CANADA


->viÌÞ wÀÃÌ And, ultimately, that’s the reality of adrenaline pursuits. Mother Nature reigns supreme and safety comes above guest satisfaction. Sitting in on one of the team’s morning LÀiiwn}à }>Ûi Õà >n inÃi}hÌ inÌo Ìhi Û>ÃÌ `>Ì> liÛin assesses to select each day’s runs (there are more than 200 to choose from), with guides observing readings from ÜiLV>mà in Ìhi wil`] >n>lÞÃin} Üi>ÌhiÀ >n` ÃnoÜ«>Vk intelligence and sharing data with other local operations. “We’re a very conservative guiding operation,” Gigi said as we sat down for avalanche training in the lounge – something every guest must undertake, alongside helicopter training, before getting out on the mountain. We were shown how to use a transceiver, avalanche


probe and rescue shovel – all of which guests carry in L>Vk«>Vkà wÌÌi` ÜiÌh Ìo}}li->VÌiÛ>Ìi` >iÀL>} ÃÞÃÌimð At the aircraft hangar we learned how to ‘bundle’ our skis so they’re easier to haul into the aircraft’s equipment basket, how to enter and exit the helicopter and how to ‘heli-huddle’ on the mountain as it comes into land. On day three, the fog had eased and we were able to


get airborne, gawping at the mountains as they sprawled out before us. It was bittersweet – as giddy as we were to be above the clouds, it was a reminder of how close we had come to skiing in one of the world’s most iconic places. Many companies offer heliskiing in Revelstoke, but few do it like Eleven. Despite our lack of skiing, the team worked hard to deliver many moments of genuine surprise and delight – saving the best for our last day, when we found Gigi at the top of a wooded trail. “Follow the path and it’ll lead you to paradise,” he said with a knowing }Àin° 7i mi>n`iÀi` LiÌÜiin Ìhi ÌÀiià Ìo wn` Vh>iÀà ÜiÌh ÌhÀoÜà >n` VÕÃhionà >ÀÀ>n}i` >ÀoÕn` > VÀ>Vklin} wÀi] >n` a table set up to emulate a bar with local beers, mulled wine and gourmet charcuterie. And, just like that, we didn’t mind that the trip hadn’t gone exactly to plan.


BOOK IT: Heliskiing at Eleven Revelstoke Lodge starts from about £8,464 per night for one to three guests, and about £17,499 per night for four to eight guests, both excluding tax. The price includes guided heliskiing with Kingfisher, all the necessary gear, pre-arrival planning, chef-prepared


breakfast, lunch and après, and house alcoholic and non-alcohol beverages. ELEVENEXPERIENCE.COM


FROM TOP: Spectacular scenery; the lounge at Eleven Revelstoke Lodge; knee-deep in Revelstoke’s famous powder Credits: Mitch Cheek; Eleven Experience; Robert Sim


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JUNE 2025 ASPIRE


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