Your HELI SKIING Package Has Arrived
Whether it’s a small group or a lodge full of friends, we have the solution for you
Are you a first time heliskier? Or have you been around the world in a whirly bird? Whatever your experience and preference, we have a package for you….even exclusive options for those who love their privacy.
With four distinct-but-simple heli skiing packages, we cover the needs of almost any group. We only offer full week, seven-night trips. Because booking less is to rob yourself of the full heli skiing experience as a 7 night trip gives you more time to score peak conditions.
Everyone Gets the Goods
All HELI SKIING Packages Include the following:
7 nights at Bear Claw Lodge
- A beautiful post and beam home, located on and a pristine river famous for fly-fishing and surrounded by Canadian wilderness
- Helicopters just steps from the front door
- Double occupancy, and limited single occupancy upgrades available
- Maximum of 12 guests
- Sauna and hot tub
- All gourmet meals and après ski snacks (multi-course dinners, picnic lunch in the field and hot or cold breakfasts)
Hand-picked, incredibly experienced heli-ski guides and pilots
Read about our team on the Skeena Family page.
TOP OF THE LINE SAFETY EQUIPMENT
Each guests gets to use a beacon, pack (airbag) with probe and shovel.
Top of the line powder skis
We have a fleet of Kästle skis, specifically chosen to maximize your enjoyment in our terrain. Save yourself the hassle of carrying your skis through the airport and use ours...but bring your own boots! Snowboarders: bring your own powder board and boots, we do not supply these.
Ground Transfers
Ground Transfers between Bear Claw Lodge and Smithers Airport. Check out the Getting to Skeena Heliskiing page to find out how easy it is to join us in the Canadian wilderness.
WiFi
Keep in touch with the office and your friends and family, thanks to our fast Starlink internet.
Extra Hours
This is the extra hour rate for Private programs. Private groups may use their Helicopter Hours towards transfers from the lodge to the airport.
Alcohol
Massage
45min and 90min sessions may be available. Reserve on arrival at Bear Claw Lodge.
Retail Purchases
Skeena Heliskiing and Bear Claw Lodge logo-wear are available from our retail shop.
Gratuities / Tips
Tipping is a common practice in Canada. If you receive great service, leaving a tip is a good way to show your appreciation (it will be divided amongst the staff).
Travel insurance
We recommend Travel Insurance with Lifestyle Financial.
Which Heli Skiing Package Should You Choose?
Having a variety of package options means we probably have the perfect option for you!
Looking to “Own the lodge”?
The Private Lodge Buyout with Unlimited Vertical Package buys exclusive use of our entire operation. This is, hands down, the best package for a group.
Tip: If your group isn't quite 12 people, we recommend reaching out to your network to get to 12.
Any first timers in your group?
Want your own helicopter and you have four people, then the Private Helicopter Package is the best option.
8 people? Then the Two Group Unlimited Vertical Package is definitely the way to go.
Have more people than that? Without question, the Private Lodge Buyout with Unlimited Vertical is the ultimate experience.
Want the ultimate flexibility?
The Private Helicopter Package is our most customizable offering. Ski the terrain you want. Sleep in. Go back to the lodge for lunch. The choice is yours.
Available for four people or less.
Book this package if:
- You have a large group
- Would like total privacy (note: you don’t need 12 guests to book)
- Have a group of varying ability levels
This is the ultimate group heli-skiing experience. Book out the entire Bear Claw Lodge and enjoy exclusive use of Skeena Heliskiing’s entire operation. We can even create a fully customized itinerary.
Think multigenerational family reunion or a corporate retreat people actually want to go to. We can accommodate up to 12 skiers/riders, as well as some non-skiers for an extra charge.
In addition to the above All Heli Skiing Packages Inclusions, the Private Lodge Buyout With Unlimited Vertical Package also features:
- Total Exclusivity*: Enjoy exclusive use of our entire operation, including the lodge and helicopters.
- Unlimited Vertical, with a Vertical Guarantee of 25,000 metres (82,000 feet)! On average, guests ski around 36,000m (118,110ft), depending on the groups’ fitness and skiing ability, snow, and weather conditions. Unlimited Vertical means you don’t pay extra vertical charges.
- Small Groups: only three groups of four people in one A-Star B2 helicopter. Have each group based on ability level, or family units.
* The Private Lodge Buyout package has a single rate (i.e. there is not a per person rate), and can include up to 12 skiers/boarders (plus non-skiers). The package can be booked with less people, however, the rate remains the same.
Upgrade Option – Here is an add-on option that we strongly suggest for the ultimate experience: book our 2nd helicopter as a Private machine. The base package includes 1 helicopter servicing 3 groups of 4 people. By adding on a Private helicopter, you can further customize your experience. For example, the strongest/fastest skiers can be 1 group in the Private helicopter, and the other 8 people can form 2 groups of 4 in the other machine. Or if you would like to introduce your family to heli skiing and experience a more relaxed pace, booking the Private machine for them would be a great option.
Book this package if:
- You are looking for value
- And you are comfortable skiing alongside other guests with compatible skiing abilities. Don’t worry, we screen people’s ability level…..strangers become friends quickly at Skeena.
The Classic Unlimited Vertical Package is the industry “standard” program, except we include Unlimited Vertical (whereas some other operations only include 100,000ft and you need to pay more to ski more).
In addition to the above All Heli Skiing Packages Inclusions, the Classic Unlimited Vertical Package also features:
- Unlimited Vertical, with a Vertical Guarantee of 25,000 metres (82,000 feet)! On average, guests ski around 36,000m (118,110ft), depending on the groups’ fitness and skiing ability, snow, and weather conditions. Unlimited Vertical means you don’t pay extra vertical charges.
- Small Groups: only three groups of four people per A-Star B2 helicopter
Book this package if:
- You have a group of 8 people
- You have a group of less than eight*, but want to move a little faster and ski a bit more
The Guaranteed 2 Group Unlimited Vertical Package is the same as the Classic Unlimited Vertical program with 1 major difference: there are only 2 groups of 4 people using the helicopter.
In addition to the above All Heli Skiing Packages Inclusions, the Guaranteed 2 Group Unlimited Vertical Package also features:
- Small Groups: Only two groups of four people per A-Star B2 helicopter. This makes for even less waiting between runs.
- Unlimited Vertical, with a Vertical Guarantee of 25,000 metres (82,000 feet). On average, guests ski around 36,000m (118,110ft) on the Classic program, however, since the Two Group package has 1 less group using the helicopter, the average amount of vertical skied on this package is around 42,000m (137,795ft), depending on the groups’ fitness and skiing ability, snow, and weather conditions. With Unlimited Vertical, you won’t pay extra even though you ski more.
* – The Two Group package can be booked with less people, however, the rate remains the same (booking the package with less than 8 people has some advantages such as more room in the helicopter, and less tracks).
Book this package if:
- You crave exclusivity. This package is perfect for a crew of friends that wants to rip hard, or a family who skis at a slower pace.
- If you would like the ultimate flexibility and customization
Do you have a group of four or just want a helicopter to yourself? Book the Private Helicopter Package and get exclusive use. The price remains the same regardless of how many skiers book it.
In addition to the above All Heli Skiing Packages Inclusions, the Private Helicopter Package also features:
- More Ski Days: most of our packages include 6 days of skiing, however, the Private package allows for 7 days of skiing!
- Terrain Selection: In consultation with your guide, choose your preferred type of terrain. Conditions and ability are a factor.
- Ski Day Flexibility: Sleep in. Work for a few hours. Return to the lodge for lunch. With a Private Helicopter, we adjust to your timetable.
- Generous Hours: 11 hours of helicopter time are included with an Hourly Guarantee of eight hours (some competitors include just 8 hours). 11 hours is usually enough for around 42,000 vertical metres of skiing (137,795ft)
- Airport Helicopter Transfers: Use some of your flying hours to transfer to/from the Smithers Airport.
When booking, you can choose a packages that is based on either Flying Hours or Vertical Based Heli Skiing. So you might ask, what is the difference, and which should you choose?
Click the + symbol to figure out which one works best for you.