We invite you to join us for the heli-skiing or heli-snowboarding adventure you’re dreaming of. We've got what you've been looking for—professional guides, modern & safe equipment, big terrain, beautiful snow, classic timber and luxury lodging, great food, small groups, or complete privacy.
Our snowcats are on standby, so you can ride even on storm days when the helicopters can’t fly. And don’t get us started on the terrain options - Unlimited vertical included!
Keep exploring our site and let your imagination run wild...
Our location in Northern BC’s Skeena Range, with its far north latitude and proximity to powerful Pacific storms, produces one of the planet’s deepest, driest, and most reliable snowpacks. The terrain here is big and wild—alpine bowls, immense glaciers, steep couloirs, and epic tree skiing. This is big-mountain, backcountry skiing and snowboarding at its finest. Our zones provide amazing options for first-time heliskiers and seasoned pros alike.
Northern Escape is one of the only operations that has both helis & snowcats to run in any weather condition. Our snowcats are on standby, so guests can ride even on storm days when the machines can’t fly. Small groups and multiple helicopters and snowcats mean less waiting. With standard Unlimited Vertical included in every package, this is where you want to be. We simply ski and ride more here!
Distinctive luxury mountain lodges with dining facilities and spa-like amenities. Meet new friends in a small group setting or enjoy a fully private tour. Pick rustic & charming or modern & chic. Northern Escape offers two shared lodge options and one semi-private / private lodge. Yellow Cedar Lodge accommodates 16 people, Mountain Lodge 10 people, and our Skeena Spey Lodge is for a semi-private experience of 10 guests or fully private for groups of up to 5.
Other operators expect you to suffer 4-8 hours on a bus after you've had a long flight. Not us! We're easy to reach from Vancouver International Airport by a 90-minute connecting flight to Terrace, BC. Once you arrive in Terrace, your ski lodge is minutes away. Guests have been travelling for hours, so you’ll be happy to know our famous Yellow Cedar Lodge is a 20-minute private coach ride away from Terrace, BC. The Mountain Lodge and Private Lodge are a 15-minute helicopter flight from Terrace.
Our guests are from the United States, Canada, Australia, Switzerland, Austria, Mexico, United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, New Zealand, United Arab Emirates, Chile, Belgium, Netherlands… the secret is definitely out! Our guest reviews speak for themselves. The whole industry took notice too. In 2022 and 2023, we were awarded ‘World’s Best Heli Ski Operation.’ by the World Ski Awards. It's your turn to discover us now!
First heli-ski trip? 99th heli-ski trip? We've got great options for everyone. Ask yourself three key questions to begin your plans: when to come, how long, and where to stay. We've named our packages after our lodges since that's the main difference. Both Yellow Cedar Lodge and Mountain Lodge are designed for individuals and small groups, while the Skeena Spey Lodge is designed for semi-private or fully private stays with your own guides, helicopters, chefs, and lodge staff.
The seasons and climate are unique in Northern British Columbia and quite different compared to your average ski resort.
At Northern Escape Heli-Skiing, guests have lots of choices for how many days they'd like to ski or snowboard. Plus, every day is a full ski day! This is a major difference between us and other tour operators. Because there's no long bus ride back to civilization (it's only 15-20 minutes back to Terrace, BC), the last day of your package is still a complete day.
Occasionally, we have 2-day packages available to fill in the gaps here and there. Great deals for people that are close by (Northwest Canada/USA).
This is popular for a quick getaway or introduction to heli-skiing. Guests usually come from Canada and the USA, where the time zone difference is minimal.
Similar to our 3-day tours, these are popular for Canadian and American guests who'd like a slightly more relaxed trip.
Our most popular package for both North American and European guests. Enjoy a full 5 days of skiing or snowboarding, with enough time to adjust to jet lag and time zone changes.
Usually only available for custom and private packages, 6-day trips are sometimes selectable for Yellow Cedar and Mountain lodges too.
Very popular with European guests who are travelling from farther distances. Allows plenty of time to unwind, ski a variety of terrain, enjoy a massage, wine & dine, hot tub, socialize, and repeat for a full week!
Northern Escape Mountain Lodge
Skeena Spey Riverside Wilderness & Lodge
Yellow Cedar Lodge offers the classic Canadian log & timber ski chalet experience. Accommodations are more rustic than our Mountain Lodge. Both single and double rooms are available, with a total occupancy of 16 guests + staff.
Our Mountain Lodge is newer and more luxurious. All rooms are single, so every guest gets their own room (but couples can still share since the beds are queens and use the 2nd room for luggage/changing, etc.). The total occupancy is 10 guests + staff. Larger groups can "buy out" the lodge and have the place to themselves.
Choose between a Semi-Private or Private Package. Skeena Spey offers dedicated chefs, serving staff and a massage therapist, ensuring an amazing stay. This lodge is available as Semi-Private for up to 10 guests. Book it individually, as groups or a full lodge buyout. The Private option books the lodge exclusively for you group of up to 5 guests.
Some heli-ski operators make you take a long flight, then another 7 hour bus ride. Not Northern Escape - it's a short 90 minute flight to Terrace, BC, and then only minutes to your lodge.
First, make your way from your city to Vancouver, BC (YVR). With 100s of flights from countries around the world, this first leg of the journey gets you 95% here.
Next, you'll take a short 90-minute flight from Vancouver to Terrace (YXT), in Northern BC. Our friendly staff will greet you at the airport and help with the final step of the journey.
You're almost here! This is where the "all-inclusive" part of your package kicks in. Depending on which lodge you're staying at, you'll either take a Northern Escape shuttle bus directly to Yellow Cedar Lodge or Skeena Spey Lodge (20 minutes), or the shuttle will take you to a nearby helicopter staging area. Mountain Lodge or Private Package guests will arrive by helicopter at their lodges (15-minute flight). Yes, you will feel like a rockstar!
"What an epic trip! The staff are first class, the food….the food… the food is unbelievable. The guides are so professional, fun and knowledgeable. The best, deepest snow I have ever ridden. My only recommendation is bringing a snorkel…"
Robert A., Vancouver, BC
"The helicopters are small and fast and you can have the place to yourself. I’ve been 15 times."
John C, Bozeman, MT
"The terrain is immense and access is easy. There are other places with great terrain, but you need a 7hr bus ride to get there."
Mike K, Colorado
"Great Heliskiing, DEEEP Powder, Huge Terrain, Wicked tree skiing, Awesome food."
Bernt B, Norway
"Northern Escape Heli Skiing delivers time and time again. These folks are the best of the best and I have skied with many of the others."
Andy B., Vail, CO
"Northern Escape’s wide variety of terrain, professional staff, and top-notch infrastructure provided an outstanding small group skiing experience. Despite a week straight of storms with over a meter of nonstop accumulation, Northern Escape kept us moving through safe and fun snow without a hitch. Our crew was able to stay productive every day of our visit and it made for some of the most memorable storm skiing I could have ever imagined."
Andrew Marshall, Photo Editor / The Ski Journal
"Northern Escape was one of the best experiences of my life. It has Alaska style alpine terrain, but there are also trees to ski when it snows."
Janelle Yip, Pro Skier
"NEH is the hidden Gem of the north. The alpine makes you feel like you’re in Alaska, but the tree skiing and pillows reminds you that you’re still in BC. Being close to the west coast coupled with being up North ensures that you’ll get heaps of good quality snow."
Mark Abma, Pro Skier
"When you’re skiing the deepest snow of your life, the quality of terrain plays an integral role. John and Yvan guided us into the right terrain for the conditions run after run–the perfect steepness to maintain speed and plenty of features to have fun on. There’s no shortage of stormy-day tree lines and when the sun peeks out the alpine really delivers that remote, wild, northern perfection. I’m hooked."
Feet Banks, Editor / Mountain Life, Coast Mountains
"Throughout the storm cycle, I sampled some of the best gladed backcountry terrain I’ve ever experienced. And when the clouds finally parted and the chopper could access the upper elevations – WOW! Rollers to jump off and waves to slash. Big open bowls to shred."
Alex Silgalis, Founder / Local Freshies
October 10, 2024
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