Getting Here
Heli-Skiing from Vancouver
Private charter flights. A helicopter to the doorstep.
Deep in British Columbia’s Cariboo Mountains, Silvertip feels a world away from the city. Getting here is surprisingly straightforward.
Our heli-skiing packages include a direct private charter flight from Vancouver to Williams Lake, followed by a helicopter transfer straight to Silvertip Lodge. The journey takes approximately 2.5 hours, bringing you from Vancouver to our remote lakeside lodge without a long winter drive.
With charter departures normally between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., many guests can leave home in the morning and reach our wilderness lodge that afternoon.
Vancouver → Williams Lake by private charter → Silvertip Lodge by helicopter.
Your Journey to Silvertip
1. Start Your Morning in Vancouver
Your heli-skiing trip doesn’t have to begin with an extra night away.
Our private charter normally departs Vancouver between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., making same-morning travel to Vancouver possible for many guests. If you live in the city, enjoy your morning before heading to the airport. If you’re flying in from elsewhere, we can help you assess whether your arrival leaves enough time to connect.
For guests travelling from Europe or farther afield, we recommend arriving at least the night before to settle in and allow a buffer before your charter.
Your journey to Silvertip begins at the Air Elite Terminal Building, operated by Skyservice, near Vancouver International Airport’s South Terminal. We’ll provide the exact check-in time and departure details in your tour itinerary.
2. Fly Direct to Williams Lake
Board Silvertip’s arranged private charter for an approximately one-hour flight from Vancouver to Williams Lake.
This flight is organized for guests travelling to the lodge, so you don’t need to book a separate scheduled airline connection for this leg of your journey.
3. Take the Helicopter Straight to the Lodge
At Williams Lake Airport, transfer to a helicopter for the approximately 45-minute flight to Silvertip.
The final leg is part of the experience: mountain valleys, forested slopes and the waters of Quesnel Lake lead you into the Cariboo wilderness. You’ll land at the lodge, where our team will welcome you.
A Remote Lodge with a Simple Route from Vancouver
Silvertip sits at the eastern end of Quesnel Lake, surrounded by the mountains and interior rainforest of British Columbia’s Cariboo region. There is no road access to the lodge.
For guests, that means genuine wilderness without arranging a rental car or driving mountain highways to reach us. We coordinate the charter flight and helicopter transfer as part of your trip.
Once here, settle into an intimate lodge with exceptional tree skiing, alpine terrain, good food and a spa overlooking the lake.
Choose our Classic program with two groups of up to eight guests sharing a Bell 212, a private helicopter for your own group, or an exclusive lodge booking.
Return Flights Included
Your journey home follows the same route: helicopter from Silvertip Lodge to Williams Lake, then private charter back to Vancouver.
Return charter flights and scheduled helicopter transfers are included in your heli-skiing package. Travel to Vancouver, overnight accommodation and ground transportation between your hotel and airport terminals are arranged separately.
Please check your tour itinerary with our team before booking onward flights. Flight schedules and journey times are subject to weather and operating conditions.
Getting Here: Common Questions
How do I get to Silvertip from Vancouver?
Take Silvertip’s arranged private charter flight directly from Vancouver to Williams Lake, then transfer by helicopter to the lodge. Both legs are coordinated as part of your heli-skiing trip.
How long does it take to reach Silvertip from Vancouver?
Allow approximately 2.5 hours for the journey from Vancouver to Silvertip Lodge. The charter flight takes about one hour, followed by a transfer in Williams Lake and an approximately 45-minute helicopter flight.
Are the flights included in my heli-skiing package?
Yes. Return charter flights between Vancouver and Williams Lake, plus the scheduled helicopter transfers between Williams Lake and Silvertip Lodge, are included. Any alternative or additional travel arrangements should be confirmed with our team.
Which Vancouver terminal do I leave from?
Your charter departs from Air Elite, operated by Skyservice, near Vancouver International Airport’s South Terminal. This is separate from YVR’s main passenger terminal. Follow the exact location and check-in instructions in your tour itinerary.
Do I need to arrive in Vancouver the night before?
Not necessarily. Our private charter normally leaves Vancouver between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., so many guests can travel to Vancouver that morning and continue to Silvertip the same day.
Before booking connecting flights, confirm your tour’s departure time with our team and allow time to collect luggage and transfer to Air Elite. If you’re travelling from Europe or farther afield, we recommend arriving at least the night before.
Your Trip Starts in Vancouver
Tell us your preferred dates and who you’re travelling with. We’ll help you choose your heli-skiing program and explain the journey from Vancouver to Silvertip.
Preparing for your trip? See our Planning Checklist and review our wilderness skiing waiver.