2013 package guide

about rk

powder packages

powder private

private elite

private platinum

accommodation

our roots, Roger and our team

single / multiday 3 & 5 run options

single / multiday. 5 run private

5 -7 per group. exclusive private

4 -6 per group. very exclusive private

hotels, condos and chalets... you pick

2013 package guide

contents

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p.8

p.10

p.12

p.14

p.16

= private group heliskiing

safetyrk heliski’s approach to safety

p.6

a little about our history

k heliski, originally named Radium Hot Springs Glacier Skiing was founded in 1970

by Roger Keith Madson and was incorporated in the spring of 1972. The original

operation utilized a short take-off and landing aircraft based from the airstrip in Radium.

At this time Forster Creek, Horsethief Creek, Glacier Creek and Toby Creek were all

major drainages used for skiing.

In the winter of 1975, a joint partnership was formed with Hans Gmoser of Canadian

Mountain Holidays, called Radium Bugaboo Heli-Skiing. This firm operated out of Radium

Hot Springs utilizing helicopters for transportation until 1979. The partnership then

moved to Panorama Resort and continued to operate as CMH Panorama until 1981.

In 1987, the present Heli-Plex facility was constructed. During this period Radium Hot

Springs Glacier Skiing separated its affiliation with CMH and became Panorama Heli-Ski

and R.K. Heli-Ski Panorama. Currently the operation is marketed as rk heliski.

In the fall 2002 Roger Madson passed away. He was considered local legend and is greatly

missed by the people of the Columbia Valley. His company, rk heliski, was sold to a small

group of investors who, to this day, keep Roger’s legacy alive in the Purcell Mountains.

rk heliski is now a major player in the mechanized ski industry in

South East British Columbia. It staffs 13 full time ski guides as well

as 10 administrative and front end personel. These figures do

not include rk’s Choppers Landing Restaruant and Bar. rkheliski

has operated from mid December to mid April since 1970, it’s

future looks bright and snowy!

r

e love what we do. The main reason why YOU will have so much fun on your heliski

trip at rk, is that WE are having so much fun working here. Front desk reservations and

administration staff, to the guiding and flight crew, we are all truly doing what we love. From

the time you book your adventure, arrive and ski, the rk staff are right along side you. We will

always strive to make your heliski experience exceptional, one you won’t soon forget.

W

some words on safety at rk heliski

Every year as our guests and potential new guests contemplate booking a heli-ski holiday with us the question of safety comes up. It begins with RK only using Guides that are trained and certified by the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG) and / or the International Guides Association (IFMGA). Every morning before our guest arrive for their day of heli-skiing / heli-boarding the guides and pilots are busy in the guides’ meeting reviewing snowpack information, weather, snow quality to decide where we feel we can safely take you and show you safe great skiing. We evaluate what every other operation in western Canada has seen also. We use a system called the Infoex. This system is managed by the Canadian Avalanche Association (CAA) which takes the observations from every operation and compiles it together so all subscribers can compare their own observation to that of the whole sector. I will also add a fact you may not know that this same information is the core of what is used by the Canadian Avalanche Centre (CAC) to come up with their Public Forecasts that some of you may use as you go ski touring or snowmobiling in the back country. At the end of everyday there is another guides’ meeting with all the guides and pilots in which we digest the day, evaluating safety, product quality and efficiency so as to do even a better job tomorrow. Yes, this happens every single day.

We are often asked if we do avalanche control. The answer is yes. It is one of the topics that is discussed and decided on at our Guides meetings. When we think conditions are appropriate we use one of our helicopters to drop the explosives to the avalanche start zones we feel could produce an avalanche. By doing this it allows us to bring down avalanches on our terms rather than being surprised.

Another tool we use everyday is “avoidance.” What I mean by that is we have a large area to ski in and maybe at a particular time of the season there is an aspect we are concerned about say southern aspects between 2200m and 2700m in elevation. The answer may be a simple as avoiding that type terrain for a period of time until things settle out.

There are many details about safety that happen every day too many to men-tion here but I will mention one other point. RK is also a member of Helicat

Canada. This is an association of Helicopter and Snowcat skiing operators. We are fellow competitors that have come together to establish a set of minimum standards, guidelines and best practices to safely oper-ate by. The Standards Committee of Helicat Canada, of which I sit on, has established a set of Operational Guidelines to cover all aspects of our sector. As part of being a member, an operation must under go regular reviews of their operation by outside independent reviewers. This process includes a checklist that must be completed to attain the maximum return review which is 5 years. This is part of a process that keeps us op-erationally using and practicing the latest best practices. There is one more point I want to mention to you as to why being a member of Helicat Canada is good for our guests. Besides setting the standards Helicat Canada is also working continually to protect the privilege to go heli-skiing in Canada.

RodGibbons Operations Manager

some words on safety at rk heliski

Every year as our guests and potential new guests contemplate booking a heli-ski holiday with us the question of safety comes up. It begins with RK only using Guides that are trained and certified by the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG) and / or the International Guides Association (IFMGA). Every morning before our guest arrive for their day of heli-skiing / heli-boarding the guides and pilots are busy in the guides’ meeting reviewing snowpack information, weather, snow quality to decide where we feel we can safely take you and show you safe great skiing. We evaluate what every other operation in western Canada has seen also. We use a system called the Infoex. This system is managed by the Canadian Avalanche Association (CAA) which takes the observations from every operation and compiles it together so all subscribers can compare their own observation to that of the whole sector. I will also add a fact you may not know that this same information is the core of what is used by the Canadian Avalanche Centre (CAC) to come up with their Public Forecasts that some of you may use as you go ski touring or snowmobiling in the back country. At the end of everyday there is another guides’ meeting with all the guides and pilots in which we digest the day, evaluating safety, product quality and efficiency so as to do even a better job tomorrow. Yes, this happens every single day.

We are often asked if we do avalanche control. The answer is yes. It is one of the topics that is discussed and decided on at our Guides meetings. When we think conditions are appropriate we use one of our helicopters to drop the explosives to the avalanche start zones we feel could produce an avalanche. By doing this it allows us to bring down avalanches on our terms rather than being surprised.

Another tool we use everyday is “avoidance.” What I mean by that is we have a large area to ski in and maybe at a particular time of the season there is an aspect we are concerned about say southern aspects between 2200m and 2700m in elevation. The answer may be a simple as avoiding that type terrain for a period of time until things settle out.

There are many details about safety that happen every day too many to men-tion here but I will mention one other point. RK is also a member of Helicat

Canada. This is an association of Helicopter and Snowcat skiing operators. We are fellow competitors that have come together to establish a set of minimum standards, guidelines and best practices to safely oper-ate by. The Standards Committee of Helicat Canada, of which I sit on, has established a set of Operational Guidelines to cover all aspects of our sector. As part of being a member, an operation must under go regular reviews of their operation by outside independent reviewers. This process includes a checklist that must be completed to attain the maximum return review which is 5 years. This is part of a process that keeps us op-erationally using and practicing the latest best practices. There is one more point I want to mention to you as to why being a member of Helicat Canada is good for our guests. Besides setting the standards Helicat Canada is also working continually to protect the privilege to go heli-skiing in Canada.

RodGibbons Operations Manager

rk heliski is a great place to discover the endless powder of heliskiing and heliboarding. We offer

a daily 3 Run Package to accommodate people looking for a single day powder adventure. We

gear our 3 Run Package to more beginner or intermediate heli-skiers. If it turns out that 3 Runs are

not enough, extra runs are available. Our 5 Run Powder Adventure is the best way to get your

Kootenay Powder Fix. We offer our daily 5 run package to more advanced skiers as well as return

heliskiers and heliboarders. With 5 Runs averaging 1100 vertical meters each, you are sure to leave

rk satisfied and eager for the next trip. We also offer extra runs on our 5 Run Package.

includes:3 or 5 runs in rk’s bell 212

1 skier or snowboarder

1 certified Ski Guide

use of powder skis or snowboards

hot gourmet breakfast

deluxe lunch in the field

certificate and heli pin

emergency evacuation coverage

options available:return transportation Banff / L.Louise

snowpulse avalanche packs

extra runs

helmet camera rental

numerous accommodation options

pricing

*3 Day Summit rates apply for 3 or more days. Days do not need to be skied

consecutively. Rate applies at time of booking and or day 3 of visit.

** Students must provide current and valid proof of full time enrolment in grade

school or post secondary institution, college or university.

All heliski packages are non-refundable. Third party supplimental trip cancellation

is encouraged. Emergency evacuation coverage (EMP) only applies to flight

transportation costs. Ground transport and medical costs are excluded. Weight

restrictions may apply. Prices are subject to change.

The Powder Private Package at rk heliski is a great mix between our 5

run Powder Package and our Private Packages. This package allows

you and up to 6 others the exclusivity of your own group while you

heliski or heliboard your 5 runs. Your group will be teamed up with

your own ski guide. Whether your group prefers to ski at mellow

pace or ski at a fast and aggressive pace. This option is for you.

includes:5 runs with your own group

5 -7 skiers or snowboarders

1 certified Ski Guide

use of powder skis or snowboards

hot gourmet breakfast

deluxe lunch in the field

certificate and heli pin

emergency evacuation coverage

options available:return transportation Banff / L.Louise

snowpulse avalanche packs

extra runs

helmet camera rental

numerous accommodation options

*Multi day rate discounts apply for 3 or more days. Days do not need

to be skied consecutively. Rate applies at time of booking and or day

3 of visit.

**Group size subject to group weight and other factors.

All heliski packages are non-refundable. Third party supplimental trip

cancellation is encouraged. Emergency evacuation coverage (EMP)

only applies to flight transportation costs. Ground transport and

medical costs are excluded. Weight restrictions may apply. Prices are

subject to change.

pricing

includes:1.5 hrs of flight time in rk’s Bell 204

5 - 7* skiers or snowboarders

1 certified Ski Guide

exclusive use of the helicopter

use of powder skis or snowboards

private gourmet breakfast

upgraded heli lunch in the field

emergency evacuation coverage

certificate and heli pin

options available:return flight from major centres

return transfer from Banff / L. Louise

snowpulse avalanche packs

extra flight time

helmet camera rental

private residence

private chef

pricing

*Multi day rate discounts apply for 3 or more days. Days do not need to be skied

consecutively. Rate applies at time of booking and or day 3 of visit.

**Group size subject to group weight and other factors.

All heliski packages are non-refundable. Third party supplimental trip cancellation

is encouraged. Emergency evacuation coverage (EMP) only applies to flight

transportation costs. Ground transport and medical costs are excluded. Weight

restrictions may apply. Prices are subject to change.

The Private Elite Package is a new one at rk heliski. It is a mix between the Powder Private and the

Private Platinum. If you have a larger group of people (5-7) and want to experience the Purcell

mountains on your own terms and in deluxe fashion, the Elite is your best bet. Your morning will

start off with a private, upgraded breakfast. You will be assigned an ACMG ski guide who will be

yours from the beginning to the end of your adventure. Your private group will have exclusive use

of rk’s Bell 204 helicopter. The sky is the limit with 1.5 hours of flying time.

This is the ultimate in private heliskiing here at rk heliski. Your group size is limited to 6 and thats

about it. You will be teamed up with 2 ACMG ski guides, enjoy private upgraded meals and ski as

much as you can. Similar to the Powder Elite, you get exclusive 1.5 hours of use of rk’s Bell 204

helicopter.

*Multi day rate discounts apply for 3 or more days. Days do not need to be skied

consecutively. Rate applies at time of booking and or day 3 of visit.

**Group size subject to group weight and other factors.

All heliski packages are non-refundable. Third party supplimental trip cancellation

is encouraged. Emergency evacuation coverage (EMP) only applies to flight

transportation costs. Ground transport and medical costs are excluded. Weight

restrictions may apply. Prices are subject to change.

includes:1.5 hrs of flight time in rk’s Bell 212

4 - 6* skiers or snowboarders

2 certified Ski Guides

exclusive use of the helicopter

use of powder skis or snowboards

private gourmet breakfast

upgraded heli lunch in the field

emergency evacuation coverage

certificate and heli pin

options available:return flight from major centres

return transfer from Banff / L. Louise

snowpulse avalanche packs

extra flight time

private residence options

private chef and masseause

pricing

accommodation at rk heliski

When it comes to accommodation options during your heliski visit, the sky is really the limit!

The rk Heliplex, home base of operations, is perfectly situated at Panorama Mountain Village,

a short 20 minute drive west of Invermere BC. This location allows for easy helicopter access

to the seamlessly unending glaciers and perfectly spaced treed runs... and all that glorious

powder! When the skiing is over for the day, all the comforts of Panorama Mountain Village

can be exploited. Hot tubs, spas, fine restaurants and a great night life are yours to explore.

Accommoadation options available range from simple hotel style rooms, well

appointed condominiums, to extravagant mountain chalet homes. The various homes and

hotels are within walking distance to rk heliski, and allow you to costumize your dream ski

vacation.

Panorama is known for its immense mountain, but it’s the smaller-by-design village that

really sets the resort apart. All condos, town homes, and hotel rooms are just a short stroll, or Gondola

ride, from the steaming waters of the Panorama Springs pools, Canada’s biggest mountainside hot!

Book your dream ski vacation todaytoll free: 1 800 661 6060

telephone: 1 250 342 3889

email: info@rkheliski.com

website: www.rkheliski.com