WHISTLER HELI-SKIING ABILITY LEVELS

TERRAIN: Heli-skiing with Whistler Heli-Skiing is about great skiing in gladed trees, open bowls and on glaciers. It is not about "extreme" skiing or jumping cliffs and rocks. Whistler Heli-Skiing Ltd. requires that skiers are able to do parallel turns and snowboarders are able to handle deep powder.

CHOOSE YOUR ABILITY LEVEL WHILE TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION YOUR SKILLS, THE PACE OF THE DAY AND THE TERRAIN.
(Blue, black and double black runs refer to the runs at your home or usual ski area.)

(I-) Low Intermediate:
Blue Runs: Can do parallel turns down "blue runs", the steeper pitches are approached with some reservation.
Black Runs: Never attempted to ski/board them.
Double Black Runs: Have never been down one.
Off Piste/Powder: Do not have experience.
Pace of the Day: Short pitches of skiing with lots of stops for rest, skiing tips and pictures.
Terrain: Intermediate terrain.
(Not suitable for deep powder days. Conditions permitting only.)

(I) Intermediate:
Blue Runs: Ski/board them with little trouble doing parallel turns down the fall line.
Black Runs: Occasionally ski/board them.
Double Black Runs: Can get down sometimes but not with a lot of style.
Off Piste/Powder: Have some experience with different snow conditions and powder.
Pace of the Day: Short pitches of skiing with lots of stops for rest, skiing tips and pictures.
Terrain: Intermediate terrain.

(I+) Strong Intermediate:
Blue Runs: Routinely ski/board them.
Black Runs: Enjoy the challenge of black runs, when conditions are right.
Double Black Runs: Occasionally ski a double black when conditions are right.
Off Piste/Powder: Have tried the bowls on a powder day with reasonable success.
Pace of the Day: A little faster than the intermediate groups.
Terrain: Intermediate terrain.

(A) Advanced:
Blue Runs: Have been skiing/boarding for years and get a lot of days in per season. Blues are easy.
Black Runs:Routinely ski/board them.
Double Black Runs: Often ski/board them.
Off Piste/Powder: Enjoy powder and seek it out whenever possible.
Pace of the Day: Similar to the expert, with longer pitches of skiing and less stopping, but at a more relaxed pace.
Terrain: A combination of intermediate and expert terrain.

(E) Expert:
Blue Runs: No problem on any blue run.
Black Runs: No problem with any black runs.
Double Black Runs: No problem with any double-black runs.
Off Piste/Powder: Lots of powder experience and like to ski it quickly, rarely falling.
Pace of the Day: Longer pitches of skiing and less stopping.
Terrain: Steeper lines and terrain provided avalanche hazard is appropriate.