Guided Tours
Valhalla Helicopters
West Kelowna
THINGS TO DO · KELOWNA & WEST KELOWNA
Soar over Okanagan Lake, world-class wineries, and dramatic mountain canyons with Kelowna's best helicopter tours. Your unforgettable aerial adventure awaits.
4 tours & experiences · Updated September 2026Things To Do guide · Go Kelowna
Photo: thane v · Okanagan Mountain Helicopters - Commercial Flight School and Tours via Google
01AT A GLANCE
The details that matter.
Kelowna helicopter tours offer breathtaking scenic flights over Okanagan Lake, local wineries, and Myra Canyon's historic trestles. Operators like Valhalla Helicopters and Okanagan Mountain Helicopters provide everything from short city tours to full-day heli-wine tastings with winery landings. Expect to see vineyards, mountains, and sparkling lakes from a unique perspective, with special packages like heli-picnics also available.
- Best Season
- Year-round
- Book Ahead
- Yes, especially summer
- Departs From
- YLW & West Kelowna
- Good to know
- Prices often per helicopter
01THINGS TO DO GUIDE
Tours from the air & beyond
Scenic flights and the guides who know the valley.
Guided Tours
Okanagan Mountain Helicopters - Commercial Flight School and Tours
Kelowna
Guided Tours
Ikon Adventures Helicopter Tours
Kelowna
Guided Tours
Graham Helicopters
Kelowna
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•LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
Your Guide to Kelowna Helicopter Tours
Get a bird's-eye view of the Okanagan's incredible landscape with a helicopter tour.
The short answer
The best helicopter tours in Kelowna offer stunning aerial views of Okanagan Lake, Myra Canyon, and renowned winery regions. Valhalla Helicopters in West Kelowna and Okanagan Mountain Helicopters at YLW provide exceptional experiences, from 20-minute scenic flights to exclusive heli-wine tours that land directly at vineyards for tastings.
01Who to fly with
Top Helicopter Tour Operators
Kelowna is served by several highly-rated helicopter tour operators. From a private hangar in West Kelowna, Valhalla Helicopters offers a wide range of scenic and custom tours with a strong focus on guest experience and safety. They have been operating since 2003 and are known for their heli-wine and picnic adventures.
Based at Kelowna International Airport (YLW), Okanagan Mountain Helicopters is both a commercial flight school and a tour operator, offering year-round flightseeing packages. They specialize in all-inclusive heli-wine tours and provide stunning views of the valley. Ikon Adventures, also flying from the YLW area, focuses on making helicopter adventures accessible and fun, offering a variety of scenic tours and customizable trips.
Graham Helicopters, another operator based at YLW, provides VIP transport and scenic tours, including flights to Sparkling Hill Resort and local vineyards. While they have a strong presence in commercial operations like wildfire support and search and rescue, they offer personalized tour experiences for visitors.
Local tips
- Check Google reviews to see recent customer experiences.
- Many operators price tours per helicopter, not per person, which can be cost-effective for groups.
- Confirm the departure location when you book; some fly from West Kelowna, others from YLW.
- In summer, helicopters can be diverted to assist with firefighting, so reconfirm your booking.
02What you'll see
Scenic Flight Routes
Most scenic helicopter tours in Kelowna feature Okanagan Lake as the star attraction. Short tours, often around 20 minutes, typically provide views of downtown Kelowna, the William R. Bennett Bridge, and the shores of West Kelowna. These flights give you a fantastic overview of the city's layout against the backdrop of the water and mountains.
Longer tours venture further to showcase the region's diverse geography. A popular destination is the historic Myra Canyon, where you can get an amazing aerial perspective of the Kettle Valley Railway's 18 trestle bridges and two tunnels. Other routes head north over Wood and Kalamalka Lakes, famous for their vibrant colours, or explore the mountains and waterfalls west of the lake.
Flights can take you over the rolling hills of local neighbourhoods and up into the high country. You might fly over Knox Mountain, see Crawford Canyon, or get a glimpse of Terrace Mountain. In the summer, you'll see lush green vineyards and orchards, while autumn brings a spectacular display of fall colours across the valley.
Local tips
- For photographers, Valhalla Helicopters offers 'doors off' tours for unobstructed shots.
- Ask your pilot to point out key landmarks like Mount Boucherie or Gallagher's Canyon.
- Morning flights often have smoother air and beautiful light.
- Let the operator know if you have a specific sight you'd like to see; many tours are customizable.
03Elevated experiences
Heli-Wine & Heli-Picnics
Heli-wine tours are a signature Okanagan experience, combining a scenic flight with tastings at world-class wineries. Companies like Valhalla Helicopters and Okanagan Mountain Helicopters have partnerships with numerous wineries, allowing you to land directly on their property. You can book half-day tours to visit two wineries or full-day excursions that include four wineries and a gourmet lunch.
Imagine touching down at iconic wineries like Summerhill Pyramid Winery, Peak Cellars, or Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards for a private tasting. These all-inclusive tours typically cover your flight, landing fees, and tasting appointments, offering a seamless and luxurious way to explore the region's celebrated wine culture. It's an unforgettable way to arrive in style.
For a more secluded adventure, consider a heli-picnic. Valhalla Helicopters offers tours that fly you to a remote mountain ridge or an alpine lake for a private picnic with panoramic views of the valley. You can bring your own basket or have one prepared for you. These trips are perfect for proposals, anniversaries, or simply a memorable escape into nature.
Local tips
- Book heli-wine tours well in advance, especially for weekend dates in the summer and fall.
- Discuss your wine preferences with the tour operator to help them select the best winery stops for you.
- Heli-picnic season is often limited to the summer months, from around mid-June to mid-September.
- Remember that you can purchase wine at the vineyards; the helicopter often has space to transport your new collection.
04Know before you go
Booking, Weather & Prices
It's always best to book your helicopter tour in advance, particularly during the busy summer season from June to September. Most operators require a deposit to secure your booking, with the full amount often due 48 hours prior to the flight. Walk-in or last-minute bookings can sometimes be accommodated for scenic tours, but specialized trips need planning.
Helicopter flights are highly dependent on the weather. Operators will cancel or reschedule tours if conditions like high winds, heavy rain, or low clouds make flying unsafe. They monitor conditions closely and will typically contact you if a change is needed. There is no charge for tours cancelled by the operator due to weather.
Prices vary significantly based on the length of the flight and the type of tour. In early 2026, expect a 20-minute scenic tour to start around $660 per helicopter, which can seat up to four passengers. A half-day heli-wine tour might be approximately $1995 per helicopter, while a full-day experience could be around $3995. Always confirm current pricing directly with the operator.
Local tips
- Arrive at the hangar or heliport at least 20 minutes before your scheduled flight for a safety briefing.
- Dress in layers. It can be cooler at higher altitudes, even on a warm Kelowna day.
- Be aware of cancellation policies; notice within 48 hours often results in a full charge.
- Don't forget your camera and sunglasses.
05Alternative air tours
Float Planes
For a different kind of aerial adventure, consider a float plane tour. Taking off and landing on Okanagan Lake is a unique thrill. Air-Hart Aviation operates from a dock in downtown Kelowna, conveniently located behind the Delta Grand Okanagan Resort. This makes it an easily accessible option if you're staying in the city centre.
Float planes often fly at a lower altitude than helicopters, offering a more intimate perspective of the lakeshore, vineyards, and canyons. The high-wing design of their Cessna aircraft ensures every passenger gets a window seat and an excellent view. Tours are priced per flight, not per person, and typically accommodate up to 3 passengers.
Air-Hart offers a range of tours, from a 30-minute flight over Kalamalka Lake for around $560 to a 90-minute glacier tour for about $1090. They also provide custom charters, including trips to remote alpine lakes for picnics, fishing, or even overnight camping. It's a fantastic way to experience the rugged backcountry of British Columbia.
Local tips
- Float plane tours are a great option for those who want the excitement of a water take-off.
- The downtown departure point is perfect for pairing a flight with dinner or a walk along the waterfront.
- Like helicopters, float plane operations are weather-dependent.
- Note the passenger and weight limits, which are stricter than on most helicopters.
06Alternative air tours
Hot Air Balloons
If you prefer a slower, more serene journey, a hot air balloon ride at sunrise is an unforgettable experience. Okanagan Ballooning is the primary operator in the valley, offering peaceful flights that drift over vineyards, orchards, and farmland. It's a completely different feeling from the powerful flight of a helicopter.
Flights typically last about an hour, but the entire experience, including setup and a post-flight celebration, can be around three hours. Because the balloon travels with the wind, every flight path is unique. The season generally runs until early October, offering beautiful views in both summer and early fall.
As of late 2026, standard flights with Okanagan Ballooning cost around $450 per person. They also offer private flights for two, perfect for a romantic occasion, for approximately $1,950. Booking is essential, as flights are very popular and entirely weather-dependent, requiring calm conditions to launch.
Local tips
- Balloon rides happen early in the morning to take advantage of stable air.
- Even in summer, mornings can be cool, so dress in warm layers.
- Listen carefully to the pilot's instructions for takeoff and landing.
- For a small taste, look for tethered balloon rides at local festivals.
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•FAQ
Good to know
In 2026, a short 20-minute scenic tour costs around $660 per helicopter. Longer tours, heli-wine experiences, and private charters will cost more, with full-day wine tours reaching approximately $3995 per helicopter. Prices are often for the aircraft, which can typically hold up to 4 passengers.
