Did you know that grizzly bears are sometimes referred to as “silvertip” because of their silver tipped fur? This is one feature that easily distinguishes grizzlies from the smaller black bears that they share territory with. And just like the grizzly, Silvertip Lodge differentiates itself from other BC heli skiing operations by what it offers in adventure and ideal location for heli-skiing.
Sightseeing Tour Before You Even Arrive
As winter arrives in interior British Columbia, the only way to reach Silvertip Lodge is by boat, plane, or helicopter. Your adventure begins at Vancouver Airport’s private terminal. First, you’ll take a 45-minute chartered flight to Williams Lake. From there, you’ll board a helicopter for a stunning 45-minute flight to the lodge, flying over Quesnel Lake, the deepest fjord lake in the world—deeper even than Lake Tahoe! All of this is included in the cost of your visit, and you haven’t even gone heli-skiing yet.
Hallowed Terrain
Originally a cabin for a German club that cherished the wilderness and nature’s bounty surrounding it, the cabin became part of Canadian Mountain Holidays (CMH) as they expanded. CMH recognized that the mountains here were home to some of the best heli-skiing in BC and decided to convert it into their small groups lodge. However, as CMH grew and connected their lodges, they sold it, and it is now owned by Michael and Maria Binnion, a fun-loving, outgoing couple from Calgary.
Why did CMH Consider it the Best?
As they say in real estate—location, location, location. The surrounding mountains in interior British Columbia receive both quantity and quality of snow. Over 60 feet (720 inches) of snow falls each year, creating deep champagne powder that you can only imagine. At the same time, storms move through quickly, providing ample sunny stretches as well. Due to its remoteness, there is absolutely no competition in the 1,440 square kilometers of terrain they have access to.
Private Without the Price
If you’ve experienced BC heli-skiing, you know that the workhorse is the Bell 212, which can seat up to 12 skiers and two guides shoulder-to-shoulder. This helicopter typically transports three groups (or more) from one transition zone to the next, totaling 36 people! And that’s just for one helicopter—there could be three or four helicopters hitting the same zone.
In contrast, Silvertip is dedicated to providing the best experience. The maximum number of guests at the lodge during your visit is 16. That means you and your newfound friends will be the only ones skiing the 1,440 square kilometers of terrain. Additionally, while Silvertip Lodge still uses the Bell 212, they remove four seats, accommodating only eight guests. This creates a roomier and more comfortable experience that no other 212 could.
No Hidden Cost
Another thing most heli-ski operations don’t mention is the “pay to play” cost. You only get a limited amount of skiing per day or trip. This means that once you reach your threshold—such as five runs or 50,000 vertical feet—you’ll be charged extra to continue skiing or snowboarding, which can add up to thousands of dollars if you want to keep flying. In contrast, Silvertip Lodge offers unlimited vertical, meaning you can ski as much as your legs will allow.
So I’d have to say, if my piggybank was stuffed, Silvertip Lodge would be at the top of the list for my next trip.