Heli-Skiing Ability Guide

Heli-skiing with us is about great skiing in gladed trees, open bowls and on glaciers. It is not about “extreme” skiing or jumping cliffs and rocks. We do however require that skiers have adequate fitness, experience and ability so we can all enjoy the day safely. Is this you? If you’re unsure or wish to develop your skills, contact us about an assessment or lesson with a Whistler-Blackcomb Ski School professional.

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HOW TO DECIDE WHAT PACKAGE IS BEST FOR YOU

ABILITY RATING GUIDE

There’s more to selecting the right heli-skiing or snowboarding package than just deciding on the number of runs you want to do.

Ability levels can vary in different countries or resorts. Fitness levels can also vary year-to-year, so please consider how much you have skied or snowboarded this year. If you’re not as fit as you would like and may struggle after several falls, or if you have lots of skiing/snowboarding experience but will not have had much practice prior to your heli-day, consider moving down one package or taking a ski school lesson.

CHOOSING YOUR ABILITY LEVEL

Choose your ability level while taking into consideration your skills, ski fitness, number of recent skiing/riding days, the terrain and the pace of the day for each package. Blue/black runs refer to run classifications at Whistler Blackcomb which may be more advanced than your local ski area.

INTERMEDIATE:

You are ski fit and confident on blue runs and can ski/ride black runs. You may have limited powder/off piste experience.

ADVANCED:

You are ski fit and have been skiing/boarding for years. You routinely ski/board black runs. You enjoy and seek out powder snow.

EXPERT:

You are both ski fit and can ski long, off-piste pitches without stopping and rarely fall. You have plenty of powder experience.