Here's how it happens: the helicopter pulls away from the ridge, wrapping you in an envelope of swirling crystals. As the cloud dissipates and sound drifts off into the atmosphere like a wind dying in the tree-tops, a weight is lifted from your life. Maybe you don't feel it at first because the void is instantly filled by what you see: the glaciated peaks of the Coast Range on every horizon; nothing and no one in sight. But you feel it after that first run. The one where you ski or board down 1,000 vertical metres in snow so deep it pours up and over your shoulders like water. It's the best skiing you've done in a lifetime of great skiing. You feel it and you instantly know this: it's worth it.
'Worth it' is the first, last and middle thing you learn about heli-skiing. After any hand-wringing over affordability or how good it might be or whether you'll be able to handle it, heliskiers' expectations are so often exceeded they're almost irrelevant. And if you're on a dream holiday you've looked forward to forever, do you really want it any other way?
With three different heli-ski operations that can whisk you from the comforts of the village to the heights of the Coast Range, Whistler offers a uniquely affordable chance to try this most exquisite of snow thrills. How good do you have to be? If you're in shape and can tackle intermediate terrain at the resort, you're good to go.
There's a lot about powder snow to recommend it. It's natural for one thing - fresh, clean, sparkly and doesn't hurt so much when you fall. But those in the know will tell you there's also transcendence to riding powder that cuts to the heart of the skiing or boarding experience.
Whistler Blackcomb understands. When the resort joined forces with Whistler Heli-skiing in 2006, it effectively added a half-million acres of Coast Range to its area - from wide-open glaciers to alpine bowls to glorious glades.
All heli-ski tours include avalanche gear and training, an experienced guide and a hearty lunch. You can win yourself a chance to experience untracked powder, wide open alpine and zero lift lines by entering Tourism Whistler's Sabbatical contest http: //wouldyoudoit.whistler.com - an all-expenses paid month in Whistler. Or you can just do it yourself. Either way, it'll be worth it.
