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Have you ever done a helicopter tour? Although expensive, these tours are incredible ways to see stunning landscapes. We did a Whistler helicopter tour when we visited British Columbia, and it was one of the best experiences we’ve had in a long time.
Now, we’ll tell you more about the Whistler helicopter tours of today, so you can add this to your trip itinerary. Let’s go!
What Is A Helicopter Tour?
When you visit a new place, booking a tour is one of the best ways to experience it. Whether it’s a downtown food tour, a trolley tour, an evening ghost tour, a beer hop tour, a walking tour, or any other kind of experience, we’ve found that you learn a lot about the local history, culture, and lifestyle of an area through these activities. Tours are beneficial when you’re limited on time. You can see a lot in just an hour or two.
A helicopter tour is a fantastic excursion when you visit a place with a vast landscape. This is why helicopter tours are so popular at the Grand Canyon. You can get a bird’s eye view and see the immensity of this natural wonder. Often, helicopter tours are shorter than traditional walking tours, but you can see a whole lot more as you sweep across the landscape.
Are Helicopter Tours Popular?
Helicopter tours have become popular tourist attractions because of the thrill of the ride, the excellent photo opportunities, and the spectacular views. Since helicopters are more agile and have a smaller turning radius than airplanes, they’re ideal for aerial viewing. They can even hover, allowing tourists to capture those picture-perfect moments.
When you head out on a helicopter tour, the guide will also give you information about the area. Some people book a helicopter tour as soon as they arrive at a new destination. Then, they plan the rest of their stay from the air as they view the entire location.
Where Is Whistler?
Whistler, British Columbia is off Highway 99, about 90 minutes north of Vancouver. The route from Vancouver north to Whistler is often referred to as the Sea to Sky Highway because it travels from the Howe Sound in West Vancouver to the mountainous terrain of Whistler.
Pro Tip: Be sure to check out Is Whistler, BC Worth Going To? for more tips and information on the city!
Whistler is one of North America’s most popular ski destinations since it sits in the southern Pacific Ranges of the Coast Mountains. Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains offer hours of recreation for alpine skiers with 8,171 acres, 16 alpine bowls, three glaciers, and over 200 marked trails.
What Is Blackcomb Helicopters?
While we didn’t hit the slopes during our visit to Whistler, we did book a tour through Blackcomb Helicopters. It’s the leading helicopter tour company in the Pacific Northwest.
It also provides civil services like search-and-rescue, medevac, and firefighting. There are eight bases in Canada, and Whistler is the main one.
Whistler Helicopter Tours With Blackcomb Helicopters
There are a few options for Whistler helicopter tours through Blackcomb Helicopters. They range from 15-40 minutes, so they won’t take up your whole day. We suggest booking a morning flight so you can explore the rest of the day.
1. BC Experience
The most popular Whistler helicopter tour is the BC Experience. It’s 24 minutes of flight time with a complimentary mountaintop landing where you can get off the chopper and take photos for about 15 minutes. From Whistler Valley, you’ll rise into the Coast Mountains, viewing glaciers and peaks from above.
2. Whistler Explorer
The Whistler Explorer is a shorter tour with 15 minutes of flight time. This could be the best option for families with younger children.
You’ll view the majestic Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains, Whistler Village, Wedge Glacier and Mountain, and alpine lakes. You might be able to spot your hotel or campsite!
3. Blackcomb Signature
The Blackcomb Signature adventure is only available as a private tour. Like the BC Experience, you’ll land on a mountaintop for 15 minutes of stretching your legs, viewing the magnificent landscape, and taking photo after photo before you head back.
You’ll experience 20 minutes of flight time through the remote backcountry of the Soo and Rutherford valleys and the Ipsoot Icefield. Then, on the 20-minute ride back, you’ll view the Black Tusk, Garibaldi Lake, Cheakamus Glacier, the Peak to Peak, and the ski resort, all iconic Whistler landmarks.
4. Heli Adventures
Through Heli Adventures, you can combine a Whistler helicopter tour with a day of exploring. AlpX Expeditions, Blackcomb Helicopters’ tourism division, offers world-class heli-biking, heli-assisted ski touring, multi-day hiking and riding, wilderness accommodations, and more.
Paddle and picnic at a magical alpine lake. Ride from the alpine to the valley on a specialty-built track. Take a ski tour through the Pemberton and Whistler backcountry. There are lots of options for single-day and multi-day adventures.
How Much Does A Whistler Helicopter Tour Cost?
The pricing varies based on the tour. The BC Experience is CAD 309 per person. You can book a private tour for up to five passengers for CAD 1,539. The shorter Whistler Explorer is CAD 195 per person or CAD 925 for a private tour.
Since Blackcomb Signature is only available as a private tour and is the longest outing, it’s the most expensive at CAD 2,675 per person. Children two and under ride for free on a parent’s lap during any Whistler helicopter tour.
Do We Recommend A Whistler Helicopter Tour?
Our Whistler helicopter tour was one of the best excursions we’ve ever done. Our 45-minute tour was worth every penny as we viewed glaciers up close and landed to walk around an alpine lake. Blackcomb Helicopters was excellent, and our guide was knowledgeable about the area, teaching us as we flew over. We highly recommend booking a Whisterl helicopter tour if you can squeeze it into the budget. It’s well worth it!
Have you ever done a helicopter tour? What was your experience like?
