Getting a Bird's Eye View of North Bay, Ontario with Helicopters Canada
You might have visited North Bay before, but have you ever seen the city and the surrounding region from the air? Bri and I can now unequivocally say we have thanks to Helicopters Canada. Since we were fortunate to take the skies in autumn, this little excursion represents one of the great fall adventures that we’ve ever had in Ontario — and we’d do it again in a heartbeat, no matter the season.
Views of North Bay, Ontario from way up high. Photo Credit: Christopher Mitchell
We travel, in part, to gain perspective. We want to wider our horizons, challenge our assumptions, and perhaps, most importantly, be humbled by that which we see. To me, the knowledge that comes with travel begins when we recognize that we’re a part of something so much larger than ourselves.
Just recently, deep into the darkened hours, I found myself reading Orbital by Samantha Harvey. It’s a book that follows 6 astronauts aboard a space station. Their view of our delicate planet is shaped by their newfound perspective. The distance from the scenes below them allow them to recognize the magnitude of what they’re seeing.
That is precisely how I felt when Bri and I got a bird’s eye view of North Bay, Ontario. Up in the air, it’s easy to recognize how a place can be more than the sum of its parts. How could I truly appreciate the city itself without getting up above it, and seeing, in full view, how connected it is to the striking, rugged landscapes that envelop it?
Bri and I have been immensely fortunate to do and see a lot on this wondrous planet of ours, but that helicopter ride in North Bay, with the autumn colours in full bloom, was like drinking a pure, concentrated tonic of beauty. I’m not David Suzuki, not by a long shot, but if there was ever a time that I was overcome by the importance of preserving, protecting, and appreciating the wonders of Northern Ontario, it was on this ride.
It was a reminder (a reminder we all need, mind you), that we owe it to ourselves to put ourselves in positions in which we can experience unadulterated awe — because it’s these experiences, these flashes of brilliance, that stay with us. Deep inside us, like fuel cells that we can draw from on a future rainy day.
40+ Years in the Air with Helicopters Canada
As former educators, we were initially drawn to Helicopters Canada because of their partnership with Canadore College to provide a one-of-a-kind College Pilot Preparedness Certificate program in Commercial Helicopter Pilot Training. This is the only flight training program like this in Canada, it’s worth noting.
All that to say, Helicopters Canada isn’t just your run of the mill private helicopter service, it’s also a beacon for training the next generation of helicopter pilots.
From a tourism perspective, they offer flights ranging from 30 minutes all the way to 2.5 hours, and can accommodate for both single passengers and larger groups.
You can book a tour simply by filling out their contact form, and you can also reach them via email at info@helicopterscanada.com
Their Fleet of Helicopters
Astar AS350: A single-turbine workhorse with a spacious, quiet cabin, which makes it ideal for aerial tours. Can carry up to 5 passengers, with a range of about 300 miles, and impressive internal and external payload capacities.
Eurocopter EC120: This bad boy is sleek and compact, which means it’s perfect for urban, tight spaces thanks to its enclosed tail rotor—safe, quiet, and perfect for close-quarters touring.
Bell 206 Jet Ranger: A staple turbine helicopter trusted for both training and operations, known for its reliability and unmatched safety record in the industry.
Robinson R44: A nimble piston-engine model appreciated for its responsive handling—great for smaller groups headed out for sightseeing or photo flights. Fun fact — this is the world’s best selling civilian helicopter. We were aboard the Robinson R44, and that’s the helicopter pictured above. It’s pretty much one giant window, which was ideal for us to capture the experience in full.
Seeing North Bay from An Entirely New Perspective
Tours are available year-round, so unless there’s any particularly inclement weather, you’re good to go. We made the decision to take the flight in the fall, and that was largely so we could embrace the full expanse of North Bay’s (and the surrounding region’s) blanket of oranges, yellows, reds, and greens.
You’ll see the city of North Bay itself, and where it fits into this kaleidoscope of nature, but you’ll also be able to see views (and snap photos) of Lake Nipissing, Callander Bay, Duchesnay Water Falls, and Trout Lake. As a side-note here, we’d also very much recommend that you take a drive to see Duchesnay Falls on foot as well.
There are some standard routes that cover the highlights, something we did in our 30 or so minute flight, but it’s also worth mentioning that there’s a dialogue that passengers can have with their pilots to curtail the flight path to their interests. If you’re all about nature, or seeing a particular place, let Helicopters Canada know. With that said, we’d also recommend trusting them and their plan, because they know this region best, after all, and which sights from the helicopter tend to leave passengers with phones in hand and mouths agape.
North Bay sits along a historic canoe route once traveled by Samuel de Champlain, who led an expedition up the Ottawa River, through what is now Mattawa, across Trout Lake, and along La Vase Creek to reach Lake Nipissing. When you’re up in the air, I’d urge you to look carefully at how all the rivers and bodies of water connect, and form a highway of their own.
But most importantly, especially if you’re Canadian, take a moment to be grateful for the great expanse of nature that we are the stewards of. To say we are blessed — well that would be the understatement of the century.
Your North Bay Adventure Awaits
The Robinson R44, awaiting your arrival. Photo Credit: Christopher Mitchell
How poetic can one get about a helicopter ride, you might wonder, after reading my musings on this experience. And I would argue that there isn’t enough poetry on the planet to fully encompass an experience like this.
I’ve always been drawn to the quote from Marcel Proust that the real value isn’t in “seeing new things,” but rather “in having new eyes.” So no, this isn’t just a helicopter ride, it’s the chance to get a bird’s eye view of some of the province’s most impressive and wondrous natural landscapes, to see a city that continues to push forward, and see a community emerging and thriving in a place where, not all that long ago, there was little more than a railway stop.
Don’t just come for the helicopter ride — stay and hike, relish the surprisingly great food scene here, and pause for a moment. The fresh air up here is the kind that feels as if its nourishing you at your core. And up in the air, as you’re looking down at the city, and the waterfalls, the creeks, the lakes, and trees — try to remember that this is what it’s all about. To be human is to be curious, and to seek out the adventures that leave speechless, and then ensure that, later on, you’ll have plenty to say.
We want to humbly thank Tourism North Bay for hosting us as media. All opinions expressed are completely our own.