With powder season just around the corner, there’s a new heli-skiing outfit in town that’s ready to take powder hounds to new heights.
Coast Range Heli-Skiing officially took flight Nov. 15, though it might be a stretch to call them new to the game. The company was bought and shut down by the McLean Group in 2016, which owns Blackcomb Helicopters. Now, they’re bringing the company back, integrating helicopter services and heli-skiing under one roof, all owned by the McLean Group.
The re-launch also comes with an end to a contract with Whistler Heli-Skiing, the Vail Resorts-owned heli-skiing outfit.
Jason McLean, CEO for the company, explained when they shut down Coast Range in 2016, they kept the 200,000-acre tenure that came with the purchase.
“At the time we were starting up the heli-biking business, we were in the middle of expanding our fleet and focusing on our other parts of the business," McLean said. "So, we decided to sub-license the tenure assets to Whistler Heli-Skiing, so that we maintain them in good standing, and they could use them and focused on the helicopter business for a while. We've always had this as an option, and we're very excited to be coming back to it."
To put the size of the tenure into perspective, it’s roughly the equivalent to accessing 24 Whistler Blackcombs and it’s larger than the size of Maui or Singapore. The features include alpine in Birkenhead, glaciation and a wide range of ridges and slopes to drop in.
Uniting the helicopter business with heli-guiding removes a tension that can exist between the two interests. Without the tenure from guiding companies, helicopter companies can’t bring customers into the terrain. The merger is a rare opportunity which few companies can boast, according to McLean.
When contacted about the end of the contract, a communications official for Whistler Blackcomb wished Blackcomb Helicopters well in its new venture in an email.
“Blackcomb Helicopters has been a valued partner over the years, helping to safely deliver a world-class experience that can only happen here at Whistler Blackcomb," the spokesperson said. "The team at Whistler Heli-Skiing is grateful for the support and professionalism of Blackcomb Helicopters' leadership, pilots and entire crew. We wish them the very best as they pursue other opportunities and look forward to working with them in other areas of Whistler Blackcomb’s operations, where we can.”
The re-launch is focusing on boutique heli-skiing experiences, which McLean said sets them apart from other companies in the industry. Add in their decades of experience, and McLean said it’s only up from here.
“I think it was just a matter of time before we decided to create our own product that we felt we could do a great job positioning it to be very customer-focused, boutique, customizable,” he said.
Heli-skiing operations tend to focus on volume or small group experiences to meet the business' and clients’ needs. McLean said between the tenure size and catering to small groups, they’re setting a high standard of experience.
“We're operating out of Whistler with a single, standout package of five-plus runs with just semiprivate and private groups. So effectively, you're not going to be mixed up with a bunch of strangers. You're going to be with people you know,” he said.
Small groups ensure fresh tracks and flexibility in terrain choice based on customer desires. The team also boasts high safety standards, providing an avalanche airbag for each customer along with a tailored experience from start to finish.
And while heli-skiing is admittedly a tourist-driven industry, McLean said they’d like to focus efforts on locals but wouldn’t reveal the details.
“I’m not sure what I'm allowed to say, but I think we're cooking something up that will be very appealing," he said. "In British Columbia’s heli-skiing, I would say visitors not from Canada, are anywhere from 70 to 90 per cent of the customer base. We would like to really appeal to the local, regional market. We're not under any illusions that that'll turn into a majority, but I think the locals potentially can be our biggest cheerleaders."
The operation's website and booking page opened for business Nov. 15.
