Where is Last Frontier and How Do I Get There?

Once-in-a-Lifetime Helicopter Skiing in Canada

Everything great requires sacrifice. In the case of Last Frontier, the greatness is the worlds single largest heli skiing area in the world, the sacrifice is a beautiful journey all the way up to Northern British Columbia, just across the border from Alaska. Sure, it’s a long way up, but being this far North means you will experience massive terrain and event bigger snow, and you will have it all to yourself.

Last Frontier likes to think that the adventure begins as soon as our guests land in Vancouver, BC, to begin the helicopter ski experience of a lifetime. From Vancouver you will take a 1.5-hour flight to the northern hubs of Smithers or Terrace. Finally, you will board a 4-hour ground transfer leading you deep into the Coast and Skeena Mountains — home to Bell 2 Lodge and Ripley Creek.

The Last Frontier helicopter ski area in Northern BC offers 10,100 square km, giving us the largest single heli skiing area in the world. To put that into perspective, it’s about four times the average size of a BC heli ski area. That kind of size means we have an incredible amount of terrain choice and flexibility. An annual bounty of 15 to 25 meters of snowfall coupled with our northern latitude makes for the kind of deep blower pow you can’t get enough of. Combined with over 1,000+ named runs, the longest topping 2,000 vertical meters, and you start to get an idea of the colossal magnitude. It’s not all about numbers, of course. The real draw at Last Frontier is our diverse variety of terrain: high alpine, massive glaciers, sprawling tree runs, and everything in between all ready to be pillaged. The choice is dizzying — and there are still a few peaks to be claimed.

Both Bell 2 Lodge and Ripley Creek offer advanced and challenging terrain both in and out of the trees. Ripley Creek does not have as much easy access to mellow terrain as Bell 2. Based in the Skeena Mountains, Bell 2 is located right in the middle of our terrain so we fly in all directions from the lodge. The closest runs are a short five-minute flight from the lodge, which reduces the amount of time needed to commute.

Based in the Coast Mountains, the terrain at Ripley Creek tends to be a little steeper and more rugged. Sweeping glaciated slopes and longer tree runs will satisfy those itching for just a bit more adventure. Be prepared for a longer commute in the morning and after skiing as the terrain is situated further from our base in Stewart.

There are endless options for heli skiiers and heliboarders at Last Frontier and depending what lodge you stay at you can expect differing terrain options. Guests can explore our complete inventory of GPS mapped runs. If you zoom closely, you can see topographic elevation lines and treeline shading. Both Bell 2 Lodge and Ripley Creek home bases are illustrated, as well as the road that connects the two.

To begin your Northern British Columbia Heli skiing adventure today click here.