The Search for the Perfect Heliski Terrain at Skeena Heliskiing

Lorraine Huber — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 14:23:54 +0000

Sometimes I feel like the luckiest person in the world. Imagine being invited to Canada for a week, together with some of your best friends, to help a heliski operator scout and ski previously untouched mountains in search for new heliskiing terrain. So it was that in April, I flew to Smithers, B.C. Canada, to join Giacum (Jake) Frei, owner, operator and head guide at Skeena Heliskiing, to scout the enormous heliski terrain in the Skeena Mountains, 2 hours north of Smithers.

Griffin, Mcfly and me: the luckiest people in the world!

The existing lodge, the Bear Claw lodge, is located in the southern part of the tenure and offers luxury accommodations for 10 to 15 guests. Although the first runs are only a 6 minute flight away, the size of the tenure, which encompasses 8,500 km2 and represents the second largest heliskiing area worldwide, means that the most northern mountains are a 45 minute flight away. Most of this area is rarely skied, not even Jake was familiar with the mountains there.

Endless possibilities

The next week consisted of poring over maps, spending a ridiculous amount of helitime, analysing and observing snow pack, terrain forms and potential dangers. We scouted and skied amazing runs over wide, endless glaciers, fun pillow lines, and through glades and gullies.

Endless challenges

The perfect cliff band

Is this a dream?

We documented our experiences on film, which will be out next winter. Stay tuned!

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Heliskiing in the Skeena Mountains, Canada

Lorraine Huber — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 22:54:42 +0000

This past week I’ve had the pleasure to experience one of the most exclusive heliski operations in the world. Skeena Heliskiing, only 3 hours north of Vancouver airport, offers everything anyone has ever dreamed about a heliski trip. Expert guiding to new locations every day, small groups of 5 people in B2 or B 407 helicopters with a guarantee of 30,500 vertical meters per week and of course first class accomodation in the „Cliffs at Kispiox River Lodge“ which – with its family atmosphere, excellent home made food and entertainment area – is almost as hard to leave as the skiing.itself. Situated in northern BC, the Skeena Mountain range is characterised by continual snow dumps and powder snow due to its colder temperatures.

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The Search for the Perfect Heliski Terrain at Skeena Heliskiing

Heliskiing in the Skeena Mountains, Canada