Home Brochure Heliskiing
Runs start high on alpine glaciers and end well below tree line, deep in the valley bottoms. The glaciers and alpine bowls of our tenure seem to go on forever. Rip turns through deep blankets of powder surrounded by jagged and awe inspiring peaks. The treed-terrain is challenging and the deep snow lies protected from the elements amongst the spectacular old growth forests. We have an abundance of tree runs, many of them close to the lodge and easily accessible in poor weather.
Vertical Footage
We only charge you for the vertical that you choose to ski.
Here is what you can expect on any given tour (3
day and 4 day trips - Ripley Creek only):
Vertical
Feet |
Tour
Length |
Average |
Guarantee |
If you're lucky! |
3
day |
56,000 |
43,000 |
75,000 |
4
day |
75,000 |
57,500 |
100,000 |
7 day |
140,000 |
100,000 |
180,000 |
Vertical
Meters |
Tour
Length |
Average |
Guarantee |
If you're lucky! |
3
day |
17,069 |
13,100 |
22,860 |
4
day |
22,860 |
17,500 |
30,500 |
7 day |
42,672 |
30,500 |
54,864 |
The amount of skiing is determined by several factors:
ability and desire to ski
weather and snow conditions
available daylight hours
Please Note: Our
heliski program generally ends at noon on Fridays. We
will do our best to meet guests desires to ski more
if possible, however, most Fridays we will finish at
noon.
Is Unlimited Vertical Footage really a better
deal? We think not.
While we acknowledge that the standard method of charging
customers for vertical footage in the heliski sector may
not appear to be the most straightforward, we firmly believe
that it is not only the best deal for the customer but
also the fairest.
The base concept for operating on a 'guaranteed vertical
system' is in fact a simple one. The operator charges
the customer a certain amount for a specific product /
package which includes a number of pre-defined items.
Both parties entering into the agreement are aware of
what they are signing up for. The operator offers a 100%
guarantee that should the customer not be able to ski
/ board the amount of vertical which is included in their
trip, they are to be refunded. Should the customer choose
to ski more, additional vertical charges will be made.
The rate for extra vertical is the same as the rate for
refunded vertical.
While weather and snow conditions are generally good
for heliskiing, they can vary significantly. A guaranteed
vertical footage system allows for those variables to
be accounted for in an unbiased way. If the decision is
made by the client to ski / board above the guarantee
because they want to enjoy fantastic conditions, then
the operator is compensated for the additional costs associated
with the extra skiing / boarding. In short, both parties
are happy with the scenario. If conditions are average
and the client chooses not to ski more than what is included
in the trip then again both parties have met their obligations.
If conditions or weather are poor and the guaranteed amount
of skiing is not reached, you'll generally find everyone
disappointed...guides like to ski as well! BUT at least
the customer receives some compensation for the lack of
good conditions.
Any deviation from the principal of having an agreed
guarantee of vertical footage is risky for the customer.
Looking at basic economics it is not in the interests
of the operator to give clients lots and lots of skiing
unless they are remunerated for it. There is no incentive
for the operators to offer the client longer days, shortened
lunch breaks, etc when the conditions are good. Most heliskiers
want to take advantage of those dreamy days when they
happen and a system of unlimited vertical footage as part
of an operation's 'regular' program, in our opinion, does
not allow for that.
Vertical
Guarantee System
Scenario |
Operator |
Client |
Comment |
| Poor
conditions |
|
|
Operator loses income by giving
refund. Customer disappointed for not having skied
but happy to receive some compensation.
|
| Average
conditions |
|
|
Customer received what they
paid for. Operator delivered what they were paid
to deliver.
|
| Good
Conditions |
|
|
Customer has option to ski
more and take advantage of good conditions. Operator
happy to oblige and earn additional income and
cover costs as a result of customer desire to
ski more.
|
| Amazing
Conditions |
|
|
Customer
very happy to be able to extend days, shorten lunches
etc in order to take advantage of amazing conditions.
Operator happy to oblige and generate more income
and cover additional costs as a result of customer
desire to ski even more. |
Unlimited
System
Scenario |
Operator |
Client |
Comment |
| Poor
conditions |
neutral |
|
Operator has to refund. Operator
is receiving premium income for the additional
footage over the guarantee, even though customers
are not skiing it. Clients refunded up to guarantee
but they have paid the premium unlimited price
and have received nothing for it.
|
| Average
conditions |
|
|
Operator receives premium income
and while only providing guaranteed amount of
vertical. Customer has paid premium price but
only receives guaranteed minimum.
|
| Good
Conditions |
|
|
Operator provides what their
premium price represents. Customer receives what
they have paid for with premium price.
|
| Amazing
Conditions |
|
|
Operator has higher costs with no income generated
because customer is demanding to ski. Customer can
ski more and doesn’t have to pay, but customer runs
risk that they will have to persuade the operator
to ski this large amount. |
Conclusion
1. For unlimited vertical packages the odds for the
client having their expectations met or exceeded are reduced.
2. The client pays a premium price for unlimited vertical
footage taking a risk, when their alternative is to pay
a cheaper price and choose to ski.
  
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