Thanksgiving weekend (October 10 to 12) brings the relatives to town, a full table and a long weekend to fill. After the turkey, though, it’s hard to find something the whole family, from the youngest to the oldest, will remember. This year, give them a view of Vancouver they’ve never seen.
Why a Helicopter Flight Makes a Great Family Experience
Most family outings mean watching something. A helicopter flight means being inside the view, with the river, the bridges, the mountains and the changing leaves spread out below. Everyone gets a window, and everyone has something to point at. It’s also a gift that doesn’t add to the clutter. The memory stays long after the leftovers are gone.
The long weekend is also ideal timing. The fall colours are building, and the crisp autumn air makes for clear views. The leaves typically peak from mid-October into early November, so a flight over Thanksgiving weekend catches the season as it starts to turn.
Child Pricing Makes It Easier Than You’d Think
SKY Helicopters offers child pricing on most of its shared tours, which keeps a family flight within reach:
- Discovery Flight: $129 adult, $99 child. A 20 km loop over the Fraser River and its bridges, and a great first flight for the family.
- Vancouver City Helicopter Tour: $385 adult, $305 child. Soar over the skyline, landmarks and coastline.
- BC Backcountry Helicopter Tour: $385 adult, $305 child. Fly over remote wilderness where the population is zero.
- Coast Mountain Landing Tour: $455 adult, $365 child. Includes a 15-minute landing in the backcountry, where few people have ever set foot.
- SKY Helicopter Tour of Vancouver: $309 per person, adult or child.
If you’d rather keep the group to yourselves, SKY also offers private flights, so the whole family can share one aircraft.
Picking the Right Flight for Your Family
- First time in a helicopter? Start with the Discovery Flight. It’s the shortest and most affordable, and it gives everyone a taste of flying.
- Want the big Vancouver views? The City Tour covers the skyline, the landmarks and the coast, all from above.
- Ready for an adventure? The Coast Mountain Landing is a showstopper, with a real touchdown in the backcountry that the whole family will talk about for years.
Making the Weekend Easy
- Book early. SKY recommends booking ahead for the best availability, and holiday weekends fill up fast.
- Stay flexible. Flights depend on the weather, so keep more than one day open across the long weekend if you can.
- Skip the drive if you’re staying downtown. SKY offers a complimentary shuttle from downtown Vancouver hotels at 9:30am. Reservations are required, and you’ll get a hotel-specific pickup time when you book.
- Check the details when you book. Ask about age and seating requirements for younger children so there are no surprises on the day.
Can’t Make It This Weekend? Give the Gift of a Flight
If relatives are only visiting for the day, or you want to give the experience to someone later, SKY sells gift cards online. It’s a simple way to give the family an adventure to look forward to, and the fall colours will still be here into early November.
The Bottom Line
This Thanksgiving, trade one more afternoon on the couch for a flight the whole family will remember. Between the child pricing, the range of tours and the fall colours, it’s an easy way to make the long weekend something special.
Book your family’s flight at skyhelicopters.ca or pick up a gift card at the SKY store.