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Plan B. Where Can I Heli Ski During A Covid-19 Winter?

We’re massive fans of the interior ranges of British Columbia in Canada and in our humble opinion it’s as close as heli ski perfection as you can get.  It’s where you’ll find huge expanses of un-tracked ‘Champagne’ powder, tree-skiing for bad-weather days and unbeatable heli skiing know-how from the guides and pilots. 

 However, this is no normal season and as things stand the Canadian government are keeping their borders closed for the foreseeable future. We hope that this will change but, in the meantime, it’s time to consider some alternative options for this year’s powder skiing fix…. 

We’ve compiled a list of our alternative heli ski options for this season which we hope will be easier to get to.  Be sure to keep abreast of the latest travel advisories on our travel update page.   

Deplar Farm hotel | Troll Peninsula | Smith Hotels

ONE // Iceland 

If you’re looking for the best possible accommodation for your heli skiing trip then it doesn’t get more luxurious than Deplar Farm.  You’ll find this super-luxe lodge in the Fljót Valley on the mountainous Troll Peninsula in northern Iceland. It is an adult’s adventure playground with a staggering range of activities from heli skiing to sea kayaking, dry suit swimming, snowmobiling and whale watching (just to name a few!). 

The lodge itself is newly built in the classic Icelandic style and blends into the natural landscape with its black timber cladding and living roof.  Deplar Farm is open all year round however the heli ski season kicks off in mid-March to May.  And the skiing…?  Just picture huge couloirs and vast valleys just waiting to be explored – and the long-extended daylight hours due to the midnight sun mean that guests can make sea-to-summit runs even after dinner!  It’s about the whole package experience and not just the heli skiing so make sure you leave enough time in the day to enjoy the incredible spa and swimming pool! 

 Deplar Farm offers 4- and 6-day heli skiing trips in March, April and May.  Single rooms are available on special request. 

 

Pyrenees Heliski : Heliski in the Val d'Aran, Spain

TWO // Pyrenees 

Vielha is located in the Val d’Aran region surrounded by the Pyrenees Mountains of northern Spain. It is relatively close to the French border, however as heli skiing ibanned in France, you can head to Spain to get your heli ski fix. The area is all about the stunning scenery and it is a fabulous place to base yourself any time of the year if you’re a lover of the outdoors. For the heli skiing programme, guests have the choice of three hotels to stay near Vielha which are suitable for a range of budgets.  

Heli skiers will explore the varied terrain in the Val d’Aran region throughout its fantastically long season which stretches from mid-November through to April. This region benefits from the Atlantic climate that brings lots of snowy precipitation right the way through the winter.  Heli skiers can expect runs of around 800 vertical metres varying from skiing in the high Alpine as well as in lower elevations through the trees.  

Although the heli skiing in the Val d’Aran region is less reliable than Canada for example (you can expect an average of 2 to 3 down days per week) there are plenty of ‘backup’ options – for example some resort skiing in the neighbouring Baqueira, snowmobiling, ski touring or if you need a day off skis to rest those ski legs then you can go regional wine tasting.   

The heli skiing programme is made up of groups of 4 guests with one guide. Each helicopter has a maximum of 4 groups on rotation however private trips can also be arranged. 

Pyrenees heliski offer 1-, 3- or 5-day trips and you have a choice of three hotels to stay at. 

Abisko Ski Resort Info | Nuolja Offpist | Abisko Arctic Lapland Sweden Review

THREE // Sweden 

The Abisko Mountains are situated in one of the last, great wildernesses in Europe and so there’s no wonder why the IFMGA certified guide Stefan Palm (whose heli skied around the world) and his highly trained team at Heliski-Guides Sweden set up their heli ski operation here. Heli skiers stay at the Abisko Mountain Lodge, just one hour’s drive from Kiruna in northern Sweden; and have access to the immense ski area which is similar to the size of Austria.  Due to the lack of tree skiing in Sweden, days are spent skiing in the high Alpine where there is a huge variety of open bowls and steep descents to shred.  

The lodge has 20 rooms and its rustic style makes for a very comfortable stay.  The Abisko Mountain Lodge is also home to the highly regarded Brasserie Fjällköket which showcases local delicacies which include reindeer and freshly caught fish from the nearby river. And, with experienced chefs from all around the world, guests should prepare for a fantastic culinary experience during their stay. 

The season is fairly short here and guests can heli ski from March through to May.  The heli ski groups are made up of 4 guests with one guide per group.   

Abisko Mountain Lodge and Heliski-Guides Sweden offer trips from 3– to 7-days and can be tailored around your requirements. Private groups and single rooms are available on special request. 

Private Package | Turkey Heliski

FOUR // Turkey 

Small group heli skiing in Turkey is a very exciting experience which operates out of the small mountain village of Ayder, which is situated in the Kaçkar Mountain Range near the Black Sea in the northeast of Turkey.  The heli ski groups are made up of 4 guests plus a guide with a maximum of 4 groups sharing a A-Star helicopter Accommodation is at the Hotel Hasimoglu – a small, family-run mountain hotel which has a cosy and friendly atmosphere. 

The Kaçkar Range offers exclusive access to 5,000 sq. km of Alpine terrain ideal terrain for heli skiing.  Regular snowfalls throughout the season twinned with a deep and stable snowpack makes this an excellent heli ski destination.  The heli skiing is characterised by long, Alpine runs which meander back down to the picturesque valley. 

The guides are multinational heli skiers who spend the majority of their season heli skiing all over the world. Guests are in safe hands when heli skiing in Turkey, as the heli ski guides are internationally certified and the helicopter and pilot expertise is provided by Air Zermatt. 

Hotel Hasimoglu with Heli Ski Pro offers 3- and 7-day heli skiing trips from January to March.  Private groups and single rooms are available on special request. 

Are you looking for an alternative trip this coming 2020/2021 season? Get in touch with one of our heli ski specialists today to find the best option for you – call the office on 0207 736 8191 or email info@purepowder.com 

 

Posted by: Zillah Bell

Off-Piste Skiing: Your Questions Answered

  If taking on challenging terrain sounds like a thrilling adventure, then off-piste skiing may just be the ideal outdoor sport for you. Venturing outside the boundaries of standard ski resorts can be a rewarding experience, allowing you to leave behind the groomed slopes and instead make tracks across the fresh snow of the backcountry. […]

Posted by: Samantha

Heli Skiing: Everything You Need To Know

  Heli skiing is an invigorating outdoor sport involving breathtaking views from remote backcountry slopes. Whether you are an excited first-time/beginner skier or a seasoned skier looking for a new challenge, heli skiing has something to offer. In this quick read, we will be covering everything you need to know about heli skiing.   If […]

Posted by: Samantha

Pure Powder’s Skiing Resort Guide: Whistler/Blackcomb

Location: Most famously known as just Whistler, Whistler and Blackcomb are two mountains that sit side by side and make up Canada’s biggest resort. Together they make up a whopping 8,171 acres of terrain, split between pisted runs, Alpine bowls and glaciers. Whistler Village is at the base of Whistler, the hub of the village […]

Posted by: Georgie Knox

Pure Powder’s Skiing Resort Guide: Silver Star

Location: Located in the stunning Okanagan Valley, Silver Star is British Colombia’s fourth largest ski resort where you can expect the famous champagne powder we all know and love due to being further west. The varied terrain spreads over 3,282 acres and attracts every kind of skier. Getting there: Silver Star is extremely easy to get […]

Posted by: Zillah Bell

Pure Powder’s Skiing Resort Guide: Sun Peaks

Location: Sun Peaks is the second biggest ski area in Canada, behind Whistler. It is the perfect warm up destination for anyone who is heli skiing at CMH’s Cariboos Lodge. Getting there: Sun Peaks is located in the heart of British Columbia, only a 45 minute drive from Kamloops and less than an hour by […]

Posted by: Zillah Bell

Tree Skiing in BC, Canada

The tree skiing in the interior ranges of British Columbia is very unique.  The trees protect the snow from wind and sun damage; so not only is it where you would expect the deepest snow to be, it is also where the powder remains perfect for longer which makes tree skiing a very enjoyable experience! […]

Posted by: Zillah Bell

CMH Private Heli Skiing Trips

Heli skiing is the ultimate skiing experience – we don’t know a skier out there who doesn’t have heli skiing on their bucket list.  What’s not to want – deep, untracked powder in every direction, fresh tracks at every turn, no lift queues and a helicopter at your service!  Now, imagine it all to yourself […]

Posted by: Georgie Knox

Where Can I Go Small Group Heli Skiing?

Smaller heli ski groups mean greater opportunities for deep snow and more epic lines; and  heli skiing in groups made up of 4- or 5- guests can mean that your mountain experience is as intimate as possible.  You can either fill a helicopter with your buddies or join a ready made small group.  It’s best […]

Posted by: Zillah Bell

Pure Powder’s Resort Guide: Revelstoke

Location: Revelstoke Mountain Resort is located in North America’s ‘deep snow capital’ in the heart of British Columbia. It was voted Canada’s Best Ski Resort in 2020, which is most likely due to its 3,120 acres of skiable terrain that includes the longest vertical ski hill in North America, trumping Whistler in 2008 when their […]

Posted by: Suzy Small

Where Can I Heli Ski In Chile? 

What a better way to spend the summer than heli skiing in the Andes…Powder South, offers an excellent heli skiing programme which is be based out of four different locations.     The Heli Skiing Programme:   Heli Skiing in Chile is based out of the Chilean Andes Mountains and it has access to over 1 million acres of terrain – where to heli ski here is endless. Most of the skiing is on open Alpine […]

Posted by: Georgie Knox

The Top 5 Heli Ski Lodges in the World

We’re all about the best powder skiing experiences in the world, and as your heli ski experts it is only right that will pull together our top five ultimate heli ski lodges in the world. We couldn’t think of any where else we would prefer to be right now. Each lodge is sumptuous, with impeccable […]

Posted by: Zillah Bell

Pure Powder’s Christmas Gift Guide for Skiers & Boarders

Stuck for Christmas gifts for the skier or snowboarder in the family or for friends…then check out our ultimate gift list for this upcoming Christmas Go Pro Hero9 A Go Pro has to be the ultimate gift for any skier or snowboarder and the Go Pro Hero9 is the one to go for. As the […]

Posted by: Georgie Knox

In the Press: Forbes

In The Press: Forbes Photo from Tordrillo Mountain Lodge Alaska has to be one of the most desired places to heli ski in the world, and we aren’t the only ones that think so. Forbes have recently written an article saying that “avid skiers are seeking out Alaska as the top place to heli-ski” Alaska […]

Posted by: Georgie Knox

Pure Powder’s Ultimate Heli Ski Packing List

It’s all very exciting – you’ve got your trip booked; flight tickets in hand; passport at the ready…  you can practically smell the powder!  However, you’re standing over an empty bag thinking – have I got everything?  We’ve pulled together our top packing tips to make sure that you’re all set.  What ski clothes to pack?  […]

Posted by: Zillah Bell

Are Touring boots compatible with CMH bindings?

Photo By: Zach Doleac  Our most asked question in the 2019/2020 season was – are my ski touring boots compatible with the CMH bindings?  So… we’ve decided to write a blog about it and get it answered once and for all! Taking skis CMH Heli Skiing provide all their guests with fat, powder skis which […]

Posted by: Zillah Bell

Pure Powder’s Resort Guide: Kicking Horse

Location: Kicking Horse Mountain Resort’s 1,315 vertical is known for its deep light powder and huge snowfall – no wonder it’s nicknamed the Champagne Powder Capital of Canada. It attracts skiers looking to experience amazing snow in a picturesque setting. Kicking Horse has a wide variety of terrain in its 3,400 skiable acres; better suited […]

Posted by: Georgie Knox

Pure Powder’s Skiing Resort Guide: Lake Louise

Location: Lake Louise is a hamlet located in the Banff National Park in the Rocky Mountains. Its name comes from the extraordinary vibrant blue lake which is at the base of Mount Victoria. The lake itself is a 6-minute drive from the centre of the hamlet and was named after Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, the fourth Daughter of Queen Victoria. Although the hamlet is small with only a few hotels and […]

Posted by: Georgie Knox

Pure Powder’s Resort Guide: Banff

Location: Banff is located in a picturesque National Park in Alberta, Canada.  It was named by the President of the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1884 after his hometown Banffshire in Scotland. With one of the longest ski seasons in North America, Banff has access to over 8,000 acres of ski terrain spread across is three ski […]

Posted by: Georgie Knox

Pure Powder’s Top 10 Blogs of 2020

We’ve updated our top 10 favourite ski blogs which bring you the latest ski news, top tips and fashionable destinations.  Get your powder fix today and whet your appetite for the season ahead…  powdermatt.com/   To kick off the list we have this cracking a blog by Matt Mosteller – one year, while his friends were busy getting […]

Posted by: Zillah Bell

Top Resorts for your Heli Ski Warm Up in Canada

The Telegraph listed their Top Ten Ski Resorts in Canada, among them was some of our favourites for pre-heli ski warm up.  They are great destinations to try out that famous Canadian powder before you embark on your heli skiing adventure with CMH.   Revelstoke Revelstoke is a small town but is the perfect place […]

Posted by: Georgie Knox