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Heli skiing is a popular form of off-trail, downhill skiing in which the slopes are accessed by means of helicopters instead of regular ski lifts. In BC Canada, the experience of heli skiing is all about the thrill and excitement of skiing in a natural scenery without the drawbacks of having to reach such areas by foot, as it is the case with ski touring and ski mountaineering.

Practitioners of heliskiing are drawn to BC Canada mainly due to a specific combination of skiing conditions that are difficult to find in ski resorts across the country and beyond the borders. The much sought-after conditions include soft powder snow, long mountain trail descents, breathtaking panorama, practicable corn snow in spring, steep and challenging slopes all year round, and for the daredevils out here, wild snow and a wide range of natural obstacles waiting to be conquered.

Heli skiing BC Canada trips aren’t without risks, which is why each group of skiers is accompanied by a team of seasoned mountain guides to protect them from the elements and the rough alpine environment. With the right guides, sturdy machinery and adequate equipment, heli skiing not only becomes safer, but also more comfortable and enjoyable.

Canada heli skiing requires mastering roughly the same techniques and abilities as common downhill skiing. However, it is strongly advisable that you only take on this type of skiing if you are at least an intermediate level, physically fit skier.

In BC Canada, heliskiers should normally have no problem skiing along any kind of terrain, irrespective of weather and snow conditions. Avalanche awareness is a plus, although not imperative, since it is the guides’ responsibility to ward off avalanche-related risks through training sessions, as well as route and gear selection.

Due to the expensive character of heliskiing trips, as well as transient and impermanent snow conditions, most skiers may be tempted to push their limits and make as many runs as they can handle. Since high-caliber heli skiing BC Canada operations also strive to make the most of their clients’ vertical drops and maximize the overall number of runs, skiers should come well prepared, be in top physical form, and have the right frame of mind.

To cover for the risk of avalanches, each group of skiers nowadays carries modern equipment such as transceivers and other signaling devices. Appropriate clothing and gear are also a must have: layered clothing, ski goggles, thick gloves, a hat and neck warmers become indispensable for skiing at freezing temperatures. Carrying a backpack is also necessary, as it can be fitted with avalanche rescue gear.

For smooth and safe Canadian powder skiing, expert skiers and most heli skiing guides recommend bringing wide off-piste or free-ride skis, which also have the benefit of being less tiring and easier to maneuver in harsh weather conditions. Ever since specially designed wide skis were first introduced in the market, it has become possible to tackle mountain terrains that would otherwise be impracticable even to the most experienced of skiers. Therefore, if you want to overcome virtually any terrain limitations, make sure you include a pair of “fat boys” in your regular heli skiing equipment.