Northern Escape

Northern Escape is an excellent choice for: 

• Skiers who want to maximize their time on snow. Same-day access, flexible 2–7 day trips, and cat-ski backup help turn limited vacation time into more skiing.

• Groups looking for flexibility. Multiple lodge options, price points, group sizes, and levels of exclusivity make it easy to build the right trip.

• Private groups and buyouts. Small lodge capacities make private experiences more attainable than at many larger heli-ski operations.

• Skiers chasing frequent fresh snow. A coastal storm track and northern latitude combine for big snowfall and frequent terrain resets.

• Skiers who want unlimited vertical. Keep skiing without watching a vertical meter or worrying about running out of your allowance.

• Skiers who don't want a down day. Cat skiing provides a valuable backup when helicopters can't fly.

• Groups with different budgets and priorities. From accessible and value-oriented to remote and premium, Northern Escape offers a range of ways to experience the same core operation.

Northern Escape may not be the best fit for:

• Skiers chasing the most extreme terrain. There’s plenty to challenge experienced skiers, but Northern Escape’s strength is variety rather than the most technical terrain in BC.

• Skiers uncomfortable in storm conditions. Frequent snow, deep powder, cloud, and variable visibility are part of the North Coast experience.

• Guests expecting zero weather-related uncertainty. Cat skiing is a strong backup, but road and avalanche conditions can occasionally limit access. Mt. Shames provides another option when operating, typically Thursday–Sunday.

Northern Escape's 833,571-acre tenure stretches across BC's Coast Range, from temperate coastal forests to high alpine glaciers. Broad alpine shoulders, steep faces, spines, and couloirs rise above deep, well-spaced old-growth forests, giving guides an enormous canvas to work with. One day might mean long, cruisy glacier runs; the next, steep alpine terrain or deep tree skiing filled with pillows after a storm. 

The snow is a big part of what makes that variety possible. Northern Escape sits close to the Pacific, where it can receive 20–30 metres of snow in a season, but far enough north to stay colder than BC's South Coast. The result is a deep maritime snowpack that settles relatively quickly, allowing guides to move into more challenging terrain as conditions stabilize.

The small helicopter groups make it easier to tailor that terrain to the people in the group. Skeena Spey is private for five guests, Mountain Lodge operates with two groups of five per helicopter, and Yellow Cedar with three groups of five. On a clear day, that might mean heading into Fjordland or the North Shore for spectacular alpine skiing, with some descents dropping roughly 1,500 metres from high alpine to valley bottom. When conditions don't open up the full alpine, guides can head into Promised Land, a guest favourite known for steep trees, deep snow, and big pillows. The smaller groups make it easier to adjust the pace and terrain—from mellow and cruisy to steep and rowdy.

Of course, an area that receives this much snow is going to see some big storms—and those storms are a big part of what makes Northern Escape special. But just like any heli-ski operation, helicopters can't fly in heavy snowfall and low visibility. For most operators, that means grounding the helicopters and waiting for the storm to pass. Not at Northern Escape. With a dedicated backup cat-ski program, they keep you doing what you came there to do: skiing untouched powder. The cat terrain covers 5,769 acres, with more than 50 kilometres of cat roads and runs up to 600 metres long, offering steep trees, glades, chutes, pillow drops, and open bowls. And when the clouds finally lift, the helicopter comes back to pick up your crew—and you're right back to banging out heli laps. 

Combined with a massive tenure, small groups, frequent coastal snowfall, and unlimited vertical, the heli and cat combination gives Northern Escape the unique ability to keep their guests doing what they came there for: skiing as much as possible. 

Every Northern Escape package includes unlimited vertical, with a guaranteed minimum based on the length of your trip. The guarantee provides a baseline of skiing you're protected against falling short of, while unlimited vertical means there's no cap on how much you can ski when conditions are good.

Trip length — Guaranteed minimum

3-Day Trip — 34,000 ft

4-Day Trip — 46,000 ft

5-Day Trip — 56,000 ft

6-Day Trip — 67,000 ft

7-Day Trip — 80,000 ft 

Northern Escape reports an average of approximately 152,000 feet over a seven-day ski trip—nearly twice the seven-day guaranteed minimum. If conditions are good and the legs are willing, there's no vertical meter counting down or additional charge for skiing more.

If the guaranteed minimum isn't reached, Northern Escape provides a $46 refund for every 1,000 feet below the applicable minimum.

Northern Escape takes a comprehensive approach to mountain and aviation safety. Before skiing, every guest receives instruction in avalanche transceiver use and companion rescue, helicopter procedures, guided-group skiing, and tree-skiing protocols, including partner skiing and tree-well rescue. Guests are equipped with a transceiver, probe, shovel, avalanche airbag backpack, and VHF radio, with additional rescue equipment carried by each guide group.

Behind the scenes, a dedicated Snow Safety Team, led by the Mountain Safety Manager, focuses exclusively on snowpack, weather, avalanche hazard, and terrain assessment. The team gathers field observations and snowpack data to support evidence-based decisions, including terrain openings and avalanche control. Guides continually monitor conditions and meet twice daily to assess the information and plan the day's skiing.

Northern Escape also places significant emphasis on aviation safety. Its helicopters are serviced daily by certified aviation engineers, while pilots complete annual recurrent training in mountainous terrain flying. 

The operation's backup cat-ski program is another layer of safety, providing an alternative when weather or flying conditions aren't suitable rather than creating pressure to make the helicopters work.

Northern Escape offers three distinct lodge experiences, giving guests flexibility in privacy, atmosphere, and price point. All three are well suited to small groups, while Yellow Cedar and Mountain Lodge are particularly good options for solo travellers.

Skeena Spey
Skeena Spey is the ultimate private option: five guests, five private cabins, and a private helicopter. Each stand-alone cabin has a king bed and ensuite bathroom, creating an intimate wilderness experience without sacrificing comfort. The rustic-chic lodge has a private bar, lounge, games room, and a 2:1 staff-to-guest ratio, with dining customized around the group. It's an ideal setup for a family or group of close friends looking for a private heli-ski experience with plenty of space to unwind after a big day.

Mountain Lodge
Mountain Lodge offers a modern take on the remote ski lodge. The newly built property accommodates just 10 guests, with every guest having their own private room and ensuite bathroom. A spa area with outdoor hot tub and sauna, bar and lounge with a wood-burning fireplace, games area, and ski shop round out the experience. The lodge is also located close to the cat-ski terrain, allowing guests to access the cats without a helicopter flight—a particularly useful advantage when the alpine is socked in.

Yellow Cedar Lodge
Yellow Cedar is the classic Northern Escape lodge, with a traditional log-chalet atmosphere and a more social feel. It offers both single and double occupancy rooms, making it a flexible choice for solo travellers, couples, and small groups. After skiing, guests can unwind with a massage, sauna, or soak in one of the outdoor Jacuzzis, or head downstairs for a drink and a game of pool or foosball. It's a comfortable, approachable way to experience Northern Escape.

Not sure which lodge is right for you? We'll help match the lodge, group size, and package to the way you want to ski.

Northern Escape takes its food seriously, with each lodge having its own team of professionally trained chefs, many with experience at leading resorts and restaurants around the world. Meals emphasize locally sourced ingredients, with chefs working directly with small farms, local cheesemakers, and regional producers.

Breakfast at Yellow Cedar and Mountain Lodge is buffet-style, with both classic hot options and a continental spread. Lunch is served in the mountains, with hot soup, artisanal sandwiches, pastries, and snacks to keep you fueled through the afternoon. After skiing, après brings another spread of hot and cold bites before dinner.

Dinner is where the culinary experience really shines. Each evening features a three-course gourmet dinner, with menus built around the best ingredients available in Northern BC. Expect Pacific seafood, Canadian beef, bison, elk, seasonal vegetables, locally foraged mushrooms, and fine cheeses. Vegetarian, vegan, and other dietary requirements are accommodated, while a sommelier-curated wine list features BC wines alongside selections from around the world. Beer, wine, and cocktails are available for an additional charge.

At Skeena Spey, the private five-guest setup takes the experience a step further. The chefs get to know the group and can create a custom menu around your preferences, making dinner another personalized part of the stay.

After a full day in the mountains, dinner becomes more than just refuelling. It's a chance to slow down, enjoy a great meal and a glass of wine, and trade stories about the day's best lines before doing it all again tomorrow.

Yellow Cedar and Skeena Spey offer an ease of access few heli-ski lodges can match, with both reachable the same day from most major North American airports. Mountain Lodge requires a little more planning due to its remote location, with guests typically overnighting in Vancouver or Terrace before the scheduled helicopter transfer.

Yellow Cedar Lodge

Arrival Day

• Fly into Terrace (YXT), arriving around 6:30 PM.

• Northern Escape transfer you to Yellow Cedar, arriving around 7:30 PM.

• Welcome drinks, tapas, lodge orientation, rental ski setup, and check-in.

• Arrivals after 8:00 PM cannot be accommodated.

Departure Day

• Generally ski a full day before departing the lodge around 5:00 PM.

• Arrive at Terrace Airport around 5:30 PM.

• Book flights departing 6:45 PM or later.

Skeena Spey Lodge

Skeena Spey keeps things simple and flexible. Arrival and departure transfers are customized around each group's schedule. Helicopter transfers are dependent on daylight and weather, with ground transportation available when helicopter timing doesn't work with your flights.

Mountain Lodge

Most guests overnight in Vancouver, then take an early morning flight to Terrace on their arrival day. An overnight in Terrace is also possible.

Arrival Day

• Arrive in Terrace around 10:00 AM, or meet the Northern Escape team at your Terrace hotel around 11:00 AM if staying overnight.

• Stop at the Northern Escape office for lunch, safety orientation, and rental ski setup.

• Depart for the helicopter hangar around 2:30 PM.

• Helicopter transfer to Mountain Lodge, arriving around 4:00 PM.

Departure Day

• Generally ski a full day before departing the lodge around 3:30 PM.

• Arrive at Terrace Airport around 5:30 PM.

• Book flights departing 6:45 PM or later.

Adding Resort Skiing

• Shames Mountain: The closest option to Terrace and ideal for a warm-up or cooldown day.

Planning your trip: We'll help coordinate your flights, transfers, and lodge schedule so you can spend less time worrying about logistics and more time thinking about the skiing.

2026/27 Rates

Northern Escape offers 2–7 day heli-skiing packages across three distinct lodge options. Pricing varies by lodge, trip length, time of season, and—at Yellow Cedar—room occupancy.

Yellow Cedar Lodge
Classic Heli-Skiing

 2 Days — $5,999–$6,319
3 Days — $8,999–$12,539
4 Days — $10,999–$13,719
5 Days — $15,999–$16,899
7 Days — $18,999–$23,259

Rates vary by season and single or double occupancy.

Mountain Lodge
Mountain Lodge Package

 3 Days — $8,099–$10,999
4 Days — $11,999–$16,999
5 Days — $14,999–$19,999
6 Days — $23,999
7 Days — $19,999 (April only)

Private room and ensuite for every guest. Maximum 10 guests.

Skeena Spey
Private Heli-Skiing

 4 Days — $86,519–$97,299
5 Days — $104,999–$120,749
6 Days — $125,999–$144,899

Rates are based on a full lodge buyout for up to five guests, with a private helicopter and two guides.

Rates do not include applicable taxes, gratuities, alcoholic beverages, or travel to and from Terrace.