First Descent Heli-Skiing in the Canadian Arctic
Be one of the first in the world to ski untouched mountain faces from your luxury Weber Arctic basecamp
Become one of the select few to stay, heli-ski and snowmobile under Baffin Island’s midnight sun. This 7-day luxury expedition in partnership with Weber Arctic is so much more than just heli-skiing where few ever have. You will be transported to another world, exploring the striking fjords and immense glaciers of Canada’s remote and wild Arctic from your purpose-built basecamp.
Heli-ski first descents on un-named mountains under the midnight sun, snowmobile to the floe edge and tuck into freshly caught Arctic char sashimi. All from the comfort of your purpose-built basecamp on Baffin Island.
Your basecamp is located on the east side of Baffin Island, Nunavut – the largest island in Canada and the fifth-largest island in the world. Fly into Ottowa, ON where you'll take a short flight onto Clyde River.
Adventurous travellers, looking for an out-of-this-world heli-ski expedition. Advanced skiers, seeking something beyond a powder heli-ski trip. Private groups up to 8 people.
This expedition runs for several exclusive weeks between April and May each year, to take advantage of the clearer skies and extended daylight hours.
19 Apr – 25 Apr 2022: Sold out
25 Apr – 1 May 2022: Sold out
1 May – 7 May 2022: Sold out
7 May – 14 May 2022: Available
A DAY IN THE LIFE
Wake up to the sound of the wind gently lapping snow against the side of your cozy Arctic dome, not a soul around other than your group for hundreds of kilometres. Time to take a warm shower, against the contrasting backdrop of the wild and beautiful Arctic ice and towering granite peaks of Baffin Island. A quick walk across to your communal “lodge” – a purpose built living room, kitchen and dining room beside your individual domes. Your private chef whips up a fresh Canadian-style breakfast and you head back to your dome to get wrapped up for the day’s outdoor adventures.
The helicopter fires up in the background as you fill your thermos with hot chocolate and take your pick of snacks from the endless selection at basecamp. Time to pull on your warm ski boots and load up the heli. Flying over majestic mountain peaks, flowing glaciers and deep fjords, you land up on Mt Wordie, jump out of the helicopter and cover your face as fresh snow hammers you from the heli taking off to meet you at the bottom.
Final check: boots tightened, airbag trigger out, goggles down – game time. You rip down 4km of pristine Arctic powder, where few have ever skied before, as you spy the frozen ocean below. Surfing down the dry champagne snow your legs start to burn as the ocean and heli come into view. 50 more glorious turns and you’re there, the heli whisks you up for another, and repeat. Life is good.
Time to head back back for lunch – but this is no ordinary lunch. You take the snowmobiles out towards the “Sinaaq”, where the open water meets the ice. Your guide sets up your gourmet picnic whilst you explore the floe edge on foot. Mighty icebergs and immense wilderness stretch as far as the eye can see. You start to realise how remote and completely isolated you are out here. Good job you are in the trusty hands of a 3-generation family of Arctic explorers and mountaineers!
You return to your picnic and tuck into freshly caught Arctic char sashimi. Your knowledgeable guide point out peaks, first summited by the Weber family as they recount crazy stories of starting and maintaining their unique way of life in the untamed and beautiful Nunavut. Soon it’s time to fire up the snowmobiles and head back across the expansive Arctic desert to basecamp.
The bravest member of your group takes an Arctic plunge in the sun, whilst another opts for a relaxing massage. After a hot shower, the group reconvenes for dinner. It’s an exquisite 3-course affair inspired by Canadian ingredients across the country, and expertly prepared by your private chef. You discuss heading back out for a midnight heli-ski run or two (possible thanks to Baffin Island’s unique coordinates), but decide to pop a bottle of Okanagan Syrah instead. Legs are tired and in need of a rest – enough excitement for today, the midnight heli-ski will have to wait until tomorrow. Time to hit the hay.
PRICING
Starting at CAD$175,000 ($14,585 per person based on 12 people, double occupancy) plus 5% tax. This adventure is available as a full buyout only, and is suitable for up to 12 guests.
Included for this price:
- 5 full days heli-skiing (2.5 hours fly time per day)
- Snow cat to assist with ski adventures
- Gourmet meals each day, cooked by your private chef
- Hospitality of Weber Arctic’s lodge staff
- Professional polar-trained heli-ski guides
- 6 nights of private and comfortable accommodation with hot showers and massage facilities
- Transportation to and from Clyde River Airport
- Snowmobile expedition with picnic
- Use of on-site “toys” including snow cat, touring skis and more
Other Activities
Both cat-skiing and alpine ski-touring can be included in your trip – climb the unnamed glaciers behind your accommodations, a gorgeous collection of peaks and glaciers right on your doorstep, ready to ski. Explore the glaciers and take in the stunning views and truly unspoiled landscapes around you. Baffin holds a massive selection of terrain to suit all ski levels; long flowing glaciers for intermediate skiers, to steeper terrain such as couloirs and larger glaciers for advanced skiers. Finish your day by returning to camp on your skis.
For a truly Arctic experience, we recommend diving deeper into the distinctive Inuit culture. From dog sledding on the Baffin Bay sea ice, to a drum-dancing and throat-singing performance – an art only found among the Inuit – Clyde River holds a unique traditional culture that is becoming increasingly rare in modern Inuit communities.
Wildlife enthusiasts will love Spring, as polar bears and seals begin to make the Arctic ice floe edge of Baffin Bay their home. Take a helicopter flight out onto Baffin Bay and walk amongst the sea ice as you search for polar bears and newly born cubs. Fish for Arctic char in the fjord lakes as Spring begins to melt the lake ice and have your chef prepare it for your dinner.
Ski First Descents in Canada’s Arctic
The coveted first descent, skiing where nobody has skied before – this is the pinnacle of any skiing career and a staple item on skiers’ bucket lists far and wide. This is one of few trips offered around the world where you are guaranteed to be the first people to ski a run, and along with that, the all important naming rights. Baffin Island’s remote location means there are entire collections of mountains without names, and within them thousands of un-named ski runs, ready and waiting for you to claim them as your own.
Looking for more bucket list inspiration, take a look at some of our other signature ski adventures below.
Ready for the trip of a lifetime?
The Mabey Ski team is so excited to offer this Arctic basecamp expedition – it really has all the makings of the true ultimate ski trip. If you’re looking for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure for your crew, then look no further than our Baffin Island basecamp. We like to say that the adventure shouldn’t end when the slope does, and here the adventure truly never ends.
