Special Feature
“Imagine an area twenty five times the size of Les Trois Vallees in France or sixty nine times the size of all Colorado’s ski resorts. Now imagine bowl after endless bowl, steep lines through the trees and endless glacial expanses blanketed under an average annual snowfall of twenty five metres...” Bell 2 Lodge, the home of Last Frontier Heliskiing, is located in the Skeena Mountains about 220 miles Northwest of Smithers, British Columbia. As the crow flies, it is only 40 miles from Southeast Alaska and 200 miles from the Yukon. With a massive 3,500 square miles of ski-able terrain, it is Canada’s largest single heli skiing area...and even after 17 years of operation, only a fraction of the area has been explored.
Delightful new log cabins surround the main Bell 2 Lodge. Each room has two queen-sized beds, private bathroom, and wood burning stove. Between the main lodge and surrounding cabins there is a large sauna and open-air Jacuzzi, which make a nice stop after a day of heli skiing in the Skeena Mountains. Always on hand is the resident masseuse to ease those aching muscles. In the main lodge you will find a dining room, bar & lounge area.
The Best Heli Ski-ing in the World?
Helicopters & Safety
Last Frontier Heliskiing’s tenure is reserved exclusively for a maximum of thirty heli-skiers per week who are split into groups of a maximum of five to explore this vast expanse of wilderness on the frontier with Alaska. Imagine an area twenty five times the size of Les Trois Vallees in France or sixty nine times the size of all Colorado’s ski resorts. Now imagine bowl after endless bowl, steep lines through the trees and endless glacial expanses blanketed under an average annual snowfall of twenty five metres... that’s right, twenty five metres. Prepare to be spoilt!
Two A-Star 350 B2 or Bell 407 helicopters are used at Last Frontier Heliskiing to service guests. The helicopters are immaculately maintained by a team of on-site mechanics; and are flown by highly experienced mountain pilots. Safety standards at Last Frontier are exemplary. Without exception, all heli ski guides are seasoned professionals who have passed a series of comprehensive exams to qualify them as members of the A.C.M.G and the U.I.A.G.M. The guides continuously monitor the weather and snow stability in an effort to balance maximum time skiing.
When the likes of pro skiers Seth Morrison and Tanner Hall are heading here with movie makers, there must be a good reason. Last Frontier Heliskiing has some of the most varied heli ski terrain in Canada. Some heli ski operations may emphasize tree skiing or glade skiing, but Last Frontier has it all; and at the highest quality - glaciers that stretch forever, wide open bowls and well-spaced trees.
You don’t have to be a stunt skier to go heli skiing, but it’s certainly not for beginners and possibly not for many intermediates unless you are very strong. You need to be capable of coping with a variety of snow conditions including waist deep powder, dust on crust, wind-affected snow, and have the ability to manoeuvre around trees. The level of proficiency for resort skiing on groomed runs is very different to that required for off-piste conditions. Allow us to put together your perfect bespoke ski holiday at www.skibespoke.com
30 | www.financial-spread-betting.com | February 2013