Powder & Priorities: Chelsea Handler Announces Ladies-Only Heli-Skiing Trip to British Columbia

Comedian, author, and unapologetic powder hound Chelsea Handler has officially issued an all-points bulletin to the world's top female shredders. She is hosting an exclusive, ladies-only heli-skiing excursion in the rugged mountains of British Columbia, Canada, and she wants you to join her.

If you had asked Chelsea Handler two decades ago if she would eventually be hosting exclusive, big-mountain heli-skiing trips in the Canadian backcountry, she probably would have handed you her margarita and laughed. Today, the comedian, author, and TV host is arguably one of the most visible—and certainly the most unfiltered—celebrity skiers on the mountain. Her journey from struggling beginner to big-mountain ripper is a testament to grit, a refusal to be left behind, and a heavy dose of sheer, unadulterated confidence.

Known for her viral tradition of celebrating her birthday by skiing in a bikini, Handler is taking her passion for the mountains to the next level by curating a high-octane getaway for a select group of women.

"Ladies, you asked for it… We’re going heli-skiing in Bella Coola, BC, Canada!" Handler announced, adding a strict prerequisite for anyone looking to secure a spot. "Strong skiers only. If you can keep up, I want you there."

The Ultimate Wilderness Basecamp

The highly exclusive four-day trip is scheduled to take place from April 10–14, 2027. Guests will drop deep into the Canadian wilderness, operating out of the luxury Tweedsmuir Park Lodge in partnership with premier guiding outfit Bella Coola Helisports.

The all-inclusive package leaves zero logistics for the attendees to worry about. Flights, gourmet food, luxury lodging, expert mountain guides, and top-tier powder gear are all covered. All the guests have to do is show up ready to charge hard down massive alpine faces.

High-Altitude Details

Because heli-skiing requires precise safety and logistics, the trip is keeping its footprint small and hyper-focused. Here is what attendees can expect:

Capacity: Strictly capped at 20 guests.

• Accommodations: 12 private chalets and suites (available in single or double occupancy) spread across a remote 60-acre property within the Great Bear Rainforest.

• The Ride: A high-performance A-Star helicopter, celebrated in the industry for its exceptional agility and lightweight performance. It perfectly accesses remote alpine terrain and accommodates quick flights with panoramic views for groups of four skiers.

• The Terrain: A dramatic mix of vast, high-alpine bowls and endless descents. For days when the weather rolls in or skiers want a change of pace, the tenure features pockets of sheltered tree skiing—striking a balance between big-mountain exhilaration and forested powder stashes.

Handler’s intense love affair with skiing didn't start with a childhood on the race team. In fact, her origin story is rooted in spite. During a recent interview on The Drew Barrymore Show, Handler revealed that she finally decided to get serious about skiing after a guy she was dating took her to the mountain—and promptly left her behind because she couldn't keep up.

Rather than quitting, Handler dedicated herself to the sport. Her progression wasn't without its literal bumps in the road; a severe ACL tear in Switzerland threatened to end her skiing career before it truly took off. But in 2018, she spent two full months in Whistler, British Columbia, working relentlessly with instructors to rebuild her strength and confidence. By all accounts, it worked.

While her technical skills were quietly improving, it was her birthday traditions that made her a viral sensation in the ski world. To celebrate turning 38 in Whistler, Handler stripped down to a bikini and took a lap.

It quickly became an annual, highly anticipated tradition. Every late February, millions of followers tune in to see Handler shredding in various states of undress. Over the years, the ritual has evolved to include sipping a cocktail mid-run, hitting a joint, and even carrying her dogs—goggles and all—in a backpack as she carves down the mountain.

For her milestone 50th birthday in 2025, Handler elevated the tradition. Swapping her usual Whistler haunts for Soldier Mountain, Idaho, she recruited a full squad of friends to join her in dropping the layers, charging down the slopes in bikinis to celebrate both her birthday and the release of her seventh book, I'll Have What She's Having.

A Voice for the "Fun" in Skiing

As the corporate atmosphere of modern mega-resorts often pushes rules and restrictions, Handler has become an unofficial ambassador for simply having a good time.

"The corporatization of skiing seems to be taking away our fun: don't get up on the table, don't ski too fast… in short, way too many don'ts. The ski world needs Chelsea Handler," noted the editors of SNOW Magazine, who recently featured Handler as a vintage ski pin-up for their Winter 2025/2026 issue. "She’s fearless, she rips, she can hang with a posse and ski in a bikini."

With spots strictly limited to just 20 participants, organizers expect the trip to book out almost instantly. For those with the technical skill to back it up, the message is clear: don't dawdle, or you'll be left at the lodge.