The Cariboo Chilcotin Coast offers some of the most diverse heli-skiing terrain, snow conditions and scenery in BC. Operators in this region are headquartered in the Coast and Chilcotin mountain ranges. As Pacific storms roll inland, they release their considerable moisture on these mountains, resulting in some of the world's deepest snow packs. As the storms move east, they become drier, leaving a sunnier climate and dry-powder snow packs on the eastern edge of the mountain ranges.
The highest summits in the Coast Mountains are located in this region, with Mount Waddington topping them all at 4,016m (13,176ft). The big-mountain scenery is complemented by an abundance of vast ice fields, pristine rivers, lush forests and rolling ranchlands.
Operators cater to fearless skiers and riders looking for steep descents and maximum vertical, as well as to those who prefer gentler terrain and the luxurious comforts back at the lodge. Cost-conscious heli-ski packages are available, along with ultra-exclusive private getaways. February and March are the most popular months for heli-skiing, although the season stretches from late December through April.
For information on heli-skiing operators in the area,visit the HeliCat Canada website.
Highlights:
Bella Coola: Experience huge vertical drops, sharp rock towers, vast glaciers and precipitous couloirs.
> More
Mount Waddington: Discover massive summits and sprawling ice fields in this remote area.
> More
Tyaughton Lake: The snowfall is abundant and dry throughout the area's over 300 runs.
> More
Bella Coola
This community is located on BC's remote Central Coast, 430km (267 miles) north of
Vancouver by air. It is the gateway to
Tweedsmuir, BC's largest provincial park, and a host of ecotourism experiences. The mountains here are renowned for their huge vertical drops, sharp rock towers, vast glaciers and precipitous couloirs. Many single runs descend 1,500 to 1,800m (5,000 to 6,000ft). One operator claims to have the longest ski run in North America at 2,150 verticalm (7,000 verticalft). The
Bella Coola area is also renowned for its winter river
fishing. Some heli-skiing packages include mornings on the slopes and afternoons fishing from a jet boat or riverbank for 11-16kg (25-35lb) chinook salmon as well as trout and Dolly Varden.
> Back to the top
Mount Waddington
Situated about halfway between
Whistler and
Bella Coola, this virtually uninhabited section of the Coast Mountains is famous for its massive summits, sprawling ice fields and remoteness. For years, mountaineers have headed here to scale nearly inaccessible summits as well as to climb Mount Waddington, the tallest summit in the entire Coast Mountain range. Heli-skiing clients here can access the Waddington, Niut and Pantheon ranges. This topography lends itself to long descents (typically 1,200m / 4,000ft) and snow that is lighter and drier than on lower-elevation peaks. The heli-ski operation is based in a working cattle ranch near Tatla Lake that has hosted vacationers, mountaineers and movie stars for over 20 years. Guests lodge in cozy cabins situated next to a hand-carved log homestead.
> Back to the top
Tyaughton Lake
Tyaughton Lake is situated in the South Chilcotin Mountains, 4 hours north of
Whistler or 6.5 hours north of
Vancouver. Along the lake's shore sits the largest log lodge in the west, which offers breathtaking views of 2,700m (9,000ft) summits; it also happens to be the base for the heli-ski operator in this area. The helicopter takes off just 100 steps away from the lodge, providing access to over 300 different runs. The South Chilcotin Mountains straddle the divide between the Pacific coast and Chilcotin plateau, which means the snowfall is both abundant (thanks to the coast) and dry (resembling conditions in BC's interior mountain ranges).
> Back to the top