Source-led safety record · Global archive

Heli-Ski Accidents & Serious Incidents

Publicly verifiable cases within our documented coverage—presented without inferred cause, blame or misleading safety rankings.

20matching published records

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Under investigation

AW119 collision with terrain near Terrace

An AW119 operated by Skyline Helicopters and leased to Northern Escape Heli Skiing collided with terrain northwest of Terrace. Four occupants died and three passengers were seriously injured.

21 NM northwest of Terrace, British Columbia, CanadaAviationAW119 MKII · C-GSLY1 sourceVerified 22/08/2026
Fatalities
4
Serious injuries
3
Evidence
Authoritative
Final

AS350-B3 collision with terrain near Palmer

An AS350-B3 serving a heli-ski area encountered whiteout during a ridgeline landing attempt near Palmer and collided with terrain. Five occupants died and one was seriously injured.

Near Palmer, Alaska, United StatesAviationAS350-B3 · N351SH1 sourceVerified 22/08/2026
Fatalities
5
Serious injuries
1
Evidence
Authoritative
Final

AS350 tail-rotor strike during Juneau heli-ski landing

The NTSB final report records an AS350 on a Part 135 flight striking its tail rotor on snow-covered terrain while landing near Juneau to drop off passengers for skiing. All six occupants were uninjured.

Juneau area, Alaska, United StatesAviationAS350 · N288CH2 sourcesVerified 23/08/2026
Fatalities
0
Serious injuries
0
Evidence
Authoritative
Final

Mid-air collision over Rutor Glacier

An AS350 conducting heli-ski flights and a Jodel D.140E training aircraft collided over Rutor Glacier near La Thuile. Seven people died and two were seriously injured.

Rutor Glacier near La Thuile, Aosta Valley, ItalyAviationAS350 B3 · I-EDIC2 sourcesVerified 22/08/2026
Fatalities
7
Serious injuries
2
Evidence
Authoritative
Preliminary

AS350 landing accident at Kinbasket Lake

An AS350 conducting heli-ski operations near Kinbasket Lake rotated during landing and struck a tree with its tail. The authority notification reports no injuries.

Kinbasket Lake, British Columbia, CanadaAviationAS350 · C-FLIZ1 sourceVerified 22/08/2026
Fatalities
0
Serious injuries
0
Evidence
Authoritative
Final

AS350 collision with terrain northwest of Smithers

An AS350 operated by TRK Helicopters for Skeena Heli-Ski collided with steep snow-covered terrain while returning toward base. No occupant fatalities were reported.

Bear Creek area northwest of Smithers, British Columbia, CanadaAviationAS350 BA · C-FBLW1 sourceVerified 22/08/2026
Fatalities
0
Serious injuries
0
Evidence
Authoritative
Closed

2016 heli-ski landing rollover in rotor-induced whiteout

The TSB occurrence review identifies a heli-ski landing at an unprepared site where rotor-induced whiteout preceded a skid digging in and a rollover.

Location not stated in selected summary, British Columbia, CanadaAviation1 sourceVerified 22/08/2026
Fatalities
Unknown
Serious injuries
Unknown
Evidence
Authoritative
Final

AS350-B2 collision with terrain at Mount Alta

An AS350-B2 carrying a heli-ski group struck the snow-covered slope at Mount Alta and rolled down the mountain. One passenger died and the other six occupants were injured.

Mount Alta, Otago, New ZealandAviationAS350-B2 · ZK-HYO1 sourceVerified 22/08/2026
Fatalities
1
Serious injuries
6
Evidence
Authoritative
Final

AS350-B3 collision with terrain at Claridenfirn

An AS350-B3 carrying five people for heli-skiing lost visual references during a second approach at Claridenfirn and collided with terrain. Four people were lightly injured.

Claridenfirn, Glarus, SwitzerlandAviationAS350 B3 · HB-ZKK1 sourceVerified 22/08/2026
Fatalities
0
Serious injuries
0
Evidence
Authoritative
Final

AS350-B2 collision during heli-ski landing at Tsanfleuron Glacier

An AS350-B2 carrying five people from Gstaad for heli-skiing collided with terrain during an approach in increasingly diffuse visibility at Tsanfleuron Glacier.

Glacier de Tsanfleuron, Valais, SwitzerlandAviationAS350 B2 · HB-ZHI1 sourceVerified 22/08/2026
Fatalities
0
Serious injuries
Unknown
Evidence
Authoritative
Closed

2011 heli-ski collision with snow in marginal visibility

The TSB occurrence review identifies a heli-skiing flight that encountered marginal visual conditions and struck snow while attempting to descend through a break in cloud.

Location not stated in selected summary, British Columbia, CanadaAviation1 sourceVerified 22/08/2026
Fatalities
0
Serious injuries
0
Evidence
Authoritative
Closed

Bell 212 rollover near Alexis Creek

A Bell 212 on a heli-ski drop-off encountered whiteout near Alexis Creek, drifted from the landing site and rolled after a rotor strike. The pilot sustained minor injuries.

Near Alexis Creek, British Columbia, CanadaAviation2121 sourceVerified 22/08/2026
Fatalities
0
Serious injuries
0
Evidence
Authoritative
Closed

Bell 206L-1 heli-ski approach in whiteout

A Transport Canada accident synopsis records a Bell 206L-1 heli-skiing occurrence in the Bobbie Burns area during an approach in whiteout.

Bobbie Burns area, British Columbia, CanadaAviation206L-11 sourceVerified 22/08/2026
Fatalities
Unknown
Serious injuries
Unknown
Evidence
Authoritative
Final

Bell 212 collision with terrain near Golden

A Bell 212 transporting skiers for Purcell Helicopter Skiing contacted terrain during a landing in poor visibility near Golden. The pilot died and a ski guide was seriously injured.

Whitehorn ski run near Golden, British Columbia, CanadaAviation212 · C-GERH1 sourceVerified 22/08/2026
Fatalities
1
Serious injuries
1
Evidence
Authoritative
Final

Bell 206B collision with terrain at Sustenlimi

A Bell 206B carrying heli-ski participants collided with high mountain terrain at Sustenlimi. The pilot and three passengers died.

Sustenlimi, Steingletscher, Bern, SwitzerlandAviation206B Jet Ranger III · HB-XQO1 sourceVerified 22/08/2026
Fatalities
4
Serious injuries
0
Evidence
Authoritative
Final

Bell 212 rollover on Spearhead Glacier

A Bell 212 carrying a heli-ski group settled onto snow and rolled over during takeoff from Spearhead Glacier. Occupants escaped with minor injuries.

Spearhead Glacier, British Columbia, CanadaAviation212 · C-GEEC1 sourceVerified 22/08/2026
Fatalities
0
Serious injuries
0
Evidence
Authoritative
Closed

2005 heli-ski pickup tail-rotor strike

The TSB occurrence review identifies a heli-ski pickup in which visual references were lost and the tail rotor struck terrain.

Location not stated in selected summary, British Columbia, CanadaAviation1 sourceVerified 22/08/2026
Fatalities
Unknown
Serious injuries
Unknown
Evidence
Authoritative
Final

SA-319B ground-resonance occurrence near Valdez

An SA-319B supporting a heli-ski company developed severe vibration during a remote ridgeline landing east of Valdez. The pilot and five passengers were not injured.

East-northeast of Valdez, Alaska, United StatesAviationSA-319B · N119PH1 sourceVerified 22/08/2026
Fatalities
0
Serious injuries
0
Evidence
Authoritative
Closed

1999 heli-ski whiteout occurrence

The TSB occurrence review identifies a 1999 heli-skiing event involving loss of visual references in rotor-induced whiteout.

Location not stated in selected summary, British Columbia, CanadaAviation1 sourceVerified 22/08/2026
Fatalities
Unknown
Serious injuries
Unknown
Evidence
Authoritative
Closed

Bell 212 rollover and post-crash fire near Blue River

A Bell 212 supporting heli-skiing rolled over shortly after lift-off near Blue River. The TSB records three fatalities after a survivable impact and post-crash fire.

Blue River, British Columbia, CanadaAviation2121 sourceVerified 22/08/2026
Fatalities
3
Serious injuries
Unknown
Evidence
Authoritative

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