ADVENTURE FJORD HELISKIING - the West Coast awaits...

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1. How do I know if I'm ready for heliskiing?
   • If you are a strong, very experienced, preferably off-piste skier or snowboarder, able to maintain control in all types of terrain and snow conditions (not necessarily powder), then you are ready for heliskiing or mountain skiing. It is absolutely crucial that when the situation warrants it you can, with your skis on, side slip, side step uphill, traverse and kick turn. Snowboarders must be able to adapt to the terrain in similar fashion, and many snowboarders carry collapsible ski poles.
2. Is the area where you operate too "coastal" for cold powder snow conditions?
   
   • Winter begins in October and ends in June in the alpine country. In fact the Coast Mountains are the most heavily glaciated subpolar mountain ranges on earth, which is due to the massive annual snowpack of more than 5 metres in the alpine. Glaciers commonly extend below 1000 metres with a few reaching as low as 200 metres. It is this "refrigeration" of the high alpine and the massive glacial cirques that keep that snow well into May. At the same time of year you can swim in the ocean only 10 km away!
3. Can I use my own personal VHF handheld radio?
   
   • Yes, you can bring along and use your own VHF radios to monitor the operational frequency. In each group we will ask that one group member carry a small safety pack, and this skier will have a radio supplied. Our frequencies are for emergency USE only by guests. You must have an alternate frequency programmed into your radio to "chat" with other guests.
4. Can I use an ABS system?
   
   • The airbag avalanche safety systems are not permitted for use while flying in a helicopter. This device has yet to receive approval from MOT and thus cannot be used while heliskiing with us.
5. Do you offer any credit for organizing a group or introducing a new skier?
   
   • We offer a commission to any skier that books a full group of 8 skiers at the semi-private rates and to 8-person private tours. Please contact our office for details.
6. What is Bella Coola like?
   
   • The Bella Coola Valley has all the ammenities, but it is not cosmopolitan like Whistler or Banff. This is place to really relax when you're not skiing, make your own fun with your skiing partners and get to know the friendly locals. Our packages really take you away from it all, in a wilderness setting unlike any other ... with the convenience of small grocery stores, galleries, satellite TVs.
7. Where are you located?
   
   • Our base of operations is located 450 km northwest of Vancouver, BC. Dream Catcher heliskiing exclusive terrain is comprised of 3,300 square km of high mountain terrain in four pods that encompasses a total area of 5,200 square km in the Coast Mountains. Our northern terrain is located in the Kitimat Range, south of Tweedsmuir Park and Kitlope Heritage Conservancy Area near the Dean River (famous for steelhead). Our southern area is located in the Pacific Ranges just west of South Bentinck Arm. Overall we are located between 75 and 250 km east of the actual coast.
8. How does your terrain and location compare to Whistler or Blackcomb?
   
   • More dramatic, further north, more plentiful snowfall, more extensive glaciation and colder. Quite frankly: steeper and deeper and colder overall. Our operating elevations are similar to Blackcomb Mountain (we can ski 200 metres higher) but we are almost 350 km northwest and in an area that receives the largest snowpack in British Columbia. Temperatures of -17 degC have been recorded in Bella Coola at 22 metres elevation. The colder temperatures are a result of our proximity to the Chilcotin Plateau. This also means that clear weather pushes in from the east, and while the big storms lumbering off the Pacific can produce similar weather for a few days for both Whistler and Bella Coola, mostly the local weather patterns are very unique to the region.
9. What is the best time to come heliskiing?
   
   • We offer our heliskiing tours later than other operators. The first reason is that our operations are new yes, and we want to offer skiing when we are confident that the skiing will be consistent throughout the entire season. We also have some of the most extensive glaciation of any operation in Canada. We know that we will have sufficient snowfall for skiing in glaciated terrain later in the winter. Our winter lasts longer than in the continental US. At the 52nd parallel winter lingers. Powder snow can be encountered well into May, but for 2005 and 2006 we are only offering programs until late March/early April.
10. What is the skiing like?
    
    • Imagine wilderness, helicopter skiing and snowboarding in a remote, extremely scenic mountain setting. The area encompasses more than 3,378 square km (959,241 acres) with more than 300 runs identified (not all have been skied yet!). Runs vary from 500 to 1750 metres, with many of our runs a consistent 1,100 vertical metres (3,300 feet). Skiing is done on open snowfields, glaciers and in sparsely spaced trees or in natural openings, and in the most beautiful mountain range we've ever known.
11. What kind of skis do you offer for rentals?
    
    • We offer the Atomic MEX and Atomic REX, both mid-fat mountain ski for intermediate to advanced powder skier. The REX comes in 177 cm and 184 cm lengths. The Atomic Heli-Daddy is our widest ski and is specifically designed for powder skiing. It provides maximum flotation and is the easiest to turn. Lengths are 160 cm, 170 cm and 180 cm lengths. Recommended for intermediate skiers or for the first few days of your program if you are trying to maximize your vertical.
12. Do you rent snowboards?
    
    • We do not rent snowboards. You will want to bring a medium length board suitable for powder conditions and skiing in treed terrain. We offer free use of our equipment room where you can mount bindings, wax or prepare your boards.
13. How do you extrapolate our mountain weather conditions from valley-bottom temperatures and forecasts?
    
    • Out ski terrain is between the 2,000 and 9,000 feet above the valley floor. For every 1,000 vertical feet elevation gain the temperature drops aproximately one deg C. Also one mm of rain translates to one cm of snow. The freezing level in the winter months varies between sea level and 4,000 feet.

A unique heli-skiing experience that takes full advantage of British Columbia's rugged coastline!