Heliski Adventures & Tours
Your Heli-Ski Adventure of a Lifetime Awaits You
Whether you’re looking to include a single day of heli-skiing on your vacation or spend a week heli-skiing from the back of a private yacht. Our Whistler-based heli-ski experts pride themselves on giving unbiased, first-hand advice on where to heli-ski and when.
We know that each skier or boarder is different, so what suits one person might not work for another. We consider budget, expectations, objectives, ski ability, confidence, personality and much more when helping you select the perfect heli-ski tour or adventure for you.
An Off Piste experience of a lifetime
The ultimate adventure for thrill seekers and powder skiers. Heli-skiing is what a traditional ski resort can’t offer, unlimited access to some of the most remote terrain on the planet and, carving your way through the untouched powder whilst enjoying breathtaking views across mountains and glaciers.
Our Heli-ski guides will provide you with all the local knowledge for each location. We provide a personalised service tailored to your skill level and preferences for an unforgettable experience in the remote backcountry.
Take your skiing to new heights with a vacation to remember.
Our Heli-skiing tours
Where should I go heliskiing?
Whilst we showcase our Arctic and yacht-based heli-skiing trips as our “showstoppers” we are experts in booking single and multi-day heli-skiing trips all over the world. We know the choice can be overwhelming, which is why it’s so important to be able to receive impartial and expert first-hand advice. Our team of heli-ski experts have been lucky enough to ski with many different operators around the world, meaning they’re able to recommend the best heli-ski outfit for you, based on your ability, confidence and preferences.
Escape to the backcountry
Escaping the crowds while elevating your skiing experience is the ultimate luxury adventure. The thrill of remote terrain that is inaccessible to the masses is the most beautiful way to experience skiing and offer freedom and exclusivity. Why settle for ordinary skiing?
Book your trip today and experience the pinnacle of ski adventure!
Embrace the scenery
Breathtaking scenery, from snowcapped mountains to icy blue glaciers and alpine forests, surrounding yourself with nature whilst living the experience of a lifetime doesn’t come around often. The moment you step off the helicopter, you’ll be in remote, pristine nature.
Private Heli-ski Trips and special occasions
If you are planning a heli-ski trip for a loved one’s birthday, an anniversary or another special occasion, you might want to consider a private (or semi-private) heli-ski trip. Most of our partners are able to facilitate private groups, though we would recommend booking at least 12 months in advance if you have specific dates that you’d like to secure. Whether you’re looking to take over an entire lodge, hire out a yacht or arrange a private heli-ski guide for your group, there are plenty of options available at varying price-points. Multiples of 4 are typically best, though group sizes can vary depending on the operator and the size of the helicopter.
Whilst heli-skiing is an expensive activity, it really is the most mind-blowing experience that every keen skier or boarder should try at least once in their life!
How much does heli-skiing cost?
Typically, a single day of heli-skiing costs approximately US$1,000 per person, whilst a week of lodge-based heli-skiing ranges from US$9,000 to US$16,000 and will include accommodation, daily gourmet meals, and more flexibility when it comes to the weather. Heli-skiing prices can seem prohibitive at first glance but there are certain times of the year that you can heli-ski more cheaply by having flexible dates (December and January are a little cheaper in BC for example). With many different heli-ski operators and lodges out there, it is important to choose the right outfit that will suit your needs – which is where we come in. Our team of heli-ski experts have first-hand experience and will be happy to discuss options that suit your budget, objectives and riding ability. We guarantee the same price as booking direct and can take care of other logistics such as pre heli-ski days, transfers, rentals, and much more, so you can just focus on skiing the best runs of your life.
Helicopter time – unlimited vertical, flying hours and guaranteed vertical
Many heli-ski operators offer different options with regard to the total time spent in the helicopter. Whilst “unlimited vertical” may sound appealing, it can mean that you end up skiing the same runs over and over to save fuel by not transitioning to and diminishing your overall experience. Conversely, limited time may leave you feeling time-pressured and unable to get in as many runs as you were hoping for. We will work with you to find the right option for you.
Why choose Mabey ski?
Born into a family of skiers dating back to 1912, Nickie Mabey’s passion for skiing and adventure runs as deep as the generations before her. It’s a lifestyle that has led her to ski peaks less tracked and relocate to the snow-capped mountains of Whistler, where Mabey Ski’s team of hardcore skiers, travellers and logistics experts are based.
Why we do it
We know that some of the best memories come from when you step outside your comfort zone and try something new. Our team lives to ski and travel, and our passion lies in bringing that knowledge and experience together to give you the kind of adventure and excitement you will chase for the rest of your life.
What we do
Mabey Ski creates out-of-the-ordinary ski adventures across the globe that push boundaries and challenge the conventional. We practice what we preach and ski all over the world to find those unmarked backcountry huts, mountainside hot springs, and larger-than-life ski guides that become lifelong friends, so that we can create the most authentic and exhilarating ski adventure for you.
How we do it
Aside from the extensive research that goes on behind our trips, the most important part of the process is getting to know you – your passions, your objectives, and what you want most from your experience. Whether it’s a romantic backcountry adventure, a corporate retreat with a twist, or a full-on expedition with a crew of friends, we’ll work with you to create your ultimate ski trip.
Our knowledge and creativity come from years of experience in the industry, an unrelenting passion for our work and experience our adventures first-hand. From cat-skiing by the ocean and mountaintop wine tasting to heli-skiing first descents and catching rainbow trout for dinner, we’re on a never-ending journey to build deeper connections with a place and its people.
What Level Skier or snowboarder do I need to be to go heli-skiing?
Whilst heli-skiing isn’t suitable for beginner skiers and snowboarders, plenty of terrain is available for advanced, intermediate or expert skiers.
Skiers and boarders should be able to confidently ski all blue runs in various conditions, and, ideally, skiing most black runs (or red runs in Europe). Speak to one of our heli-ski experts to select the best location for your ability.
Am I good enough to go heli-skiing?
The most important thing is your fitness level. You don’t need to be an Olympian, however a good level of general fitness and strength makes the experience so much more enjoyable – you don’t want to be sitting on the sidelines whilst your friends ski fresh powder because you didn’t do your squats! If you’re still in doubt, give us a call or drop us an email and we’ll be happy to make a better assessment for you.
Am I too good to go heli-skiing?
If you’re an expert skier or boarder that’s worried about being held up by a group of beginners, you don’t need to worry. All heli-ski operators request guests to take a detailed quiz so that they can allocate the groups accordingly. We also work with specific heli-ski partners that have access to steep terrain and narrow tree runs. We even have options and locations for freeride skiers and snowboarders to hit 50-degree couloirs and huck 30-foot cliffs.
Heli-Skiing FAQs
We have compiled a list of the questions we are asked most frequently by our heli-ski guests. If you think there is anything we haven’t touched on here, please feel free to drop us a line at [email protected].
Heli-skiing is a lifetime goal for most ski enthusiasts; there is nothing better than skiing or snowboarding through fresh powder in remote backcountry locations. The helicopter drops you off at your desired peak, and you ski or snowboard back down to where the helicopter meets you, and then repeat!
No, your guides are all incredibly well-trained professionals, which means they will be able to guide you safely around the mountains.
You will still receive some basic training on-site and will be given all of the avalanche rescue equipment like transceiver, shovel and probe and backcountry (or ABS) backpack.
Yes, absolutely. Many groups of odd numbers book together, leaving spare spots in the helicopter and we have a live availability of many different heli-ski companies and ability levels/group dynamics to find you the perfect trip as an additional member.
The Mabey Ski team and our guests have made friends and ski partners for life this way!
We usually suggest booking at least 1 year ahead of time, to guarantee you will be able to ski when and where you would like to. If you can give more notice, even better.
Having said that, last-minute spots do pop up, so please let us know what works for you and we will try our very best to make it happen for you - we have even sent guests out the same week that they booked.
The more advanced notice allows you to put down a deposit and then pay the rest in manageable instalments if you would prefer to spread out the cost.
Usually, no, but it does depend on your circumstances.
We act as an advocate on your behalf, and will always push for a deposit or payment to be carried forward to a future trip, or fully refunded. Each operator has different policies and guests' reasons for cancelling are different, so please reach out to us directly if you have any specific concerns and we will be happy to put your mind at ease.
All of our multi- dayheli-ski trips include rental of high end, heli-ski specific skis. As access to these remote lodges is often by small plane, the less luggage you bring, the better. Bring your ski boots and outerwear, but all the hardware (including avalanche safety equipment, bags, skis, boards, poles etc) will be provided for you.
If you're doing a single day of heli-skiing, let one of our travel experts arrange powder ski rentals for you, or if you'd like to use your own skis, we suggest a minimum width of 100mm under foot to be able to keep good floatation in the powder.
Why Book With Mabey Ski?
There are so many great operators, lodges and locations to choose from, which is why it’s so important to receive impartial and expert first-hand advice. Whether you are a first-time heli-skier, or a seasoned veteran looking for something more extreme, our team have been lucky enough to heli-ski with many different operators around the world, meaning they’re able to recommend the best options for you, based on your budget, objectives and riding ability. As well as guaranteeing the same price as booking direct, we’ll take care of any other logistics such as pre-heli ski days, transfers, rentals, and , so you can just focus on skiing the best runs of your life!
