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

The best part of this tour is not the beer. It is the sudden change from airport hangar to remote mountain country, often within minutes. You fly over forest, glacial lakes, waterfalls, and hard-to-reach ridges, then land somewhere that changes with the weather and the day.

I like the small maximum group of 10 and the personal style of pilots such as Kyle and Roger, who explain the terrain and take time for photos. I also like the flexible drink choice: you can request champagne or a non-alcoholic option instead of beer. The main drawback is the price, $385.65 per person before GST, for about one hour in the air and mountains.

Key points to know before booking

• Remote landing, not just a scenic flight: You leave the aircraft at a backcountry location selected for that day’s conditions.
• The landing spot changes: You are promised mountain scenery, not one fixed viewpoint.
• Pilots add much of the value: Kyle, Roger, Evert, and Stefanie have all been praised for safety briefings, local information, and a friendly manner.
• Four local beers may be served: The tasting is presented as a craft beer flight, with champagne and non-alcoholic drinks available by request.
• The tour begins and ends in Pitt Meadows: The meeting point is SKY Helicopters at 18799 Airport Way, Suite 170.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, while cancellations within 24 hours are not refundable.

From Pitt Meadows to the Coast Mountains

This is a short tour with a big change of scenery. You start at the SKY Helicopters hangar in Pitt Meadows, east of Vancouver, and soon trade roads and buildings for temperate rainforest, glacial water, and steep mountain country.

The company gives you about one hour for the full outing. That includes the flight out, the landing, time to enjoy the drink and scenery, and the return flight. Since the landing point is not fixed, the exact route depends on conditions and the pilot’s choice on the day.

That flexibility is important. You are not buying a guaranteed landing at one famous lookout. You are buying access to a broad backcountry area where the crew can choose a suitable and beautiful spot. One reported flight went past Widgeon Lake and landed on a rocky mountain perch. Another reached a site around 5,000 feet above sea level. Those details show the range of the outing, but they should not be treated as fixed promises for every departure.

The setting is the real attraction. Vancouver’s Coastal Mountain Range rises north of the metropolitan area, and the tour lets you see terrain that is difficult or impossible to reach during an ordinary day trip. From above, you may see lakes, waterfalls, forest, exposed rock, and long folds of mountain country. The company’s own description is frank: wherever you land, the scenery should be impressive and the beer should taste good.

What the helicopter flight feels like

If this is your first helicopter ride, the short safety briefing matters. Pilots explain what to do before departure and what to do if an emergency arises. That may sound routine, but it helps settle nerves, especially when your first flight is also taking you into a remote area.

The pilot sits in the front, and one passenger can usually sit beside the pilot while others sit behind. A review of the seating arrangement described one passenger enjoying the entire back row, while the other sat in front. Exact seating depends on the aircraft and group, so do not book on the assumption that you will get a particular seat.

The pilot is also your guide. Kyle has been singled out for clear explanations of landmarks, local history, and the surrounding mountains. Roger has been praised for his calm manner and for pointing out what lies below. Evert has also been described as a reassuring pilot and guide, while Stefanie received strong praise for her professional approach.

That personal contact is a major part of the value. This is not simply a transfer to a viewpoint. The pilot explains the safety procedures, describes the route, and keeps watch on wind and changing conditions. The best version of the tour feels like a private outing with an experienced local guide, even though the flight may include other passengers.

You should also expect a little aircraft noise and limited time once you land. The setting is remote, but this is not a hiking trip or a long picnic. You will have time to walk around, take photos, and enjoy your drink, then return to the aircraft for the flight back.

The backcountry landing is the main event

The landing gives this tour its character. A standard helicopter sightseeing ride shows you the mountains from above. Here, you actually touch down in them.

The exact site varies from day to day. That can be a strength, since weather and wind can guide the pilot toward the best safe option. It can also be a consideration if you have a specific lake, peak, or photo in mind. The advertised experience does not guarantee one particular landing point.

Expect a short stop in a remote setting rather than a full outdoor excursion. You might walk around a rocky perch, stand near clear mountain water, or photograph the helicopter against a forested or rocky backdrop. In one account, the pilot took creative photos of the couple with the aircraft and mountain scenery. That is a useful detail for anyone planning a birthday, anniversary, or other special occasion.

The stop can feel surprisingly personal. One reported flight spent more time enjoying the mountain site with the pilot than the passenger expected. That does not mean every outing will run long, but it does show that the crew may give you time to enjoy the place rather than rush you through a quick photo stop.

The word backcountry should be taken seriously. The landing area is remote and may be rocky or uneven. The supplied information says most people can participate, but it does not promise a paved surface or a fully accessible viewpoint. If you have mobility concerns, ask SKY Helicopters about the conditions before booking.

The craft beer tasting

The included tasting is a craft beer flight. One account describes four local beers served at the landing site, turning a mountain stop into a very unusual outdoor tasting.

The appeal is the contrast. You are not sitting in a brewery taproom studying a menu. You are holding a local drink beside mountain water and exposed rock, with the helicopter nearby. The beer is part of the setting, not the sole reason to book.

The company can substitute champagne, and non-alcoholic drinks are available by request. That makes the outing more flexible than the name suggests. If one person in your party does not drink beer, the tour does not have to become an awkward compromise.

You must be at least 19 years old to consume alcohol in British Columbia. The tour itself may include people who do not drink, but the alcohol rules still apply. It is wise to request champagne or a non-alcoholic option when booking rather than waiting until departure.

There is also a practical point here: the flight is short, and the tasting is only one part of it. If you are searching for an extended brewery visit with several pours and a long meal, this is the wrong product. If you want one memorable drink in a remote setting, it makes much more sense.

How much value do you get for $385.65?

At $385.65 per person, before GST, this is a special-occasion purchase rather than a casual afternoon activity. The price includes the fuel surcharge, landing and facility fees, and craft beer flight tasting. Those inclusions matter because helicopter tours can look cheaper at first and then add aircraft fees or fuel charges later.

The value depends on what you compare it with. You are not paying only for a drink. You are paying for an aircraft, a pilot, flight operations, a remote landing, safety procedures, and access to mountain country that would take much longer to reach by land. The small group limit, with no more than 10 people, also keeps the outing from feeling like a large bus tour.

Still, the experience lasts about an hour. You should not calculate the price as if it were a full-day excursion. The strongest case for booking is a birthday, anniversary, proposal, first helicopter ride, or once-in-a-lifetime splurge. For a budget-focused sightseeing day, the cost will be hard to justify.

I would also compare it with the importance of the landing. A regular helicopter flight may give you more time in the air for a similar price, while this tour gives you a drink and a short stop on the ground. Choose this one if stepping out in the mountains matters more to you than adding flight time.

Weather, safety, and the changing route

The company requires good weather, and that is sensible for a mountain flight. If poor weather cancels the tour, you are offered another date or a full refund. Since the landing spot varies, the crew can also respond to conditions by selecting a different suitable location.

Wind is a real part of the decision. One account describes the pilot checking wind carefully and putting safety first at every stage. That may mean the exact landing or route changes, but it is the right trade-off. A fixed postcard view is not worth taking chances in a helicopter.

The weather policy gives you some protection, but not unlimited flexibility. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. The experience also requires a minimum number of participants, so a cancellation for that reason brings a new date, another experience, or a full refund.

Rain does not automatically mean an unpleasant flight. One account described a rainy day that still produced a striking, misty setting. You should not assume rain will improve the view, but the mountains can look atmospheric in changing weather. If clear visibility is your top priority, choose your date with care and keep expectations flexible.

Who will enjoy this most?

This tour suits you if you want a dramatic activity with little physical effort. You get mountain scenery without a long hike, and the landing gives the flight a sense of occasion.

It works especially well for:

• First-time helicopter passengers
• Couples marking a birthday or anniversary
• People who want an unusual way to see the Vancouver area
• Beer lovers interested in local craft pours
• Non-beer drinkers who would prefer champagne or a non-alcoholic drink
• Photographers who want helicopter and mountain images
• Visitors with limited time who still want access to remote scenery

It may not suit you if you dislike aircraft, want a long outdoor stop, or need a guaranteed landing at a named location. It is also not the best match for anyone looking for a full brewery tour, a meal, or a low-cost way to see the mountains.

The tour is listed as suitable for most people, with a total passenger weight limit of 275 pounds per person. If that limit affects anyone in your party, confirm the policy directly before booking. The experience is offered in English, and mobile tickets are available.

Getting to the hangar in Pitt Meadows

The meeting point is 18799 Airport Way, Suite 170, Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, V3Y 2B4. The tour ends at the same location.

The departure point is not in central Vancouver, so allow time to reach Pitt Meadows. The supplied information says the location is near public transportation, but it does not provide a hotel transfer as part of the tour. Plan your own route and arrive with enough time for check-in and the safety briefing.

Because the flight is short, arriving late could cut into the only ground stop of the day. Keep your schedule clear around the booking, particularly if you have a cruise, train, or timed attraction afterward.

The strongest part of the service

The pilots appear to make a large difference. Kyle is known for making first-time flyers comfortable while sharing facts about the area. Roger combines a friendly manner with clear information and has been praised for taking photos at the landing site. Evert has been described as both a safe pilot and a good guide, while Stefanie has received strong praise for her professional care.

The booking and ground team also matter. Alannah has been praised for clear communication, and Jen was singled out for helping create a smooth day. Those details are useful because helicopter bookings can feel complicated when you are arranging a special event. Good communication reduces the worry over meeting times, drink substitutions, and weather changes.

You cannot request that every pilot be available, but you can ask when booking if a particular pilot is important to you. Do not make your decision depend on that request being guaranteed. The wider point is that the company treats the guide role as part of the outing, not just as a way to move passengers through the aircraft.

Should you book the Backcountry Beer Tasting Heli-Tour?

I would book it for a special occasion or for a first helicopter flight that you want to remember. The remote landing, changing mountain sites, small group limit, and drink served in the backcountry give it more character than a basic aerial sightseeing loop.

I would skip it if the $385.65 price feels uncomfortable, if you need a set itinerary, or if you want several hours of hiking and drinking. Ask for champagne or a non-alcoholic drink if beer is not your thing, and keep your date flexible enough to handle mountain weather.

For the right person, this is a compact but memorable taste of British Columbia’s backcountry. The drink is a nice extra. The real prize is landing somewhere that most people can see only from a distance.

FAQ

Where does the helicopter tour begin and end?

It begins and ends at SKY Helicopters, 18799 Airport Way, Suite 170, Pitt Meadows, BC V3Y 2B4, Canada.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately one hour, including the flight, backcountry landing, tasting, and return to the hangar.

Is the landing location fixed?

No. The backcountry landing location varies from day to day. The route and landing depend on the conditions and the site selected for that outing.

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.

Can someone who does not drink beer join?

Yes. Champagne can be substituted for beer, and non-alcoholic beverage options are available by request. You must be at least 19 years old to consume alcohol in British Columbia.

What happens if the weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.