The most common reasons for this are : we shamefully think we do not have the skills to successfully ski or board that endless pristine powder like the guys in the movies, or we think it will be too expensive.
The truth for those who do decide to give it a try is that you don’t have to be that good and it doesn’t have to cost that much if you book with a heli-ski company that encourages first timers. One such company is rk heliski based in Panorama BC, Canada. For almost 50 years rk has been offering affordable day trips (and multi-day trips). From Panorama Mountain Resort you can combine a regular on-piste ski holiday with a dream heli-ski experience as mentioned above! You can also choose to base your ski holiday from the ski mecca of Banff Canada.
“In fact the most challenging aspect might be the early morning wake-up call to catch the private Banff to Panorama Shuttle Service,” explains first-time British heliboarder Tony McCann.
“A 5.30am alarm on a Saturday morning is certainly not my idea of fun. A quick cup of tea and I am standing outside my hotel with it dumping it down with fresh snow, and there is me thinking what on earth have I let myself in for !”
At the time of booking, rk heliski had told Tony that so long as he could ski or board a European red run comfortably and in control then he could heliboard with them and have an incredible time. The private shuttle from Banff to Panorama is about a 2-hour journey through Banff National Park and Kootenay National Park – enough time to squeeze in a few more hours of sleep. For first timers, this is nearly an impossible concept!
Panorama Mountain Village is a fully self-contained mountain resort paradise.
Most accommodation is ski in/ski out. Plentiful bars, restaurants, hot tubs and
a great night life make this a suitable alternative to staying in Banff. In the heart of this skiers’ paradise sits rk heliski.
“My shuttle wound through Panorama Village and when I approached RK, I could see the helicopters and ground crew getting them all ready for the day. The friendly rk team welcomed me as I entered the “heli-plex lodge,” they made sure I got whatever I wished for breakfast – nothing, it seemed, was too much trouble.”
Tony says that the tension mounted, but the staff put you at ease. “After briefings from ACMG Ski Guides Nate Sereda and Rod Gibbons, it is very quickly clear that these guys not only have a passion for what they do but also ensure every single guest is happy, comfortable and relaxed. I have to say, after listening to them I felt much more at ease and was actually beginning to think I can’t wait to get up there now!”
And it kept getting better…
“And away we went. The noise of the helicopter just gets your heart going and the anticipation is replaced by big smiles and excitement. The ride up to the first drop-off was spectacular, just miles and miles of untouched mountains to go heli-boarding on, simply indescribable beauty.”
“This is it, time to strap in and go. My first run down was an amazing tree-lined descent through famous Canadian champagne powder. I was like a little kid on Christmas day. I had never ever experienced anything like this before. With Nate and Rod giving great tips and assistance, the more relaxed I got the easier I found it.”
An addiction begins…
“My legs were burning like hell, my helmet and goggles covered in powder, but it was clear that I was seriously hooked,” recalls Tony. “The rest of the day was more of eating powder, a few falls, and that feeling of flowing and carving down the mountain creating huge powder spray turns with smiles and laughter.”
“It was a day I will never forget with a group of people with such a passion and love for what they do. This is a must for any snowboarder/skier to add to their bucket list. I’m booked back next season,” concludes Tony.
www.rkheliski.com / +1 250-342-3889 / [email protected]
