January recap: Bluebird heli-skiing in whistler
January at Coast Range Heli-Skiing
January brought some of the sunniest winter days we’ve ever seen in the Coast Mountains, with an extended stretch of cold, dry weather. While fresh snowfall was scarce, guests still made the most of pristine bluebird days and untouched terrain in our remote tenure. Many chose a helicopter over the chairlift to escape the tracked-out terrain on the Resort and reaped the rewards of fresh tracks in our Northern reaches.
Bluebird Days & Maximum Runs
With only a couple of weather days throughout the month, all scheduled groups made it into the mountains. The clear skies allowed for big days in the alpine, with all groups exceeding their five-run minimum—some even reaching an impressive nine runs! And with our inclusive extra vertical policy, guests were able to rack up those bonus laps at no additional cost.
Finding the Best Skiing
The prolonged dry spell certainly posed some challenges for skiing especially in high-traffic areas. However, with 200,000-acres of tenure surrounding the northern mountains of Pemberton, we were able to find excellent skiing and fresh-tracks for our guests. We ventured into areas like Blowdown and Van Horlick around the Duffy, where sheltered aspects and higher elevations kept the snow quality intact. The key to good turns? Moving further inland, seeking out protected terrain, and avoiding sun-affected or wind-stripped slopes.
Our guides noted finding conditions that far exceeded their expectations given the lack of recent snowfall - many whoops could be heard coming down the slopes as we found stashes of powder. Thanks to the location of our tenure, we were able to find the goods from the great snowfall we received in early winter.
January delivered an unforgettable heli-skiing experience under some of the clearest skies we’ve ever seen. We were very happy to welcome many locals and tourists alike for an excellent day in the mountains making the most of the conditions we had. It was smiles all around as everyone left the heliport after their big day out. Here’s to more adventure, and snow, in the months ahead!
Looking Ahead: Save 25% on your first-time with CRH!
A month end storm brought 25-50cms of snow to the alpine before the arctic outflow returned. Guests in early Feb will enjoy cold smoke snow in conservative terrain while we watch the avalanche rating and wait for the cold and dry conditions to change. If you want to join us, you can still receive 25% off your first booking on our Astar (Semi-Private & Private packages)!
All packages include a 5+ run minimum (with extra vertical on us), Arc’teryx avalanche airbags, radios and avalanche safety equipment for all guests, ACMG/IFMGA Guides, lunch from Alpha Cafe Whistler, Premium Powder Ski Rentals from Black Tie Skis Whistler, and GoPro’s - the most comprehensive ski package in Whistler to ensure you’re having the best experience!
Enjoy the experience of skiing with a small-group, boutique heli-skiing operation where your day can be tailored just to you with maximum flexibility. Book our Astar packages for the ultimate small-group experience (4 pax) and enjoy the nimbleness of the Airbus AS350 aircraft, or get a big group together and conquer the slopes flying in the classic heli-skiing beast that is the Bell 212 (8 pax).
