Heli

The ultimate vacation sport for an ardent, and expert, skier is heli-skiing. Many ski resorts all over the world offer heli-skiing and there are some places where heli-skiing is the only way to ski! Helicopters take you to remote mountain areas for a day of unimaginable powder skiing and bring you back to the base. Anyone who enjoys the thrill of skiing in the wilderness will discover the ultimate untracked, powder skiing adventure in heli-skiing.

Heli-Skiing on a skiing vacation is for the strong intermediate or advanced skier who has been skiing actively for many consecutive years. It is not suitable for beginners or weak intermediate skiers. It requires the ability to ski well on all types of terrain, from spacious open glaciers with moderate pitches to steep tree skiing. Expert skiers who can ski in a variety of snow conditions, from light, fluffy, boot-top powder to wind-affected crust and heavy crud should venture for this extreme sport.

You can plan to go heli-skiing in a few years time if you take a skiing vacation every year at conventional, big mountain downhill resorts. Heli-Skiing is usually more difficult than the black runs at a conventional ski area so put in plenty of practice. Ski as much as possible and challenge yourself by skiing progressively steeper runs. Try to ski away from the groomed slopes whenever you can so that you can handle the unexpected rocks, trees and other hazards.

Heli-skiing is very popular in Canada’s British Columbia, Alaska and the Austrian Alps. It is gaining admirers in New Zealand and the Himalayan country, Nepal. Reputed organizers are very particular of the level of skill the participants possess and often recommend they first undergo a Powder Introduction program to get familiar with the experience of skiing in remote mountain areas.

Heli-skiing trips include ground transportation to lodges where you will be based for the duration of your vacation and from where you are taken every day by helicopter to remote mountain slopes. The organizers keep track of the snow conditions and stability and about the terrain hazards in the areas. Their overriding priority is the safety of the skiers and take utmost care to ensure that the each member of the group has the necessary experience in skiing.