Riding High: Heli-Skiing at Wedge Mountain Lodge, British Columbia

People have been using long pieces of wood to glide across snowy terrain for thousands of years — rock carvings uncovered by archaeologists in Scandinavia and Russia depict humanoid figures perched on what appear to be primitive skis, looking as though they’re having the times of their lives. The technology may have changed, as contemporary skiers swap their predecessors’ leather-wrapped birch wood for sleek carbon-fibre coatings and steel edges. Still, the activity remains more or less the same. There is, however, one facet of modern skiing that is beyond our ancient alpine ancestors’ wildest dreams. Introducing heli-skiing, the art of using a helicopter to enable skiers to practice the sport in places that would otherwise be inaccessible.

Located amid British Columbia’s Coast Mountain range along Canada’s Pacific shoreline, Wedge Mountain Lodge provides heli-skiers with easy access to a massive, wide-open terrain. The tenure available to these skiers is a vast 432,000 acres, including more than 170 glaciers, more than sufficient space for guests to custom-craft even their most ambitious adventures. Skiers board their private Bell 212 helicopter to be promptly whisked over the landscape, with a gorgeous bird’s-eye view of the mountainous terrain, before descending onto the snow and carving through the slopes. Wedge Mountain Lodge’s four-day heli-skiing package includes four runs daily, with the option to add more if desired. A gourmet picnic lunch in the peacefulness of the backcountry can either be a refuelling before more exploration, or the perfect segue into a relaxing afternoon.

After returning from the day’s adventure, guests can wind down in the comfort of the lodge’s array of amenities. Features include private suites, an 18-seat movie theatre where replays of the day’s stunts can be watched, a skating rink, a games room, and a pickleball court. To help recover from a rigorous day, Wedge Mountain offers a Nordic-inspired spa with an outdoor hot tub, steam room, sauna, pool, and cold plunge. Wedge Mountain Lodge’s heli-skiing package includes access to these amenities, gear rental, transportation, and all meals made by chef Bill Grimshaw featuring fresh, local ingredients.

Contrary to popular belief, although you do need to have an intermediate level of experience, you don’t need to be a certified professional in order to heli-ski. It can even be family-friendly. The heli-skiing package includes a first day spent warming up at Whistler Blackcomb, where guests are prepped on heli-skiing by an instructor and briefed on safety. To properly prepare for the challenging nature of skiing on the deep powder of untouched terrain, Wedge Mountain Lodge’s team advises strengthening the legs with exercises such as wall sits, and that guests dress appropriately.

It was in British Columbia itself that heli-skiing first got its commercial start. In the 1960s, Austrian-born mountain guide Hans Gmoser started a helicopter service to charter skiers to deeper, untouched terrain. The idea was radical at the time. Today, with Wedge Mountain Lodge’s heli-skiing package, you can see for yourself just what made Gmoser believe that sending skiers out to the mountains by helicopter was worth exploring. With the silence of the remote terrain and the deep, pristine snow beneath your purposeful skis, the mountaineer’s business acumen will certainly become clear.

Discover Wedge Mountain Lodge online.

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