Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions about your day with Powder Mountain? You're in the right place. From what to bring to what ability you need to be to join us, this section covers the most common questions we receive from guests. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, feel free to reach out via email (main@powdermountaincatskiing.com), or stop by our Whistler Village office during the winter season - we’re conveniently located on the Village Stroll, just a short walk from the base of Whistler Blackcomb’s Gondola.

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Ability

  • This is subjective, but you should be an experienced powder skier or snowboarder. You should also be ski/snowboard fit. Snowcat or Heli skiing/boarding should not be the "warm up" to your holiday or season.

    However, if you are holding up the group then you may be asked to sit out a run or the day, or stay in the cat for your own safety. If you are asked to sit out, there is no refund. Please respect the guides' decision to keep you safe.

  • Typically yes. The cat can only get back to the bottom at a certain speed to pick your group up, so there is some time there. However, if anyone is holding the group up, they could be asked to sit out a run, or stay in the cat for your own safety. If asked to sit out, there is no refund. Please respect the guides decision to keep you safe.

    In our helicopters, the group moves more quickly and there is a single guide for the four guests, which can be a challenge if the group isn't well balanced.

    If you are unsure, please give us a call and we'll work out the best experience for you.

  • 12 and up. If you want to bring your kid or kids in the cat or heli, please keep the rest of the group in mind when you judge their skiing or riding ability. If your child is unable to keep up with the group, then they will have to ride in the cat with no refund or be flown back to the base area.

    If you book a private cat or heli then as it's your machine, you can ski or ride at the speed you want.

Safety

  • View or download our Release of Liability Waiver to review before booking your trip with Powder Mountain,

  • Your safety is our prime concern. However there are risks involved in wilderness activities and so all guests will be required to participate in a safety briefing for each visit. This includes a cat/heli briefing, avalanche safety briefing, and avalanche safety equipment briefing.

  • Each guest is required to carry a backpack with rescue gear such as a shovel and probe. We also require guests to use one of our BCA Tracker 4 transceivers.

    We trust and use gear from Backcountry Access.

  • You may bring your own backpack, probe and shovel but after testing among our guiding team we require all guests to use our BCA Tracker 4 transceivers.

  • Like any Snowcat or Heli operation we have a strict no tolerance policy for drinking or drugs.

    In the event of an emergency you may be asked to assist and we require you to be of sound mind.

    In the event you partake before the day is over, you will be asked to sit out the day with no refund. Speak to your guide if you have any concerns.

Equipment

  • We strongly suggest bringing powder specific skis with a waist of at least 105mm underfoot. The deeper the powder, the wider the ski you want! This is for your own enjoyment.

    Directional, powder specific snowboards are highly recommended to make your day that much better. You know you want to try one!

    You can thank us afterwards.

  • We do not provide rental equipment.

    You can rent from one of many shops in Whistler - ensure you are renting a ski with at least 105mm underfoot, or a powder specific board.

  • There is limited space in the Heli or Cats.

    Bring a water bottle (we can refill), spare lens, and any medication you may require.

    We supply you with the avalanche safety equipment, backpack and lunch.

  • Avalanche Rescue Equipment

    • Transceiver

    • Probe

    • Shovel

    Backpack

    Lunch

    You are required to bring your own personal or rental powder skis/board and helmet.

  • You are welcome to bring an action camera to document your day however they cannot be chest-mounted as they will interfere with the your transceiver. Helmet and pole mounts are ok. Selfie sticks are not allowed around aircraft.

Booking Policy

  • Cancellation Policy

    • Cancel up to 48 hours before your trip: Receive a full refund.

    • Cancel between 48 and 12 hours before departure (by the night before): Receive a 75% refund.

    • Cancellations within 12 hours of your trip or “No Shows”: No refund will be issued.

    Partial Day Refunds
    If Powder Mountain cancels your heli-ski day partway through, we will refund you on a per-run basis.

    Injury Policy
    We do not provide refunds for injuries sustained during your experience. Please consult your personal insurance provider for coverage options.

    Alcohol & Drug Policy

    • Powder Mountain reserves the right to refuse service to any guest appearing under the influence of alcohol or drugs prior to departure.

    • We also reserve the right to terminate the experience if a guest consumes alcohol or drugs during the trip.

    Weather & Operational Cancellations
    If the Powder Mountain Operations Team cancels your experience for any reason, a full refund will be issued.

    • The typical helicopter extraction cost from our tenure is $2,000, and for extraction by snowcat or snowmobile it's around $1,500. Powder Mountain Heliskiing and Catskiing Inc reserves the right to choose the most suitable vehicle for extraction based on our assessment of the situation.

    • For an optional $75 CAD daily charge per person, our insurance covers your costs for transportation from the injury site to the the public highway. It does not cover medical or any other expenses.

    • If you do not take this optional insurance and you require evacuation, we reserve the right to charge your evacuation costs to the card used to book the trip. Where several people are booked on one card, and where our insurance is not purchased, that card will be charged with any evacuation cost for any of the people booked with it.

    • You can add the insurance option to any of our packages.

Snow-covered mountainous landscape with ski tracks and a red snow groomer in the foreground.
Snow-covered mountain peak with a helicopter flying above against a clear blue sky.
A red snow grooming machine with the words "Powder Mountain Catskiing" on its side, working on a snowy mountain landscape with snow-covered trees and a backdrop of distant snow-capped mountains under a clear blue sky.
A person in a pink jacket, black helmet, and pink goggles skiing downhill on a snowy mountain slope with snow-covered trees in the background.
A group of people preparing to ski in a snowy mountain landscape with a snowcat vehicle and snow-covered trees.
A skier dressed in blue gear and wearing a helmet, skiing down a snowy mountain slope with a rocky cliff and snow-covered trees in the background on a clear day.