April 2019 Heli Skiing Conditions Report
April is one of the most under-rated months of the year for helicopter skiing in British Columbia. Days extend significantly over the early season and a more settled snowpack allows us to venture into our most adventurous terrain. That combination proved its value once again during the 2019 heliski season. A ridge of high pressure got us venturing into pockets of terrain that have been seldomly skied in recent years.
During the first week of April, we spend the mornings skiing preserved powder on North facing bowls. Then as the days progressed and the solar aspects warmed up in the sun, we enjoyed beautiful corn snow on long alpine descents. Guests racked up almost 59,000 vertical meters at Bell 2 Lodge. At Ripley Creek, we headed for the big glaciers and skied lines that are open perhaps only once a decade. This included the descent of Dinural Peak, offering sustained 45 degree pitches and 1,300m of vertical from peak to valley. It was a unique opportunity to also heli ski in our new lands acquired a few seasons ago just to the South of Stewart. The views of the Portland Canal, which flows into the Pacific Ocean, did not disappoint. Some of our guests even seized the opportunity for a quick swim in the ocean. We look forward to further exploring our Portland Canal heli skiing area in the seasons to come.
As we rolled into the second and final week of operations in April, a storm system caused some down time at both Bell 2 Lodge and Ripley Creek. Guests where kept busy with a wide array of activities and our most indulgent après-ski snacks yet. We where, however, handsomely rewarded with epic spring powder once the skies cleared up. Our guides seized the opportunity by getting out early and staying out late into the afternoon. Some groups managed more than 15 runs in some of our biggest terrain. It was an epic way to finish our 24th heliski season.
Now that you’ve made it this far, be sure to check out our full season recap and don’t forget to get those seats saved for next winter and beyond.
Additional monthly conditions reports as follows: December, January, February & March.
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About Steve Rosset
Steve has been exposed to heli skiing since childhood when his father, George Rosset, founded Last Frontier Heliskiing (and before that TLH Heliskiing). It wasn’t until 2011, however, that he left a career in real estate consulting to join the Last Frontier team. With a deep-seated passion for photography and the outdoors, Steve is on a quest to broadcast Last Frontier Heliskiing to the world. When he’s not planning our next sermon, you’ll find him with his wife Priscillia and son Remy, hiking, biking or skiing, often with a camera in hand.View all posts by Steve Rosset