Terrain

With more than 1,200,000 acres over 2 mountain ranges to choose from we find exciting powder terrain for all boarders and skier's interests and abilities.

Terrain for Intermediate to Advanced Skiers

Your guide will select a skiing route that suits your ability and comfort level, and offers just the right amount of challenge. Depending on conditions, we often start with an open, moderate glacier run, or a gentler run through the trees. As the week progresses, and your confidence increases we progress according to the group's abilities.

Terrain for Expert Skiers

Guests who are expert skiers or boarders have the opportunity to challenge themselves with the world's best powder terrain. Please note that steeper slopes require additional caution and guides may take additional time to evaluate snow stability before skiing a run. 

Glacier Skiing

For many, high alpine glaciers provide the most exhilarating skiing/boarding experience of all - the freedom of carving 300, 500 or even 600 powder turns down a glacier surrounded by majestic snow covered peaks. When conditions allow, glacier skiing is suitable for all skill levels.

Tree Skiing

For many skiers and boarders, the trees are the ultimate experience, simply because of the conditions and terrain. The very highest quality of snow is found in the trees as the loose powder is protected from wind and sun. We spend  a great deal of our skiing time within the forest, glades and open spaces below the treeline using the buddy system to increase safety.

Thunder Ridge Center 

Built in 1996, this handcrafted log building is hub of Resort operations. The Thunder Ridge Centre houses the Front Desk, Reservations, Conference Room and Administration departments.

At the Centre guests relax in the lobby, use phones and fax services and take advantage of the Internet workstations . Visit the helpful staff at the Centre to register your arrival, book your next vacation or learn more about Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing facilities and amenities.

The Lodge

As the heart of the Heli Village, the Lodge's rustic beauty invites guests to relax and enjoy the Resort's luxurious amenities.

Home to many of the guests' favorite facilities, the Lodge also houses the Concierge / Guest Relations desk and:

• Powder Max Dining Room
• Award Winning Wine Cellar
• Silver Buckle Lounge 
• Bonnie's Boutique
• Fitness Center - Studio, Whirlpool and Sauna 
• Massage
• Sport Shop
• Games Room

Handcrafted Log Chalet

Heli Village Resort accommodation is some of the finest in the business. Most guests stay in one of 22 handcrafted log chalets located throughout the resort. Whether you choose double or single accommodation (depending on availability and subject to surcharge) each chalet includes all the amenities you need for a perfect vacation. Most Private Ski Package chalets include a helicopter pad outside the door.  Wireless internet access is available in the chalets. 

Safety is our number one priority.

Professional guiding service

Our guides are chosen for their ability to provide you with an exciting and memorable ski vacation while always caring for your safety and comfort. Many senior guides have been with MWHS for more than 20 years.

MWHS guides are fully trained. They all have achieved qualifications with the Canadian Avalanche Association (CAA), Canadian Ski Guide Association (CSGA) or international equivalent, and the Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance (CSIA). Many of our guides have achieved the highest levels of qualifications available. Now, many of our senior guides are  involved in teaching courses in the CSGA or CSIA, gained through a minimum of 10 years guiding. In addition, our guides participate in a comprehensive MWHS 10 day training session prior to the season opening in the implementation of our operational and rescue systems.

Our guides are also your Resort hosts - they meet you on arrival, take you to your accommodations and show you our facilities. Every evening after their detailed guides meeting, they will meet you in the Powder Max Dining Room and the Silver Buckle Lounge for your gourmet dining experience and conversation. Every ski week is an instructional week. Whether you are a first timer or an expert powder skier, your guide is also a qualified ski instructor and will help you improve your technique to increase your powder enjoyment. 

Helicopters

• Bell 212           
• A-Star                      
• Bell 407

Vancouver Island Helicopters (VIH) of Sidney, B.C. has been our exclusive aircraft provider and has more than 50 years of operation. We use a mixed fleet of helicopters that are well-suited to our terrain and allow us to provide the Deluxe, Elite, Private and Semi-Private Packages our guests enjoy.  In our fleet, the Bell 212 serves two guides and nine guests (ten guests in Private Package), the Bell 407 serves one guide and five guests while the Eurocopter A-Star B2 provides service to one guide and four guests.

Pilots & Engeneers

MWHS's highly experienced pilots work with a team of talented engineers to maintain the industry’s highest maintenance and operating standards.

Our pilots have extensive mountain flying experience and take part in biannual training sessions, equating to three weeks, specific to the conditions of our Cariboo and Monashee mountains.

Our heated helicopter hangar allows the team of engineers to ensure that the rigorous maintenance schedules and inspections are always met, regardless of weather conditions.

Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing’s Heli Village and Albreda Lodge offer some of the most convenient and reliable access in the heli skiing industry. Guest fly from Vancouver, Calgary and Seattle to the International Airport in Kamloops and then travel on a well maintained highway to Blue River (214 km to the north) - or fly directly from Vancouver to the local Blue River airstrip. Guests booking Private Packages may choose to allocate helicopter hours to travel from the Kamloops airport.

Travel Options

Guests travel  to Blue River through a combination of air and ground transport from Vancouver, BC; Calgary, AB; or Seattle, WA. Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing waives responsibility for trip cancellation or interruption resulting from any travel option listed.

• Scheduled Aircraft, then Courtesy Shuttle bus (7-day packages only)
• Powder Express Scheduled Aircraft from Vancouver
• Scheduled Aircraft, then Ground Transportation
• Scheduled Aircraft, then Helicopter
• Private Plane into Blue River