Jetsetter rounded up their pick of the most indulgent and “over-the-top” chalets for high-altitude decadence this winter. Alongside uber-chalets in Val D’Isere, Verbier and Jackson Hole, Bighorn Revelstoke boasts its own brand of luxury with private heliski adventures direct from the house helipad. Along with the ubiquitous facilities of the uber-chalet (gym, cinema, outdoor hot tub, games room), Bighorn’s location makes it unique. Set in the heart of the world’s best heliski terrain, guests can fly into the wilderness Selkirk Mountains to ski untouched powder snow all day long. Guests also have the option of Revelstoke Mountain Resort on their doorstep, with North America’s highest vertical descent. All this is unbeatable when you fly back to the “World’s Best Ski Chalet” for a cocktail in the huge hot tub followed by a gourmet meal prepared by your award-winnig private chef.
Ski Trip of a Lifetime
Top ski journalist Gaby Le Breton tells Fall-Line Magazine why Bighorn is her all-time favourite ski trip…
“I’m lucky enough to experience ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ ski trips more than once a season. That said, my all-time favourite trip was to Bighorn in Revelstoke, BC. This place truly has it all: heliskiing from the back garden, big mountain skiing in Revelstoke Mountain Resort and all the trappings of the ultimate party chalet from a private cinema and 16-person hot tub to a pool room and teppanyaki kitchen”.
Read the full article here.
Gaby Le Breton writes for the Financial Times, Conde Nast Traveller and Tatler amonst others.
Hot off the press
Following on from Bighorn being named ‘World’s Best Ski Chalet’ at the World Ski Awards recently, Best In Travel magazine has released special ski edition profiling all the winners. Winning for the second year running, the magazine describes how Bighorn has “re-written the definition of luxury”. The only super-luxury chalet to offer world-famous heliskiing direct from its helipad, Bighorn offers adventure and decadence in equal measure.
To read more and see all the winners click here
Private or group heli skiing?
In Revelstoke, both private and shared group heliskiing is available. Here we explain the difference between the two, along with some pro’s and con’s.
Private heliskiing means chartering your own helicopter for the day or week, for exclusive use by your group. You’ll have your own guide(s) and they will tailor the experience to your group’s needs. So whether you want to ski hard and fast all day long, or take a more leisurely pace to enjoy the scenery, your wish is their command. Guests staying at Bighorn normally go for this option, as they can fly straight from the house helipad and do all their safety training from the comfort of the lodge.
Pros:
1) No waiting for other people
2) Dedicated service – the heli will be at your beck and call all day
3) Bespoke experience – fly when you want, ski where you want and at your pace
4) Ultimate ease – fly direct from the lodge, no transfers to staging posts
Cons:
1) Price
2) Prohibitive for individuals or groups smaller than 4 people
Group heliskiing means buying a seat on a helicopter for a day, or multi day program. You’ll share the heli with other people, but guides will try and match guests with similar abilities and speed. The helicopter will normally fly 3 or 4 groups each day, so there is some flying back and forth as the pilot shuttles groups out to the heliski terrain and from run to run. This may mean you are driven out to a staging post to reduce flight time.
Pro’s:
1) Cost-effective
2) Sociable
3) Sustainable pace – groups tend to ski a little slower which is a blessing if you are helsikking for several days and are less than Olympic fit!
4) A great way to try heliskiing and get a feel for the incredible snow and terrain around Revelstoke
Cons:
1) There will be some waiting around for other groups, other members of your group and at the start of the day while all the groups are taken out to the tenure.
2) You will be required to meet at a set time and ski for a certain duration (though you can sit out a run in the heli if you are tired).
3) The helicopter will fly from a central meeting point which may require a vehicle transfer from your accommodation.
4) The pace will be dictated by the slowest member of your group.
Revelstoke Top 10 in the World
Snow Magazine has selected Revelstoke Mountain Resort as one of the top 10 ski resorts on the planet:
“Quite simply Revelstoke has to kick off our list, as talk to anyone who has been and they’ll tell you, not just how good it is but how truly epic it is. Revelstoke has the lot when it comes to on-mountain terrain, there’s steep and open powder faces, fantastic tree skiing, long well-maintained pistes, an adjacent cat-skiing operation and if that’s not enough then the ½ a million acres of heli-sking terrain should keep you happy”.
This top ranking comes as no surprise to us. Our guests have been enjoying Revelstoke’s deep powder snow, incredible terrain and uncrowded slopes for 3 seasons now.
Bighorn is unique in offering skiing at a world-class resort, private heliskiing, cat skiing and backcountry touring all from one base. The luxury lodge offers the most indulgent accommodation imaginable with every kind of ski adventure right on the doorstep. Heliski direct from the house helipad or be on the Revelation Gondola heading up North America’s highest vertical descent in a matter of minutes.
Bighorn Voted World’s Best Chalet
We are pleased to announce that Bighorn was voted not only Canada’s Best Ski Chalet, but the World’s Best Ski Chalet at the World Ski Awards. The prestigious ceremony took place in Kitzbuhel, Austria last week and was attended by ski industry VIP’s from around the globe. Bighorn beat stiff competition from luxury properties in 20 countries including France, Switzerland and the USA.
Bighorn’s founder was in Austria to accept the award, click here to see his reaction
Our decadent lodge has unrivalled accommodation and facilities as well as outstanding cuisine and service from a dedicated team of staff. Bighorn also has a private helipad from which guests can fly directly to the renowned heli ski terrain of the Selkirk Mountains. Heli skiing is complemented by superb lift skiing at Revelstoke Mountain Resort.
Congratulations to our hardworking team who make staying at Bighorn a unique and now award-winning experience!
Superchalets in Vanity Fair
We are delighted to be featured in this month’s Vanity Fair magazine. Their ‘Superchalets’ feature highlights the very best luxury chalets in the world. Bighorn is described as “The apex of chalet luxury in North America at the pinnacle of heliskiing”. Uniquely we offer the ultimate in accommodation and service alongside private heliskiing adventures in the Selkirk Mountains. The result is that this “thrashes the finest bespoke skiing in the world”.
Read the full article here.
When is the best time to go heli skiing?
Revelstoke offers unbelievable heliskiing from December to April, but which is the best month? There is no easy answer to that as snow conditions are never predictable, but whether you want thigh deep powder in the trees or sunny glacier skiing, Revelstoke has it all at various times in the season. Check out our monthly guide:
December:
Snow tends to start falling in October, so by December there is a solid base with plenty of fresh snow. December is a great month for powder skiing in the trees (click to see video). Visibility can be limited with stormy conditions, but our heli pilots can almost always access tree skiing at lower elevations.
January:
More fresh snow and intermittent storms mean the pow gets deep! Thigh high powder snow is not uncommon, especially in the trees where it is protected from the wind. The base is deep now, making for fun terrain features like powder pillows and small cliff jumps.
February:
Stormy conditions die down, but there is regular snowfall to keep conditions fresh. Towards the end of the month clearer skies and stable conditions mean we can access the high altitude terrain. Ski huge vertical starting on glaciers and alpine powder bowls and finishing in the trees at lower elevation.
March:
March brings spring-like conditions with longer days, more sunshine and boot top to knee deep powder. Enjoy the spectacular high altitude skiing, plus the chance to enjoy blue skies and amazing scenery.
April:
The snow is still great at high elevations, with superb corn snow on lower sections. This season there has been 66cm of fresh snow in the last 7 days! With Easter falling late next year, Bighorn will be open for spring skiing until April 26th.
Five reasons to go heliskiing in Revelstoke
For most of the winter heli skiers flock to Revelstoke to experience the deep powder snow conditions, but the spring season offers a different yet equally special experience. Here are 5 reasons why you should consider spring skiing:
1) Sun
Who doesn’t like skiing under a bluebird sky? The spectacular Selkirk and Monashee Mountains provide a stunning wilderness backdrop to your heli ski experience and they are best viewed in blazing sunshine. Catch a few rays when you take a break for a gourmet picnic lunch and don’t forget your camera.
2) Visibility
The snow storms that deliver dumps of snow in December and January are less frequent as the season progresses meaning skies tend to be clearer. Improved visibility allows heliskiers to access the high alpine terrain that is sometimes impossible for the heli to land in during midwinter. Discover high alpine powder bowls and glaciers – flattering skiing with incredible scenery in the background. You’ll feel on top of the world.
3) Longer days
Maximise your heli ski experience with longer day light hours. This not only allows you more vertical per day and a more flexible schedule, but also means you can enjoy sunset with a beer in hand from the Bighorn hot tub!
4) Spring snow
The Selkirk Mountains receive an average of 40-60ft of snow each season, meaning they are snow-sure until mid April. Warmer conditions in spring mean the snow is continuously frozen and thawed which makes it form large crystals called corn snow. These snowy granules make for smooth, soft and fast skiing – great fun for flying down a wilderness glacier on. Revelstoke’s extensive forests make for the best tree skiing in the world. In the spring the trees provide shade from the sun, preserving the snow late into the season.
5) Flexibility
The beauty of heli skiing is that your expert guides can take you to the best spots in their 500,000 acre terrain. This is never truer than with a private heliski charter from Bighorn, when you have exclusive use of the helicopter and your guide. So if you want to avoid south facing slopes, stay high or stick to the shady trees, the bespoke experience is designed to meet your needs.
Heli Ski in a Winter Wonderland
Renowned ski journalist Gabriella Le Breton shares her top picks for what is new and exciting on the slopes this season in a recent article for CampdenFB. Heliskiing at Bighorn is featured because it offers “unparalleled luxury”. The lodge has a private helipad which allows for a bespoke heliski package, either flying into the Selkirk Mountains for a heliski adventure or enjoying the exciting terrain at nearby Revelstoke Mountain Resort. The “palatial guest suites, a triple height great room with sweeping mountain views, celebrated chef, private cinema, outdoor hot tub and extensive spa” set Bighorn apart from any other lodge in North America.
CamdenFB focuses on family business so Bighorn, which was developed by brothers Michael and Chris Kirkland, is particularly relevant for readers. Read the full article on heliskiing at Bighorn here.