Pure Powder's Ski Blog

Call +44 (0)20 7736 8191


Pure Powder’s 5 Top Tips for Heli Skiing First Timers

You’ve made the big commitment to seek out the best powder skiing of your life with a heli skiing trip, now all you need to do is to make sure you maximise your heli skiing experience so that it really is the ski trip of a lifetime.

Here are our 5 top heli skiing tips for first timers:

1)   Get Ski fit!

It’s a simple one, but in our experience the more fit you are the more you will enjoy your heli skiing trip (and we believe that goes for seasoned pro’s as well as heli ski first timers). The reality of heli skiing is that with a powerful and speedy helicopter whipping you up the mountain for every run you will ski significantly more than on your standard resort skiing or off piste ski holiday. Expect to heli ski 8 to 12 runs in a day and up to 50,000 vertical metres in a week! Check out our ski fitness page for top heli ski fitness tips.

Pure Powder’s 5 Top Tips for Heli Skiing First TimersPure Powder’s 5 Top Tips for Heli Skiing First Timers

2)   Warm up your powder skiing legs

As the boy scouts put it “by failing to prepare you are preparing to fail”. We recommend making sure that when you step out of the helicopter at the top of your first heli skiing run it’s not the first skiing you’ve done all season! Hit the pistes in Europe before your trip to warm up your legs (nice short turns and moguls will get you in the right rhythm) or arrive at your heli ski destination a few days early and get-over the jet lag while finding your ski legs again.

3)   Have the right heli ski kit

Given that you are spending a significant amount of money and probably travelling a long way, don’t let the small things get in the way of an incredible heli skiing experience… In our experience there are 3 crucial things you need to get right. One, have a good layering system for your clothes so that you can add or subtract layers to suit the conditions. One of those small down jackets is a perfect friend to have stuffed into a back-pack ready to come out if it’s getting icy. Two, make sure you have good gloves (good = warm and waterproof) and ideally ones with a long sleeve to keep the powder out. It’s amazing how quickly the rest of the body feels the cold if your hands are cold. And three, invest in some great goggles that don’t fog-up! Normally that means goggles that have a decent amount of space between your face and the lens.

Our friends at Ellis Brigham can get you kitted up for heli skiing, or most of our operators have specialised kit you can buy at their lodges.

4)   Powder skis and short poles

Ski tech has come on so fast recently it’s hard to keep up… Reverse camber, rocker technology, sidecuts… it can get pretty confusing fast. Our suggestion would be to leave the ski selection to the professionals and take the advice of the ski tech at the heli ski operator who will set-you up with the best powder skis available. Tip number two – arguably the most important in the list – ensure your heli ski poles are 5cm shorter than those you usually ski with on the piste. This will make sure you are weighted forward and in the perfect ski position to attack the powder!
Pure Powder’s 5 Top Tips for Heli Skiing First Timers

5)   Enjoy (and remember you can ski!)

It’s easy to forget when you’re crouching down in a huddle as a helicopter lifts off in a cloud of snow that whilst the mode of transport might be extreme, heli skiing is as extreme or as gentle as you want it to be. Despite perception to the contrary your usual heli skiing run will be a lovely gradient red run – just with no people and (hopefully) perfect powder!  Just remember that you can ski and don’t let the novelty of your helicopter/taxi knock you off your rhythm and most importantly have fun – its most probably going to be the best skiing of your life!

Simply can’t wait any longer? Have a look for the perfect skiing trip this Winter or contact us to discuss your heli skiing trip. If it’s still a faraway dream you can enter our competition in conjunction with Ellis Brigham, Arc’teryx and K2 skis for a chance to win a heli skiing trip

Posted by: Charlie Brooksbank

Mastering Off-Piste Skiing: An Introductory Guide

  For many thrill seekers, the tame slopes of a ski resort do not offer the excitement they’re looking for – this is where off-piste skiing offers an excellent alternative. The popularity of this adventure-based sport has increased over the past couple of years as skiing has become more accessible to more people. And yet, […]

Posted by: Samantha

Helicopter Skiing: The Ultimate Adrenaline Rush

  If you are interested in undertaking an outdoor adventure like no other, helicopter skiing may be the perfect option for you. Helicopter skiing involves off-piste, downhill skiing with the added thrill of a helicopter trip to reach untouched backcountry terrain.   Perhaps breathtaking views and an exhilarating experience are what you are after? If […]

Posted by: Samantha

About Heli Skiing: Myths And Misconceptions

  For those of you who have already had the chance to head out on your very own heli skiing excursion, you will know what to expect when embarking on your next adventure. For those who have not, this brief guide is for you – we will clear up some common misconceptions regarding heli skiing, […]

Posted by: Samantha

Heli Skiing: Prepare For An Unforgettable Trip

  In the past, heli skiing used to be a sport that only those adventurous few who could afford the exorbitant cost could enjoy. However, more recently, with the help of companies like Pure Powder, the sport has become more accessible than ever. Today more and more avid skiers are being introduced to and partaking […]

Posted by: Samantha

Plan An Unforgettable Off-Piste Skiing Trip

  If you are eager to set off on an unforgettable off-piste skiing trip, then you have come to the right place. Pure Powder is one of the best ski specialists based in the UK, but we organise off-piste ski adventures all around the world. In this quick read, we will cover some essential information […]

Posted by: Samantha

A Comprehensive Guide To Heli Ski Preparations

  Let’s get into the ins and outs of trip preparation for your next heli ski adventure! At Pure Powder, we take care of all the logistical aspects of your skiing experience, but there are a few things you can do from your side to make sure that you kick off the excursion as prepared […]

Posted by: Samantha

Helicopter Skiing vs Resort Skiing: A Comparison Of Skiing Experiences

  Over the past few years, there has been a rapid rise in the popularity of helicopter skiing. Spurred ever onwards by this increased interest in the sport, Pure Powder strives to make heli skiing an accessible activity for skiing novices and veterans alike. With helicopter skiing now more accessible than ever, avid adventurers have […]

Posted by: Samantha

Steep Heli Skiing: Exploring Alaska

  If real thrills are what you’re searching for, heli skiing with Pure Powder is the way to go. We organise heli skiing trips all over the globe, tailoring each experience to your level of expertise. For the experienced skiers looking for an adrenaline rush, Alaska is the holy grail of pure skiing freedom.   […]

Posted by: Samantha

Heli Ski Gear Guide: Must-Have Skiing Equipment

  If you have ever participated in a heli ski experience, you will know that having the right equipment is essential. Not only does the heli ski gear protect you from the elements out in the backcountry, but it can also improve the entire experience overall. Regarding heli ski gear, experienced skiers stick to functional […]

Posted by: Samantha

Incredible Heli Skiing Destinations

  If you are considering setting off on your very first heli skiing adventure, allow us to walk you through some of the amazing options you have at your disposal! In this brief guide, we will have a look at a few different heli ski destinations and consider what makes each of them unique.   […]

Posted by: Samantha

Off-Piste Skiing: Embrace The Freedom Of Untracked Slopes

  Very few sensations can be compared to the feeling of off-piste skiing in deep powder snow. If you have yet to throw yourself into one of these incredible ski excursions, allow us to fill you in on the basics of off-piste skiing. In this brief guide, we will cover what exactly an off-piste skiing […]

Posted by: Samantha

Helicopter Skiing: The Ultimate Alpine Experience

  Helicopter skiing is a great way to take your ski experience to the next level. In this brief guide, we will explain the differences between our tailored heli skiing excursions and your typical ski getaway. Of course, this is not to say that a standard resort skiing trip cannot be a great experience, but […]

Posted by: Samantha

Some Useful Advice For Your Heli Skiing Adventure

  As exciting as a heli skiing trip surely is, it is always best to go prepared. In this quick read, we will walk you through a few different aspects of our heli skiing adventures, arming you with everything you need to know about heli skiing before you embark on your trip.   When you […]

Posted by: Samantha

Best Heli Skiing In Canada: Make Your Next Adventure Unforgettable

  CMH Heli Skiing offers not only the best heli skiing in Canada, but some of the best off-piste skiing adventures in the world. The interior ranges of western British Columbia, Canada have been hailed as the Mecca of heli skiing excursions, and for good reason. There is no shortage of choice with Canadian Mountain […]

Posted by: Samantha

Exploring The Heli Ski World: An Introductory Guide

  When hearing the term “heli ski”, peoples’ minds often wander to the world of action movies. The word may evoke images of James Bond or Jason Bourne leaping off a helicopter several feet in the air onto a steep slope, followed by villains, as they expertly manoeuvre their way down death-defying heights and avoiding […]

Posted by: Samantha

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