Sun Peaks Resort Offers Heli Day Through Mike Wiegele Heli-Skiing

Most skiers haven't yet dusted off their boards, but Mike Wiegele, owner of Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing in British Columbia, zipped up to Most Magnificent in mid-August for summer glacier skiing. Wiegele's heli-company offers guided skiing through September and has teamed up with Sun Peaks Resort to add an additional ski option this winter.

The heli-skiing company is adding a new single-day heli package in tandem with Sun Peaks Resort. The 8 Peaks Experience is a single-day helicopter trip in the Cariboo and Monashee Mountains surrounding Blue River. It targets intermediate level skiers and snowboarders. The term "8 Peaks" refers to a collection of possible destinations for the day. Those include White River, Diamond Head, White Water, Duffy's, Saddle, Ptarmigan, Wilkins, and Froth.

Three- or five-run packages include a guide, lunch, rentals, safety gear and, of course, the flights. Each group of four guests has one guide.

Rates run $750-$825 CAN per day, but plan on adding on a tip for the guide and taxes. Additional runs cost $80 CAN each. Shuttle transfers, which take 2.5 hours one way from Sun Peaks Resort, cost $160 CAN.

Those opting to spend the night in Blue River can stay in a log chalet at the luxury Heli Village Resort. An overnight package with a gourmet dinner, breakfast buffet, and accommodations runs $300 CAN based on double occupancy.

Mike Wiegele also offers three-, five-, and seven-day heli packages. The company runs a snowcat program, too, and offers a combo snowcat-heli seven-day program. Skiers and riders looking to amp up their skills in preparation for heli trips can take lessons at Sun Peaks.

More information. Or call 800-661-9170.