Whistler: Glacier Helicopter Tour and Mountain Landing

About This Experience

This is Blackcomb Helicopters' flight with a stop on the mountain. You lift off from the north end of the Whistler Valley and climb into the Coast Mountains for about 25 minutes of flying, passing close to glaciers the operator dates at around 12,000 years old and looking back over Whistler Blackcomb. Your pilot talks you through what you are seeing over the headsets.

The part most people book it for is the landing. When conditions are safe, the pilot sets down at a mountain spot chosen on the day, listed simply as a secret stop, and you get about 20 minutes outside to stretch your legs, take photos and look around. Then you fly back down and land again in the Whistler Valley, where the flight began.

The landing is a complimentary extra and depends on the weather. The price you pay is for the flight, so if the pilot decides a landing is not safe you still fly, but there is no partial refund. Guests in the reviews mention this happening, so treat the landing as likely in good weather and not guaranteed. When it does go ahead, reviewers describe it as the high point of the trip.

Plan on about 60 minutes in total, which covers check-in and the mandatory safety briefing before boarding, so it fits easily around a morning on the mountain. You can join a shared flight or choose a private option for yourself and up to 4 others. The tour holds a 4.9 rating from 169 reviews, and you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Highlights

• Fly close to glaciers the operator dates at around 12,000 years old
• Look down on Whistler Blackcomb and the valley from above
• A secret-stop landing spot chosen by the pilot on the day, with time for photos
• Climb from the north end of the Whistler Valley straight into the Coast Mountains
• Option to book the helicopter privately for your own group of up to 5
• Fits into part of a morning or afternoon: about 60 minutes from check-in to touchdown

What's Included

• ✓ About 25 minutes of scenic flying in the Coast Mountains
• ✓ Complimentary mountain landing with about 20 minutes on the ground, when safe
• ✓ Headsets for every passenger
• ✓ Live commentary from your pilot
• ✓ Check-in and the mandatory safety briefing before boarding

Not Included

• Tips
• A refund if the complimentary landing cannot go ahead (the price covers the flight)
• Hotel pickup is not listed as included

What to Bring

• Passport or ID card
• Closed-toe shoes (open-toed shoes are not allowed)
• A warm layer for the time on the ground at altitude
• Sunglasses
• A phone or camera with a strap

Good to Know & Caveats

• Allow about an hour in total: roughly 25 minutes in the air and about 20 minutes on the ground at the landing.
• All flights depend on the weather. The mountain landing only goes ahead if the pilot judges it safe.
• The price is for the flight. No refund is given if the landing cannot happen.
• Public tours need at least 2 passengers to operate. Single bookings are accepted but depend on others booking the same flight.
• Flights can also be affected by civil emergencies and aircraft maintenance.
• Alcohol and drugs are not allowed on board.
• In a full shared helicopter, a middle seat has a limited view; a private booking avoids this.
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Meeting Point

The flight lifts off from the north end of the Whistler Valley; the exact starting location depends on the option you book and is confirmed after booking. Hotel pickup is not listed as included.