How to Book
Keen to join us? Then read on!
We're stoked that you would like to join us for some amazing heli-skiing!
Please thoroughly read all information on our website before booking a heli-skiing package. Once a booking has been made, significant expenses and long-term commitments are made on your behalf. Furthermore, other people may be waiting to book their holidays during the same week. The reservation and cancellation policies outlined are standard in the heli-skiing industry.
Booking Procedures
| Step 1: | Select your preferred package, property, and travel dates. |
| Step 2: | Check availability with our team by emailing [email protected] or by phoning +1 (604) 905-4994. |
| Step 3: | Check in with your group to confirm your trip details. We can hold seats for up to 72 hours without a deposit while you do so. |
| Step 4: | Submit your Guest Booking Form and Digital Waiver Form, which will be sent to you via email (both forms must be submitted prior to submitting payment). |
| Step 5: | Submit the non-refundable first installment via FlyWire to confirm your seat (Flywire is our secure, online payments and invoicing platform). |
| Step 6: | Once the first installment has been received, your reservation is confirmed! A confirmation email will be sent to you as soon as your payment has been posted to your account. |
| Step 7: | For your protection, we strongly recommend purchasing cancellation and evacuation insurance from Lifestyle Financial at the time of booking. |
| Step 8: |
Make sure you are up to date with the requirements to travel to Canada by visiting the Government Of Canada website. If you are not a Canadian or US Citizen (or permanent resident), you will need to apply for a Canadian Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to fly to Canada. |
| Step 9: | Book your hotel in Vancouver for the nights before and after your trip. We recommend staying at the Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel located in the Main Terminal at Vancouver International Airport (YVR). |
| Step 10: | The second installment is due 90 days prior to the start date of the program. If booking within 90 days, full payment is required to secure your seat. A reminder email will be sent to you via FlyWire. |
| Step 11: | Complete your Online Safety Briefing. Please note, this does not replace the physical briefing you will be required to participate in once you have arrived at the property; however, it will help build your knowledge and make you more competent out in the field. |
| Step 12: | Get your legs ready for the powder! We suggest SkierFit, an 8-week at-home workout program designed and created by pro skier John Collinson, specifically built for skiers and riders! |
Liability
The guide's duty is to monitor, evaluate and minimize the risks associated with heli-skiing and snowboarding. However, even the best mountain guides are not infallible and the risks associated with a mountainous environment are only partially under our control. By registering with us you acknowledge these risks
All guests will be required to read and agree to a Release of Liability, Waiver of Claims, Assumption of Risks and Indemnity Agreement before you will be permitted to start heli-skiing. To view the Waiver in your mother tongue, click on your language of preference below (do NOT print & sign these waivers. You are required to sign a paper version on your arrival day). We will send you a digital waiver to complete prior to submitting payment for your trip, as well as presenting you with a paper version when you arrive at the lodge.
| German | French |
| Swedish | Danish |
| Spanish | Italian |
| Czech | Japanese |
| Chinese | Korean |
Please read the waiver carefully before booking your holiday to ensure you are comfortable with the terms of this document. 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.
Insurance
Bella Coola Heli Sports does not carry health, life, or injury insurance for our guests. We, therefore, recommend you carry the following:
- Trip Cancellation Insurance - In view of our cancellation policy, we strongly recommend that all our guests purchase holiday cancellation insurance.
- Extended Medical Insurance - Your medical insurance should cover you for life and health care risks while in Canada, and in addition should provide for transport to your home country if you reside outside of Canada.
- Emergency Evacuation Insurance - In the case of injury, air ambulance expenses will be charged to the injured party.
- Personal Property Insurance - Insure your personal belongings against loss. Your homeowner's insurance may not be enough. Be sure that this insurance covers you while you are in Canada.
For more information on insurance, or to purchase cancellation insurance online, please visit the following website: Lifestyle Financial
Guest Responsibilities
It is the responsibility of our guests to ensure that they are in Vancouver in time to catch our flights to Bella Coola/Anahim Lake. Bella Coola Heli Sports is not responsible for missed flights due to international flight delays, missed connections, or any other reason. We recommend guests stay in Vancouver for the nights prior to and following your trip with Bella Coola Coola Heli Sports. This provides a buffer against any potential weather delays and/or other unforeseen forms of trip interruption.
Additional Terms & Conditions
While our guides will try their best to accommodate all requests from groups that would like to ski or ride together, on rare occasions it may be necessary to split up groups for logistical reasons. By balancing the weights of the loads, the range of the helicopter may be increased, meaning less refuelling, less waiting, and ultimately more skiing. If your group is not willing to split up, we suggest that you consider booking a Private heli program.
Our Small Group Vertical programs have a pre-determined amount of vertical feet for skiing and riding included. Most people ski or ride about 20% more than the amount included in their package over the course of their stay, which is calculated and charged at the end of the trip (calculated per 1,000 ft of vertical for Small Group Packages or per hour of flying time for Private packages). Although there is no obligation to keep skiing, most people do continue, and we encourage you to do so. The only requirement on our part is that there is a minimum of three people in the heli, or at least 3 seats that are being paid for when skiing extra vertical.
The vertical you ski and ride is based on the actual difference between the height the heli drops you at and the height it picks you up at. There are two exceptions to this rule. The first is that we charge a minimum of 1,200 vertical feet even if the run you do is less than 1,200 vertical. This can occur when, due to bad weather, the heli is not able to fly to the very top or when the snow down low is not good for skiing and the guide decides to shorten the run. The second exception is that there is a minimum of 5,000 vertical billed for every day you fly even if after one run it is decided to cancel the skiing for that day.