“Revelstoke is the heli-skiing capital of the world”
– The New York Times
The name truly says it all… Revel (A verb: meaning, to take great pleasure) + Stoke (a verb: meaning, to feel real excitement) = Revelstoke.
For decades, helicopter and cat skiers from around the world have flocked to Revelstoke, BC, attracted by its perfect powder, varied alpine terrain and quaint mountain community.
Snowminds now offers you a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit Revelstoke. What better place to spice up your season as a ski or snowboard instructor in Canada, than with a trip to the most vertical terrain in North America with all your old and new Snowminds friends?
"It was a huge rush of adrenaline. Normal skiing will never quite be the same again!"
- Martin, Snowminds
Dan Stewart, @danielstewart_photo, Daniel Stewart Photography
The Snowminds Revelstoke Event
The Snowminds Revelstoke event gives you a chance to experience what freeriding is really about. Get ready to improve and run through an unlimited amount of pristine powder. You will join a group of people looking to leave the slopes and find their own route.
When you arrive at Revelstoke, you will be accommodated at The Sandman Hotel, which has spa facilities which are a perfect place to relax after a long day in North America’s famous powder. On the day of arrival, there will be a welcome dinner with everyone attending the camp so you can be well introduced to the other participants.
There you have two days of Freeride training, focusing on improving your freeride skiing technique and 1 day of Heli-skiing in your program to look forward to.
The highlight of the camp is a full day in the helicopter on heli-skiing in the Selkirk mountains. One day we can guarantee that you will never forget and that will be an absolute highlight of your trip to Canada.
Dan Stewart, @danielstewart_photo, Daniel Stewart Photography
Travel Program
Our Teamleaders will be supporting you throughout the entire camp, helping you get the most out of your experience and fully enjoy the whole trip. Just bring your inner freerider and a bunch of good vibes to enjoy the trip with new and old Snowminds friends.
Travel periods:
- 25.3 – 29.3. 2024 (In total 5 days)
What’s included:
- 4 nights at the Sandman Hotel Revelstoke*
- 2 days of freeride training with Revelstoke freeride instructors
- 2-day lift ticket for the Revelstoke Mountain Resort
- 1 day of heli skiing with 5 lifts, catering and ski rental
- Welcome dinner and farewell party with all the Snowminders
- Half-a-million acres of terrain (Piste and off-piste)
- 400 named runs with unlimited landings and pick-ups
- The opportunity to experience a new level of freeride skiing
- A Snowminds Team Leader on the whole trip
The trip does NOT include:
- Transport (most instructors team together from different resorts to enjoy a road trip on the way to and from Revelstoke. Shuttle bus is a good option to the resort and carpool/taxi to Helipad on Heli-day)
- Meals other than those mentioned above
- Everything else not listed above in “What’s Included”
*Here, you will be staying in a hotel room, along with 3 other Snowminds instructors, and sharing a double/queen bed. Each room has two double/queen size beds in. Room upgrades are possible with additional payment based on availability
Dan Stewart, @danielstewart_photo, Daniel Stewart Photography
Heliskiing with Selkirk Tangiers
Think big. No, bigger. Bigger than that, even. There are 3120 acres of terrain in the backyard, and even Selkirk Tangiers haven’t skied through it all. After several trips to Canada, we know very well what every freeride skier dreams of…
We are really proud of offering heliskiing in collaboration with Selkirk Tangiers, who’ll pick the best slopes possible based on weather conditions and avalanche safety, ensuring you get the run of a lifetime.
The 1 Day Adventure with Selkirk Tangiers includes
- 5 Runs
- Full buffet breakfast, gourmet mountain lunch and après ski snacks
- High-performance powder ski or snowboard rental
- Barryvox Pulse transceiver and related safety equipment
- Backcountry safety briefing
- ACMG / IFMGA guiding service
The full program can be seen in the FAQ.
Please note: This event is not included in the Level 1 ski instructor Revelstoke program, but is an additional addon for the Snowminders who are interested.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
We have gone above and beyond to arrange the perfect trip to Revelstoke.
Below we have collected some of the frequently asked questions. Should you have a question that is not stated below, then feel free to call a friend in the Snowminds office.
What's the program for Heli-skiing?
Since 2007, Revelstoke has offered the most vertical terrain in North America at 1,713 metres (5,620 ft) of lift-accessed area, 3,121 acres of fall line skiing, 4 high alpine bowls, and 69 named runs and areas, including legendary glades and phenomenal groomers.
The single-day package runs at a more rigorous pace allowing more advanced riders to maximize their vertical for a big day on the slopes.
The program uses the Bell 205 helicopter which accommodates up to 10 guests plus 2 guides. One helicopter serves only two groups for this package, meaning less waiting and more shredding!
A typical daily program with Selkirk Tangiers:
7:00 am:
Register, weigh-in and receive your transceiver with a Day Heli or Guest Services Agent in the retail shop. If using our demo skis/board, bring one boot so our ski technicians can adjust the bindings.
Avalanche Airbag rentals: (Optional) Guests wishing to rent an avalanche airbag backpack may do so in the retail shop. A rental form is required and an instructional briefing will be provided.
6.30 am – 7.45 am:
Enjoy your breakfast in the Dining Room on the main floor of the hotel.
8:00 am
Be ready to ski with your ski/board boots on. If using STHS demos, choose a set of ski poles from the boot room as you make your way to your designated shuttle van. Your demo skis/ boards
will ready be in the racks outside, beside the vans.
8:45 am
Your guide will lead you through a backcountry safety briefing before meeting the helicopter for an orientation of the machine. Once the training is complete your group will either load the helicopter directly or you will be transported by van to a staging area for pickup.
10:00 am
Lift for first runs, then enjoy your café catered lunch in the mountains.
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Return to the Hillcrest Hotel for après-ski snacks and beverages.
How is freeskiing in Revelstoke?
Freeskiing in Revelstoke
Since we’re staying in Revelstoke for 4 days, we will have 2 days of freeride (Lift card included), in which you can do whatever you want.
The reason why we’re doing these courses is, of course, to experience Revelstoke, but just as much because we know how much fun all of our instructors have, when meeting each other and talk about their different season experiences.
Revelstoke offers a lot of great trails and experiences, also besides heli-skiing.
The longest run is ‘The Last Spike’, which is 15.2 km/9.5 miles long. Only 12% of the terrain is for beginners, with the rest being 43% intermediate and 45% advanced. And if the heli-skiing wasn’t enough, they also offer cat skiing.
Where are we staying?
We are staying at Sandman Hotel Revelstoke, which is located just a shuttle ride from the Monashee and Selkirk mountain ranges.
The hotel also offers cosy beds, indoor pools and hot tubs which is perfect after long days with freeride skiing.
Address
Sandman Hotel Revelstoke
1901 Laforme Blvd, Revelstoke, BC V0E 2S0, Canada
Who are the guides?
Selkirk Tangiers is an amazing team of extremely passionate mountain people, many of whom have worked there for 10+ years.
They promote and foster a friendly working environment where the staff is looking to contribute to unforgettable guest experiences.
You will have 1 or 2 guides leading you through the entire experience.
Your guide will lead you through a backcountry safety briefing before meeting the helicopter for an orientation of the machine. Once the training is complete your group will either load the helicopter directly or you will be transported by van to a staging area for pickup.
What gear do I need to bring and is experience necessary?
We kindly advise you to bring all your ski- and offpiste gear for the days beside the heli-trip day.
During the heli-trip day, you will have the possibility to rent a pair of high-performance powder ski/snowboard.
It’s necessary for you to be a Snowminds Instructor to attend the Revelstoke Selkirk Tangiers heli-skiing event, which means you’ll have had plenty of experience to attend the event.
There are no skill requirements as the Selkirk Tangiers will adjust the skiing to the people attending the event.
Price
Heli skiing and freeride event in Revelstoke
23/24: €2.265
Revelstoke
March