Heliskiing at Bella Coola doesn't just mean enjoying one magnificent descent after another in the largest heliskiing area in the world. It also has a unique hospitality. It comes across so authentically that you could be forgiven for thinking that you have long been a regular returning guest. Corinne and Christoph are responsible for this great atmosphere at Terra Nostra Ranch.
The Swiss couple found a new home at Terra Nostra Ranch in 2013. The tranquillity of nature, the vast forests and the close proximity to the mountains were enough to convince them to take this big step. It was a dream come true for Christoph in two respects: As a craftsman who ran a roofing and tinsmith business in Switzerland, he does most of the work on his ranch himself. And as a ski and telemark instructor, he has fantastic mountains right on his doorstep. For Corinne, life on the horse ranch in Canada is also the fulfillment of a lifelong dream - after all, she was already a passionate horsewoman in Switzerland.
Heliskiing in the Champage powder is undoubtedly an **once-in-a-lifetime** adventure. Although **once-in-a-lifetime** is not quite right. Anyone who has experienced it once will want to do it again and again. There is an acute risk of addiction!
When their daughters are not visiting, Christoph and Corinne live alone on the ranch with their guests. Although alone is not quite right. After all, numerous four-legged friends live with them at the Terra Nostra Guest Ranch. The dogs Joya and Betty are omnipresent. Joya is a Wäller born in 2015, Betty a Labrador and Alaskan Malamute mix born at the end of 2018. Big Betty in particular, with her snow-white coat and gentle nature, wraps every guest around her paws. The two dogs know exactly how to behave in order to get as much attention as possible from the ranch guests. Playful and extremely friendly, they add to the charm of the ranch.
In addition, more than 20 horses live in the huge paddocks in front of the lodge. They also clearly feel at home here and are not afraid to stay outside even in winter at minus 30 degrees Celsius. In general, the horses are hard to disturb, as they hardly seem to mind when the helicopters of the heli-skiing guests take off and land in spring.
The ranch originally belonged to a Danish boxer and hunting guide, who built it himself and offered it as accommodation for his prominent hunting guests. In 1980, the ranch passed into Swiss hands for the first time. Hans Bettschen cultivated the fields around the ranch, which he named "Clearwater Lake Ranch". The ranch is not far from the shores of the lake of the same name. 14 years later, Clearwater Lake Ranch came to an end and Karl-Heinz Seitzinger took over the reins of the estate. From then on, he called it "Terra Nostra Ranch" and promoted its use as a tourist destination for group tours.
Almost 20 years later, Corinne and Christoph followed suit and with them the heliski provider Bella Coola Heli Sports. Together, they have created a friendly and cozy atmosphere for heliskiing guests at Terra Nostra Ranch in northern British Columbia - surrounded by nature and yet easily accessible. The rustic charm of the ranch has real cowboy flair. But the best thing is: only a few freeriders have strayed onto this side of the Coast Mountains so far, so there are numerous virgin slopes for first descents.
Strong enough?
Not sure if you're strong enough for heliskiing? Get in touch with us. We're also happy to do a video check-up. We have been heliskiing with thousands of skiers and know all the areas. So we can assess with you where you will have the most fun in the powder!
