Nestled in the wild heart of British Columbia’s Coastal Mountains, where ancient forests meet towering peaks, Klahoose Resort offers an experience that transcends ordinary adventure: a heli glacier walk that invites guests to tread upon millennia-old ice.
This Indigenous-owned eco-retreat, operated in partnership with the Klahoose First Nation, has carved a niche for itself by blending heart-pounding exploration with cultural reverence and environmental stewardship. Their signature heli glacier walk is not just a tour—it’s a journey into the soul of the land.
A Flight Into the Wild
The adventure begins with a roar as the helicopter lifts off from Klahoose Resort’s remote location near Desolation Sound. Within minutes, guests are soaring over emerald valleys, jagged ridgelines, and crystalline lakes that shimmer like scattered sapphires.
The chopper’s trajectory weaves through the Homathko Icefield, a sprawling expanse of glaciers that have shaped this landscape for over 10,000 years. As the ice comes into view—a mosaic of cerulean crevasses and snow-white plateaus—the pilot descends, landing gently on a glacier so pristine it feels like stepping onto another planet.
Walking on Ancient Ice
Strapped into provided crampons and guided by certified experts, guests embark on a 2- to 3-hour walk across the glacier’s surreal terrain. Each step cracks through the silence of the wilderness, revealing ice formations that glow ethereal blue under the Arctic-like sky.
Guides share insights into the glacier’s geology, pointing out moulins (vertical ice shafts) and seracs (towering ice pillars), while weaving in Indigenous stories of the land’s creation and its significance to the Klahoose people. The experience is both humbling and exhilarating—a reminder of nature’s power and fragility.
Safety, Expertise, and Accessibility
Klahoose prioritizes safety without sacrificing wonder. Groups are kept small (typically 4–6 guests), and guides—trained in glacier travel and emergency response—equip visitors with helmets, crampons, and ice axes. No prior mountaineering experience is needed, making the walk accessible to most fitness levels. “Our goal is to demystify glaciers,” says a Klahoose guide. “We want people to connect with this environment deeply, but respectfully.”
A Lesson in Stewardship
What sets Klahoose apart is its commitment to cultural and environmental education. The resort, deeply rooted in Klahoose First Nation traditions, frames the glacier walk as a dialogue about climate change. Guides discuss how these icy giants are retreating, offering tangible evidence of shifting ecosystems.
Visitors leave not only with photos, but with a renewed sense of responsibility toward preservation. The resort’s low-impact ethos extends to its operations: helicopter partners use carbon-offset programs, and tours emphasize leaving no trace.
Preparing for the Journey
The heli glacier walk operates from June to September, when weather conditions are optimal. Guests are advised to dress in layers (think moisture-wicking base layers and windproof jackets) and bring sunglasses, sunscreen, and a sense of awe. The resort handles gear and safety briefings, ensuring all that’s left to do is absorb the grandeur.
Want To Walk The Walk?
Klahoose Resort’s heli glacier walk is more than an adrenaline rush—it’s a transformative encounter with Earth’s history. As one guest remarked, “Standing on that ice, hearing Indigenous stories under the open sky… it’s like the land itself is speaking.” For those yearning to explore the planet’s wild edges while honoring its guardians, this experience is a pilgrimage. In a world where untouched places grow rare, Klahoose offers a fleeting, sacred glimpse into the pulse of the primordial.
Klahoose Resort’s heli glacier walk adventures can be booked as part of their all-inclusive packages, which blend luxury wilderness stays with cultural immersion. Visit www.klahooseresort.com to plan your journey to the ice.
