Eagle Pass Heli Skiing review

Eagle Pass heli ski groups are typically groups of 4 plus a guide, sharing an A-Star helicopter, alternating runs with another group or two, or a total of four at most. Translation: more space, more snow, less waiting, and more attentive service from your alpine guide and limo driver - the helicopter pilot who provides your scenic exciting trips back up to the top of these inviting snow loaded peaks. 

If you've ever heli-skied with a big outfit and a big chopper, you know there can be waiting for your ride between runs, and waiting for the least experienced skier in your pack. With only four in your group this is less likely to happen, unfortunately, this is no guarantee to quality pairings, as we got paired with two Germans who did not know how to ski trees and couldn't keep up. Eagle Pass can cater your ski day to your group, and the pilot has greater flexibility in the choice of landings and pick-ups - so you can go where the best snow is in their Monashee mountain tenure. 

Eagle Pass heli skiing is a convenient add on to your Revelstoke ski vacation since their downtown base is just a four miles from Revelstoke Mountain Resort. Eagle Pass operates its day heli ski operation from the inauspicious Powder Springs Lodge in downtown Revelstoke, home to the popular local's bar Last Drop Bar – where you will likely enjoy après ski with your heli group and guide over a pitcher of Canadian beer and nachos. In the morning you meet here for your heli ski safety briefing, powder ski fitting, and suit up with avalanche backpacks, transceivers, and radios, before boarding a van to ride to the heli plex hanger for search and rescue training then finally - take off. The ski terrain in the Monashees ranges from high alpine open bowls to steeper chutes and snowfields, to trees – well spaced glades to tight powder filled trees. Some runs are long, others are shorter depending on your group's stamina and the conditions of the day. Unfortunately, it had not snowed in a few weeks when we visited so our runs were shorter as the guide worked hard to find us some untracked. As with any heli ski operation skiers, you should be able to ski it all with competence and stamina. Lunch is in the great outdoors, some snowy spot by the helicopter with your comrades for the day.

A day heli-skiing with Eagle Pass is typically $1,200 including your certified guiding, your helicopter safety and avalanche training, safety equipment (beacon, shovel, Float 22 airbag, personal radio and probe), a 6-8 run guarantee, of vertical skiing, and a picnic lunch in the mountains plus après ski back at the lodge. Eagle Pass overnight heli ski operation has a beautiful lodge and goes to even better ski terrain.

Eagle Pass has been featured in Sherpa Films ski movie, "Into the Mind." Their guides are young and bold and relaxed, and like the terrain you will be skiing - un-groomed. The modern A star helicopters are cool, and a day heli skiing with them is an exciting add on to your ski vacation at Revelstoke.  See our review of nearby Monashee Powder Snowcats for the best snow cat skiing operation - offering 3 and 4 night cat skiing trips.