Get answers about some of the most frequently asked questions from Tyax Lodge & Heliskiing guests.
We love animals! Pet friendly (sorry dogs only) rooms are available, though are limited and must be requested prior to arrival, subject to an additional $30 per night (maximum of 2 pets per a room). All chalets (excluding Spirit Bear) and campsites are pet friendly.
Booking policy: Chalet bookings require a non-refundable 20% deposit at the time of booking. Lodge rooms or campsites do not require a deposit. Full payment is due 14 days prior to the reservation arrival date, Tyax Lodge & Heliskiing will process the full amount of the reservation including taxes. At this point, the reservation will be non-refundable or non-changeable. Tyax will consider date change requests should the reservation guest be restricted to travel due to COVID19 with at least 72 hours’ notice, but the reservation will remain non-refundable. With the payment, the guest agrees to be responsible for all night’s reserved upon arrival date. No refund is given for any unused portion of the package (such as early departures, special requests or activities).
All guests of Tyax can enjoy the complimentary use of the stand-up paddle boards, kayaks and canoes.
Lodge and Chalet guests can also enjoy the complimentary use of the spa facilities, which consists of an outdoor Jacuzzi, steam room, wood sauna, infrared sauna, yoga studio and fitness studio. Campground guests may purchase a spa pass of $25 per person to use the spa facilities.
Tyax does not supply bear spray and guests should bring bear spray with them (and know how to safely use it if ever necessary).
Yes, there is a gas pump available to the public in the town of Gold Bridge (25 minutes from Tyax). This gas pump accepts Interac, Visa and MasterCard and is a self-serve station open 24/7.
While there is no cell phone service at Tyax (or throughout the Bridge River Valley), we are happy to provide complimentary WiFi to our guests. Please note there isn’t WiFi access in our campground. WiFi is limited and we may experience interruptions at times given our remote location.
The Hurley River Forest Service Road is a wilderness forest service road that is only accessible during the summer months. Travel is only recommended with a 4WD vehicle (and note some rental vehicles may not be covered by insurance on this road).
Highway 40 (Carpenter Lake Road) is a maintained highway and school bus route with a combination of paved and gravel sections. Be cautious of sharp corners as well as rocks on the road. Drive with caution and care and be sure to carry a spare tire!
Single group heliskiing means no waiting and maximum flexibility. In the morning, there is no wait for the helicopter to pick up and drop for the second, third or fourth group. No waits at lunchtime or fuel flights where multiple groups can get backed up. Skiing with a single group means we can access our favourite terrain – near or far – quickly and easily. We have increased flexibility in variable weather as the need to plan ahead for three groups is dissipated.
Many heliski operations charge for additional footage above and beyond the vertical meters included in a package. The average cost is $15 per 1,000 meters. If you ski 45,000 meters in a week, you would be paying an additional $700 above your original package price. But with Unlimited Vertical, you pay none of these additional fees.
Not only do you gain all of the incredible benefits of the Unlimited Vertical program, but you also have a vertical guarantee should Mother Nature not cooperate. See package pricing for more details.
If you are an advanced intermediate skier or better, physically fit with a good attitude and a keen sense of adventure, you are definitely a good candidate for a Tyax Lodge heliskiing trip.
Want to be sure? Email us a video of yourself skiing off-piste to sales@tyax.com, and let our experienced guides evaluate your skill level.
(Remember, heliskiing in British Columbia is ski heaven; just imagine light and dry powder, with NO tracks to cross over. Welcome to our world!)
No! We’re lucky to sit on the eastern slopes of the Coastal Mountains, where deep snowpacks abound. By the time the storms roll over the high Coastal Mountains, they’ve cooled off, providing us with light dry powder. A rainy day in Whistler usually means lots of snow at our lodge!
While Tyax is widely known for its expansive alpine terrain, our 830,000 acres include a variety of everything including trees. Terrain selection is dependent on weather and snow conditions. Our guides are chosen not only for their safety skills and mountain-savvy, but also their love of skiing.
The number of runs depends on many factors – group ability, snow quality, stability, run length and weather. Typically, on a full day of skiing, we will ski at least 10 runs and have skied as many as 25 runs in one day! Vertical varies from 3,000 meters on a weather day to 13,000 meters on a sunny day with the right snow conditions with an average of 7,000 meters for many years. An average week of skiing in previous years ranged from 40,000-55,000 meters.
Yes, you do need to sign a waiver. Safety is the number one priority at Tyax Lodge & Heliskiing, and extensive resources are allocated to create and maintain the best risk management program. You will participate in mandatory safety briefings and training before heading into the field to go heliskiing. Our guides and pilots are some of the best in the business and have the highest levels of training and vast experience in the mountains. However, heliskiing does contain inherent risks which exceed the risk of some other forms of recreational skiing and other risks that may be associated with your day to day living; these risks cannot be completely eliminated. You are required to understand and accept these risks before you can ski with us, and we do require this consent in writing. We must receive a complete and witnessed waiver with your full contact details and signature.
Prior to heliskiing, all participants will be required to sign a “Release of Liability, Waiver of Claims, Assumption of Risks and Indemnity Agreement”. Learn more at our Documents & Forms page.
No, there is no cellular service at Tyax Lodge & Heliskiing. As the lodge is in a true wilderness environment, cell coverage is unavailable.
Yes, there is complimentary WiFi throughout the lodge. We do ask that guests are mindful of downloading and streaming as the bandwidth is limited, but you will have full access to the internet.
It is highly recommended that all guests purchase additional insurance coverage for their trip. The following insurance coverage is highly recommended; trip cancellation insurance, trip interruption insurance, medical insurance and evacuation insurance. Please contact LifeStyleFinancial.ca for more information.
Tyax Lodge & Heliskiing is very aware of our surrounding environment and we do as much as we can to minimize our impact in the surroundings. Please learn about our Environmental Commitment for more information
Tipping in Canada and in the heliski industry can seem complicated, especially if you’re visiting from a place where tipping is not the norm. To provide our guests with honest guidelines, we have compiled a breakdown of what to expect while you are at the lodge, provided that we meet and exceed your expectations.
While most amenities are included in your package, items such as alcohol, massage treatments, and service are not included.
There are many team members working in front and behind the scenes to ensure an unforgettable stay. To ensure excellent service to you as our valued guest, there is an automated base gratuity added to your daily dining experience on your beverage bill. You are able to leave a gratuity at the end of your trip to the ‘house’, which will be distributed among all lodge based team members. If you would like to recognize a specific employee, we will ensure that your specified gratuity is directed exactly as specified by you.
Our guides and pilots work very hard to get you to the best snow and terrain possible with the highest safety standards. They always appreciate being recognized for their efforts. At your discretion and as a guideline, our heliski guests generally contribute $50-180 per day to our heli team.