Heli-Skiing Options
Two operators, very different days. How to choose between Whistler Heli-Skiing and Phantom
Whistler has two heli-skiing operators and they are not interchangeable. Whistler Heli-Skiing is the long-established Village-based company, running three, four and six run days from a check-in in the Village with larger groups on its entry package. Phantom Heli-Skiing is guide-owned, flies from Squamish and puts four guests and a guide in each helicopter.
Which is right depends on how you ski, how many of you there are and how much of the day you want to spend in the air rather than waiting on a landing. The comparison below sets out what each offers; the pages for each operator go into detail.
How to choose
Start with ability. Whistler Heli-Skiing's Classic Experience is the entry point and the one to book if this is your first heli-day: three runs, a larger helicopter carrying seven to ten guests, and guides used to mixed groups. Its Elite and Ultimate packages step up to four and six runs for experienced powder skiers, with the Ultimate in a smaller aircraft for up to five.
Then think about group size and pace. Phantom runs four guests per helicopter on every package, which means less time waiting at pickups and more vertical per hour, at a higher cost per seat. If you are a group of four strong skiers who want the aircraft to yourselves, Phantom's Private and Six Run days are hard to beat.
Finally, logistics. Whistler Heli-Skiing checks in around 8:15am in the Village with ground transport included. Phantom flies from its Squamish base, twenty-five minutes south, with pickups from Whistler and downtown Vancouver. Both include a certified guide, avalanche transceivers and lunch on the mountain. Confirm the ability level stated for any package directly with the operator before you commit; descriptions vary between resellers.
| Whistler Heli-Skiing | Phantom Heli-Skiing | |
| Packages | Classic Experience (3 runs), Elite Adventure (4 runs), Ultimate Excursion (6 runs) | Six Run, Semi-Private, Private, Downtown Vancouver Private, Heli-Assisted Ski Touring |
| Group size | 7 to 10 on the Classic in a Bell 212; up to 5 on the Ultimate in a Bell 407 | 4 guests and 1 guide per helicopter on every package |
| Vertical | About 4,500 to 7,500 ft on 3 runs, up to 9,000 to 15,000 ft on 6 | Six guaranteed runs on the Six Run day, with extra runs available |
| Ability | Classic suits strong intermediates and up; Elite and Ultimate are for experienced powder skiers | Backcountry terrain of glaciers, bowls, trees and steeps; strong intermediate and above |
| Departure | Check-in about 8:15am in Whistler Village, ground transport included | Squamish base near Black Tusk, 25 minutes from Whistler; pickups from Whistler and downtown Vancouver |
| Included | Guide, transceiver, on-mountain lunch, Village transport | Certified guide, avalanche gear, alpine picnic lunch, pickup transport |
| Best for | First heli-day, mixed-ability groups, Village convenience | Small groups of confident skiers who want the helicopter to themselves |
Read the detail, then book
Each operator has its own page with packages, requirements and a booking link. If you would like us to check dates with both and come back with availability, email us with your group size, ability and preferred day.
Prefer to book through us, or planning for a group? connect@whistlerwired.com
