Robb Report Describes Bighorn as “A Heli-skiers Haven”

Robb Report Bighorn Coverage

The Robb Report is the definitive guide to global luxury. This month’s issue describes Bighorn as “A heli-skier’s haven raising the bar”. The author goes on to explain how the Bighorn concept excels in providing unbeatable access to the world’s best heliskiing.

“We landed atop one peak and shuffled out of the helicopter, which soon took off in a flurry of powder. Then in the quiet, with heavenlike views all around, we started down our first run. At the bottom I checked my watch: less than an hour earlier I was still in bed.” 

Bespoke private heli skiing is backed up by North America’s best chalet accommodation. The author praises the award-winning chef’s delicious cuisine and the sumptuous facilities including spa, outdoor hot tub and movie theatre  that allow guests to completely relax after an incredible day’s skiing.

Read the full article here

Dream heli skiing from Bighorn

The Most Luxurious Heliski Lodge in the World

Last week the definitive guide to the most exclusive and indulgent chalets in the world was launched. The Luxury Chalet Collection has named Bighorn as one of the top 20 properties in the world.

The gourmet cuisine and stunning design, coupled with exceptional feedback from guests, were factors in selecting Bighorn to be part of the collection. With first class facilities such as a movie theatre, games room, indoor pool, giant outdoor hot tub, spa and cocktail bar, Bighorn truly is the ultimate ski pad. Offering dedicated service from a team including an award-winning chef and expert housekeeping staff, guests can relax in the lap of luxury.

The private helipad at Bighorn really sets it apart from the competition, providing guests with a unique opportunity. Offering both heliskiing and exciting resort skiing at Revelstoke Mountain Resort, guests have access to the best snow, terrain and scenery anywhere in the world.

The Luxury Chalet Collection featuring Bighorn

 

Bighorn in Tatler

Bighorn in this month's Tatler

 

Bighorn features in this month’s Tatler magazine. Given that Tatler is the guide to glamour and high society, we wanted to share their thoughts.

The Wild Ones reviews the ultimate ‘grown up cribs’ for house parties. Describing Bighorn as “the king of heli lodges”, the property wins praise for “the most awesome heli-ski terrain” and “some of the best lift-accessed skiing in North America”. Many of the outstanding facilities got a mention including the “terrifically grown up dining room” and “super-charged teppanyaki grill” as well as our indoor pool, home cinema and “vast games room”.

In summary Tatler says “Come here to ski hard and play hard”. We couldn’t agree more.

view the full article

The Best New Ski Gear for Winter 2012/13

Testing the latest ski equipment in RevelstokeEach year, we look out for the big new product launches and we’re already itching to see how the latest ski products perform on the slopes. Admittedly we still have a few months to wait, but we wanted to share the insider’s guide to what will be causing a stir on the slopes next season.

1) Salomon BBR Skis

Salomon launched the BBR ski last year. With it’s novel V-shape and surf-led design it got noticed, but there were plenty of skeptics out there. If this new shape was so great, why hadn’t it been done before? It seems the haters were proved wrong as reports of amazing flotation and a great turning radius justified the radical design. Next year Salomon are expanding the BBR range to a total of 6 skis, for a full spectrum of abilities. With Revelstoke’s deep powder and awesome backcountry terrain, we’ll be skiing on the BBR 10.0, the biggest ski for advanced skiers who want the most fun. Salomon says it “uses the versatility of the V-shape and a metal backbone reinforcement to give expert skiers a single ski to tackle everything in the resort and far beyond the boundries”.

2) Zeal Optics ION Goggles

This revolutionary goggle, new for 2013, has an in-built camera and video technology. It shoots 10 megapixel photos and HD video, with an in-goggle viewfinder. No more annoying helmet mounts or missed shots. Plus it looks good and blends technology with style and function – it has a 170 degree lens for optimum visibility. We can’t wait to film our first run through the pow in Revelstoke!

3) Noronna Recon

As massive fans of Noronna’s ski jackets, pants and onesies, we are excited to see their latest offering. Blending technical excellence with fashionable colors and styles, this is perfect heliski wear that also looks cool in resort. For next season, channel your military side with the new Recon jacket and pants. Developed with Norwegian, Swedish and Danish Special Forces, it is Noronna’s most durable and weatherproof offering, suitable for all outdoor activities.

 

Heliski Safety

Helicopter safetyHeliskiing is perceived as a risky activity, although it actually has some safety advantages over resort skiing given that most ski accidents are caused by collisions on crowded pistes. It should be accepted that there are dangers however, but following a few simple precautions can prevent accidents and ensure the safety of your group.

1) Ski with a partner

Keep an eye out for your buddy and make sure you are aware of where they are skiing. If you are following each other, ski near each other’s tracks and call out for each other when skiing trees. Revelstoke is famed for its incredible tree skiing, but be aware of tree wells – deep holes next to the snow shadow of the trunk. If you fall down a tree well you’ll need your partner close by to pull you out.

2) Listen to your guide

It may sound obvious, but make sure your brain is in gear and you are listening to what your guide says. Your safety is their number one priority, so you should always heed their instructions. Often they will tell you to ski to the left or right of their tracks, this will be to avoid a hazard. Always stop above your guide – they may have stopped for good reason; above a crevasse, cornice or to asses snow pack. If they tell you to ski a pitch one at a time, then there is good reason for being cautious.

3) Helicopter safety

You will receive a helicopter safety briefing before your flight, but it pays to fix some key precautions in your mind before you fly:

Approach the helicopter from the pilot’s side and walk rather than ski up to it.

Never walk around the back of the helicopter, the tail blades are dangerous.

Look up and be aware of the rotor blades – drag skis, don’t carry them on your shoulder.

Once in the cabin wear your seat belt and do not distract the pilot or touch any controls.

At the drop-off secure goggles, gloves and backpacks before the heli takes off – if they blow away don’t chase them.

4) Safety equipment

The heliski operators at Bighorn will equip guests with avalanche rescue equipment including a shovel, probe, transceiver and group radio. You’ll receive full training on how to use the equipment, firstly via a safety video screened in the Bighorn cinema room and then by practicing rescue scenarios on the snowy slopes around the lodge.

5) Respect the terrain

Conditions in the mountains change quickly, so ski with respect for Mother Nature. Your guide will give you advice on how and where to ski, but use your common sense – don’t go over an edge if you don’t know what is on the other side, look ahead and plan where you want to ski.

If you ski with respect for the mountains and your guide, heliskiing is perhaps the most rewarding adventure you’ll ever have. Find out more about the ultimate thrill here.

 

 

 

6 Things to Think About When Going Heliskiing

 

Dream helsikiing in British Columbia

 

1) Destination

Revelstoke in Canada is hard to beat as an all-round heli ski destination. It has a consistently good snow record and light powder snow that is amazing (and fun) to ski.  The terrain is vast and varied – a mixture of high glacial bowls and the world’s best tree skiing. There are several heliski operators including Selkirk Tangiers, CMH and Eagle Pass, each with their own tenure and ski style. The key here is flexibility – you can heliski for one day or one week and there is a world-class resort as back up in case the helicopter can’t fly in bad weather. Revelstoke Mountain Resort also offers fantastic backcountry skiing, cat skiing, ski touring and even dog sledding and paragliding. Alaska may have the best steep skiing, but for all-round adventure BC is your best bet.

2) Best Time of Year

Traditionally, the heliski season in Canada runs from January to March, with February being the most popular month. For those that want sun and more temperate climes March is the best month and for guaranteed fresh tracks, the biggest dumps of snow come in December and January.

3) The Right Equipment

Most heliski operators will include rental of powder skis with your heli ski experience. These skis are wider and aid flotation over deep snow. Layers of clothing work well as you heat up whilst skiing and cool down whilst resting. The experts at Bighorn in Revelstoke recommend a merino wool base layer, down mid-layer and a shell jacket. A spare pair of gloves, goggles with interchangeable lenses and boot warmers are also useful recommendations for skiing in deep snow.

4) Safety

Make sure that your chosen heliski operator uses guides that are fully qualified by a recognised association such as the ACMG or IFMGA. You should receive a full safety briefing and avalanche training before heliskiing, including a rescue simulation to practice using equipment such as transceiver, shovel and probe. Wearing an ABS airbag backpack is another precautionary measure that can be taken and most heliski operators rent these out for a small fee.

5) Helicopter

You can heliski either from a Bell 205 or A Star helicopter. The Bell accommodates 10 skiers plus guides and the A Star takes 4 plus guide. The ultimate heli ski experience is achieved by chartering a private helicopter for your group. This allows you to maximize the amount of skiing you do: a totally bespoke experience tailored to your group’s needs and wishes. Guests at Bighorn in Revelstoke can even fly direct from their private helipad. A private charter comes at a price however, so there are more economical options for shared groups that fly in a Bell and offer the same wilderness ski experience.

6) Accommodation

There are types of accommodation to consider: self-catering apartments, hotels or a private full-service ski lodge. Apartments are the best budget option, whereas hotels offer greater amenities and meal options. For groups, a private lodge is a superb option with Bighorn Revelstoke offering meals prepared by an executive chef, a private helipad and luxury spa facilities. Think about proximity to the ski area, the type of facilities your group needs and the range of activities that are accessible in case of bad weather.

 

 

5 Sensational Tips for Skiing Trees Like a Pro

The world's best tree skiing in Revelstoke

Revelstoke has the world’s best tree skiing. A mixture of tree species, the right amount of snowfall and the lightness of the snow create a powder playground like no other. The old-growth forests that Selkirk Tangiers have in their heli ski tenure are carefully tended so trees are nicely spaced (this is known as ‘glading’). Skiers therefore have exciting lines through the trees and plenty of space to turn. Seasoned heliskiers will argue that whizzing through trees and popping off tree stumps covered in snow pillows rivals high altitude glacier skiing any day. Check out Swedish freestyler Johann Persson ripping through the trees in Revelstoke here

At first tree skiing can be a bit daunting – the thought of skiing into a tree can put you off your stride! Here are our top 5 tips for techniques to ski trees like a pro:

1)   Ski the gaps. Look at the white stuff and focus on where you want to ski, not what to avoid. It may sound like common sense, but too may people get preoccupied with looking at trees, which affects their flow of movement.

2)   Plan your turns and look ahead. Look through the trees and plan 2 turns in advance. This will help you connect your turns and prevent a turn-stop pattern that zaps your energy.

3)   Stay on your feet – by this we mean keep your balance centered above your feet and don’t lean too far back. You might be in deep snow, but your skis will float without you leaning backwards and throwing yourself off balance.

4)   Keep your arms in front of you. Not only will this improve your balance and put you in a reactionary position, but also you can brush any small branches out of the way.

5)   Take your pole straps off. In the unfortunate case that you take a tumble this will prevent you injuring your wrists and shoulders.

Have fun with it. One of Bighorn’s guests said they could never lose their friends when skiing the trees because of the noisy whoops of joy! We can arrange for you to enjoy a day’s coaching in the trees at Revelstoke Mountain Resort with a top instructor to get you ready to heliski the best tree terrain on Earth. Plus, on a down day when the heli can’t fly, world class tree skiing is always accessible from Bighorn.

 

Heliskiing vs Lift Skiing in Revelstoke

Powder snow and exciting terrain in Revelstoke

Everyone knows that heliskiing is the ultimate skiing experience , but how much better is heli-skiing than lift skiing in Revelstoke? If you can’t decide, we weigh up 5 key considerations below.

Snow

  • The heliski terrain surrounding Revelstoke gets an average of 40-60ft of snow per year, whereas Revelstoke Mountain Resort (RMR) gets 30-45ft.
  • Heliskiing offers 100% fresh, untouched snow so you will ski virgin powder all day long.  It is unbeatable in this respect.
  • However the lifts at RMR do give you access to some amazing powder bowls and gladed tree skiing, with fantastic conditions. Of course you won’t have exclusive access to the terrain, but RMR is wonderfully uncrowded so the fresh stuff doesn’t get skied out as quickly as in other resorts.

Terrain

  • Selkirk Tangiers Heliskiing has access to 500,000 acres of heliski terrain with over 200 known runs through wide-open glaciers, alpine meadows and the world’s best tree skiing. The size and variety of the terrain speaks for itself.
  • RMR has 3121 acres of terrain with 56 runs through high alpine powder bowls, gladed trees and groomed terrain. The resort offers a superb range of terrain for advanced skiers prompting the Telegraph to describe it as “the world’s best skiing”.

Accessibility

  • Heliskiing from Bighorn couldn’t be easier as the private helipad at the house means you are just steps away from accessing some of the world’s best heliskiing. You can be at the top of a wilderness peak in a matter of minutes.
  • RMR is just a 1-minute drive away in the Bighorn vehicle and the high-speed lifts mean you’ll be at the top in no time. Not quite as fast as in a helicopter, but faster than most other resorts.

Vertical

  • Heli ski runs range from 500-2200 vertical metres, giving you what feels like an endless descent on powder snow.
  • Revelstoke Mountain Resort has North America’s highest vertical descent at 1713 metres, making for an incredibly long run by resort standards.

Value for money

  • To talk in general figures, lift passes cost $74 per day and heli skiing starts from $797 per day. The additional cost of heliskiing affords you the thrill of flying by helicopter, wilderness terrain, access to the best snow and the fastest lift for maximum vertical.
  • Revelstoke Mountain Resort offers a superb alternative with high speed lifts, relatively quiet slopes, exciting terrain and an impressive vertical descent.

In summary, heli skiing is unbeatable, but Revelstoke Mountain Resort also excels on all counts. As a back-up option for down days when the helicopter can’t fly it is superb and means you are guaranteed world-class skiing every day of your trip. The terrain in particular is exciting, varied and uncrowded, making it the perfect complement to the heliski terrain for adventurous skiers. Thankfully, guests at Bighorn get access to both heli and lift skiing allowing them to enjoy both from one base.

Heliskiing Top 5 FAQ’s

Dream Heliskiing in Revelstoke

 

1) Is heli skiing only for expert skiers?

People go heli skiing to experience pristine powder snow in stunning wilderness locations. It is a back country experience and there are no groomed runs. Whilst a heli skier needs to be proficient in deep snow, the sport is by no means the reserve of the expert skier. The type of terrain skied will typically not be too challenging and at Bighorn we can ensure that your guide caters for your ability and wishes.

 2) Where is the best place to heli ski?

Revelstoke, British Columbia is the birthplace of heli skiing. This is due to the excellent annual snowfall and vast expanse of varied terrain. There are over 1 million acres of heliski terrain accessible from Revelstoke and the presence of a world-class lift-accessed ski hill gives the ultimate in flexibility regarding options for your ski week.

3) What are the costs associated with heli skiing?

When compared to traditional lift accessed skiing, heli skiing is an expensive sport. However, the experience is mind blowing. Skiing untouched powder snow and exhilirating terrain that is inaccessible to any other method of transport more than justifies the cost.

4) What is the best way to try heli skiing?

A good starting point is to book a single day heli ski experience. Revelstoke Mountain Resort run a classic package which is an excellent starting point for the heli ski novice. Ideally, if the day can be booked for the middle of your ski week then it gives you a chance to warm up on the mountain (and also to book another heli ski day later in the week!).

 5) Do I need to be fit to go heli skiing?

While you do not need to be an athlete to heli ski it is a simple fact that the better condition you are in, the more you will enjoy the experience. You can always soak aching muscles in the outdoor hot tub at Bighorn.