Home Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Last Frontier Heliskiing located?
Why choose Last Frontier Heliskiing?
Are there price discounts for groups?
Are there incentives to introduce new guests to Last Frontier Heliskiing?
How are the groups chosen?
Are return air transfers included with the heliski package price?
Are skis included in my Last Frontier package?
Do you mix skiers with snowboarders?
Can I bring my snowboard?
Can non-skiers come too?
Can I be reached at the lodge?
When are the best conditions?
How much vertical do you ski / board?
How good to you have to be?
I've never used an avalanche transceiver - is it difficult?
Can I bring my airbag?
What about visitors with special dietary needs?
Is there a somewhat high-speed Internet connection?
Are there professional photography services available?

Q: Where is Last Frontier Heliskiing located?
A: The Last Frontier
Heliskiing area is located 3.5 hours Northwest of Smithers,
British Columbia.
Bell 2 Lodge
is located 220 miles (360 km) Northwest of Smithers, British
Columbia. The small resort of Bell II, situated along
the Stewart - Cassiar Highway, is our home for the winter
season.
Ripley Creek Inn
is located 200 miles (310km) Northwest of Terrace, British
Columbia. The small town of Stewart is situated at the
end of the Portland Canal, opposite of Hyder, Alaska.
This is our second location for heliskiing in our 2.2
million acres of terrain.

Q: Why choose Last Frontier Heliskiing?
A:
Bell 2 Lodge
- small groups of 5 guests per Bell 407 helicopter
- only 3 groups per helicopter
- access to over 9000 km2 of terrain
- convenient transfer program with private charter
or scheduled flights direct from Vancouver
Ripley Creek
- only 2 groups of 9 guests in one Bell 204½
helicopter
- access to over 9000 km2 of terrain
- no frills heliskiing for the more cost conscious
heliskiier
- convenient transfer program with scheduled flights
direct from Vancouver to Terrace

Q: Are there price discounts for groups?
A: Yes. For every 14 seats reserved on the same package, the 15th heliski package is free.

Q: Are
there incentives to introduce new guests to Last Frontier
Heliskiing?
A: Yes. Introduce
your friends to ski/board with Last Frontier and receive
a credit towards your next holiday with us. For every new
skier/ boarder that books a package, receive a credit of
between CAD $400 and CAD $550 depending on your
PowderRewards program status. These amounts can be used
as payment towards any package (final balance) or service
provided by Last Frontier for the following three seasons.

Q: How are the groups chosen?
A: Groups are chosen by weight and ability. We always try to keep groups that are on holiday together, skiing or riding together.

Q: Are
the domestic air transfers included with the heliski package
price?
A: No. Whether
you ski with us from Bell 2 Lodge or the Ripley Creek Inn,
return domestic air transfers are not included with your
heliski package.
Bell 2 Lodge:
Transfer Package includes return private CHARTER flight
direct from Vancouver to Last Frontier Heliskiing and
2 nights accommodations at your choice of two Fairmont
Hotels (Airport or the Waterfront).
Ripley Creek Inn:
Last Frontier Heliskiing can arrange your return domestic
air transfers. Price are listed on our prices page.

Q: Are skis included with my Last Frontier Heliskiing package?
A: Yes. We have a few choices for you - with our latest fleet being the Rossignol B3's. Your skis will be adjusted and maintained by our ski tech staff.

Q: Do you mix skiers with snowboarders?
A: Yes, we mix groups. If there are problems with group chemistry, the guide will make the necessary changes, but we generally find that whether on one plank or two, everyone gets along and enjoys their turns.

Q: Can I bring my snowboard?
A: Yes, you will need to bring your own snowboard. We do not have any rental boards at the lodge. Please ensure that you have any extra pieces or parts for your board that will come in handy in the event of breakage.

Q: Can non-skiers come too?
A: Yes. If they are happy relaxing in a remote mountainous setting, they can enjoy the visit. Non-skiers are accommodated based on availability at either location.

Q: Can I be reached at lodges?
A: Yes, whether you ski/ ride with us at Bell 2 Lodge or from Ripley Creek, personal telephone calls are possible. Every room at both locations has its own telephone. In addition, there is access to a fax machine.
Last Frontier Heliskiing at Bell 2 Lodge
Tel: +1 604-639-8455
Fax: +1 604-639-8456
Last Frontier Heliskiing at Ripley Creek Inn
Tel: +1 250-636-2344
Fax: +1 250-636-2633

Q: When are the best conditions?
A: That is the million dollar question. The weather is slightly different every year and dreamlike skiing/boarding conditions can be requested but not guaranteed. Since we began operations in 1996 we have had the full range of conditions, but one of the main reasons guests return year after year to us is the deep and reliable snowpack that we receive in the Skeena Mountains.
December, January and the beginning of February are typically slightly colder and the days shorter than later in the season. If you have yet to heliski during the early season, consider it a must. As temps remain cooler at this time of year, conditions at lower elevations provide us with excellent tree skiing in poorer weather conditions.
Mid-February through the mid-March has historically been the most popular time for heli-skiing and generally should be booked around 12 months in advance to secure your space. Days become longer, the weather tends to stabilize still with regular snow storms passing through from the west.
Late March and April offers skiing and particularly boarding conditions which have always been under-rated. Leave your golf clubs locked away, grab your skis or your board and experience long days, big vertical AND still be skiing powder. The conditions from day to day in April tend to change a lot faster.

Q: How much vertical do you ski/board?
A:We only charge
you for the vertical that you choose to board. Here is
what you can expect on any given week (3
day and 4 day Ripley Creek exclusive):
Vertical
Feet |
Tour
Length |
Average |
Guarantee |
If you're lucky! |
3
day |
56,000 |
43,000 |
75,000 |
4
day |
75,000 |
57,500 |
100,000 |
7 day |
140,000 |
100,000 |
180,000 |
Vertical
Meters |
Tour
Length |
Average |
Guarantee |
If you're lucky! |
3
day |
17,069 |
13,100 |
22,860 |
4
day |
22,860 |
17,500 |
30,500 |
7 day |
42,672 |
30,500 |
54,864 |
The amount of vertical is determined by several factors:
- ability of our guests and the amount they desire
to ski/board
- weather and snow conditions
- available daylight hours

Q: How good do I have to be?
A: Heliskiing and/or heliboarding is not for novices - there we said it!
As much as we would like everyone to have the chance to visit our heliski operations, we want to make sure that all our guests equally enjoy their experience. Conditions and terrain can vary widely, from wide-open alpine bowls and glaciers with moderate pitches to steep and narrow tree skiing. Snow conditions can range from chest-deep powder to wind-pressed crust. Our internationally certified guides do their best to find the optimal conditions, but any type of conditions can be expected at any time throughout the heliski season. There isn't a 'guaranteed good week'.
Guests must therefore be both capable and experienced in handling a mixture of conditions, whether they are on one plank or two.
- You should have considerable skiing and/or riding experience in a conventional resort setting.
- Your run choices are predominantly blue/ black and you ski them with confidence in almost any conditions (flat light with dust on crust to give an extreme example!).
- Your skiing/boarding ability has improved year after year and you are capable of multi-day trips.
- You may not have the style of a professional but you have the confidence to keep up with friends and you know when you are making some 'good turns'.
- Skiers should be able to make parallel turns with confidence and if the situation arises, you can; side-slip, step-up sideways, traverse and make kick turns. Snowboarders need to have good pressure and edging skills.
- You may not have tons of powder skiing experience but you can maintain control in backcountry conditions.

Q: I've never used an avalanche transceiver - is it difficult?
A: All guests visiting Last Frontier will be trained to use the Mammut BarryVox Transceiver. It is a modern avalanche rescue transceiver with dual frequency functionality. Simple one touch button operation is intuitive and easy to use - even for the uninitiated.

Q: Can I bring my airbag?
A: Guest are welcome to use the ABS airbag system. Other systems are not permitted. You will be required to remove them from your person before entering the helicopter and store them in the helicopter as per the guides instructions.

Q: What about visitors with special dietary needs?
A: Please let us know about any special dietary needs prior to your heliski trip with us. If we do not know ahead of time, we cannot adequately prepare. Please contact us at: info[at]lastfrontierheli.com.

Q: Is there a somewhat high-speed Internet connection?
A: Yes. There is a medium-speed connection. Despite our best efforts to convince clients that they will enjoy their holiday more without connecting to the net, some guests do need this service. CAT5 cable at Bell2 Lodge, wireless connection at Ripley Creek (charges apply).

Q: Are there professional photography services available?
A: No. Due to the lack of available seats we do not offer this service. However, guides are able to help out with photo/ video filming when possible.
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