Gold Rush Heli Skiing Strikes Powder in Northern BC

After years of scouting for the perfect blend of deep snow, big mountains, and untamed wilderness, ROAM Adventures has found its claim — and it’s pure gold. The company has announced the launch of Gold Rush Heli Skiing, a brand-new heli-ski operation based out of the historic mining town of Atlin, British Columbia, with a tenure that stretches from the shores of Atlin Lake to the Alaska border and over the Juneau Icecap, an area known for more than 100 feet of annual snowfall.

“We offer heli-skiing, heli-assisted ski touring, and a winter multi-sport adventure like no other — in some of the world’s wildest terrain. The future of heli-skiing is in the North,” says Gold Rush Heli Skiing.

The operation’s 648,000-acre tenure offers skiers and riders access to a remote powder paradise — roughly the size of the entire Whistler–Blackcomb backcountry multiplied by 15. The terrain spans everything from sweeping 4,500-foot alpine bowls to old-growth tree skiing, glacial descents, and massive vertical relief.

Gold Rush Heli Skiing will host a maximum of eight guests per week in its inaugural 2026 ski season, offering an intimate, semi-private heli experience with two A-Star (Airbus H125) helicopters running in two groups of four. Guests will stay in deluxe cabins and a central main lodge, with the comfort and pace of a private operation in one of the most remote and snow-blessed corners of North America.

The new venture has also struck gold in recruiting its guiding team. Johnny Mellis, a veteran guide with 34 years at CMH Heli-Skiing, including 29 years as general manager of the Cariboo Lodge, has joined Gold Rush as lead guide. Originally brought in as a consultant, Mellis says the terrain and the vision convinced him to stay.

“Once I saw the combination of the terrain and the lodge, I knew it was a can’t-miss opportunity — so I packed my bags,” Mellis said.

Gold Rush Heli Skiing’s philosophy is rooted in the same pioneering spirit that built Atlin during the Klondike era. “At the turn of the century, gold fever built this town,” the company says. “Today, we continue that spirit — trading gold pans for powder skis.”

Their slogan — “Born from Exploration” — captures both the location’s legacy and the adventure that awaits modern skiers. With its northern latitude and proximity to the Pacific, the area’s climate produces a rare trifecta: coastal snowfall, interior powder quality, and Yukon-bluebird skies.

Bookings are already open for the inaugural 2026 season, and the operation expects high demand. Guests who secure their spot this winter will receive first right of refusal for future seasons.

For more details and to book your adventure, visit Gold Rush Heli Skiing — and prepare to shout Eureka! in the deep north.

About Atlin, British Columbia
Tucked into the remote northwestern corner of British Columbia, Atlin is a frontier community defined by its wild beauty and deep history. Perched on the eastern shore of Atlin Lake—the province’s largest natural lake—the town is surrounded by glacial peaks, turquoise waters, and vast wilderness stretching toward the Yukon and Alaska borders. Founded in 1898 during the Klondike Gold Rush, Atlin once boomed with a population of over 8,000, but today is home to a close-knit community of around 500 residents. Its modern economy is built on tourism, small-scale mining, and the arts, with many local artists, writers, and musicians drawn by the region’s solitude and creative energy. Known for its crystal-clear air, pristine water, and endless outdoor recreation, Atlin remains accessible by road via the Atlin Highway, connecting it to the Alaska Highway and the northern expanse beyond.

Pow shots Amy O’Neill