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Frequently Asked Questions 1 | 2
Q: When is the best time to come?
A: The colder temperatures in January and February generally produces better powder but even early April has shown us some fantastic powder skiing.
Q: How much will I ski in an average week?
A: This, of course, depends on you and your group, as well as weather and snow conditions. We have had groups and individuals that have logged 200,000 vertical feet in a week. Then there are others who prefer to ski or snowboard the vertical allotted within their tour. As average week with BCHS will produce at least 120,000-130,000 vertical feet. An average day can produce 20,000 vertical feet and a huge day would produce anywhere from 40,000 to 50,000 vertical feet.
Q: What level of skier or boarder should I be?
A: The better physical condition you are in the more you will be able to ski and the more fun you will have. You should be comfortable and have experience skiing deep powder snow including variable conditions. No beginners thank you!
Q: Do you mix skiers with snowboarders?
A: Yes, providing their abilities match and all are in agreement.
Q: How do you pick your groups?
A: Most groups are booked as just that; a group of friends that decide to book together. If not we do our utmost to fill in any gaps by matching skiers and boarders to their abilities. Our guides & staff have many years of skiing and riding experience and are very adept at matching individuals with a group.
Q: How much heliskiing/boarding is in the trees and the alpine?
A: The high alpine is our strength what we are famous for. We do however have plenty of tree skiing which we use primarily during stormy weather.
Q: What type of helicopters do you use?
A: We only fly the A Star B2 helicopters.
Q: How many groups share each helicopter?
A: A private tour has only one group of up to five per helicopter, semi private has two groups and all other tours we fly a maximum of three groups of five per helicopter.
Q: What skis and poles do you provide?
A: We provide Rossignol fat skis and poles. These skis work well in a variety of conditions. You are welcome to bring your own skis but if you would like to use ours just note your request in the space provided on the Reservation Form.
Q: What equipment should I bring?
A: We recommend that you leave your skis and poles at home and use our equipment, which is included in your tour. If you do bring your own skis remember the fatter the better! Always carry your ski or snowboard boots on as hand luggage. Boots are hard to replicate. Bring your own snowboard and boots as we find this equipment to be technically personal to each rider so we do not provide boards/boots. We also provide you with our guest packs complete with shovels and probes that are the right dimensions for being in the A-Star B2 helicopters. All guests will use our Barryvox transceivers.
Q: What clothing is best for heliskiing?
A: Bring the same clothing you would use at a ski resort. Layered inner clothing such as microfibre or fleece wool blend are the best. Outer wear such as Goretex and SOS's Event are both durable and warm. Average alpine temperatures range from -5° C to -15° C (23° F to 5° F). We carry a variety of apparel in the lodge gift shop.
Q: Do many couples ski/snowboard with you?
A: Yes, and this number is increasing every season.
Q: How large is the BCHS terrain?
A: We are fortunate to have acquired 1.5 million acres (5,700 sq/km) of pristine and untouched BC wilderness. We are now the fourth largest tenure in British Columbia and one of the largest in the world.
Q: Organizing a group?
A: Groups are welcome. If you do not have the time to organize your group we can assist you with the coordination of your group.
Q: Is there compensation for group organizers?
A: Yes, please contact us directly for the details.
Q: When is the best time to book my next tour with you?
A: As soon as you know you are coming back! With such small groups we book up very quickly and usually a season, sometimes two in advance.
Q: Luggage and around the house?
A: At BCHS we are very casual, sort of like home away from home! We ask that you limit yourself to one carry-on bag and one suitcase weighing no more than a total of 50 lbs (22.68 kilos). This is the required baggage allowance set by our charter provider. There are laundry facilities available at both of our locations. Please be sure to bring exercise clothing to wear during the morning stretching sessions. Sandals or “flip-flops” are very popular for after getting out of your boots and slippers are also a comfortable alternative for the lodge etc. We do provide you with slippers at the lodge.
Q: Is there a staff photographer?
A: All of the guides take photographs of their group each day. You are encouraged to bring your own cameras but the smaller “digis” are better for the weight considerations in the helicopters. Extra memory cards are sometimes available in Bella Coola but we suggest you carry extra unless you bring your laptop to download the day’s images. There is just so much to photograph that we would not want you to miss any of the splendour. We also send you home with our promo DVD and a CD of your tour.
Q: Am I required to sign a waiver?
A: Absolutely and you can download a sample version of our waiver of liability for your perusal prior to your arrival in Bella Coola where you will sign the waiver.
Q: Where is Bella Coola located?
A: Unlike many other heliskiing lodges, getting to Bella Coola is simple, hassle free and fast! We are the easiest heliskiing operation to travel to in North America. This is why we are able to have you heliskiing/boarding on your arrival and departure days, resulting in more skiing for your dollar! Other operations cannot provide this. The flight from Vancouver to Bella Coola is only 1 hour and 15 minutes over the spectacular Coast Range Mountains. The Bella Coola Valley is located approximately 400 kilometres north of Vancouver and, in the Coast Range of British Columbia. Our base is located at the Tweedsmuir Lodge in the drier and sunnier eastern end of the Bella Coola Valley within Tweedsmuir Park. This is the largest provincial park in British Columbia. This base is 150 kilometres (90 miles) from the open ocean and immediately to the east is the high Chilcotin Plateau. The Brockton Inn is located approximately 40 km's from the lodge in Hagensborg and ten minutes from Bella Coola Harbour.
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