We, at Heli-Skier, are known for our Operator Reviews. As an operator, Northern Escape Heli Skiing has three locations / lodges, and we review each of those in detail (below). The following is our comprehensive overview of this operator.
Northern Escape Heli Skiing was founded in 2004 by four friends, Benny Abruzzo, Teddy Allsopp, Dave Riddle and acting President and G.M. John Forrest. Since its modest beginnings, NEH has grown to three locations and built reputation throughout the heliskiing industry as one of the premier operators in British Columbia. In 2022, Northern Escape was voted the World’s Best Heli Ski Operator by the World Ski Awards. And in the following years they kept their title!
NEH focuses on flying in small groups and is dedicated to delivering as much skiing time as you can handle! On a great day, if your thighs are not screaming for Après-ski and the jacuzzi / spa by the time you load the bird on your last pick up, then you haven't skied hard enough!
Heli can't fly? Bust out the Cats! Photo: Courtesy of Northern Escape Hell
Northern Escape has an answer to "no-fly days," so you’ll never have to waste time thinking, "What am I going to do today in B.C.?" Day drinking in the lodge will definitely be your last choice when the weather’s less than ideal. Say hello to "Catskiing!"
If the quality of the skiing doesn't blow your ski socks off, their accommodations will - three top tier destination B.C. lodges.
With a focus on exceptional dining, you’ll be living large and enjoying some of the finest cuisines that Northern British Columbia has to offer. (See our Northern Escape Heli individual destination lodge reviews for more detail.)
Northern Escape Heli Skiing Destinations
Few heliskiing operators boast such a premiere selection of lodges so close to a regional B.C. airport
Northern Escape focuses on providing lush service and premiere accommodations at three unique lodges. Each has its own personality and boutique feeling. You certainly won't feel like you're in the midst of a "Day-heli cattle call" (we've been subjected to that once!) or participating a some kind of snow-bound corporate retreat.
All locations are perfect for unwinding after an exhausting and fulfilling day up in the mountains.
Their three lodge locations are identified on this map. As you can see, they are well located in relationship to the Terrace airport!
Tell Me a Bit About The History of Northern Escape Heli Skiing
Bluebird Day in The Skeena Mountains! Photo: Courtesy of Northern Escape Heli Skiing.
The founders of Northern Escape Heli Skiing had the "luxury" of observing the heliskiing forefather's operations, which paved the way before them, since 1965.
The Founders have some very colorful backstories!
Describing NEH founder / partner Benny Abruzzo, 2015 New Mexico Ski Hall of Fame inductee, as an outdoor enthusiast, would be an understatement. Benny owned and managed the Sandia Peak Ski Area & Ski Santa Fe, taking over from his parents. (His father was a famous balloonist, Ben Abruzzo.)
Teddy Allsopp Had a remarkable career in the restaurant / bar & ski tourism business, leading up to launching NEH. Teddy was the co-founder of the Downhill Riders and Ski Travel Company, operating over 30 years and hosting over 100,000 guests for ski vacations throughout the globe. He also proudly claims to be the World's first to ski all 78 lift serviced ski hills In BC and Alberta! "Heli-skiing is the coolest thing you can do on this planet without taking your clothes off!" - Teddy.
President & G.M. John Forrest and ACMG certified guide, has been leading guests in the backcountry for four decades...his entire life! Do what you love, right? John just lives and breathes this lifestyle, sharing every aspect of it with their guests!
Ian Morrison skiing at Northern Escape Heliskiing
Those unique backgrounds and experience in the skiing & hospitality industry, gave the four lifelong friends (including Dave) - the NEH founders, the ability to look back at 40 years of heliskiing and then envision a heliskiing operation with all of the elements that they would want incorporated into a perfect week, if they were guests...so...add on the secret sauce!
They began with the obvious - focusing on a smaller-scale, small-group heliskiing experience, so that their clients felt like they were heliskiing rockstars in the throws of their own concert performance! Groups are usually constructed of no more than five or six skiers.
Interestingly, NEH is one of the few operators flies Koala helicopters. This aircraft allows them to fly faster and more nimbly, arguably reaching more terrain than other popular industry helicopters.
So they started with...and still maintain that "small-group heli vibe." (At Heli-Skier, we are big believers in that same vibe!) 6 years later they did something special...
For the 2009-2010 season, they identified some of their terrain, known as the "Catland Zone." They introduced two snow cats that would transport their guests throughout thousands of acres of tree skiing. Say hello to catskiing right within their tenure! Essentially, they solved the "no-fly day" problem for their guests! If you've ever been to a B.C. heli lodge and been grounded for days unable to fly, it can become madding! Too big a bar tab! Northern Escape heliskiing integrated the solution to this problem directly into their heliskiing program. That was genius.
But identifying the best elements of a heliskiing adventure and implementing them into the business model didn't stop there...
The NEH operations could now keep skiers on the hill nearly every day, regardless of the weather. Rapid improvements in ski technology also gave the skiers more performance and endurance in deep powder conditions, extending their skiing day!
For the 2011-2012 Season, They began offering "Unlimited Vertical," with no additional fees after a typical vertical target was met for the ski package.
Therefore, NEH combined 3 key ingredients to greatly enhancing the guest's experience:
- Intimate small-group heliskiing
- No down days
- Unlimited skiing potential
WHO WOULDN'T WANT THAT! RIGHT?
The result? Recognition.
Northern Escape’s operation and terrain has been used by many major ski film companies, including Matchbox Productions. Their operation has also appeared in Skier, Transworld Snowboarding, and Powder.
Today, the experience is much the same as it was when the four founders set out more than two decades ago. They hire an amazing team of ACMG-certified guides, world-class Red Seal Chefs, and an attentive service staff that’s there for your every need.
Tell Me More About The Vertical Guarantees and Unlimited Vertical
Tell me Everything About the Catskiing Operation
Heliskiing Terrain (Zones) and Difficulty
