Learning to heli ski should be gracing the top of every passionate skiers bucket list. Imagine soaring over huge mountain landscapes in a helicopter, dropped off directly on slopes covered with some of the most amazing champagne powder snow you’ve ever felt beneath your skis. The ultimate winter experience, blending together the thrill of an extreme sport with the jaw-dropping sights of untouched, remote nature.
At Pure Powder, we are the UK’s most accomplished facilitator of heli ski trips and master of all off-piste adventures. This article covers the best ways to prepare for a heli ski trip, which destinations to visit, which safety measures are there to protect you, setting realistic expectations your first time on the slopes, and more.
Why Is Heli Skiing the Ultimate Bucket List Adventure?
You’ll find heli skiing on plenty of people’s bucket lists because it’s seen as the zenith of the skiing world. Helicopter skiing offers so much more than what you can get at a conventional ski resort. There’s no monotonous waiting in line or dealing with tons of other people on the slopes. Instead, you get to ride a helicopter to the top of a mountain, where the snow is excellent and utterly untouched, and the entire terrain is there for you and a few others in your group to explore and enjoy freely as you see fit. The different slopes and routes at your disposal are unlike anything you’ve experienced before, and for lovers of the snow, it can be a dream come true.
Many also love the natural splendour of helicopter skiing, with a secluded and serene beauty seen in the vast mountain landscapes that you cut through on your descent. The surrounding beauty is often hard to match with many of nature’s wonders right at your feet. The sights you’re bound to see are unforgettable, adding an extra layer of excitement to your heli ski trip.
Why Choose Pure Powder for Your Heli Ski Adventure?
Pure Powder is the UK’s largest and most accomplished heli ski organiser, as we plan more trips for our clients than any other company in the country. We’ve got decades of experience offering our clientele some of the most legendary skiing terrain in the world. On top of this, we’ve got partnerships with amazing operators and lodges all around the globe, which are guaranteed to show you a great time. We’ve to set ourselves apart from the crowd with great attention to detail, providing you with world-class service so that you can focus on the important bits, like having fun on the slopes, while we handle the logistics. Finally, Pure Powder is never more expensive than going to an operator directly and might end up actually saving you more money overall. The best part? You’ll have our support before, during and after the trip to give you the experience of a lifetime.
The Best Heli Ski Destinations
To heli ski is to access some of the world’s most remote and stunning scenery across several exciting destinations that span the world with vast open terrains laden with unspoiled powder snow. Pure Powder facilitates heli ski trips throughout the world, from the heart of helicopter skiing in British Columbia to the steep slopes of Alaska.
In British Columbia, Canada, you will find legendarily deep snow and expansive alpine bowls, not to mention premium accommodations and a great skiing culture. Considered the global mecca of heli skiing, British Columbia is filled with one of the largest collections of exclusive skiing terrain in the world. A spectacular combination of alpine and tree skiing awaits. Accommodation-wise, you have plenty of options, from the remote backcountry Adamant’s Lodge in the Northern Selkirk’s to the rustic mountain Galena Lodge.
If you’re seeking the thrills of super high-altitude skiing and adventurous lines, Alaska is a premium destination, where heli skiing experiences are defined by steep slopes and extreme terrain. The steep mountain slopes are characterised by couloirs and spines perfect for skiing and not for the fainthearted. In terms of accommodation, Tordrillo Mountain Lodge awaits, an intimate remote lodge with a lake-side bar, exercise room and wood-fired hot tub.
You can also take on epic small-group skiing in Iceland with over 1,500 square miles of awe-inspiring helicopter skiing terrain. You can stay at the Deplar Farm, made for comfort, to relax between runs and witness one of the most gorgeous night skies you’ve ever seen.
At Pure Powder, we’re happy to organise a trip into the Chilean Andes, where you have the option to lodge aboard a luxury yacht and lift off directly from the deck towards the distant snow-capped mountains. The most popular Southern Hemisphere skiing destination, Chile offers a broad landscape of powder across the glaciated Andean peaks and seemingly never-ending valleys.
Who Can Heli Ski?
A lot of people mistakenly believe that because heli skiing is an extreme sport, it’s only for the best of the best skiers, but it is far more accessible than you may think. Of course, you’ll need to be a fairly competent skier before taking on heli skiing and have the confidence to navigate off-piste terrain while handling harsh weather conditions. You do not, however, have to be a professional or expert. For beginner heli skiers, you can join the Pure Powder heli skiing coaching programme, where you’ll be fast-tracked from piste to powder. The program is designed for intermediate to strong piste skiers who have yet to take on the world of helicopter skiing.
You should also only attempt heli skiing if you’re fit and healthy, as the long runs and high altitude are likely going to be tough on the body if you’re not prepared. If you feel like you fit this bill, but you’re still worried whether you’re cut out for helicopter skiing, don’t stress. The more relaxed heli skiing options, such as family helicopter skiing and relaxed pace helicopter skiing, allow you to enjoy the slopes with no pressure to move at a specific pace.
If you’re looking to get fit, Pure Powder also has a ski fitness program designed to prepare you for your trip. In partnership with Craig McLean, we’ve developed a fitness routine to offer a good skiing workout while building up the strength of your legs.
What to Expect On Your Very First Trip
Your first heli ski trip is going to be an unforgettable time, bringing together worlds of adventure, thrill and luxury all in one go. The day typically starts with an important safety briefing and avalanche training led by experienced guides to make sure everyone is on the same page regarding safety protocols and procedures.
Once all has been ticked off, you’ll begin the real adventure by boarding the helicopter, doubtlessly gaping at the awesome landscapes as you head towards your first drop-off point. You’ll disembark directly onto crisp and crunchy powder snow, touched by nobody. This is how you know the experience is going to be fantastic, access to some of the best snow in the world with an absolute freedom to just soar down the mountain as you please. Crowded slopes and lift lines are replaced by the howling wind and puffing snow waiting for you to carve right through.
You’ll notice that helicopter ski runs are far longer and more complex than resort ones, offering you the chance to slide through open bowls, tree runs, or steep couloirs. After a long day of ceaseless fun, you’ll head back to a luxury resort, where a steaming sauna, roaring fireplace, and a relaxing atmosphere await your enjoyment.
Safety First
As is with any extreme sport, there are safety risks associated with heli skiing. You will be in the midst of remote, backcountry terrain, where conditions are known to change in the blink of an eye, and medical help is scarcely ever readily available. Fortunately, operators are acutely aware of these risks and will do everything in their power to make sure that you are as safe as possible. A lot of that begins with your education, with most days starting with a detailed safety briefing from expert guides, who’ll tell you all about avalanche awareness, proper helicopter procedure and how to use the safety gear that they’ve given you. On top of those aforementioned items (beacon, probe, and shovel), you might also be given an air bag pack, which will help protect you in the unlikely event of an avalanche.
At the end of the day, the best asset that you’ve got is to help ensure your safety are the guides themselves. These men and women are highly trained and incredibly experienced at what they do, so the advice and guidance offered should be followed at all times. If a route is deemed unsafe and the guide calls off plans for that day due to weather conditions, they’re doing so in your best interest. Guides are first and foremost looking out for you and using their extensive knowledge in avalanche risk management, first aid, and route selection to make sure that you’re in no danger while on the adventure of a lifetime.
The Costs of Heli Skiing
The costs of heli skiing are naturally more expensive than going resort skiing, but the experience is hard to match. It’s a premium service and costs depend on a range of factors such as the destination, the type of trip, the duration of your trip and the kinds of services you’re booking.
Some trips will cost more than others, with private helicopter skiing trips the most expensive of the lot. The beauty of working with Pure Powder is that you’ll never have to pay more than going directly to an operator, and with us, you won’t have the stress of needing to plan out every detail, as we have it covered.
The indescribable nature of heli skiing is difficult to find anywhere else. There just simply isn’t anything quite like it, with the sport both figuratively and literally making you feel like you’re on top of the world. All of the guides, operators and accommodation options understand the gravity of the event and work tirelessly to make the experience an unforgettable one.
Conclusion
Anyone looking for adventure, gorgeous surroundings and the ultimate adrenaline rush should add helicopter skiing to their bucket list. As the pinnacle of skiing, you get access to the best terrain, guides, and accommodation available, and that’s not to mention the staggering freedom and breathtaking views in locations all over the world.
By choosing Pure Powder to organise your adventure, you’ve already handled all the logistics. From beginning to end, we make sure your trip is a successful, enjoyable and safe one. To learn more about helicopter skiing or to book your first trip, give us a call at +44 (0)20 7736 8191 or visit our website today.
