If you’ve been around the block a few times and have already embarked on numerous helicopter skiing excursions, you might be looking for the next challenge – our Steep Shots & Pillow Drops adventures are the go-to for adrenaline-seekers. These exhilarating experiences are designed for advanced skiers who are looking to test their skills on some of the finest heli skiing terrain in the world.
At Pure Powder, we have crafted an impressive selection of adventures, many of which are ideal for intermediate skiers looking to head off on their first helicopter skiing trip. However, the Steep Shots & Pillow Drops programmes are targeted at skiers who want to develop new, expert-level skills, elevate their freeriding abilities, and try their hand on some of the steepest, deepest lines available.
In this brief guide, we will delve into everything you need to know about these exceptional adventures, including where this programme is offered, the type of skiing and guidance on offer, and the level of experience and ability required to enjoy these excursions. So, if you want to learn more about these adrenaline-filled trips, we encourage you to read along with us.
Helicopter Skiing: Practically Unlimited Vertical And Potential
CMH Heli Skiing in Canada are widely considered to be the finest helicopter skiing operator in the world, and with more than 3,000,000 acres of pristine skiable terrain at their disposal (larger than all North American ski areas put together), it’s quite easy to see why.
Our partnership with CMH Heli Skiing has allowed our clientele to enjoy some of the most extraordinary skiing opportunities, and the Steep Shots & Pillow Drops programmes are the cream of the crop. On any given 5-day experience, you’ll have the chance to log at least 71,000 ft or 21,780 m of vertical skiing and riding, or around 45 helicopter rides-worth of excitement.
To give you a sense of how crazy these numbers truly are, you would need to spend 6 – 7 hours in lift lines and survive double the number of chairlift rides to achieve anything similar to the vertical you’re offered in these advanced programmes. And perhaps the best part is that this isn’t vertical for the sake of vertical; with each helicopter trip back up the mountainside, you get to navigate your way through immaculate pillow lines, big bowls, and steep couloirs. With these experiences, we decided to take the phrase “go big or go home” quite literally.
Helicopter Skiing: A Breakdown Of The Group Makeup
The way in which the ski groups are created for these programmes is unique, consisting of nine skilled riders or skiers, two knowledgeable guides, and one featured guest athlete. As these trips are catered toward expert skiers, all nine guests will be at a similar skiing level, which, as you can imagine, is advanced. This presents a myriad of benefits for experienced skiers; let’s explore a few of them:
Quick Turnarounds: A common issue faced by expert-level skiers is that they often find themselves waiting on others before they can set off on their next run. At Pure Powder, we have mastered the art of matching clients with their ideal skiing experience, and this takes their overall ability into account. With that in mind, you can rest assured that your skiing companions will be able to keep up with the pace of the group, allowing for faster turnarounds and, ultimately, more exciting runs.
A Focus On Challenging Terrain: As the group at large has an excellent understanding of how to tackle the challenges of the backcountry, your guides will be able to hand-pick especially tough lines and terrain to allow you to test your skills. On most helicopter skiing adventures, this kind of terrain would likely be avoided; however, should you opt for the Steep Shots & Pillow Drops programme, you can embrace the exhilaration and adrenaline that comes with pushing the boundaries.
Less Downtime: Most advanced skiers embark on these trips with the goal of getting as much skiing in as possible. Of course, everyone enjoys relaxing après-ski activities (which we will get into at a later stage), but the focus of these skiing experiences is to maximise the excitement on offer. If this is your goal, then you will surely be in good company, as these groups usually consist of like minded skiers who are determined to elevate their abilities and make their mark on the untouched slopes of the backcountry.
Beyond the members of your group, your professional guides, and the excellent guest skier, you will also be accompanied by a Bell 212 helicopter, which will handle much of the heavy lifting on your behalf so that you can focus your attention on the skiing at hand. These renowned, powerful machines have become synonymous with helicopter skiing, and much of what the sport has grown into can be attributed to their performance and reliability.
As is always the case with CMH Heli Skiing, the guides that will round out your team are the best-of-the-best. Their training is as arduous as the day is long, and their understanding and knowledge of the backcountry is unparalleled. Should you have any concerns or questions, they will always be within arm’s reach to provide assistance or instruction.
Helicopter Skiing: Lodging And Activities
Our Steep Shots & Pillow Drops programme takes place at one incredible location, Kootenay Lodge. If you are unfamiliar with this accommodation, allow us to fill in the gaps and explain what makes it such a desirable destination for heli skiers the world over.
Kootenay Lodge
If you are looking for a quintessential town-based lodge that serves as the ideal base of operations, Kootenay Lodge could be a perfect fit. It is situated in the cosy town of Nakusp, British Columbia, which is easily accessible from Kelowna. CMH Heli Skiing sums it up rather well when they say that the lodge is “easy to get to, difficult to leave.” Should you opt for this accommodation, you can expect large, comfortable rooms, quirky décor, and plenty of opportunity for relaxation.
However, Kootenay Lodge is best known for the impeccable surrounding terrain that boasts some of the most challenging, enjoyable runs in the region. The far-reaching tenure is extensive, stretching to both the Monashee and Selkirk mountain ranges. Over the course of your skiing experience, your guides will have 290+ runs to choose from on any given day, meaning there is certainly no shortage of fun to be had. They will factor in wildlife movement, weather forecasts, and snow conditions, as well as many other considerations, to create the final run lineup.
Speaking of snow conditions, the region is famous for its high volumes of low-density powder, which comes about due to the consistent, predictable storm cycles. So, if you have been wanting to perfect your deep snow landings or experience the rush of skiing through perfectly spaced trees, Kootenay Lodge is the natural choice. Since 2012, this town-based lodge has hosted many professional athletes as they come from far and wide to join the Steep Shots & Pillow Drops programmes.
Amenities And Activities
Now that you know what to expect from the skiing opportunities and snow conditions, allow us to shift the focus towards other aspects of the accommodations. Once the exciting skiing has concluded for the day, there is plenty on offer to keep yourself entertained and help you recharge. If you’re interested in a post-ski nightcap, the famous Arrow Lakes Tavern neighbours Kootenay Lodge and is a local favourite. Here, you are bound to form new connections and share stories of your skiing escapades.
The lodge is also in close proximity to Nakusp’s natural hot springs, which serve as the ideal opportunity to kickback and rest your muscles in preparation for another day in the backcountry. When it comes to amenities and activities, there is much to get excited about. A few of these include a gear and gift shop, exercise equipment, Wi-Fi, chef-prepared meals and snacks, games, massages, complementary guest laundry facilities, and more. Whether you are travelling alone or with a group, we can say with certainty that you will be glad that you decided on Kootenay Lodge.
Helicopter Skiing: Featured Guest Athletes
As we’ve touched on, every Steep Shots & Pillow Drops adventure features a guest athlete, but what exactly does this mean? Well, their involvement is intended to inspire and motivate each of the skiers in the group, and they will also be on hand to answer any questions you may have about the backcountry terrain and anything else you are curious about. To add to this, these aren’t just any skiers; they are some of the most well-known, talented skiers and riders in the world.
We’re talking X-Games medallists, ski movie stars, and seasoned professionals in the space – basically, they are extremely handy additions to the group dynamic. The guest athlete you may have on your trip will depend on when you plan to join the programme, but you will be made aware of the potential roster in advance. A few noteworthy athletes that have joined the Steep Shots & Pillow Drops programme include Scotty Vermerris, Max Djenohan, Corey Seemann, Grete Eliassen, Nick Russell, and Carter McMillan, all of whom are incredibly accomplished professionals, filmmakers, actors, mountaineers, or athletes.
Helicopter Skiing: Final Thoughts
With that, we come to the end of our comprehensive guide. If you are an advanced skier seeking the next great challenge, it truly doesn’t get better than this remarkable programme. With Pure Powder and CMH Heli Skiing, you are in extremely capable, experienced hands, and we will ensure that your trip goes off without a hitch. With over four decades of industry experience, we are more than prepared to help you embark on an unforgettable journey that will stick with you for many years to come.
To start the booking process, simply get in touch with us and we can begin planning immediately. We pride ourselves on our concierge-style service, and should you need any assistance or advice during your trip, we are only too happy to help. Hopefully, this brief guide has inspired you to take your helicopter skiing experiences to the next level and opt for the Steep Shots & Pillow Drops programme.
