Frequently asked questions

• Advanced to Expert Level (This is NOT for beginners)

• Due to the length of the trail, riders are encouraged to be able to ride a Black Diamond Downhill/Enduro Trail on a regular basis. This trail is rated as “Dark Blue” as there are sections that can be more challenging than a traditional blue.

• Be aware that bike trail ratings in Whistler are typically more challenging than a comparable rating back home. A Blue here = Black elsewhere.

• There are NO mandatory drops, bridges, or gap jumps. There are some mandatory rock rolls, berms, and steep sections.

• A rider should be able to ride a Black Diamond trail in the Whistler Bike Park (eg. Original Sin, Angry Pirate, Top of The World)

A vehicle is required to get you and your bike to the meeting point located at the bottom of the bike trail which is a 23 min drive from Whistler Village. Transport between the meeting point/parking and the heliport is provided.

If you don’t have a vehicle, we suggest you book a van taxi directly to the Heliport for 8:45am (your confirmation email will say differently, that info is for people who have vehicles). Once you are at check point 32 on the bike trail, you should call your taxi to meet you at Rutherford Creek Road here.

Please meet us at the Heli Biking Meeting Location: [Get Directions Here], at 8:20am, where your vehicle will be parked and waiting for you at the end of the trail.

8:30am Our shuttle with a bike trailer will be waiting to transport you to the Whistler Municipal Heliport to start your adventure.

8:45am Check-in, bike checks and helicopter safety briefing

9:30am First group flies to the top of the trail

Riders are strongly encouraged to carpool to the parking area.

The Helicopter Evacuation Fund can be purchased from Coast Range for $50 per person/day. For those that opt in to the Evacuation Fund, Coast Range will cover the cost of helicopter extraction to a higher level of care in the event of a medical emergency. This must be purchased prior to your trip start date and will last for the duration of activity.

Please note that the Evacuation Fund is not insurance. Each guest should have their own travel/trip cancellation and medical coverage. Ask your insurance provider if evacuation insurance is included in part of your plan. If not, and if the Evacuation Fund is not purchased, guests should be prepared to cover the costs associated with getting out from the backcountry in an emergency.

Minimum age is 15 years old.

The answer will vary! It depends on your riding style and which drop option you choose. Some riders like to soak in the views, stop for photos, enjoy a snack break, or even cool off in an alpine lake before the climb (available with the Enduro Add-on). Others prefer to keep the wheels turning and make their way down at a steady pace.

As a general guideline, most riders spend:

• Enduro Helipad: 1.5-2.5 hours

• DH Helipad: 1-2 hours

• Early Season Drop: 1-1.5 hour

We encourage guests to take their time and enjoy the experience, after all, you're in some of the most spectacular backcountry terrain in the Sea-to-Sky.

· Please dress the same way you would for riding the Whistler Bike Park.

· Helmets are mandatory.

· Extra clothing and food & water

· Personal protection equipment highly recommended (Knee pads, Elbow pads, gloves, chest protector, mountain bike specific footwear)

· Goggles or sunglasses recommended.

· Sunscreen.

· Personal pack with: tire repair, first aid kit, cell phone, and space to carry a radio.

· Nothing may be left in the helicopter. Come ready to ride.

· Cameras may NOT be used while loading/unloading helicopter. If you have a GoPro or a handsfree device, this may be used. Selfie Sticks and drones are not allowed.

· Come ready to ride, and DO NOT bring anything you won’t be taking on your trip. Ensure your gear is functional, tight and tidy before getting on the shuttle or leaving your vehicle.

• Absolutely NOTHING can be strapped to a bike. This includes tubes, water bottles, GPS devices, or any other zip-tied/Velcro accessory. Mud guards are allowed if they are secured with 4 zip ties and show no signs of wear.

Please ensure you have the appropriate equipment and are prepared for your day in the backcountry.

We recommend renting from our partners at Arbutus Routes in Whistler Upper Village. You can easily book your rental here.

E-bikes are permitted, but our racks can take a maximum of 50lbs per bike. We absolutely cannot go over this weight limit as per Transport Canada.

Each guest will be required to agree to the terms a Release of Liability, Waiver of Claims, Assumption of Risks, and Indemnity Agreement (“Waiver”) before money is taken and the booking is confirmed.

In no event will a guest be permitted to participate in a planned activity/trip without agreeing to the waiver. Please note that, in addition to agreeing to the Waiver electronically, (whether by checking a box prior to check-out, or by completing a Waiver emailed to you), you may also be required to agree to the same waiver in person at the start of your day.

View our Waiver here.

• We will have a Trail Safety staff member perform a sweep after all riders have started down the trail to ensure safety, and trail etiquette.

• All riders will be equipped with a radio to contact the Trail Safety staff in case of injury or emergencies. Serious injuries may be provided with a helicopter evacuation, potentially subject to additional fees.

1. Stay on the Trail
This trail routes through an area of sensitive alpine and sub-alpine tundra, as well as old-growth forest. Off-trail riding will not be tolerated. We have worked hard to offer an incredible trail and damaging the environment around it will have negative effects on the surrounding flora and fauna, as well as degrade the quality of the program for others. Keep it awesome, keep it on the trail.

2. Respect Wildlife
Keep from harassing wildlife by respecting them; this is their home, not yours. Do not feed wildlife, and properly dispose of your food and other consumable items. This is particularly important during sensitive times such as mating or nesting season where the slightest stress can cause great and long-lasting disturbance. Do not chase, pester or approach wildlife. Acknowledge that they are there and carry on your way without leaving an impact.

3. Dispose of Waste Properly
If you pack it in, pack it out. In fact, take any waste you find with you whether it is yours or not. We would very much prefer if you used the washroom before your flight. The trip is not that long, and as a grown adult we believe you’re strong enough to hold it. However, emergencies do happen and if required, dispose of human waste in "cat holes" that are at least six to eight inches deep and two-hundred feet from water. To promote decomposition, a site with organic soil will be chosen. The cathole will be covered and disguised when finished. Toilet paper and hygiene products must be packed out and will not be left in the cathole.

4. Plan Ahead and Prepare
Many unnecessary impacts can be avoided when you know what you are getting into before hand and you plan your trip accordingly. For example, knowing the terrain you will be encountering and the local hazards will help you to avoid sensitive and high traffic areas while preventing emergencies and costly evacuations. Planning also allows you to make sure your group isn't too large and to minimize potential waste by repackaging food and supplies among your party.

In the tourism sector, a tenure exists to help balance the interest of commercial operators with the interests of public use, wildlife use, environmental presence, and first nations support. Coast Range has the title to a wide variety of tenured terrain in the Sea to Sky with several different activities permitted in each area. We are responsible for staying within the limitations outlined in our Tenure Management Plan. This includes using the correct regions exclusively for the activities permitted, limiting the number of users to what has been approved, and operating in a safe and sustainable manner. Tenure holders must abide by the provincial Backcountry Recreation/Tourism Wildlife Guidelines.

Customers will receive a refund - a 5% admin fee if cancelled by 10:00am, 7 days before booked day.

All helicopter flights are subject to weather, maintenance and civil emergencies. If we are required to cancel your booking, our team will work with you to reschedule your day. You can also choose to receive a refund - a 5% admin fee or a full credit to reschedule in the future.

All cancellations need to be received in writing at info@coastrange.com. No-shows will be charged the full price.

We understand that occasionally events occur that prevent you from joining us for your vacation.  Life is full of surprises and so is travel! You can’t predict a missed flight connection, job loss, death of a family member or your own illness or injury.  When an unexpected event prevents you from travelling, Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption reimburses travel costs if your trip is cancelled before you leave or disrupted after it has begun.

To avoid any financial hardship that an unexpected cancellation or interruption could cause, we strongly recommend purchasing Trip Cancellation/Interruption to protect your trip investment. Trip Cancellation/Interruption costs about 6% of your trip cost and it’s worth the peace of mind!

Contact our preferred provider Acera Insurance and they can provide you with a quote for both Emergency Medical insurance and/or Trip Cancellation/Interruption insurance.