Description
Day 1
Meet your pilot and trip manager at the heli-pad for your flight from Squamish, central Vancouver Island or the Sunshine Coast up to our stunning base camp with awaiting guides and chef.
- An orientation and safety debrief coupled with initial coaching on granite slab riding kick off the first day’s adventure
- With gear checked and riding kit sorted our first group ride tests cardio at altitude with a stunning ascent to the summit ridge of Vintage Peak (1900+ meters) with spectacular views of the Coast Mountain Range.
With panoramic views of our 2000+ acre tenure, this ridge leads way to a couple of choices to descend, depending on guide to client ratios and experience:
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- A 5km traverse southbound towards Lockie’s Table with views of Powell Lake and Georgia Strait and a descent down the ridgeline with a final traverse and ascent around the lower tarn back to base camp.
- A short, steep descent into the tarn behind base camp to ride features and work on technical slab riding near camp with refreshments, swimming and amazing vistas
We wrap up our first day at base camp, with refreshing glacial water to jump in, a sauna to warm up and of course a 3 course, fireside meal, complemented by star gazing and a night disconnected from the busy world below, in premium domes with cozy cots and stoves.
Day 2
An early start with an amazing breakfast and packed lunches to kick off a long traverse and ascent to a shelf high above a lake
- From there a long descent, littered with plenty of technical features and photo opportunities, gives way to a glaciated granite slab-fest
- A lunchbreak at the lowest tarn provides ample of cool down opportunity and sheltered views before tackling the climb back up to camp
- There are a myriad of lines to choose from, offering unique riding and requiring the full afternoon sun to explore before turning back to camp
Day 3
Leaving this granite playground is always challenging, however, as our guests quickly discover, there is season after season of terrain to explore up here.
- Our final descent down the West-most ridge is accomplished by either a last summit or a quicker, steeper exit into a bottomless bowl of granite shelves
- From there, our longest descent day puts gravity on our sides and our brakes to test as we make our way down endless seas of granite lines. The myriad of choices truly offers perspective to just how small we are, while narrow ledges bring the crew back together for improbable links to the next open slab, all without touching soil
- Once we’ve reached the precipice of the protected forest below a wall of cliffs, our lower heli pickup site wraps up the adventure
- Optional exits will be planned, depending on each group’s choice
- A helicopter pickup from this lowest section of granite slab to return back to Squamish / Comox Valley / Powell River.
- From our lower pickup area, we offer an optional 4th day of world class riding at the infamous Coast Gravity Park. Lodging options with spas/saunas/amazing seafood are available along the lower Sunshine Coast near the towns of Sechelt or Robert’s Creek. We then return back to the Sea2Sky via a ferry into Horseshoe Bay or return to Powell River or Vancouver Island.
Our Fine Print
At Flow State Guiding, we take the safety of our guests and staff very seriously and we continuously strive to minimize the risks inherent to the backcountry. However, there are many risks that we cannot eliminate. Prior to your trip you will be asked to accept these risks in writing by signing the “Release of Liability, Waiver of Claims, Assumption of Risks and Indemnity Agreement“. A properly and fully completed waiver is required from each guest prior to your trip. Guests must be at least 19 years or older. Guests between the ages of 14 and 18 years old must ride, climb or surf with a parent or guardian at all times.
It is imperative that you give full attention to your guide’s instructions at all times. You and your guide are in a position of mutual trust. Your guide trusts you to follow their instructions, and to stay within the parameters they set. Following instructions and riding with caution and within your abilities are the best ways to prevent injury or an incident.
Our staff have no control or responsibility for the weather. Heli-biking is very reliant on appropriate weather for our trips, please consider possible itinerary changes while booking flights / travel with a 2-3 day buffer either side of your tour. In the event, we do not have the weather or conditions (smoke, heavy rain, etc.) to safely operate, our lead guide will make the call to cancel. If your day is canceled due to the weather or conditions your balance will be refunded or applied to a future date.
For your safety and that of our guests and staff, if you are feeling unwell or experiencing any fever, cold-like (i.e. runny nose, headache, cough, sore throat) or gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms (i.e. nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) please reach out to us to move your booking.
Rider Ability / Competency:
Guests of Flow State Guiding should be intermediate to advanced level riders who are proficient at riding intermediate to advanced trails at normal bike parks. We recommend that all guests be in good physical condition. We have a limited number of mountain bikes for rent, these must be requested at the time of your initial booking.
International guests:
Most guests require a Visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to fly to or transit through Canada. (US Citizens only require a passport). Apply for an eTA as soon as possible. Most applicants are approved within minutes. However, there is the possibility of a delay or a denial. We recommend that you arrange your eTA as soon as possible to pre-determine your entry status.
What to bring
Everything you pack must fit into your day pack on the final descent day
- We’re in the wilderness; hairdryers, body washes, shampoos, conditioners, group gear like shock pumps, lubricants, etc can all be left behind
Equipment
- Enduro or trail bike with fresh tires and brake pads (180mm-220mm rotors recommended)
- Helmet (comfortable and breathable for long days)
- Flat pedals or clipless shoes with recessed cleats
- Pads (knee, elbow or neck / back protector)
- Bike bottles (minimum 2) and 2L+ hydration bladder
- Gloves (2 Pairs)
- Sunglasses / riding glasses
- Personal bike tools (compact edc style tool)
- Riding shoes and hut booties or comfortable sandals
- Day pack (hydration bladder compatible)
- Personal headlamp
- Charging cables for your electronic devices (we offer on site charging)
- Spare tube and brake pads
- Other spare parts: this is the alpine, far from any shop – you know your bike and what you may need to bring (batteries or charging capabilities for wireless derailleurs / dropper posts, proprietor derailleur hangers, etc; FSG will ensure to have parts, but not everything is universal)
Clothing
- Ultralight waterproof / windproof layer
- Ultralight insulated jacket
- Beanie / Toque / Insulated hat (for evenings/mornings above 1900meters)
- Riding socks for each day
- Longsleeve and shortsleeve jersey (brighter colours recommended for photos against the grey granite)
- Riding pants / shorts
- Riding chamois for long days (breathable)
- Camp clothing – loose longsleeve pants and shirt
- Base layers
- Buff
- Bathing suit for sauna and alpine lake
- Micro towel
Toiletries
- Sunscreen and bug spray
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Earplugs (for the helicopter and fellow base campers)
- Medication
Trip Insurance
We strongly recommend our guests purchase Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance. We work with and recommend Tugo Insurance
Getting Here
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is the closest international airport to our operation. Flying into the airport in Richmond, B.C (just outside of Vancouver) is our most common connection to enjoy trails up the Sea to Sky corridor (around Squamish, Whistler and Pemberton) as well as the Sunshine Coast. Riders choosing to travel through Vancouver will meet our team and depart from Squamish.
Comox Airport (YQQ) also offers guests traveling to Vancouver Island access to infamous Cumberland, Cowichan Valley, Hornby Island and beyond trail networks. From there, riders choosing to travel from Vancouver Island can meet our team and depart from Campbell River or take a passenger ferry to Powell River on the Sunshine Coast.
Powell River also has a local airport (YPW) with direct flights to Vancouver as well as a seaplane terminal with service to downtown Vancouver. This is a stunning way to arrive, however, please note that added baggage (bike boxes / bags, etc.) are required to be booked with plenty of notice and are at a premium compared to international carriers.
Payment
FSG requires an initial 25% deposit to reserve your space, followed by a 50% deposit, due 90 days prior to your trip, with the final deposit due 30 days before you join us.
Those with Canadian banks may send our business number (604) 849-6061 e-transfers or choose “deposit” during our secure checkout process for credit card, Google / Apple Pay or direct deposit alternatives.
