Before You Come
Fitness
Valid question and firm no! Any strong intermediate rider who is confident on a blue ski run and can manage boot top to knee-deep powder will be able to have a blast heli-skiing or heli boarding. This myth and others are busted here.
Absolutely! Heli-skiing is an experience that will challenge your ability to work as a team, but also bring you closer together. It is strongly recommended that each family member is a strong intermediate level skier or above. You may also consider a private trip, so you can choose the terrain and pace your family wants!
Equipment & Safety
We provide powder skis, poles, powder snowboards and all avalanche safety equipment as our safety equipment is inspected and serviced daily. Guests are required to use our guest radio, transceiver, probe, shovel and avalanche airbag backpack. Do not bring your own avalanche safety gear. You are of course, free to bring your own skis or board.
All you need to bring is your basic gear with some options for colder or snowy weather. We recommend you bring a waterproof shell, insulating base layers and shell pants. Also, please bring waterproof gloves, boots (ski or snowboard), goggles (multiple lenses are helpful), a helmet, a rolling ski/board bag and your favourite action camera. Check out this link for more details.
Ski and snowboard boot rentals are VERY LIMITED in Terrace so we advise you to bring your own boots and take them as CARRY-ON for the plane.
Please do not bring the following; electric jackets, foil lined jackets, magnetic jacket closures, electric gloves (unless you have Ryder’s syndrome then bring this to the attention of your guide), chest mounted GoPros or family (FRS) two way radios (as these can interfere with our safety equipment).
Yes, we do. You can bring your equipment if you like, but it isn’t necessary. If you would like to travel lighter feel free to use ours including a selection of Powder Snowboards & Skis. We have plenty for everyone and they are already included (at no extra cost) in your heli-ski package.
We will provide you with safety gear, which includes two way radios, avalanche transceivers, shovels and probes, and avalanche airbag backpacks. As our safety equipment is inspected and serviced daily guests are required to use our safety equipment. Do not bring your own avalanche safety gear. Our lightweight quality rescue equipment is standard gear for wilderness backcountry travel
You can read more about the safety equipment here.
Who doesn’t want to share a brag-worthy video of your first run on untouched powder? You can bring your GoPro camera, however, please ensure it is helmet mounted. Chest mounted GoPro’s will not be allowed as they may interfere with the radio signals from your avalanche transceiver. Additionally, please note that helicopters and drones don’t mix well, so please leave your drone at home.
Travel
Book a flight from your location to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. From Vancouver it’s a short 90-min flight to get to our location in Terrace BC with one of two airlines:
- Air Canada or
- WestJet
We will have a representative waiting for you at the airport. It’s a short 20-minute drive from the Terrace airport to our Yellow Cedar Lodge, and a 15-min heli flight to our new Mountain Lodge. For more information click here.
It is not mandatory, but we highly suggest purchasing Evacuation Insurance and Medical Insurance. If you have insurance coverage already, please ensure that it covers sports, such as heli-skiing.
Trip Cancellation Insurance and Interruption Insurance are also highly recommended.
Acera Insurance offers comprehensive coverage for these insurances. Click here for a quote.
Bring your ski boots in your carry-on. That’s the only item we can’t provide if your luggage gets delayed.
Don’t worry about bringing cash; you won’t be using your wallet until checkout day. We accept Visa, MasterCard, and Amex for incidental payment.
The average temperature around our skiing terrain is -6C (21F). For skiwear, we recommend layers: base layer and mid layers such as Icebreaker Merino long underwear. Next, an outer layer such as an Arc’teryx shell made of Gore-Tex. Another piece that is nice to have under your shell for colder days to keep your core warm is an insulated vest or softshell. A neck warmer and a toque is also a good idea.
Dress casual around the lodge, jeans and comfortable clothes. Don’t forget to bring a bathing suit to enjoy the hot tub and sauna.
You should plan your trip for any time between mid-December and mid-April, as this is the length of Northern Escape Heli-Skiing’s season. You will most likely experience the deepest powder from the end of December till the end of January. Here’s an article that explains what ski conditions are like at different times. You can always check the current weather condition here.
Booking
Ten people is the maximum number of people for our Mountain Lodge where we fly in two groups of five skiers/riders.
Our Yellow Cedar Lodge can house up to 16 people. Here, we fly in two helicopters, each with two groups of four skiers/riders.
For Private Groups we accommodate up to five skiers/riders in a single group and Private Heli. Please see our Private Package page for further details.
As with everything, the price varies. At some day heli-skiing operations, a 3-run package can cost as little as $1000. (Northern Escape does not offer day heli-skiing).
On average, the cost is between $2,500 – $3,500 per day depending on the package you choose and the time of year. Please see this link for more details of the packages and options available. Northern Escape’s prices are all-inclusive of meals, lodging, guides, equipment rental, and of course our “lift pass”.
We offer three different packages: Yellow Cedar Lodge, Mountain Lodge, and Skeena Spey Private Lodge. Each package has its unique perks and differences.
Yes, prior to confirming your reservation we will require you to agree to NEH’s Policies and Conditions as well as the terms of the Release of Liability, Waiver of Claims and Assumption of Risks Agreement (ROL). You will also be required to complete this same agreement in person when you arrive at our Lodge and prior to going skiing.
Copies of this agreement for your review are available from our office and/or by clicking here for the Waiver.
See our How to Book page.
Visa, Mastercard or Amex.
While You're Here
Lodge Amenities
The Yellow Cedar Lodge is built of heavy cedar timber and is located in the woods on the banks of the Skeena River. This is your home for the Classic package and offers accommodations for 18 people, sauna, hot tub, gym, games room, Wi-Fi, and outdoor Ullr Bar.
The Mountain Lodge is a purpose-built lodge opened in 2020 and features a massage room, hot tub, games room, ski shop, fast Wi-Fi, and comfortable lounges. This is the home for Elite package guests.
For the ultimate experience in luxury heli-skiing, check out our new Private Package. For more details about accommodation click here.
Yes, all of our lodges include complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi.
Yes, you will! It may be spotty at certain places, but we will show you the best spots to make a cell phone call. But many guests just use our high-speed wifi for calling.
We don’t have a laundry service, but you are more than welcome to use our laundry facilities at the lodges.
Our three lodges each have a shop with lots of Northern Escape swag including Arc-teryx jackets, goggles, T-shirts, nice fleeces and more. These make great souvenirs too!
Dining
Each lodge features its culinary team of Red Seal chefs that prepare your food with the finest locally-sourced seasonal ingredients accompanied by a Sommelier-curated wine list of award-winning BC wines.
All meals are included in the cost of the package.
Yes, we do! Please let us know in advance if you have any food allergies, or if you follow a special diet. Our cooks like to get creative and will do the best they can to impress you.
Skiing / Boarding
It’s breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a whole lot of fun in between! But seriously, our day begins with a complimentary in-lodge stretch at 7:00 am. Breakfast is served at 7:30 am. After breakfast, you will go through some safety briefings with your guides. You will depart from the lodge to the mountains around 8:45 am.
After some runs, you will enjoy a nice lunch on the slopes. Depending on the time of the year, our groups might start coming back around 4:00 pm.
We will have good food and cold beer waiting for you at our Après Ski. In the meantime, enjoy a relaxing massage or a hot tub (don’t forget to bring a swimsuit!). Dinner is served at 7 pm.
See our Heli-Skiing Itinerary post for more detailed information.
We average 8-15 runs per day, but many factors may come into play here (i.e. Unlimited Vertical, weather, safety issues).
Our terrain is one of the worlds largest heli-ski areas and includes big mountains and untouched powder. Over 100 ft of snow falls in the Terrace area each year. Our cat skiing area is about the size of Whistler and Blackcomb ski areas combined.