Operational Impact to Whistler Heli Skiing of Managing to New Goat Winter Range Buffers. (2023)
An assessment of the impacts on Whistler Heli Skiing of changing the flight buffer from goat winter ranges to 1,500 meters from the current 500 meters.

Assess the effectiveness of thermal imaging cameras (infrared) to detect and avoid wildlife during helicat operations. (2022-23)
A research study assessing the effectiveness of hand-held infrared cameras to detect wildlife.

HeliCat Canada Wildlife Sightings Summary 2021-22 (2023)
Prepared by Steve Wilson, Ph.D., R.P.Bio., this report analyzes the data from helicat operator wildlife sightings in the 2021-22 season.

HeliCat Canada’s Wildlife Observation Program: Trends and Findings 2012-2022. (2023)
Prepared by Steve Wilson, Ph.D., R.P.Bio., and published in EcoEvoRxiv, this report summarizes the results of helicat operator wildlife sightings and provides recommendations for the ongoing adaptive management of helicat activities in wildlife habitat. (HeliCat Canada’s Wildlife Observations Program: Trends and Findings 2012-2022 (ecoevorxiv.org))

Shuswap Band Bringing the Salmon Home Initiative. (2023)
Contributing funder of the Indigenous-led public engagement launch of Bringing the Salmon Home: The Columbia River Salmon Reintroduction Initiative.

Whitebark Pine Ecosystem Foundation of Canada (WPEF) Conference. (2023)
Donation to the 2023 Whitebark Pine Ecosystem Foundation of Canada (WPEF) Conference.

Effects of Helicopter Skiing on Mountain Goats and Woodland Caribou in British Columbia. (2022)
Prepared by Steve Wilson, Ph.D., R.P.Bio., this report is a literature review of the literature to assess available evidence for adverse effects of helicopter skiing.

Save our Salmon Coalition (First Nations Fisheries Council). (2022)
Contributing funder of the First Nations Fisheries Council Save our Salmon Coalition.

Economic Impact Assessment Associated with Changes to Goat Management in the East Kootenay Region of B.C. (2022)
An assessment of the economic and skiing land base impacts on HeliCat Canada members from changes to federally mapped goat ungulate winter ranges.

Economic Impact Assessment Associated with Changes to Caribou Management in B.C. (2021)
An assessment of impacts to operations if all current helicat skiing land base areas identified as federally mapped caribou habitat were closed to support recovery efforts.

Mapping of mountain caribou and mountain goat habitat. (2021)
Mapping of mountain caribou and mountain goat habitat and ungulate winter ranges overlap with helicat operator tenures.

Behavioural Responses of Southern Mountain Caribou to Commercial Backcountry Skiing Activities: A Ten-Year Retrospective Analysis. (2019)
Prepared by Steve Wilson, Ph.D., R.P.Bio., this report analyzes the data from ten years of helicat operator wildlife sightings. Recorded sighting of wildlife by HeliCat Canada members began in the 2009-10 season as a pilot study. Regular reporting by members has been undertaken since then. A version of this report was published by Steve Wilson and John F. Wilmshurst, Ph.D., in Rangifer, 39(1), 2019: 27-42.

Assessing Arboreal Lichen Abundance in Treated and Untreated Forest Stands within CMH Gothics Tenure. (2016)
This report summarizes field results from piloting the sampling protocol for assessing arboreal lichen abundance in heli-ski runs glades greater than 10 years prior.

High Elevation Monitoring and Management in the Columbia Basin. (2023 & 2024)
HeliCat Canada provided multi-year funding to Living Lakes Canada to generate baseline data on alpine ecosystems and establish long-term monitoring to understand how Columbia Basin ecosystems and watersheds are responding to climate change. Helicat operators are involved in environmental monitoring.

Carbon offset programs with Ostrom Climate and BMO Radicle. (2022)
HeliCat Canada facilitated the development of two distinct carbon offset programs for the helicat sector with HCC members engaging in either program.

HeliCat Canada’s Carbon Offset Strategy. (2021)
An industry-specific manual guiding the helicat industry, member operations and guests to effectively navigate the carbon offset world, use carbon offsets to achieve net zero GHG emissions, and achieve other sustainability targets.

Socio-economic Impact Report: 2016, 2019, & 2023
This report quantifies the socio-economic contributions of the helicat sector in BC. Topics include environmental stewardship, safety and health, community employment, community stewardship, and engagement with Indigenous communities.

Land Tenure Management. (2023)
Proposal to the BC Government pertaining to new forms of land tenure to support the helicat sector.

Comparing Emissions & Economic Impact: HeliCat & Other Activities (2022)
A report to understand helicat emissions and evaluation of other tourism activities.

Developing a Provincial Helicopter Wildlife Policy (ongoing)
Expressed in years past through a memorandum of understanding with the BC Government regarding appropriate helicopter skiing in caribou habitat, these operating standards are now standard operating practice.

Sightlines 2030 HeliCat Canada Strategy. (2022)
Strategic plan for HeliCat Canada to the year 2030. It identifies strategies to achieve the three pillars of Safety, Stewardship, and Service.

Youth Sustainability Action Grants. (ongoing)
HeliCat Canada Sustainability Action Grants provide grant funding for youth-driven community environmental and sustainability projects. The grants are intended to encourage focused projects that provide the opportunity for young adults to get hands-on experience working on environmental, sustainability, and adventure tourism projects either on their own, or under the mentorship of an agency, not-for-profit organization, or Indigenous Band or group.

Social Responsibility Report: 2019
Quantifying the social impact and social responsibility of the helicat sector and to describe the sector’s collective values. A description of the sectors work to increase its contribution, to be socially responsible, to increase inclusiveness, diversity and equality, to increase economic opportunity in communities and society more broadly, and to contribute to a world that is more environmentally sustainable.

Review of Social Indicators for Inclusion in HeliCat Canada Socio-Economic Assessment Reports. (2019)
This report identifies social indicators that have been used by HeliCat Canada in its social responsibility report and identifies data that is relevant to the industry.

Stewardship of Mountain Ecosystems: Best Practices for Sustainability. (2003)
This manual demonstrates the early efforts of the helicat sector to demonstrate its commitment to leading sustainability management practices. It was the purpose of this manual to further this commitment by clearly and specifically expressing the sector’s pledge to environmental stewardship, economic integrity and community responsibility.

Indigenous youth introduction program to the helicat sector. (2023)
Partial funding of the Mustang Cat Skiing and Thompson Rivers University Indigenous Peoples training program and the Canadian Ski Guide Association Indigenous Peoples training program.

Yukon Heliski and Indigenous Youth Mentorship Program (Film). (2023)
A film that describes Yukon Heliski’s relations with local Indigenous Peoples and its Indigenous Youth Mentorship Program. Film - Online

HeliCat Canada Indigenous Peoples Advisory Committee. (2023)
Formation of an Indigenous Peoples Advisory Committee to provide input to the direction and policies of HeliCat Canada.

HeliCat Canada Indigenous Peoples Engagement Survey. (2022)
A survey of the type and levels of engagement of HeliCat Canada members with Indigenous Peoples.

Indigenous Relations Strategic Engagement Plan. (2020)
Prepared for HeliCat Canada by SFU, this is a guide and toolkit to establishing and maintaining relationships with Indigenous Peoples for HCC members.

Simon Fraser University NSERC Chair in Avalanche Risk Management (ongoing)
Annual and ongoing funding for the Chair of Avalanche Risk Management at Simon Fraser University.

Avalanche Fatality Summary for Mechanized Skiing in Canada (1970-2023).
Prepared by Pascal Haegeli, NSERC Industrial Chair in Avalanche Research Management, Simon Fraser University, this report is a description of avalanche fatalities, number of fatal accidents, guest skier days, and overall statistics of fatalities in the mechanized skiing industry in Canada between 1970 and 2023.

HeliCat Canada Accreditation Process (Film). (2023)
A film that describes the HeliCat Canada Accreditation Process and interview with Accreditation Inspector Brian Gould.
Films - Google Drive

HeliCat Member Accreditation Inspections (ongoing)
HeliCat Canada sets the operating standards for helicat skiing in Canada and undertakes inspections and accreditations of member operators.

Creating a Culture of Consent: Being an Engaged Bystander. (2021)
A resource for helicat operators that addresses sexual violence, engaged bystander, sexual health rights, anti-violence, consent, harassment in the workplace, intervening now versus later, supporting after harm, and creating a culture of respect.

Fatigue Risk Management in Wilderness Ski Guiding (WorkSafeBC funding). (2020)
An industry review to characterize the fatigue that wilderness ski guides are exposed to throughout their workday, shift and season.

HeliCat Canada Safety & Awareness Webpage. (2021)
Development of an animated safety and awareness page on the HeliCat Canada website and for member use on their website. Includes Safety Overview, Skiing and Snowboarding Safety, Helicopter, Snowcat and Snowmobile Safety, Tree Wells, Around the Lodge, and Wilderness Activities Release Agreement.

Best Practices for Helicopter and Snowcat Skiing Operations Under COVID-19. (2020)
A resource for helicat operators to assist them with business operations under COVID-19.

Canada West Ski Areas Association and HeliCat Canada COVID-19 Outbreak Crisis Communications Plan. (2020)
This plan provides crisis communications direction in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak at a ski area, helicopter skiing or cat skiing site. It is designed to provide support to members needing assistance in crisis communications.

HeliCat Canada Incident Reporting & Exchange Database (HIRE). (2019)
Development of a multi-source, single-location, industry-wide information database related to incidents and near-miss incidents associated with all types of helicat backcountry skiing in Canada.

Risk of Death and Major Injury from Natural Winter Hazards in Helicopter and Snowcat Skiing in Canada. (2019)
Written by Matthias Walcher, Pascall Haegeli, and Sven Fuchs, School of Resource and Environmental Management, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada, and the Institute of Mountain Risk Engineering, University of Natural Resources and Life Science, Vienna, Austria, the data for this paper was provided by HeliCat Canada members.

Noise Exposure of Heli Ski Guides Research Report 2016 (WorkSafeBC funding).
Measuring the impact of helicopter noise on heli-ski guide hearing

University of Calgary Applied Snow & Avalanche Research Program
HCC was a core funder of the U of C Snow & Avalanche Research Program for many years.

Land use mapping. (2023)
Mapping of helicat operator tenures with additional layers of First Nation territories, parks and conservation areas, tree farm licenses, woodlots and community forests, mineral tenures, private land, water & power tenures, caribou habitat, ungulate winter range, backcountry lodge tenures, and old growth priority areas.

HeliCat Canada Annual Reports: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
HeliCat Canada produces an Annual Report each year that serves as a summary of their annual activities.

HeliCat Canada Operational Safety Plan. (2023)
Template for a helicat operator Safety Plan, along with accompanying files and links.

Mountain Community Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Program. (2023)
HeliCat Canada financed the development of a peer responder CISM program intended for mountain professionals. We also oversee the call out and dispatch of peers for this program.

HeliCat Canada Crisis Communication Plan. (2023)
Development of a Crisis Communications Plan for HeliCat Canada and a template for a plan that could be used by helicat operators. This plan was shared with US Heliski as a template for their own work.

Crisis Communications Plan Template for Helicat Operators. (2023)
Development of a template that can be used by helicat operators to prepare their own crisis communications plan.

Media Training Workshop. (2023)
Funding of a media training workshop for HeliCat Canada and other mountain community association members.

HeliCat Canada Social Media Plan. (2022)
The development and implementation of a HeliCat Canada social media plan and content.

HeliCat Canada Communications Strategy. (2022)
The development and implementation of a HeliCat Canada communications strategy.

HeliCat Sector Wage & Benefits Report. (2019, 2021, 2023)
Biennial compilation of wages paid by employee category.

Occupational Health & Safety (ongoing)
HeliCat Canada collaborates with various representatives and committees each year to review and refine the Association’s standardized OH&S Program Manual, HeliCat Risk Assessment Tool, Safe Work Procedures and Safety Talks in an effort to help our member organizations prevent accidents and injuries on the job.

Legal review: Legal test of the scope of a provincial authority to regulate helicopter flights under provincial permits or licenses. (2021)
Does the province of BC have the legal authority to make conditions on helicopter flights under provincial permits or licenses? What is the scope of that authority? Identification of relevant court decisions.

Mapping of tenures in First Nation territories. (2020)
Mapping of helicat operator tenures in First Nation territories.

BC Adventure Tourism Industry Strategy. (2017)
In partnership with numerous other BC adventure tourism associations and compiled by Larose Research & Strategy, Peak Planning Associates and Align Consulting this is a forward looking strategy for the growth of adventure tourism in BC.

Wilderness Activity Release Translations (ongoing)
HeliCat Canada maintains 17 language translations of the Wilderness Activity Release used by helicat operators.