More Than a Heli-Op: Great Bear, as Seen in TGR’s Pressure Drop, is Forging a New Legacy

In the remote wilderness of British Columbia’s Central Coast, a new kind of legacy is being forged. Far from the commercialized mega-resorts, Great Bear Heli Skiing operates as a family-run business with a distinct mission: to offer an intimate, boutique experience rooted in deep respect for the land and a passion for the mountains. But this isn’t just any family operation, it’s a business where the women, particularly owner and Executive Chef Mandi Blewett, are at the forefront, shaping a unique and inspiring vision for the future of heli-skiing. We recently had the privilege of filming for our new ski and snowboard film, Pressure Drop, at Great Bear. See the incredible team and their spectacular terrain on the big screen.

The land where Great Bear Heli Skiing now operates was once home to a legendary fishing lodge. It was here that Mandi's family played and worked on both the mountains and rivers, which she says is "our life and we love it." But in 2010, a massive flood wiped out their fishing lodge, forcing them to relocate and rebuild. Rather than a setback, Mandi saw it as a new path. "As most things in life, it presented an opportunity and we took it," she says. After five years of rebuilding and securing a Heli Use Tenure, the family's dream came true. Great Bear Heli Skiing launched its first season in 2022.

As an owner and Executive Chef, Mandi leads a team that includes her daughters as key members. In a traditionally male-dominated industry, she and her family haven't felt defined by gender. Mandi says it's never been a conscious choice, stating, "gender has had nothing to do with what path or passion any individual pursues, who cares, be good at what you do, and do what you love or what your curious about, we support each other".

The unique female perspective is deeply woven into the guest experience. The lodge and all the spaces are designed to foster a sense of connection to the place and the people you are with. Mandi notes that a warm, wonderful place to return to at the end of the day, with amazing food, "completes the adventure". This holistic approach ensures every detail of a guest's trip is treated with equal importance and attention.

Many times in the wilderness, people will say they are there for the fish or skiing, and everything else is just a bonus. But Mandi and her family believe that's only true when you don't have a choice, they made a choice. They are passionate about sharing the real, life-changing, and sometimes intimidating remote wilderness with their guests. It’s an incredible responsibility to make that experience the safest and most memorable it can be. Having a warm and wonderful place to return to at the end of the day, with amazing food, is what truly "completes the adventure".

The terrain in the Great Bear Rainforest is immense and untouched. For Mandi, living on this land means being a guest. "It demands a level of respect that is deeply ingrained in me," she explains. The team operates with a "tread as lightly as we can" ethos, keeping groups small to minimize their overall impact. Mandi's passion is sharing the wilderness with visitors, but she feels an incredible responsibility to make it the "safest and most incredibly memorable experience" possible.

When TGR was on-site filming for Pressure Drop, Mandi's passion for the environment was clear. She shared that they operate a non-profit organization to save wild salmon, work with local biologists to protect different species, and report on all animals they see while in the field. To minimize their impact, they keep groups small and make a conscious effort to build on already disturbed sites when possible, avoiding any pristine areas.

TGR was honored to film at Great Bear for our new film, Pressure Drop. When asked about having a film crew in this sacred space, Mandi said there was a lot of "curiosity, respect for this environment and the terrain as well as great energy!". She hopes that the film will provide a way to share the "magic of these mountains" with more of the world, reaching the curiosity of many a skier and wilderness lover.

For Mandi's family, it was a fall tradition to watch all the new ski movies to get psyched for the ski season, so she added that getting to be a part of making one was "so damn cool!".

Looking Ahead: The Future of Great Bear

With a distinct and authentic identity, Great Bear is focused on staying true to its core mission. As Mandi shares, they are "going to keep working on being the best at what we do and we are working on a little secret, but that will have to be for later!"

The story of Great Bear Heli Skiing is one of passion, legacy, and a deep connection to the wild heart of British Columbia. Through Mandi Blewett’s leadership and the dedication of her family and team, the operation has redefined the heli-skiing experience, proving that a boutique, family-run business can offer something truly special and impactful. As we've seen firsthand while filming for Pressure Drop, this is more than just a destination, it’s a community built on a shared love for the mountains, one that is as inspiring and formidable as the terrain itself. 

The TGR Pressure Drop World Tour is rolling, while it kicks off in Jackson, we’re bringing the film to venues across the country. Find a stop near you and grab tickets now to experience the Great Bear segment along with the rest of the film on the big screen.