Pac Rotors yes CHC does operate an advanced/mountain school in Penticton, B.C. Be a great place to go and learn some good techniques on flying in/around snow. Good skiing around there too.
There are arguments (for/against) for either technique high hover vs no hover. Some in heli-skiing use the no hover landing with great success. While myself and others have not had any problems with an approach to a hover to wait for the snow to clear.
I recommend cleaning all contaminants off of any critical surface before you start up. Unless you really know your a/c, you may not know when the contamination is gone. I won't gamble with peoples lives. It may be a pain in the butt to brush the snow/frost off the rotors, but it sure beats any of the alternatives. If you operate in an area where frost/snow is a problem, then use covers. They prevent rotors from developing frost, and snow won't freeze to the blades.
You can see the blade covers on this 206, we also covered up the engine area and used an electric heater to keet the engine warm. Using the blade covers, I never had to clean frost off the blades.
Cheers
Randy_G
If you can't stand the heat ...
Then turn up the airconditioning !!
p.s. talk about irony, here I am downunda in the Land of Aus giving tips on flying in the snow.
In case any of you don't think I know anything about winter flying, I have flown all over western Canada, and in the Cdn Arctic in the winter.