Heli skiing can be an unforgettable experience; thrilling rides down powder snow slopes, breath-taking mountaintop scenery and the joy of camaraderie with your team. However, this exhilarating sport comes with its own set of challenges, which when improperly prepared for, can negatively affect your overall experience.
In this article, we’ll help you sidestep catastrophe by covering eight of the most common safety hazards associated with helicopter skiing and how to avoid them. This list includes overestimating your ski level, not possessing the right fitness levels, failing to acclimate, weather and avalanche conditions, poor packing and dressing, using the wrong equipment, ignoring your guides and neglecting to purchase the correct insurance.
Overestimating Your Skill Level
Overestimating your skills during a heli skiing trip can cause significant challenges and safety concerns for you and your entire party. Helicopter skiing involves steep, ungroomed terrain, deep powder, and unpredictable snow conditions, which shouldn’t be braved by anyone without appropriate skiing skills.
An overconfident skier may struggle to navigate these challenges, leading to frequent falls, loss of control and swift exhaustion. In the best-case scenario, this slows both you and your group as a whole, as guides need to take extra time assisting any lagging skiers, likely reducing the number of runs for everyone.
In the worst-case scenario, skiing beyond your ability increases the risk of accidents or injuries, such as falls or collisions with obstacles hidden beneath the snow. In cases like this, your safety is placed in serious jeopardy and the heli skiing experience is disrupted for the entire group.
Avoid this mistake by performing some honest self-assessment about your skills and clearly communicating these thoughts with Pure Powder when booking your trip, as well as with your guides before the trip begins to ensure a safe and enjoyable helicopter skiing experience. If you realise that your skills aren’t up to scratch, rather opt for a trip better suited to your skill levels and spend some time honing your abilities until you’re totally confident facing the challenges associated with heli skiing.
At Pure Powder, we facilitate a full heli skiing coaching program for strong piste skiers with limited powder experience. In this program, expert guides support your powder skiing development by offering guidance and tips in a relaxed pace setting designed to help you improve. You’ll be skiing alongside others of a similar mind-set, and do not have to worry about slowing anyone down, as everyone is there to learn and evolve.
Ignoring Fitness Requirements
Ignoring the fitness requirements of helicopter skiing leads to a higher risk of a diminished, if not miserable, experience for both yourself and the whole group. Heli skiing demands a certain level of endurance, strength and agility, as it involves skiing in deep powder, navigating challenging terrain and performing strenuous runs repeatedly.
Anyone not physically prepared for these strains is likely to fatigue early on, reducing your ability to control your own movements and maintain proper technique. Not only does this slow the whole group down, but it also increases the risks of falls and injuries, not to mention the frustration that comes with it.
Avoid this mistake by regularly performing fitness training for heli skiing specifically and getting advice from specialists. Fortunately, you’ll find a section devoted purely to fitness on Pure Powder’s website, which includes a fully guided video tutorial on how to get your body heli ski ready.
Failing to Acclimatise
Failing to acclimatise before a helicopter skiing trip can lead to altitude sickness and reduced physical performance, significantly impacting the experience for you and your team. More often than not, helicopter skiing takes place at higher altitudes where the air is thinner, making it harder for the body to obtain enough oxygen. Symptoms of altitude sickness include headaches, dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath and fatigue.
These uncomfortable symptoms quickly set in if the body isn’t given enough time to adjust to the high altitude. The symptoms can make helicopter skiing physically exhausting and very mentally challenging, which furthermore increases the risks of mistakes, falls, and injuries. In the worst-case scenario, altitude sickness may require you to stop skiing entirely and descend to a lower elevation, where your body can steadily recover. The last thing you want on a heli skiing trip is not getting the chance to ski.
Avoid this common and unpleasant issue by spending at least a day or two at a nearby ski resort at or slightly below the same elevation to give your body the time it needs to acclimatise before attempting helicopter skiing. You can help your body acclimatise and reduce your chances of experiencing altitude sickness by staying hydrated, eating well and avoiding alcohol.
Pure Powder facilitates lodging at some of the best remote cabins in the world, from the mountains of British Columbia to the foothills of the Chilean Andes. The beauty of these destinations is unmatched, and they serve as the perfect place to acclimatise yourself to the area before skiing. A few of our popular lodging destinations for heli skiing include:
- CMH Adamants Lodge, British Columbia: The Adamants Lodge is a gorgeous backcountry lodge located in Northern Selkirk’s range of British Columbia, with easy access to fantastically varied heli skiing.
- Cariboos Lodge, British Columbia: The Cariboos lodge is a beautiful remote backcountry lodge with incredible views of the Northern tenure. The wide variety of surrounding terrain is suitable for heli skiers of all abilities, from beginners to seasoned experts.
- Altiplanico Lodge, Chile: The Altiplanico Lodge is a delightful and rustic remote lodge in the foothills of the Chilean Andes, located along the banks of the Maipo River. You’ll get superb views of the Andes mountains, and you’re only a quick helicopter ride away from outstanding and varied skiing terrain.
- Tordrillo Mountain Lodge, Alaska: The Tordrillo Mountain Lodge is a remote lakeside lodge surrounded by outstanding open glacier terrain. The lodge comes equipped with a lake-side bar, exercise room, wood-fired hot tub and outdoor sauna.
These are just a few of the many lodging options Pure Powder facilitates. By spending some time at a relaxing, beautiful lodge, you can get yourself adequately ready for skiing and get the most out of your trip.
Weather and Avalanche Conditions
Helicopter skiing occurs in remote, mountainous areas where weather can be highly unpredictable. Any ski operator that fails to evaluate weather conditions may encounter unsafe slopes, reduced visibility or sudden storms, all of which may lead to the cancellation of the trip or a serious accident occurring.
Pure Powder only works with trustworthy professional guides and operators who meticulously assess weather and avalanche conditions using specialised tools before embarking on a heli ski adventure. Always trust your guide on matters regarding weather and be prepared to be flexible with rescheduling if it comes down to it. It’s better to miss a day of skiing by weathering a blizzard in your ski lodge than to be caught outside in a storm.
Poor Packing and Dressing
Packing and dressing poorly for helicopter skiing can lead to discomfort, reduced performance and even danger. If you’re inadequately dressed, such as wearing non-waterproof or non-insulated layers, it may leave you cold and wet. This is especially uncomfortable in snowy or windy conditions at high altitudes. Conversely, overheating can also occur if your clothing layers are not breathable or easily adjustable.
Forgetting essentials like gloves, goggles or a helmet is a big mistake. Even neglecting to bring small and easily-forgotten items like lip balm or sunscreen can be painful due to the high UV exposure from the sun’s glare on the snow. You should also always carry emergency gear such as an avalanche beacon or a hydration pack, as being caught in a rough storm without them may have catastrophic results.
Fortunately, these mistakes are easily avoided by dressing in moisture-wicking, breathable layers surrounded by high-quality waterproof outerwear and packing all essential items for the demands of the heli skiing trip. At Pure Powder, we rely on our friends at Ellis Brigham and Surefoot to equip our guests with all the gear they’ll need for heli skiing.
Using the Wrong Equipment
Using the wrong equipment during heli skiing can have a significantly negative impact on your performance, safety and overall enjoyment of the adventure. For example, using narrow skis or standard snowboards designed for prepared trails can make it difficult to stay afloat on the deep powder associated with off-piste skiing, causing you to sink, struggle to make turns and tire quickly. If your boots fit poorly, it won’t just be uncomfortable, it’ll reduce your control and potentially lead to injuries. Improperly adjusted bindings can also increase the risk of accidental release.
The best way to avoid this disastrous mistake is to use specialised gear designed for powder skiing and double-check that it fits well and is well-maintained. Again, our trusted partners at Ellis Brigham and Surefoot are more than capable of supplying all the essential equipment you need for a helicopter skiing adventure.
Underestimating the Importance of Guides
We could never overstate the importance of guides during a heli skiing trip. Ignoring them can quickly lead to safety risks, navigation issues and a less enjoyable experience for the whole team. Helicopter skiing guides are experienced professionals who can assess terrain, weather and avalanche risk to find the safest possible routes.
Ignoring your assigned guide can lead you to venture into dangerous areas, such as avalanche-prone slopes or obstacles hidden beneath the snow, where injury or disaster are not only possible but likely. Furthermore, you can quickly get lost or disoriented in the vast, unforgiving backcountry terrain without a guide.
Keep in mind that guides are there not only to ensure your team’s safety but also to provide you with an optimal skiing experience by tailoring runs to your group’s skill level and providing valuable tips for skiing the terrain. Disregarding a guide’s advice diminishes the overall quality of the trip by causing frustration for both the guide and the rest of the group.
Pure Powder connects our clients to some of the best helicopter ski guides in the world. Trust and cooperate with these skilled individuals and you’re ensuring a safe, hassle-free and fun experience for everyone.
Overlooking Insurance
Never overlook the importance of insurance during helicopter skiing. Doing so can lead to significant financial and logistical problems in the event of an accident or emergency. In the world of heli skiing, safety is always a top priority for guides and operators, who do all in their power to stop a disaster from coming to pass.
Nonetheless, helicopter skiing is an inherently risky activity, and accidents can result in very serious injuries or even require evacuation from remote locations via helicopter. A skier caught without proper insurance coverage may be responsible for the, often, very high cost associated with medical treatment, emergency evacuation or rescue operations.
Keep in mind that standard travel insurance may very likely not cover the specific risks associated with extreme sports like heli skiing. Therefore, it’s crucial to have a policy that includes coverage for accidents, medical expenses, and potential helicopter rescues.
On our website, you’ll find a subsection dedicated to heli ski insurance. Here, we’ve included a list of providers you may want to check out for educational purposes. From there, you can make a final decision regarding your insurance.
Get The Most Out Of Heli Skiing With Pure Powder
Heli skiing offers an unparalleled thrill for adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers alike, but success and safety depend on thorough preparation and the avoidance of common mistakes. You should never overestimate your skill level, neglect fitness requirements, or fail to acclimatise, turning what should be an adventure into a slog or even a hazardous experience.
Likewise, ignoring weather conditions, dressing poorly, and using the incorrect equipment can lead to discomfort and a reduced overall experience, as well as pose serious safety risks. Finally, the importance of guides and proper insurance can never be overstated.
Both of these are essential for navigating the challenges associated with this extreme sport and mitigating the chances of injury. By avoiding these common mistakes, you can make your helicopter skiing trip an unforgettable backcountry adventure with no unforeseen troubles.
Connecting with Pure Powder is the best way to guarantee a successful heli skiing trip. As specialists, we’ve facilitated thousands of unforgettable experiences for people all over the world. Give us a call today to get started.
