New state-of-the-art helicopter base near Nelson

A commitment to safety has kept High Terrain growing and thriving as they celebrate 22 years of success.

From humble beginnings in 1992, Steve Benwell, owner and founder of the Nelson-based High Terrain Helicopters, has grown his company into one of the largest helicopter operations in the Kootenay region.
High Terrain has a varied customer base: loggers, miners and prospectors; government agencies; lodges and heliskiing companies; rescue and medical evacuation teams; avalanche control teams; and film crews—the pilots never know from one day to the next where their expert piloting skills are going to be needed.

Benwell founded High Terrain Helicopters in 1992, in Meadow Creek, with just one small helicopter; in 1996 he moved the company to the Nelson airport. Then last year High Terrain moved to a state-of-the-art helicopter base just outside of Nelson, while maintaining a presence at the Nelson Municipal Airport as well.

Benwell said that in spite of the challenges presented by the area’s extreme weather conditions, the company has an excellent safety record. He insists on hiring the best and most experienced pilots; High Terrain Helicopters has an outstanding safety protocol and is meticulous when it comes to helicopter maintenance and pre-flight inspections.

The company now owns and operates five helicopters and also has a base at the Canadian Rockies International Airport in Cranbrook, B.C. Benwell is busy with administration of the business and is happy to leave the flying to his full-time chief pilot and six contract pilots who rotate in and out. He has a full-time administration and maintenance staff who provide excellent support to the operation.

Now in its 22nd year of operation, High Terrain Helicopters has successfully built a large customer base with a proven safety record and high-quality helicopter service.