The Legal Environment of Riding

If you look at the bag of any lift ticket, you'll find a bunch of legalese, most of which can be condensed into these words: "Be careful out there people. You might get hurt, and it isn't our fault if you do."

These disclaimers take a step up if you participate in a heli-skiing trip. Take for example the sample release form in the 2007/2008 "Information & Rates 2008/2009" brochure from Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing. (Given the high-4, low-5 figure fee, I'm not planning on a trip anytime soon.)

It says in part, that you affirm that helicopter skiing has "certain additional dangers and risks," which include ... "HELICOPTER TRAVEL -- the conduct, including negligence of the carrier," which, we are told, "includes operational error and/or mechanical failure."

I'm not sure what "operational error" means in terms of the law, but it suggests errors in judgment and failing to follow through on prudent safety procedures. Do I waive MW's liability for mechanical failure brought on by the company's failure to observe prudent maintenance routines and procedures?

In the U.S., we spend too much time suing each other. Can it be, though, that Canadian law governing heli-skiing requires signing away any and all legal rights?

Money to Burn and Heli-Skiing

Snowboarding can be an expensive sport--with the window price for lift tickets fetching over $90 a day at some places--and then there's really expensive.

The ultimate in the riding experience, and price, just may be heli-skiing. I'm on variety of mailing lists, and one of those brought me a brochure from the company known as Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing.

It certainly looks tempting -- if you have the cash for these 3 to 7 day trips to the mountains in the interior of British Columbia.

Everything is based in the town of Blue River.


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(How isolated is Blue River? It's about 375 miles from Vancouver B.C. and 395 miles from Calgary.)

Each day, a guide takes you and your party in a chopper to somewhere within a 1.2 million acre parcel of land, assuming that weather allows for flying. No need to worry about the altitude being either too high for sleeping (2,240 feet) or too low for snow (the average altitude for helicopter landings is 8,000 feet). You don't have to be an expert--just someone who is looking forward to powder days.

For your money, you get a guide, transportation to the slopes (fresh tracks every day!), lodging, food, safety equipment, and training in the use of that equipment. They encourage customers to use their own snowboards, which are free for the use. The lodging may offer more than you'd care to take in--are you really going to hit the gym after a day in the mountains?--but it's all in the price, so if you can enjoy it, go ahead.

The best time to go may be March or April, when temperatures are higher and prices are lower. A 5-day "Deluxe" package costs $6,414 during shoulder seasons and $7,825 during peak season. That's $1,282 to $1,457 per day. (You can even upgrade from there.) You can get by in even spendy Aspen or Vail for a lot less, but then again, you won't have the same experience. Private arrangements are also available.

Before you make a reservation, make sure you're committed, as cancellation is costly. Read through the "reservations" section of the brochure ("Information & Rates 2008/2009") and you'll read "Our reservation and cancellation policies are standard in the helicopter skiing industry." Translated into English: You could lose $5,000 up to your entire fee, depending on when you cancel.

Expensive, but if you've got money to burn, go for it.