First Time Heli-Skiing in Whistler: From Nervous to Thrilled
First Time Heli-Skiing in Whistler: From Nervous to Thrilled
The scariest and best thing I’ve ever done.
As a confident skier who grew up on Aussie slopes, I wasn’t sure what to expect in the Northern Hemisphere backcountry. Glaciers, crevasses, and endless powder felt big and unknown—totally out of my comfort zone.
Thankfully, the entire experience—from the gear to the guides—set me up for success. Here’s how my private heli-ski day in Whistler with Coast Range Heli-Skiing turned into the most exhilarating adventure of my life.
Starting with the Right Gear: Black Tie Rentals
First stop: getting the right equipment for the experience. My skis weren’t anywhere near wide enough for the deep snow we’d be tackling, but thankfully, powder rentals were included in the package. Gemma from Black Tie Skis hooked me up with the perfect setup: skis with a minimum width of 110 mm. Legend.
Avalanche Safety and Preparation
As we geared up for the day, our guides, Evan and Brent, casually mentioned that the avalanche rating was “considerable.” With over 30 cm of fresh snow, safety became the immediate focus.
We were handed Arc’teryx avalanche backpacks, each loaded with a radio, shovel, probe, and beacon. Just holding the gear made things feel real. We practiced arming the backpacks, using the beacons, locating a buried one nearby, and learning proper probing and digging techniques. Brent didn’t miss a single step, which was both reassuring and slightly terrifying. The backpacks were exceptionally light but added an extra layer of protection that helped ease my nerves.
The Helicopter Briefing and Takeoff
Next came the helicopter briefing: stay low, go slow, always keep your eyes on the pilot when they approach, and don’t bash your boots on the heli! Got it.
Then came the moment—loading up and taking off toward the glaciers and bowls of the Mt. Currie region, just north of Whistler. The perks of booking with a small private operator? You’re in the air very quickly! By 9:45 a.m., we were soaring.
Once airborne, nerves gave way to awe. The Coast Range stretched out below us, its peaks glowing in the early sun. The guides chose McWaltz for our first run of the day, and Doug, our pilot, expertly landed us on a narrow ridgetop bathed in sunlight. As the heli disappeared into the sky, it was just us and the mountain.
Skiing Untouched Powder
The first run? A dream. Knee-deep powder, a blank canvas of snow, and total silence except for the sounds of us yewing. It was exhilarating.
We skied down the mountain’s curvature for a long, satisfying run. Before I knew it, we were back in the helicopter, heading for the next line—somewhere new. We repeated this five times, each run better than the last.
I felt incredibly safe with our guides, Brent and Evan. With decades of experience in these mountains, they provided clear instructions, ensuring safety while matching the skiing perfectly to our abilities.
Was I nervous? Absolutely. Scared? 100%. But it was worth every second, and I can’t wait to do it again.
Why This Is the Perfect Experience for First-Time Heli-Skiers
Everything included in our heli-skiing package helped make my first experience feel incredibly safe and gave me the confidence to tackle runs I’d never dreamed of before. Coast Range Heli-Skiing provided:
Wider skis to achieve that floating-on-powder feeling.
Incredibly light and comfortable avalanche airbags that added extra protection without impacting my skiing.
Expert local guides and pilots who showed us the way.
By skiing as a private, small group, we tailored the runs to our abilities, got out early in the day, and completed all our planned runs before the weather sent us home.
