talk about the adventure ahead. This section outlines the risks and challenges inherent in heli-skiing and snowboarding—and the measures we take to ensure your safety. When you understand the risks involved, you become an essential part of our safety team

Overview: A Culture of Safety

Waiver & Release Agreement

Our expert guides are constantly evaluating and minimizing risks throughout your experience, but there are inherent risks associated with backcountry skiing in remote environments.
Before your adventure begins, we need you to take a moment to understand and acknowledge the nature and risks of heli-skiing by reviewing and agreeing to our Wilderness Activities Release Agreement. Here&#8217;s what you need to know:
<ul>
<li>We&#8217;ll send you a digital waiver to complete before you make your first payment. This ensures you&#8217;re comfortable with the terms before committing to your adventure.</li>
<li>On arrival day, you&#8217;ll sign a paper version of the same waiver at the lodge.</li>
<li>All claims—irrespective of the nationality of the participants—will be governed in all respects by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the Province of British Columbia.</li>
<li>Take your time to read through the waiver carefully, and let us know if you have any questions. It’s important to us that you approach your heli-skiing experience with confidence and peace of mind.</li>
</ul>
We&#8217;ve translated the waiver into several languages. You can view it in your preferred language by clicking the options below.

Skiing & Snowboarding

Heli-skiing and snowboarding in wilderness terrain come with inherent risks. The first step in our safety and risk awareness training is being upfront and honest about the challenges you may face in the backcountry.
Before your adventure begins, it&#8217;s essential that you understand the risks, dangers, and hazards associated with heli-skiing and snowboarding. By choosing to join us, you&#8217;re also accepting important responsibilities. This includes acknowledging the possibility, however remote, of personal injury, death, property damage, or loss that could result from participating

Guest & Guide Training

Safety Equipment

Before heading into the mountains, we ensure that both our guests and guides are equipped with essential safety equipment, long-range radio communication, and emergency response support.
On arrival day, you’ll receive a repeater radio and a <a href="https://backcountryaccess.com/en-ca/p/float-12-avalanche-airbag-2-0-2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BCA Float 12 Avalanche Airbag 2.0 backpack</a> containing a <a href="https://www.mammut.com/int/en/products/2710-00150-1012/barryvox" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mammut Barryvox</a> avalanche transceiver, probe, and collapsible shovel. We&#8217;ve handpicked this gear for its user-friendly design, rugged durability, and pinpoint accuracy. It&#8217;s the same top-notch equipment our guides use every day.

Helicopter Safety

Our team of pilots and engineers from Silverking Helicopters and Skyline Helicopters helps set BCHS apart. Our pilots have logged hundreds of hours in the air—including special training in mountain flying and heli-sports operations—and participate in our annual training program alongside guides before the start of each season, which includes mock rescue scenarios.
We also are one of the few operations of our kind that employs a trained and qualified dispatcher to whom our pilots report while on every run, and who can monitor the movements of each helicopter via GPS tracking.

Explore the Backcountry Safely With Our Fleet

Tree Wells

A tree well is the space around a tree under its branches that does not get the same amount of snow as the surrounding open space. This creates a void or area of loose snow below the branches and around the tree trunk that is dangerous to skiers and snowboarders.

What is a Tree Well?

Around the Lodge

Your experience extends far beyond our world-class skiing and snowboarding terrain. Our premises include our lodges, parking lots, restaurants, trails and walkways, access roads, helipads, and garages. You will come across signs throughout the premises that are important to respect and understand. Please pay close attention to all signage. It is present for the safety of both guests and employees.
The alpine environment of Bella Coola presents unique challenges, even off the slopes. Wet, snowy, and icy surfaces are common throughout our facilities. Remember, ski boots and many types of winter footwear aren&#8217;t designed for optimal traction on these surfaces. We encourage you to move cautiously, especially in transition areas between indoors and outdoors. Be particularly careful of slips and falls on snowy or icy surfaces if you have consumed alcohol.

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Before your adventure begins, take a moment to understand and acknowledge the nature and risks of heli-skiing by reviewing and agreeing to our Wilderness Waiver. Take your time to read through the waiver carefully, and let us know if you have any questions. It’s important to us that you approach your heli-skiing experience with confidence and peace of mind.

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Learn More

Sign Before You Fly

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Wilderness Waiver

Safety is our steadfast focus at Bella Coola Heli Sports. It's not just our priority, it's our passion and our promise to you.