For those who love both nature and the thrill of an adrenaline rush, heli skiing is the ultimate adventure. Unlike traditional resort skiing, helicopter skiing takes you deep into some of the world’s most breathtaking and remote winter terrains, where pristine powder and endless skiing runs await amidst the backdrop of untouched wildernesses.
From the towering peaks of Canada and Alaska to the unmatched beauty of the Chilean Andes and the volcanic slopes of Iceland, each destination offers a unique experience. This article explores four iconic heli ski destinations, looking at their natural beauty, available accommodations and ski quality.
Exploring Canada
A worldwide icon of vast untamed wilderness, Canada is known, arguably, for nothing better than its dense and seemingly endless woods, the many freezing cold lakes, tall peaks and abundant wildlife. As one of the last and best-protected bastions of North American wildlife, much of the Canadian landscape falls under the directive of national parks such as Banff, Jasper, Yoho, and Kootenay, all dedicated to preserving this breathtaking nature for present and future generations.
British Columbia, in particular, is often seen as the birthplace of heli skiing. With sensational alpine and tree skiing on offer, helicopter skiers of all levels can find a spot to enjoy. In B.C., champagne powder and destinations unlike anywhere else in the world await.
Accommodation Options
One of the best places to enjoy the sweeping wilderness of Canada is from the Bugaboos Lodge. Known as the birthplace of heli skiing, this is where Hans Gmoser, the founder of CMH, began the first heli skiing operations over half a century ago. The mountainside lodge was built specifically to make the most of the stunning views that surround it, allowing guests to take in the sight of the spilling glaciers and granite spires surrounding the establishment. There’s no better place to absorb this wonder than from Bugaboos’ rooftop hot tub, where you can steam away the aches of a long day on the slopes as you marvel at your surroundings.
Another great option is the Bighorn Lodge, voted the “World’s Best Ski Chalet” at the World Ski Awards for four years in a row. At Bighorn Lodge, you’re almost guaranteed to have an incredible, unforgettable time as you unwind and relax in between runs on the slopes. World-class service can be expected, and to top it all off, you’ll have an award-winning European chef to provide you with gourmet cuisine options. To find more accommodation options, head over to our website.
The Helicopter Skiing Experience
Canada remains the world’s most popular heli skiing destination. With a long history and firmly established infrastructure to support the sport’s popularity, more and more adventurers are trying it out. Canada’s remarkably diverse skiing terrain allows for heli skiers of all skill levels to visit. No matter your ability, you can easily find a package and destination to match.
Furthermore, with a wealth of reputable operators, Pure Powder can organise many different styles of helicopter skiing, including standard, small and private groups. Pure Powder even offers a coaching programme for newcomers to the sport, specifically those with strong skiing skills trying out off-piste skiing for the first time.
CMH, a partner of Pure Powder and the major heli skiing operator in Canada, provides access to the largest collection of remote skiing terrain in the world. Beyond that, the best zones have already been found for you, so you’ll get to take on high-quality helicopter skiing routes cherry-picked by expert heli skiers.
Exploring Alaska
Alaska is a land of the extreme, renowned for its stark and bold beauty. It is especially attractive to advanced heli skiers. The winters in Alaska are fierce, the woods dark, the nights long, and the mountains towering, but the helicopter skiing is an expert’s dream.
Alaska is a natural landscape made to be explored, with the forests, lakes and mountains of this region offering plenty for the outdoor enthusiast. The scenic views, array of wildlife, steep shots, friendly locals, and cold air make it entirely unique, not just for skiers, but for anyone who loves nature and the outdoors.
Accommodation Options
The Tordrillo Mountain Lodge grants guests access to 1.2 million acres of snow-laden terrain high in the reaches of the Tordrillo range, offering a unique access point to a part of the world largely untouched by humankind.
Enjoy the blunt beauty of this snow-filled landscape from the comfort of a well-built, spacious and remote lodge. Amenities include a lake-side bar, exercise room, wood-fired hot tub and outdoor sauna, all perfect for making the most of your relaxation between time on the slopes.
The Helicopter Skiing Experience
For heli skiing, Alaska is a definitive bucket list destination. The challenging slopes, steep shots and pillow drops make Alaska perfect for advanced, committed helicopter skiers looking to take on new challenges and find new routes.
The region is known for its incredibly vertical slopes and long runs, making it a capstone achievement for many experienced skiers who want to push the boundaries of their honed skills. As such, we recommend that only the strongest of skiers take on the Alaskan wilderness, as it may be too much for beginners and intermediate heli skiers.
Exploring Chile
The Chilean Andes are a breathtaking stretch of rugged mountains that run along the western coast of South America, bearing snow-capped peaks kept white by the cold temperatures of the high altitudes they reach. In many parts of these untamed wilds, people can be scarcer than animals, with the lower slopes of the Andes playing habitat to llama-like guanacos, foxes, condors, armadillos and more.
The flagship destination for Southern Hemisphere heli skiing, Chile is best experienced in the months from June to September. During these months, the snow is prime for skiers looking to explore the over one million acres of exclusive terrain.
Accommodation Options
For the luxury-oriented, who want an experience unlike anything else, Chile has the perfect option. The Patagonia Yachts offer a once-in-a-lifetime exclusive opportunity to base your holiday aboard a luxurious motorised vessel that cruises along the South Pacific coast of Chile. The elegant yacht is equipped with every comfort you might ask for, boasting a heli-pad from which the helicopter departs to take you to the mountains. After you finish your morning coffee, you can emerge from your on-board cabin and hop directly onto the helicopter waiting for you, before being lift off to the mountaintops beyond the waves.
For something more low-key, the Atliplanico Lodge is a rustic accommodation spot sitting in the foothills of the Chilean Andes. Located on the banks of the Maipo River and designed with Chilean culture at the forefront of the mind, the rooms are spacious and include superb views of the surrounding wilderness. A quick helicopter ride from the lodge will take you straight to some of the best heli skiing that the Andes has to offer.
The Helicopter Skiing Experience
The Chilean Andes have an almost unbelievably vast range of skiable terrain, offering plenty of thrills and challenges for those skilled enough to brave them. This region is not particularly well suited to beginners and is best for intermediate to experienced heli skiers. It’s the perfect place to do small or private group heli skiing, as these allow for the greatest level of exploration and shortest waiting times.
The nature of the Southern Hemisphere winter means that the best skiing months take place when most other destinations are in the depth of summer. Pure Powder works with the leading operator in South America, founded in 2002 and run by local mountain professionals to provide you with an experience you’re unlikely to forget.
Exploring Iceland
Experience the true primordial beauty of the Land of Ice and Fire with a heli skiing trip to Iceland. Windswept ice fields and cool-blue glaciers dominate this rough-hewn landscape in winter, offering you an unforgettable arctic experience. In Iceland, you can ski down the side of an actual volcano, or with the brooding vista of the Arctic Ocean at your shoulder as you make your descent.
In this land of simple natural beauty, you can also travel to enjoy the beautiful rock formations, rippling valleys and the iconic fjords of this northernmost nation. Iceland is also a premier destination to experience the Northern Lights in the sky, offering you a spectacular view of the starry night sky.
Accommodation Options
Iceland’s prime skiing lodge is the Deplar Farm. A grandly acclaimed ski lodge, Deplar Farm is a condensation of the Icelandic tendency towards minimalism, class and comfort. An almost stark structure, this sleek and stylish luxury lodge blends in with the muted grandeur of the glacial landscape.
There is, however, nothing minimalist about the quality of the amenities available, providing skiers with plush accommodations, a private chef, a spa, a hot tub and more. The local staff are also at hand to make sure you have an incredible time throughout your stay.
The Helicopter Skiing Experience
With over 1,500 square miles of incredible skiing terrain, Iceland offers a bit of everything for everyone. Skiers of every experience level can find something to suit their needs, with wide-open snow bowls being the perfect place for beginners to hone their heli skiing skills, while the many steep slopes of the region play the perfect proving grounds for more experienced skiers.
Small or private group heli skiing is one of the best ways to explore this region, as setting your own pace gives you more opportunity to revel in the natural wonder of this region. You can expect the conditions in the area to range from deep powder to spring or corn skiing, and on no-flying days, there is cat skiing back-up.
Conclusion
From the vast, untamed wilderness of Canada to the extreme, snow-laden peaks of Alaska, each heli ski location brings its own unique charm and challenges.
The premium quality of British Columbia, the rugged beauty of the Chilean Andes, the volcanic landscapes of Iceland, and the steep shots of Alaska all present unique opportunities to explore some of the world’s most pristine wilderness while embarking on a thrilling adventure, too. Whether you’re a novice heli skier or a grizzled veteran, heli skiing can be an incredible tool for you to engage with Earth’s natural wonder in a way few others can claim to.
Pure Powder is the United Kingdom’s largest helicopter skiing facilitator, with a proven track record of organising incredible experiences for thousands of different clients of varying skiing levels. We take care of all the logistics so that you don’t have to, offering only the highest standard of service before, during and after your trip.
To find out more about helicopter skiing or to book your spot today, give us a call at +44 (0)20 7736 8191 or visit our website today!
