One of the local heli-ski operators claims that Revelstoke offers the best skiing on the planet, and that may not be an exaggeration. A huge amount of Kootenay Rockies terrain that is accessible by helicopter and snowcat, combined with massive winter snowfall, places Revelstoke in a class of its own for heli-skiing and cat-skiing. With tenure over their own vast areas of powder covered slopes, guides are able to share an intimate knowledge of their particular piece of this awesome landscape. By the way, boarders are welcome too.
There are a number of heli-skiing and cat-skiing outfits based in and near Revelstoke (each offering various packages): CMH Heli-Skiing, Mica Heliskiing, Selkirk Tangiers Heli Skiing, Eagle Pass Heliskiing, K3 Cat Ski, Revelstoke Cat Skiing, and Mustang Powder.
CMH Heli-Skiing
CMH Heli-Skiing is based in downtown Revelstoke, with guests staying in a boutique hotel. At the start of each day, skiers are driven the short distance to the CMH helicopter pad and are high in the mountains in a matter of minutes. CMH promises open alpine, glacier terrain and great tree skiing. And, in the event that inclement weather prevents flying, the proximity of Revelstoke Mountain Resort means there will be skiing. Packages from two to 10 days are available.
Mica Heliskiing
At Mica Heliskiing, skiers and boarders get to stay at a remote mountain lodge at 1,220m/4,000ft that overlooks the massive Kinbasket Reservoir. Guests are shuttled by helicopter up to the lodge from Revelstoke. Mica uses small helicopters, so this is small group skiing. The company's tenure includes massive glaciers, cirques and bowls. Mica also offers three- to seven-day packages.
Selkirk Tangiers Heli Skiing
Based out of Revelstoke Mountain Resort, Selkirk Tangiers flies over approximately 200,000ha/500,000ac of the Selkirk and Monashee mountains. Within this area, there are more than 200 established runs with lots of tree skiing and verticals ranging from 500m/1,640ft to a mind-boggling 2,200m/7,200 ft. Selkirk Tangiers packages are between three and seven days' duration, but the company also offers a one-day heli-ski experience.
Eagle Pass Heliskiing
Ski Canada Magazine awarded Eagle Pass Heliskiing the "Best New Heliski Operation" in 2007. Their base is Griffin Lake Mountain Lodge, just off the Trans-Canada Highway, 27km/17mi west of Revelstoke. The lodge accommodates a maximum of 12 skiers, and they fly groups of four, guaranteeing a very personal experience. Their terrain includes significant stands of widely spaced, old-growth forest. There are three- to seven-day packages.
K3 Cat Ski
A half hour west of town, K3 Cat Ski operates on a tenure of more than 12,000ha/30,000ac of prime Monashee real estate, which is complete with open alpine areas, long cruising runs, exceptional tree skiing and an average of nearly 18m/60ft of powder each winter. Based out of Sicamous (but with an office in Revelstoke), two- and three-day cat-ski packages are offered via launching points from both communities. Single-day skiers are welcome on a standby basis.
Revelstoke Cat Skiing
With Revelstoke Cat Skiing, a snowcat adventure is as close as the edge of town. From Revelstoke Mountain Resort’s Nelsen Lodge, ride the gondola and then the Stoke Chair up to the top of the mountain. After a backcountry briefing, it's a quick traverse in the snowcat with no more than a dozen other skiers and boarders. Then it's fresh tracks and unlimited vertical in the three high-elevation bowls that make up the designated cat-skiing area, 90% of which is above the 1,830m/6,000ft level.
Mustang Powder
Mustang Powder maintains a spectacular timber-frame mountain lodge at 1,737m/5,700ft, complete with outdoor hot tub. Weather permitting, Mustang offers above tree-line skiing, and is the only cat-ski operator to offer glacier skiing. Mustang's pickup point is 44km/27mi west of Revelstoke on the Trans-Canada Highway. The final 21km/13mi of the journey to the lodge is by bus and then snowcat. Packages are typically of 3-5 days duration.
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