Backcountry Beer Tasting Heli-Tour & Landing (Depart SKY Hangar)

The best patio may require a helicopter. This one-hour flight from Pitt Meadows carries you over Vancouver’s Coast Mountains, then sets down in a remote backcountry location for a craft beer tasting. I love the quick change from airport hangar to wild mountain country, and I like that the landing site changes with conditions, so the setting feels tied to the day rather than fixed on a map. The main drawback is the price: $385.65 per person before GST is a serious splurge for a one-hour outing.

You can expect a small operation with no more than 10 people, English service, and a flight led by a pilot who also acts as your guide. Pilots named in past outings include Roger, Kyle Brown, Stefanie, and Evert. The exact mountain landing is not promised, and poor weather can cancel the flight, so keep your plans flexible.

Key points at a glance

• Remote landing near Vancouver: Reach backcountry terrain, glacial lakes, waterfalls, and mountain country within minutes of the hangar.
• A changing route: The landing place varies from day to day, based on conditions and safety.
• Craft beer flight included: The experience includes a craft beer flight tasting, with non-alcoholic drinks available on request.
• Pilot-guided sightseeing: Pilots explain local landmarks, nearby lakes, and the surrounding Coast Mountains during the flight.
• Small maximum group: The tour accepts no more than 10 people, helping keep the outing personal.
• Short but memorable: Plan for about one hour from departure to return, with most of the value coming from the flight and the remote landing.

Leaving Pitt Meadows for the Coast Mountains

The experience begins at the SKY hangar at 18799 Airport Way, unit 170, in Pitt Meadows, British Columbia. This is not a downtown Vancouver departure, so you need to allow time to reach the meeting point. The location is near public transportation, but the supplied details do not promise hotel transfers for every booking. One past booking included a hotel pickup, but you should confirm that option directly rather than count on it.

At the hangar, you will receive the usual helicopter safety briefing before takeoff. One pilot described the safety procedures in detail, including what to do if the pilot became unable to fly. That may sound sobering, but it is useful information, especially if this is your first helicopter flight.

The flight itself is part sightseeing trip, part access to country that is difficult to reach by road or on foot. Within minutes, the built-up area gives way to the Coast Mountains, temperate rainforest, glacial lakes, steep rock, and waterfalls. The setting changes quickly, which is one reason the hour feels fuller than a simple transfer from one point to another.

What you see above Vancouver’s mountain edge

The helicopter provides a high, broad view of the terrain north of Metro Vancouver. From the air, you may see lakes, forest, waterfalls, and mountain ridges that are hard to reach from the city. The route can include the area around Wigeon Lake, and one outing reached a landing point roughly 5,000 feet above sea level.

I like that the pilots do more than point out scenery. Roger has described local landmarks and history during the flight, while Kyle Brown has explained the surrounding area and added small facts along the way. That guiding matters because a helicopter view can become a blur of green slopes and gray rock if no one gives you a sense of place.

The aircraft seating can affect your view. One person described sitting in the back with the space beside them open, while their husband sat in front with the pilot. You should not assume a particular seat arrangement, but it is worth asking the company how seating is assigned if photography is important to you.

You can also expect the flight to respond to the weather. The pilot may adjust the route or landing plan for wind and visibility. That can mean the final location differs from the one you imagined, but it is also what keeps the trip tied to real mountain conditions rather than a rigid schedule.

The backcountry landing is the real prize

The landing is what separates this outing from a standard scenic helicopter ride. Instead of only looking down at the mountains, you get out and spend time in them. The landing point may be a rocky outcrop, a spot beside clear water, or another remote place selected for that day’s conditions.

Do not expect a polished mountain café or a permanent viewing platform. The appeal is the opposite. You may be standing on a small rock shelf with the helicopter nearby, looking across forest, water, and mountain slopes with very few signs of development.

One outing landed beside exceptionally clear water. Another reached a spot that looked like a scene from a supernatural film. The company has also pointed out that parts of this backcountry have appeared in film productions. Those details add a little fun, but the bigger point is simple: you are visiting places that most people never reach.

The exact amount of time on the ground is not stated, so you should think of the stop as a short outdoor break rather than a hike. You can walk around, take photographs, enjoy the setting, and have your tasting. There is no indication of a trail walk or a longer excursion, so wear practical shoes and do not plan on covering serious distance.

A mountain beer flight with a view

The included craft beer flight is the tour’s signature extra. After landing, you receive a selection of local craft beers and enjoy them in the backcountry. One account describes four beers, though the precise lineup can change.

The beer is not the reason to book this trip on its own. You can find local craft beer in Vancouver without hiring a helicopter. The value comes from pairing the tasting with a place where you cannot simply pull up in a car. A familiar drink feels different when your table is a rock shelf and the helicopter is parked nearby.

You must be at least 19 years old to drink alcohol in British Columbia. If you do not drink beer, champagne may be substituted on request or by arrangement, as happened for one couple. Non-alcoholic beverage options are also available upon request. If you need a substitution, arrange it before the flight so the operator can prepare.

A practical point: drinking at altitude and outdoors can affect you differently than drinking at a brewery. Take your time, follow the pilot’s instructions, and remember that the return flight still lies ahead. The tasting is meant to be part of the outing, not a race through several drinks.

The pilots shape the whole experience

The pilot is not just flying the aircraft. During this short trip, that person sets the tone, explains the safety rules, interprets the scenery, chooses the landing approach, and helps you make the most of the stop.

Roger has been praised for being friendly, personal, and informative. Kyle Brown has received especially strong praise for his explanations, creative photographs, and care with wind and safety. Stefanie and Evert have also been singled out for making passengers feel comfortable and well looked after.

You cannot request a particular pilot with certainty, and availability can change. Still, if you are booking for a birthday, anniversary, or first helicopter flight, you can ask whether a preferred pilot is scheduled. The strongest personal accounts describe pilots who took photos, explained the area, and checked that everyone was comfortable.

That attention is useful for nervous first-time flyers. Several people began unsure how they would feel in a helicopter and finished the trip relaxed and enthusiastic. The flight remains a flight, with noise, motion, and changing conditions, so no company can promise that every passenger will feel completely at ease. The safety briefing and pilot communication should help.

Is one hour enough time?

Yes, if you understand what you are buying. This is not a full-day mountain outing. It is a concentrated experience that combines transport, sightseeing, a remote landing, and a tasting in about an hour.

The short duration is convenient if you are fitting the trip into a busy Vancouver visit. You do not need to surrender an entire day, and you return to the same meeting point. It can also work well as a special birthday activity or a memorable break between larger sightseeing plans.

The tradeoff is that the clock moves quickly. You will not have unlimited time to photograph every angle, wander far from the aircraft, and linger over the beer. Weather, wind, and safety decisions also shape the schedule. I would arrive ready to enjoy the whole outing without expecting a long pause at the landing site.

Because the route and landing place vary, the experience is better viewed as a mountain flight with a backcountry stop than as a promise to visit one named attraction. That flexibility is part of the adventure, but it may frustrate you if you want a precise itinerary.

The price and what you receive for it

At $385.65 per person, before GST, this is a premium activity. Fuel surcharge, landing and facility fees, and the craft beer flight are included, which makes the cost easier to understand. You are paying for aircraft operation, a pilot, access to remote terrain, safety management, and the tasting, not simply for a drink with a view.

The price makes sense for a milestone occasion or a first helicopter flight that you want to remember. It is also easier to justify if you value unusual access and small-group service. A standard city tour will cost much less, and even a conventional mountain visit may offer longer sightseeing time for the money.

I would compare the cost with your priorities. If your main goal is to sample British Columbia beer, spend your money at breweries. If you want a short, high-impact flight and the chance to stand in a remote mountain setting, this experience offers something ordinary sightseeing cannot provide.

GST is not included, so factor that into your final budget. The booking is generally made in advance, with the average booking point listed as 28 days before the experience. That suggests you should reserve early if your Vancouver dates are fixed.

Weather, weight, and other practical details

Good weather is required. If poor conditions cancel the activity, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. Mountain weather can change quickly, so avoid placing this tour on the same day as an important flight, cruise departure, or nonrefundable dinner.

The operator lists a total weight limit of 275 pounds per passenger. If that applies to you, confirm how the company handles passenger weight before booking. Most people can participate, but helicopter seating and weight limits are stricter than those for a bus or boat.

The group maximum is 10 people. That does not mean every departure will carry 10, but it does cap the size. A small group helps the pilot speak with passengers and makes the landing feel less like a mass outing.

You receive confirmation at booking, and mobile tickets are accepted. The experience is offered in English. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Within 24 hours, no refund is provided, and changes are not accepted. If the minimum number of people is not reached, the company will offer another date or experience, or a full refund.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this for couples marking a birthday or anniversary, first-time helicopter flyers, photographers, and people who want a quick taste of British Columbia’s backcountry without committing to a hike.

It is also a good match for someone who enjoys both scenery and a social treat. The beer flight gives the landing a clear purpose, while the flight and pilot commentary provide enough sightseeing to make the hour feel like more than a tasting stop.

I would pause before booking if you dislike changing plans, have a tight same-day schedule, or want a long mountain walk. The landing site is not fixed, weather can alter the plan, and one hour leaves little room for delays or extended exploring.

Ask about a champagne or non-alcoholic replacement if beer is not right for you. Ask about the day’s expected route if you have a particular lake or view in mind. Most important, arrive with the understanding that safety and weather come first.

Should you book the backcountry beer flight?

Book it if you want an unusual Vancouver-area experience that combines flight, mountain scenery, and a drink in a remote setting. The strongest reasons to go are the fast access to the Coast Mountains, the small group, and the chance to land somewhere you could not easily reach on your own.

Skip it if $385.65 plus GST feels too high for an hour, or if you want a guaranteed landing site and a longer visit. For everyone else, this is a strong splurge, especially for a birthday or anniversary. Just keep your date flexible, request any drink substitution in advance, and let the pilot choose the safest beautiful place for the day.

FAQ

Where does the helicopter tour begin?

It begins at the SKY hangar at 18799 Airport Way, unit 170, Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, V3Y 2B4.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately one hour and ends back at the meeting point.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the fuel surcharge, landing and facility fees, and a craft beer flight tasting. GST is not included.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $385.65 per person before GST.

Can someone under 19 drink the beer?

No. You must be at least 19 years old to consume alcohol in British Columbia. Non-alcoholic drink options are available upon request.

Is the landing location fixed?

No. Backcountry landing locations vary from day to day.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience may be canceled because it requires good weather. You will then be offered a different date or a full refund.

How far in advance should I book?

The experience is booked, on average, 28 days in advance. Confirmation is received at the time of booking.