Resort Guide for Last Frontier Heliski, Canada

Resort Profile

The Bell II lodge, the base for Last Frontier Heliskiing, is located along the Bell Irving River Valley, at an elevation of 1,900 feet (600 meters) above sea level.The ski area extends in all directions from the lodge. Some of the tree skiing runs, used mostly in poorer weather, are only a few minutes away from the lodge. Other runs, in the trees, on glaciers and in alpine bowls, range from nearby to being limited only by the range of the helicopter and the endurance of your legs.

LFH are located in one of the most snow intensive areas of the world. The Skeena Mountain Range, imposing and heavily glaciated, provides a limitless amount of challenging terrain, offering both incredible tree runs as well as majestic scenery second to none.

Snowfall:
The average annual snowfall at 5,200 feet (1600 meters) is approximately 65 - 100 feet (20 - 30 meters). That translates to an average base of 15 - 18 feet (5 - 6 meters).

Our Ski Area:
The ski area is between 1,200 - 8,500 feet (360 - 2600 meters) above sea level. A good majority of the terrain still awaits it's first tracks. There is up to 600 different ski runs within an area of 3,500 square miles (9,000 square kilometers).

Bell II resort was built in the mid seventies, as a service station and to provide accommodation for travellers on their way to the Yukon Territories and Alaska.

In the newly renovated lodge you will find the dining room and games room with pool table and darts board, as well as the attractive new bar. A drying room is provided with individual boot & glove dryers.

If the conditions are unfavorable for skiing, you can strap on a pair of snowshoes and explore the Bell Irving River Valley. With a little luck, you may spot a moose, wolf or other animals that frequent this area during the winter season.

Guests stay in cozy chalets. Each twin room has with two queen beds and private bathroom. After a day of skiing or riding excitement on the slopes, a jacuzzi / hot tub and sauna adjacent to the chalets are ready for your relaxation. A resident masseuse will be on hand to ease away any aches and the bar is open.

The Glaciers and Open Bowls:
Last Frontier Heliskiing offers you glacier and open bowl skiing second to none. The abundance of snow allows us almost endless possibilities to ski / board the challenging terrain within the vast area.

Our open runs are on average between 2,500 - 3,300 vertical feet (750 - 1,000 vertical meters). The longest runs are approximately 5,000 vertical feet. Skiing amongst the majestic peaks of the Skeena Mountains is a truly awe inspiring experience. Finding good powder snow is generally an easily achieved objective given the consistent snowfall.

The Trees:
Trees are for many skiers the most exiting and challenging skiing imaginable. The snow usually is untouched by the wind and stays light and fluffy for a long time. There is nothing more exhilarating than to spend a day skiing the trees with a heavy snowfall, covering your tracks behind you.

Last Frontier Heliskiing offer an abundance of tree runs, many of the runs are close to the lodge and easily accessible in poor weather. The outstanding quality of these runs, insures that the tree skiing will live up to and exceed the expectations of the most demanding skiers.

The guides are always happy to provide pointers on tree skiing techniques in order to make this integral part of Heli-Skiing an enjoyable experience for everyone.

Vertical Footage:
On average LFH guests ski between 10 and 12 runs per day or 30,000 vertical feet (9,200 vertical meters). Per week, guests average 150,000 vertical feet (45,000 vertical meters). On a 'good weather' week one can ski over 200,000 vertical feet (61,000 vertical meters), during a 'poorer weather' week 90,000 vertical feet (28,000 vertical meters) is realistic.

The amount of skiing done is determined mostly by the weather and snow conditions, but also by the desire of each group of skiers.

Safety of guests is the main priority of LFH.

LFH Guides:
The guides have been chosen not only for their guiding skills and certifications, but also for their enthusiastic and outgoing natures. They are professionals who have passed a series of comprehensive examinations to qualify them as members of the A.C.M.G. or U.I.A.G.M., the Canadian and International Mountain Guides Associations. They are continually balancing exciting and challenging skiing with the safety and enjoyment of the entire group.

Snow and Avalanches:
The guides continuously monitor the weather conditions and evaluate the snow stability in an effort to minimize the hazards to our guests. They choose suitable skiing areas based on these evaluations and the groups skiing ability. You must realize, however, that a certain element of risk remains which is impossible to eliminate. TLF, together with other leading heli-skiing operations in British Columbia, sponsor an ongoing avalanche research project in conjunction with the University of Calgary.

In spite of our best efforts, there are risks and hazards associated with Heli-Skiing that you must share with us.

Tree Skiing:
Tree skiing has its own risks associated with deep holes that form around the tree trunks during the course of the winter. Your guide will give you instructions on how to ski in the forest. He will also insist that you ski with a partner who stays close by so that he or she will be able to assist should you fall in one of these tree wells". Not only is this "buddy-system" safer. Helicopters and Pilots: The pilots are chosen with similar qualities in mind as our guides. Not only are they very experienced in mountain flying but they are also professional and outgoing by nature. TLF charter small and powerful A-Star B2 and Bell 407 helicopters which accommodate 5 guests
Emergencies:
Continuous radio contact between the pilots guides and the Lodge enables a fast response in the event of an emergency. The guides carry emergency equipment in their packs
Guests must be aware that the costs for evacuation transportation by helicopter are at their own expense. With the purchase of Helicopter Evacuation Insurance Last Frontier Heliskiing Ltd. provides full coverage for helicopter evacuation from the ski area to Bell II Lodge in case of a personal injury while Heli-Skiing. Please ensure Last Frontier Heliskiing Ltd.
T: 250 558 7980
F: 250 558 7981
1-888-655 5566 (North America Toll Free Reservations)
http://www.lastfrontierheli.com

Resort Statistics

	Resort Height : 550
	Top Station : 2300
	Bottom Station : 400
	Vertical Descent : 1600
	Drag Lifts : 0
	Chair Lifts : 0
	Opens : December - April
	Expert Rating : 10
	Intermediate Rating : 4
	Beginner Rating : 0

Accomodation & Après Ski

Accomodation data not available.