3 Reasons to Book a Guide Heli-Biking

Picture this: you’ve arrived in Whistler for your dream bike vacation, the sun is shining, lakes are glistening, and the valley mountain bike trails are loose, chunky, and dusty. You’ve checked off epic days in the Whistler Bike Park, and you’re looking for something different, something unique. You’re standing in line waiting to load the lift for the 20th time to survive the harsh brake bumps of the park when you stroll by the AlpX office in the village. Heli-Biking. The perfect adventure to top off your ultimate bike getaway. 

So, you’ve decided to book Heli-biking, but you must choose whether to book a guide or ride without one. Here are three reasons why booking a Guide might be in your best interest! 

1. Save the Bank:

Whether you’re travelling solo or in a small group of up to 3 people, our Public Guided groups are the perfect solution without breaking the bank. Join other travellers in the Public group led by one of our expert guides. A Public Guided group is offered for both the 12 KM Expert Hidden Peak and the 9 KM Advanced Middle Peak Trail. Riders ranging in ability levels from advanced-intermediate to Expert have an option each day of operations. As Whistler’s only heli-biking operator, we wanted to ensure that even a solo traveller could experience our trail. Shred down the mountain and hear about other bikers’ experiences, improve your riding, and get trail condition updates along the descent. 

If you are a group of 4, we have a Private Guided option to customize your day completely. Fill the Helicopter with your best pals and your trusty, experienced guide to make the most of your day Heli-biking.  

2. Safety & Knowledge: 

Our guides are highly skilled, trained, and certified in their field. Many stem from backgrounds such as Heli-skiing guides, ACMG (Association Canadian Mountain Guides) or SG (Ski Guide) certified, Search and rescue volunteers, and mountain Patrollers. The Hidden Peak trail is located directly in the backcountry, away from local first aid responders. We are the first responders on the trail, our guides and helicopter. We ask that riders please ride at 70% of their intensity. If something was to go wrong along the way, your first call is to our guides; what better to already have one in your group? Accompanied with a full first aid kit and years of knowledge. Ride at peace, knowing you and your crew only need to focus on your riding and the descent! 

3. The Trail Experts:

The final reason you should book a guide is to make the most of your ride. You only get one lift to the top of the trail, typically taking riders 1 - 2+ hours to complete. Don’t waste your valuable time hiking a feature because you didn’t know how sick it would be until you ride it. Our guides are trail experts; we’re a small team of nine who have been with us since day one in 2022. They know every corner, every rock, every dust pile of the trail; they can help prepare you for each section to ensure you feel like a rockstar on the descent. Or if you’re looking to get the perfect shot to prove to all your friends & family you went Heli-biking, and it was sick. They can guide you to the best spot for a mini photoshoot, but watch out, people will probably ask you, “Have you gone pro?”

For most people, Heli-biking is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, you owe it to yourselves to make the most of it. Book a guide, you won’t regret it. You will save some dollars, feel safer, and you might even learn something.