Northern Escape Elite Package4.5 out of 5 based on 4 reviews
  • Recommend
    75%
  • Would Revisit
    75%

Northern Escape Elite Package

Highlights of the Elite Package of Northern Escape Heli Skiing:

  • 2 groups of 4-5 guests have exclusive use of a helicopter
  • maximum of 10 guests stay at the Northern Escape Mountain Lodge
  • option of either unlimited heli skiing vertical or set vertical & then pay for more as you go
  • snowcat skiing backup

If you have a group of 4/5 or 8/10 and you want to have your own exclusive helicopter each day whilst staying in a lodge for only 8-10 guests, this could be the ideal package for you and your group. Solo travellers or smaller groups can also join these packages subject to availability.

The Elite package can be taken in 3, 4, 5 or 7 night increments and includes all meals and non-alcoholic beverages.

Elite guests fly in a powerful helicopter which services 2 groups of 4 (or 5 depending on weights) with 2 guides dedicated to your safety & making sure you get the goods. This package can be upgraded to include unlimited vertical if you want to all the powder you can eat.

One of the huge advantages at Northern Escape Heliskiing is the snowcat backup which leaves right from the lodge; if a storm rolls in you will get the opportunity to ride deep fresh powder up to your eyeballs in the trees...not a bad downside!

The use of all avalanche safety gear including airbags plus powder skis is included.

All meals are included and are prepared by professional "Red Seal" certified chefs. Non-alcoholic drinks are also included and alcoholic drinks can be purchased from the bar.

The package also includes transfers to and from the Terrace airport including the flight in/out of to the lodge. See the Northern Escape Heliskiing overview for more information on the location.

If you have any questions or want to double check availability, you can submit a booking request.

Ability, Fitness & Age

You should be a strong intermediate skier or boarder (off-piste) and above and have a good level of fitness. You must be 19 years or older or be accompanied by an adult but the minimum age is 14.

Here's a short video teaser on what you can expect on a Northern Escape Elite Package....

Lodging

Northern Escape Mountain Lodge (built in 2019/20) is set on a remote 50 acre waterfront estate with sweeping views across the lake. Access is via helicopter and is home to the Elite Heli Skiing package. With a maximum of only 10 guests, the lodge offers an intimate semi-private atmosphere.


Remote fly-in/out lodge...

...purpose-built heli lodge

...private rooms with ensuite
After an incredible day helicopter skiing or boarding in the magnificent mountains of British Columbia, Canada, relax and enjoy a cold beer or glass of wine in front of the fireplace or around the bar. Share stories of the day heli skiing with your friends or family, taking in the tantalising aroma of a five-star dining experience, prepared by the Red Seal chef, that will satisfy the most discerning of palates. The NEH Mountain Lodge is perfect for small groups or families.

After a full day heli skiing, rejuvenate body and mind with a soak in the outdoor hot tub, or pre-book a massage treatment to work out the kinks.

The lodge has 10 private rooms for a maximum of 10 guests all with private ensuites & high-speed internet is available to guests.


An intimate bar ...

...apres in front of the fire..

...a relaxing hot tub.

Typical Itinerary

Day of arrival

The first day of your package is a transfer day. A Northern Escape Heli-Skiing representative will meet at the Terrace Regional Airport at 12:00 noon on the first day of your tour. At approximately 13:00 your helicopter transfer will depart to the lodge**

Lunch will be served upon arrival at the lodge

Days in between

  • 7:30 am breakfast & guides daily announcement
  • 8:30 - 9:00 am helicopter departs
  • 12:00 lunch in the mountains
  • 15:30 to 17:00 return to lodge (weather & group dependent)
  • 17:00 apres snacks in the lounge and/or enjoy a hot tub
  • 19:00 dinner.

*The first morning includes safety briefings and signing of waivers.

Last day

Ski full day on your last day and return to the lodge for Après. Depart the lodge between 15:30 and 18:00 for the airport depending on daylight hours. We recommend flight AC8245 at 19:35 from Terrace to Vancouver on the last day of your tour. You may also consider spending the night in Terrace or Vancouver on your way home.

Here are some options if you need to stay in a Vancouver Airport hotel or Vancouver city hotel. The Hotel Fairmont Vancouver Airport is a 5 star hotel that offers the ultimate in convenience because it’s located inside the airport.

**Please Note – Due to the remote fly in/out nature of the lodge, we cannot accommodate alternate arrivals or departures beyond that which is described here. We highly recommend you consider Trip Interruption Insurance to cover the costs that could be associated with the unlikely possibility of a commercial flight delay or cancellation causing you to miss the scheduled flight into the lodge. Additional flight cost is $2,950 CAD/ hour.

Rates & Inclusions

2024-25 Rates

 Elite Packages (Cost per person in CAD ex taxes)
 Days
From
To
(a) Vertical (m/ft)
+ Unlimited  (b) Vertical (m/ft)
 3   $6,999   $10,999 10,300/34,000   inquire  15,850/52,000
 4  $10,999  $13,999 14,000/46,000  inquire 21,000/69,000
 5  $13,599 $16,999 17,000/56,000   inquire 26,200/86,000 
 $23,797 $22,999    inquire  


Notes about rates:
  • Unlimited vertical must be paid in advance
  • Invoice currency is Canadian Dollars
  • Prices are exclusive of applicable taxes
  • (a) vertical guaranteed for standard Elite package (included is about 25% greater than guaranteed)
  • (b) vertical guaranteed for UNLIMITED Elite package (included is unlimited)
  • Vertical will be calculated and posted on a daily basis whether by cat or heli
  • Customers for standard package will be refunded per 1,000m where the guaranteed vertical (as shown in table above) is not achieved
  • Additional vertical can be purchased per 1,000m
  • Customers for unlimited package will be credited per 1000m for next trip where guaranteed vertical is not met

Northern Escape Heli Skiing Terms & Conditions

Covid-19 Booking Policies and Conditions Update – May 15th, 2020 Valid for Bookings Received after April 1st, 2020
Deposits and Payments


All deposits and payments are 100% refundable through until Oct 1st, 2020.

After that, all deposits and payments received are non-refundable. However if the current Corona Virus Pandemic prohibits you from heli skiing you will receive a full 100% credit towards a future trip.


Cancelation Within 12 weeks Not Due to Covid-19 Pandemic

Our Standard Cancelation Policy below applies to all cancellations within 12 weeks of arrival and not due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.

The Organizer

True North Heli-Skiing Ltd. (hereinafter called TNHS) is the licensed operator for all packages and activities offered by Northern Escape Heli-Skiing (NEHS), which is the organizer of all packages described in this brochure. The travel agency representing NEHS is only a mediator authorized for encashment.

Registration, Deposit and Payments
Due to the nature of this vacation, commitments must be made well in advance of your package commencement with us. Therefore, NEHS requires a deposit of $1,200 for 5 and 7-day packages, $900 for 3 and 4-day packages and $2,000 for all Private Packages which must be received by Northern Escape Heli Skiing or your Travel Agency within 10 days of confirmation of your reservation. All payments are payable to Northern Escape Heli-Skiing.

Payment of the balance of your reserved package is due 12 weeks prior to the commencement of your package. Reservations may be cancelled without notice to the guest if full payment has not been received by NEHS on the due date. For bookings made less than 12 weeks prior to the package commencement, the full package price is due at the time of booking.

Deposits may be made by Cash, Cheque, Bank Draft, Bank Wire, Visa or Master Card. Final payments may also be made by Cash, Cheque, Bank Draft or Bank Wire, however final payments made by Visa or Master Card are subject to a 3% service charge

Cancellations
If it becomes necessary for you to cancel your reservation, we require written notification by registered mail. All deposits for cancellations made more than 12 weeks prior to the package commencement date are NON-REFUNDABLE and will be retained by NEHS.

For cancellations made less than 12 weeks prior to the package commencement date, the total package price is due in full and is NON-REFUNDABLE. If the cancelled reservation can be re-sold to another guest that assumes the contractual obligations, and only if the cancelled space is still available, a change of reservation fee of $250 will apply.

Mountain Weather
The Heli-Skiing program is greatly dependent upon weather, snow and avalanche conditions, factors of which NEH have no control over and are difficult to predict. Therefore, Heli-Skiing is not always perfect and you should be prepared to ski in all conditions. In addition, the more fit you are the more you will enjoy your Heli-Skiing vacation.

Refunds
All packages are sold in units beginning and ending on a specific date. No refund is given, in whole or in part, for unused days due to late arrival or early departure. In addition, no refund is given for any unused portion of your package due to poor physical fitness, skiing/boarding ability, illness or injury. There is no refund if you choose not to participate in any activity or to return to the lodge early. Your vertical each day, whether by Heli or by Snowcat back-up, is cumulative and will be posted for you to keep track of. Northern Escape Heli Skiing reserves the right to cancel any package at any time. FULL REFUNDS will be given if this is the case.

Extra Vertical or Refund – Regular Classic Package and Elite Package
Extra vertical is available at $152.00 per 1,000 m ($46.00 per 1,000 feet). If due to poor weather or mechanical breakdown only, you are unable to ski/board the vertical guaranteed in your package (see table below), Northern Escape Heli-Skiing will refund $152.00 per 1,000 m ($46.00 per 1,000 feet) for the unskied/boarded portion of your package.

Vertical Refund – Unlimited Vertical Option

If for any reason you are unable to ski/board the guaranteed vertical in your Unlimited Vertical Option (see table below), you will be credited toward your next trip with us at $152 per 1,000m ($46 per 1,000 feet) for the unskied/boarded portion of the Unlimited Vertical Option. All credits are non-transferable and valid for a period of two years.

Flight Time Refund - Private Packages
Private Packages have a minimum guaranteed flight time of 1 hour per day averaged over the package duration. If due to poor weather or mechanical breakdown only, you are unable to fly the min guaranteed flight time included in the Private Package, Northern Escape Heli-Skiing will refund $215 per 0.1 hour for the unused portion of your package.

Exclusion of Liability and Assumption of Risks
Please read carefully. Wilderness skiing and snowboarding involve risks, dangers and hazards in addition to those normally associated with downhill skiing and snowboarding at a ski area. These risks, dangers and hazards are outlined in our Release of Liability, Waiver, of Claims, Assumption of Risk and Indemnity Agreement, a sample of which is reprinted within this booklet. All guests are requested to read and required to sign this agreement before participating in our program. This agreement will affect your legal rights should you be involved in an accident. Copies of this agreement are available on request.


Travel Insurance
Trip Cancellation Insurance
Trip cancellation insurance is highly recommended. NEH has made arrangements with Lifestyle Financial Services to offer our guests a comprehensive cancellation insurance package. Please contact them directly at (250) 542-8577 or via e-mail at [email protected].

Interruption/Medical/Evacuation Insurance
We recommend you carry Interruption insurance as well as Medical/Evacuation insurance. Lifestyle Financial Services offers comprehensive coverage for these insurances and they may be purchased directly through Northern Escape Heli Skiing at the time of booking. Information will be provided with you confirmation package.

Evacuation Insurance

Evacuation insurance is available from Northern Escape Heli-Skiing to cover evacuation of an injured guest from the mountain to the hospital in Terrace, BC or to the nearest appropriate transfer point for the BC Ambulance Service. This is included with the Private Package.