Business Details
34 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Premier Kootenay Helicopter Adventure Starts Here
Founded in 1992, High Terrain Helicopters has established itself as a leader in mountain helicopter operations across the Kootenays. Our fleet of Bell and Airbus aircraft supports diverse services including heli-biking, weddings, tours, heli-skiing, wildfire suppression, and commercial projects. With over 30 years of experience, we prioritize safety, innovation, and customer satisfaction. Our pilots average 8,000 hours of experience, ensuring precision in challenging terrain. We operate 365 days a year from bases in Nelson and Nakusp, British Columbia, serving clients in British Columbia and Alberta. Our commitment to rigorous training and safety protocols has earned us a spotless safety record.We partner with local businesses and organizations to deliver tailored solutions, from environmental research to film production support. Our teams deep local knowledge and passion for aviation drive our mission to exceed client expectations. As a family-owned business, we remain dedicated to the communities we serve. Our partnerships with organizations like the British Columbia Forestry Service underscore our industry leadership. Whether transporting adventurers to remote locations or supporting critical wildfire operations, we combine technical expertise with a customer-first approach.
Services
Heli-Biking
Weddings
Heli-Skiing
Forest Fire Suppression
Aerial Film
Commercial Services
Environmental Research
Diamond Drill Support
Search & Rescue
Mountain Tours
Details
- Year established: 1992
Highlights and features
- We operate a modern fleet of Bell and Airbus helicopters with 30+ years of mountain aviation experience.
- Our pilots average 8,000 flight hours and maintain a spotless safety record since 1992.
- We offer 24/7 emergency response capabilities for search and rescue operations.
- Our team provides customized solutions for commercial clients in remote locations.
- We specialize in challenging mountain terrain operations across British Columbia and Alberta.
Services
Heli-Biking
Our heli-biking service transports riders to remote mountain trails in the Kootenays. Using AStar helicopters with specialized bike racks, we carry up to six bikes per flight. Available from June to October, this service connects adventurers with world-class biking terrain like Toad Mountain's 4,000-foot descent. We cater to both individual riders and organized groups.
Forest Fire Suppression
We provide critical wildfire suppression services using aircraft equipped with Bambi Buckets and longline systems. Our pilots undergo specialized training for water bucketing, fire crew transport, and infrared scanning. Based in Nelson and Nakusp, we support British Columbia's emergency response network with rapid deployment capabilities during fire season.
Aerial Film
Our helicopters support film production in challenging mountain environments. Modified aircraft accommodate professional camera systems for projects ranging from Red Bull's The Art of Flight to major Hollywood productions like X-Men II. With experienced crew and specialized equipment, we enable filmmakers to capture dramatic aerial footage in remote locations.
Mountain Weddings
We create unforgettable wedding experiences by transporting couples and guests to scenic alpine locations. Our service includes helicopter transport to remote sites like McKean Lakes, with capacity for small groups. Packages include safety briefings and coordination with local officiants and photographers for complete event planning.
Diamond Drill Support
Our precision longline operations support mineral exploration projects in remote areas. We transport drilling equipment, camps, and personnel to inaccessible locations using specialized slinging techniques. With over 20 years of experience, we serve clients in the Kootenays, Bugaboos, and northwest British Columbia, providing fuel and accommodation logistics for extended projects.
People
Steve Benwell
Owner
Steve Benwell founded High Terrain Helicopters in 1992 while operating a logging business. A Kootenay local with decades of aviation experience, he transitioned the company from a single Hiller 12E to a seven-aircraft fleet serving British Columbia and Alberta.
Questions
What helicopter tour options are available in Nelson?
We offer three main tours: Kokanee Glacier scenic flights ($385), Alpine Lakes picnics ($650), and the Grand West Kootenay tour ($750). All include safety briefings and depart from our Nelson hangar.
Can you accommodate special event transportation?
Yes, we specialize in unique transportation needs including mountain weddings ($499 package) and film production support. Our helicopters can transport up to 5 passengers or specialized cargo.
Do you provide commercial services for industry clients?
We support commercial operations with powerline patrols, diamond drill moves, and construction projects. Our mountain expertise includes longline precision work and remote site logistics.
Are your pilots certified for emergency operations?
Our team maintains 24/7 search and rescue readiness with annual training. Pilots are certified for Class D Human External Extraction System operations and use advanced safety equipment.
What safety measures are in place for passenger flights?
We maintain a spotless safety record since 1992. All tours include mandatory safety briefings, and our fleet undergoes regular maintenance. Pilots average 8,000 flight hours and receive ongoing training.
Reviews (2)
KiN Tech Support
Mar 03, 2021
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Thank you High Terrain for assisting us in restoring service once again! Ray is a top notch pilot, he could not have placed the pallet in a better location. We had service restored in under 8 hours, with the remoteness of the site this would not be possible otherwise. Highly recommended, you will not find better operators in the Kootenays!
J. Fieldler
Aug 20, 2019
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Great staff and a good way to get to ski.bauldFace
They also offer sight seeing tours
Owned by Steve a very nice man and helpfull
They also offer sight seeing tours
Owned by Steve a very nice man and helpfull
