British Columbia’s North Coast returns to a ‘El Nino’ Weather Pattern after two years La Nina. The long Range Forecast is one of the best we can have for the BC’s North Coast with more snow and slightly warmer temps to take the chill off those early season mornings. With the Pacific Jet Stream splitting, we see the northern flow bringing the moist pacific air straight onto the North Coast where it collides with the cool air of our Northern Latitudes.
With the predicted El Niño, NOAA is forecasting a likelihood of slightly above normal precipitation for BC’s North Coast for the upcoming winter season. Their 3 Month Precipitation Outlook for December, January and February depicts the classic El Niño split of the Jet Streams with the ‘Tropical Jet’ dipping South toward California and New Mexico and the Northern component, the ‘Polar Jet’ swinging North and through the North Coast of British Columbia.
A global depiction of a Strong El Niño with the split Jet Streams.
A typical El Niño event with the split Jet Streams, North and South. The precipitation generally follows the Jet Streams with drier, often milder, conditions prevailing between them. For BC’s North Coast and Inland Sections, temperatures in the mountains typically decrease by -0.5°C per 100m of elevation gain. Therefore at elevations between 800m and 2400m you can expect an average temperature of between -10°C and -6°C in a normal winter. A slight warming of 1°C to 2°C will only mean your fingertips will be a little less chili while skiing and riding.
Terrace BC’s average temperature and precipitation at YXT airport. Skiing elevation temperatures are approx. -6°C cooler at treeline elevations of 1400m.
Latest El Niño Weather Outlook Bodes well for BC’s North Coast – Bring on the snow!
If you’ve experienced powder skiing on your local ski hill, you know how addictive it can be. You may be dreaming of a heli ski trip to BC, to ride reams of deep powder all day long. But before throwing down big cash for that ultimate ski vacation, you’ll want to make sure you’ve got the skill to do it.
Deep powder riding in the mountains of British Columbia is a thrilling experience for skiers and snowboarders alike. It feels like riding the perfect wave. But it requires a different set of skills and equipment compared to skiing on groomed runs or hard-packed snow on a ski hill. Let’s break down a few things you’ll need to know.
Choosing the Right Heli Ski Operation for Your Trip
We’re often asked by prospective guests “How do you compare to CMH?” So we thought we’d take some time to explore the main differences and help you make a better decision about which operation might suit you best for your heli ski trip to Canada.
This past weekend we wrapped up our 2023 heli skiing season. For those of you who were guests this Winter, you know what an epic season this has been.
Here’s a brief recap of how the season went down. Back in November, we started off with a win at the World Ski Awards and then things just kept getting better.
Heli skiing is an exhilarating experience that involves skiing or snowboarding in remote, backcountry areas that can only be accessed via helicopter. The best heli skiing in the world can be found in British Columbia, where boutique ski lodges like Northern Escape Heli Skiing offer pristine terrain and powder paired with luxurious lodging, meals, and amenities.
“We make sure that every guest has the best powder skiing experience of their lives,” says John Forrest, ACMG guide and President of Northern Escape. “Exploring the mountains and riding untracked slopes is what it’s all about.”
https://www.neheliskiing.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/logo-1.png00John Forrest, ACMG Ski Guidehttps://www.neheliskiing.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/logo-1.pngJohn Forrest, ACMG Ski Guide2023-03-27 21:34:542023-10-30 17:20:06Am I Ready to Go Heli Skiing?
It’s official. Northern Escape is the World’s Best Heli Ski Operator. At last week’s World Ski Awards, we took the title and are celebrating right now! Our whole team of passionate mountain people, many of whom have been here for years, couldn’t be happier.
The Lowdown on Trip Planning, Predictions and Travel Advice for the Upcoming Heli Ski Season
For first time bucket listers and seasoned shredders alike, heli skiing continues to be a much sought after luxury adventure activity. Few things can compare to the thrill of riding almost weightless over deep, untouched powder slopes in the backcountry of BC. As we look ahead to this coming winter, let’s see what’s in store. If you haven’t booked a heli trip yet and are still deciding if this winter is the time to give it a try, or go again, read on.
Mechanized skiing is a type of skiing that uses either a helicopter or snowcat to take skiers and snowboarders up remote slopes in the backcountry, to untouched mountains, with deep powder, stunning views, and terrain features not found on-piste. This is very different from a ski resort, which may use a chairlift, gondola or T-bar to take skiers up marked and groomed slopes.
https://www.neheliskiing.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/logo-1.png00John Forrest, ACMG Ski Guidehttps://www.neheliskiing.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/logo-1.pngJohn Forrest, ACMG Ski Guide2022-01-28 05:09:272023-10-30 17:33:26Heli Skiing vs Cat Skiing: Which Winter Vacation is Best for You?
Why Early Season Delivers the Goods for Deep Powder Heli Skiing
At Northern Escape, one of the questions we’re often asked is, “When is the snow the deepest?” And here’s where a bit of an explanation is in order. The snow ‘base’ is almost always deepest in late April, after it’s been piling on all season. However, the ‘ski depth’ is often deepest in December.
It sounds counterintuitive, so let’s explain further. At your local ski hill, you might have 2m (6’) of snow base, but it’s pure groomer, and nothing on top, so the ski depth is literally Nada.
Demand has been extraordinarily strong for 2022 heli skiing and boarding trips and we are well over 90% sold out at this point. BUT, there are still some great dates left and now is the time to pull the trigger and book, before prices go up on April 30th. Yep, just 3 days left. Our Worry-Free Booking policy means you’ve got nothing to worry about if your travel is affected next winter.
Hans Gmoser usually gets credit for being the father of the sport of heli skiing. The enigmatic Austrian moved to Canada at a young age and began guiding in the Rocky Mountains, where he pioneered several challenging routes and first ascents. As a filmmaker, he produced highly acclaimed skiing and climbing films. He was also one of the founding members of the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG), Canada’s premier guide certification agency. In 1963, he first tried using a helicopter to shuttle skiers up remote slopes in the Bugaboo Mountains in the Purcell Range. He returned to the Bugaboos in 1965 to run the Read more
BC is the birthplace of heli skiing (or heliskiing or helicopter skiing as it’s variously known) and is home to more heli ski operators than anywhere else in the world. The rugged, majestic mountains, deep snowpack and world-class lodges have made it a mecca for those seeking the ultimate powder skiing experience. But it’s important to understand the different heli ski regions of Canada’s westernmost province, and the conditions in each throughout the winter so you know when to go heli skiing in BC.
https://www.neheliskiing.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/logo-1.png00John Forrest, ACMG Ski Guidehttps://www.neheliskiing.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/logo-1.pngJohn Forrest, ACMG Ski Guide2021-04-07 12:15:062021-04-28 16:24:49Best Time to Go Heli Skiing in Canada
Around the globe, many different types of helicopters are used for heli-skiing. In the Far East, you might find a Russian built Mi-8 helicopter, a beast capable of carrying 22 skiers. In Europe, the most common machines are the Eurocopter AS350 B2 and B3 ‘Squirrel’, both small single-engine helicopters capable of carrying 4-5 skiers. (In North America, the AS350 is known as the A-Star).
This guide is going to cover every detail of your heli-ski trip to BC, so you get the most out of this bucket list experience.
Let’s start by dispelling a myth…you don’t need to be an elite skier to go heli skiing! Yes, you read it right. Contrary to what you might think or have seen in pro skiing videos, heli-skiing isn’t just for the world’s elite shredders. You don’t have to be an expert who leaps out of a moving chopper and launches off of cliffs. If you’re a strong intermediate (blue-square) rider or above on your local mountain, you have enough skills to try heli-skiing.
https://www.neheliskiing.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/logo-1.png00NEHELIhttps://www.neheliskiing.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/logo-1.pngNEHELI2020-02-19 15:13:342023-05-22 15:42:13Planning Your First Heli-Ski Trip? Everything You Need to Know
For most people, building a new house is a big project. Building a Lodge might seem a little more daunting. But, put that lodge at the end of a remote logging road in the middle of some of the most remote mountains in BC, and it takes it up a notch. Building a remote mountain Heli Skiing lodge is not for the faint of heart, and I can speak to that from firsthand knowledge now. The journey is fraught with obstacles and hurdles impeding success at every turn, but with success, just around the corner, I can now say, without hesitation, it was worth the effort.
Three years ago, Northern Escape Heli Skiing embarked on a journey to build a new remote mountain heli skiing lodge, custom-designed for heli skiing. We owned the land, a 55-acre waterfront mountain estate in the heart of our best skiing and had chosen the building site upon it. Access was via a rough Forest Service Road for 24 km’s, but we would need permission to build a short road across Crown Land to provide access from the logging road to our build site. Read more
Northern Escape Heli Skiing, in its 16th year of operations, is pleased to announce the construction of its new remote mountain lodge opening for the upcoming 2020 season. Construction began in the spring of 2018 and the completion date is scheduled for the fall of 2019.
Northern Escape Heli Skiing offers a variety of exclusive packages to choose from, including the Classic, Elite and Private, with guest accommodation currently at both Yellow Cedar Lodge and Pioneer Lodge. The company has seen steady growth due in part to their immense terrain, huge alpine and incredible tree-skiing, as well as their renowned deep, reliable snowpack. Guests also very much appreciate their easy access, saving travel time and expense, as well as their industry leading snowcat backup, which will keep everyone skiing/riding in all but the most extreme weather.
We are very excited to see all the progress on the new lodge build. It is exciting to know that we will be getting the keys in time for the next winter season and that our guests will be welcomed into a new era of the Northern Escape journey. IDL Projects is chomping at the bit to get in there and start putting some hammers to nails. We have moved the snow from the summer access road and they will be in there next week!
https://www.neheliskiing.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Northern-escape-heliski-new-lodge-north-1.jpg8841920John Forrest, ACMG Ski Guidehttps://www.neheliskiing.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/logo-1.pngJohn Forrest, ACMG Ski Guide2019-04-24 16:08:552020-03-12 02:12:33The New Lodge Will be Ready for this Season!
Ah Long Range Weather Forecasts… What can we say, we take it day by day or better yet minute by minute! This year’s long-range forecast for the winter couldn’t have been more wrong. In the fall they were calling for a warmer then average winter that would be death blow to the ski industry. This winter ended up being a great mix of good snow and long periods of cold, clear skies, that made for an excellent season. In fact, it was actually the coldest season on record for BC! Pretty much the exact opposite of the forecast of doom and gloom. Read more
https://www.neheliskiing.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/27a99eba9f5420c510df9c41d295b69e-funny-sarcastic-its-funny.jpg240320Neheliskiinghttps://www.neheliskiing.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/logo-1.pngNeheliskiing2019-03-21 17:47:022020-03-12 02:16:00Long Range Forecasts
Northern Escape Heli Skiing is excited to introduce the Blizzard Rustler 11 to our already stacked ski fleet. With so many amazing skis to choose from, let us help you make the right decision with some background information to get the best experience out of your heliski trip!
Blizzard’s Carbon Flipcore D.R.T technology reduces the torsional strength of the rockered tip and tail making these skis extremely playful in the deep North Coast powder and because of the camber underfoot, holding an edge on the steeps is a breeze. This award-winning ski is an all day, all conditions favorite of many freeride athletes and now, you, our guests can also enjoy the ride. Read more
https://www.neheliskiing.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/logo-1.png00Neheliskiinghttps://www.neheliskiing.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/logo-1.pngNeheliskiing2018-11-22 00:43:032020-03-12 02:25:46Introducing the Blizzard Rustler 11 for 2019!
2023/24 El Niño Weather Outlook – Positive for BC’s North Coast
British Columbia’s North Coast returns to a ‘El Nino’ Weather Pattern after two years La Nina. The long Range Forecast is one of the best we can have for the BC’s North Coast with more snow and slightly warmer temps to take the chill off those early season mornings. With the Pacific Jet Stream splitting, we see the northern flow bringing the moist pacific air straight onto the North Coast where it collides with the cool air of our Northern Latitudes.
With the predicted El Niño, NOAA is forecasting a likelihood of slightly above normal precipitation for BC’s North Coast for the upcoming winter season. Their 3 Month Precipitation Outlook for December, January and February depicts the classic El Niño split of the Jet Streams with the ‘Tropical Jet’ dipping South toward California and New Mexico and the Northern component, the ‘Polar Jet’ swinging North and through the North Coast of British Columbia.
A global depiction of a Strong El Niño with the split Jet Streams.
A typical El Niño event with the split Jet Streams, North and South. The precipitation generally follows the Jet Streams with drier, often milder, conditions prevailing between them. For BC’s North Coast and Inland Sections, temperatures in the mountains typically decrease by -0.5°C per 100m of elevation gain. Therefore at elevations between 800m and 2400m you can expect an average temperature of between -10°C and -6°C in a normal winter. A slight warming of 1°C to 2°C will only mean your fingertips will be a little less chili while skiing and riding.
Terrace BC’s average temperature and precipitation at YXT airport. Skiing elevation temperatures are approx. -6°C cooler at treeline elevations of 1400m.
Latest El Niño Weather Outlook Bodes well for BC’s North Coast – Bring on the snow!
Five Techniques for Better Powder Skiing
If you’ve experienced powder skiing on your local ski hill, you know how addictive it can be. You may be dreaming of a heli ski trip to BC, to ride reams of deep powder all day long. But before throwing down big cash for that ultimate ski vacation, you’ll want to make sure you’ve got the skill to do it.
Read more
Skis and Snowboards for Heli Skiing
Deep powder riding in the mountains of British Columbia is a thrilling experience for skiers and snowboarders alike. It feels like riding the perfect wave. But it requires a different set of skills and equipment compared to skiing on groomed runs or hard-packed snow on a ski hill. Let’s break down a few things you’ll need to know.
Read more
Northern Escape vs CMH
Choosing the Right Heli Ski Operation for Your Trip
We’re often asked by prospective guests “How do you compare to CMH?” So we thought we’d take some time to explore the main differences and help you make a better decision about which operation might suit you best for your heli ski trip to Canada.
Read more
2023 Heli Ski Season in Review
This past weekend we wrapped up our 2023 heli skiing season. For those of you who were guests this Winter, you know what an epic season this has been.
Here’s a brief recap of how the season went down. Back in November, we started off with a win at the World Ski Awards and then things just kept getting better.
Read more
Am I Ready to Go Heli Skiing?
What is heli skiing?
Heli skiing is an exhilarating experience that involves skiing or snowboarding in remote, backcountry areas that can only be accessed via helicopter. The best heli skiing in the world can be found in British Columbia, where boutique ski lodges like Northern Escape Heli Skiing offer pristine terrain and powder paired with luxurious lodging, meals, and amenities.
“We make sure that every guest has the best powder skiing experience of their lives,” says John Forrest, ACMG guide and President of Northern Escape. “Exploring the mountains and riding untracked slopes is what it’s all about.”
Read more
Northern Escape Awarded World’s Best Heli Ski Operator
It’s official. Northern Escape is the World’s Best Heli Ski Operator. At last week’s World Ski Awards, we took the title and are celebrating right now! Our whole team of passionate mountain people, many of whom have been here for years, couldn’t be happier.
Read more
Winter 2023 Heli Skiing
The Lowdown on Trip Planning, Predictions and Travel Advice for the Upcoming Heli Ski Season
For first time bucket listers and seasoned shredders alike, heli skiing continues to be a much sought after luxury adventure activity. Few things can compare to the thrill of riding almost weightless over deep, untouched powder slopes in the backcountry of BC. As we look ahead to this coming winter, let’s see what’s in store. If you haven’t booked a heli trip yet and are still deciding if this winter is the time to give it a try, or go again, read on.
Read more
Heli Skiing vs Cat Skiing: Which Winter Vacation is Best for You?
What is mechanized Skiing?
Mechanized skiing is a type of skiing that uses either a helicopter or snowcat to take skiers and snowboarders up remote slopes in the backcountry, to untouched mountains, with deep powder, stunning views, and terrain features not found on-piste. This is very different from a ski resort, which may use a chairlift, gondola or T-bar to take skiers up marked and groomed slopes.
Base Depth vs Ski Depth
Why Early Season Delivers the Goods for Deep Powder Heli Skiing
At Northern Escape, one of the questions we’re often asked is, “When is the snow the deepest?” And here’s where a bit of an explanation is in order. The snow ‘base’ is almost always deepest in late April, after it’s been piling on all season. However, the ‘ski depth’ is often deepest in December.
It sounds counterintuitive, so let’s explain further. At your local ski hill, you might have 2m (6’) of snow base, but it’s pure groomer, and nothing on top, so the ski depth is literally Nada.
Read more
2022 and 2023 Heli Skiing Bookings
Last Chance to Save on 2022 Heli Skiing Trips
Demand has been extraordinarily strong for 2022 heli skiing and boarding trips and we are well over 90% sold out at this point. BUT, there are still some great dates left and now is the time to pull the trigger and book, before prices go up on April 30th. Yep, just 3 days left. Our Worry-Free Booking policy means you’ve got nothing to worry about if your travel is affected next winter.
Read more
What Is Heli Skiing?
A Brief History of Helicopter Skiing
Hans Gmoser usually gets credit for being the father of the sport of heli skiing. The enigmatic Austrian moved to Canada at a young age and began guiding in the Rocky Mountains, where he pioneered several challenging routes and first ascents. As a filmmaker, he produced highly acclaimed skiing and climbing films. He was also one of the founding members of the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG), Canada’s premier guide certification agency. In 1963, he first tried using a helicopter to shuttle skiers up remote slopes in the Bugaboo Mountains in the Purcell Range. He returned to the Bugaboos in 1965 to run the Read more
Best Time to Go Heli Skiing in Canada
BC is the birthplace of heli skiing (or heliskiing or helicopter skiing as it’s variously known) and is home to more heli ski operators than anywhere else in the world. The rugged, majestic mountains, deep snowpack and world-class lodges have made it a mecca for those seeking the ultimate powder skiing experience. But it’s important to understand the different heli ski regions of Canada’s westernmost province, and the conditions in each throughout the winter so you know when to go heli skiing in BC.
Read more
Heli Skiing Helicopters
Around the globe, many different types of helicopters are used for heli-skiing. In the Far East, you might find a Russian built Mi-8 helicopter, a beast capable of carrying 22 skiers. In Europe, the most common machines are the Eurocopter AS350 B2 and B3 ‘Squirrel’, both small single-engine helicopters capable of carrying 4-5 skiers. (In North America, the AS350 is known as the A-Star).
Read more
Planning Your First Heli-Ski Trip? Everything You Need to Know
This guide is going to cover every detail of your heli-ski trip to BC, so you get the most out of this bucket list experience.
Let’s start by dispelling a myth…you don’t need to be an elite skier to go heli skiing! Yes, you read it right. Contrary to what you might think or have seen in pro skiing videos, heli-skiing isn’t just for the world’s elite shredders. You don’t have to be an expert who leaps out of a moving chopper and launches off of cliffs. If you’re a strong intermediate (blue-square) rider or above on your local mountain, you have enough skills to try heli-skiing.
Read more
Mountain Heli Skiing Lodge Building?
For most people, building a new house is a big project. Building a Lodge might seem a little more daunting. But, put that lodge at the end of a remote logging road in the middle of some of the most remote mountains in BC, and it takes it up a notch. Building a remote mountain Heli Skiing lodge is not for the faint of heart, and I can speak to that from firsthand knowledge now. The journey is fraught with obstacles and hurdles impeding success at every turn, but with success, just around the corner, I can now say, without hesitation, it was worth the effort.
Read more
New Remote Mountain Lodge
Northern Escape Heli Skiing, in its 16th year of operations, is pleased to announce the construction of its new remote mountain lodge opening for the upcoming 2020 season. Construction began in the spring of 2018 and the completion date is scheduled for the fall of 2019.
Northern Escape Heli Skiing offers a variety of exclusive packages to choose from, including the Classic, Elite and Private, with guest accommodation currently at both Yellow Cedar Lodge and Pioneer Lodge. The company has seen steady growth due in part to their immense terrain, huge alpine and incredible tree-skiing, as well as their renowned deep, reliable snowpack. Guests also very much appreciate their easy access, saving travel time and expense, as well as their industry leading snowcat backup, which will keep everyone skiing/riding in all but the most extreme weather.
Read more
The New Lodge Will be Ready for this Season!
New Lake Front Heli Skiing Lodge!
We are very excited to see all the progress on the new lodge build. It is exciting to know that we will be getting the keys in time for the next winter season and that our guests will be welcomed into a new era of the Northern Escape journey. IDL Projects is chomping at the bit to get in there and start putting some hammers to nails. We have moved the snow from the summer access road and they will be in there next week!
The View of the Lodge Looking North.
Read more
Long Range Forecasts
Introducing the Blizzard Rustler 11
for 2019!
Northern Escape Heli Skiing is excited to introduce the Blizzard Rustler 11 to our already stacked ski fleet. With so many amazing skis to choose from, let us help you make the right decision with some background information to get the best experience out of your heliski trip!
Blizzard’s Carbon Flipcore D.R.T technology reduces the torsional strength of the rockered tip and tail making these skis extremely playful in the deep North Coast powder and because of the camber underfoot, holding an edge on the steeps is a breeze. This award-winning ski is an all day, all conditions favorite of many freeride athletes and now, you, our guests can also enjoy the ride. Read more
for 2019!