Sports Trend Helisledding At more than 8,000 feet, the Pemberton Ice Cap extends over 95,000 acres and is the largest glacier south of Alaska. With vast open spaces covering miles and miles of ice fields, it yields untouched snow and spectacular views highly coveted by all those who have ever hoped for a wide-open ski run without a lift line. Though the ice fields can be accessed by snowmobile, the trip can be long and grueling. But thanks to Whistler HeliSledder, you now have another option. Dave Mills started up this company, geared toward both the first-timer and the seasoned veteran, as a means of making this spectacular bit of natural beauty accessible to all who desire to experience it. Similar to heli-skiing or heli- snowboarding, Whistler HeliSledder takes you on a 15-minute helicopter ride out of Whistler, British Columbia, and lands you at its own base camp 6,500 feet up. From there Whistler HeliSledder has 25,000 acres of exclusive access and is the only company allowed to fly into this wide-open (read: empty) bit of snow-covered world. The first time he stumbled upon the ice cap, Dave said he suddenly came upon a “monster glacier as far as I could see.” Spending the next three years doing recon in the area, he worked with reputable guides and builders to establish this unique new adventure. With two teenage daughters at the time, Dave’s goal was to make snowmobiling on the Pemberton Ice Cap accessible to all who desired it, and he did not want it to be the exclusive domain of the hardest of hard-core riders. And the greatest thing about heli-sledding? There are no limits to what you can do. Take a leisurely ride around the ice cap or strap on your snowboard and go for a multiday mountain adventure. If you’ve never been snowmobiling before or are a seasoned veteran looking to discover new territory, heli-sledding may be just the thing for you. www.whistlerhelisledder.com —Bryn Fox
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