If you are an outdoors enthusiast with an unbridled love for adventure and new experiences, then helicopter skiing – otherwise known as heli skiing, may be just the right fit for you. Helicopter skiing offers the unparalleled opportunity to seek out untouched powder and expansive terrains. Above and beyond what traditional heli skiing can offer you in a group set-up, at Pure Powder, we offer an exclusive private heli skiing experience.
By embarking on this exclusive experience, you will have a dedicated helicopter at your disposal and a personalised luxury itinerary to align with your group’s skillset and preferences. In this article, we are going to explore what to expect from private helicopter skiing, the global destinations you can choose from when selecting an itinerary, and what advantages you will have if you choose private heli skiing for your next great adventure.
What is Private Helicopter Skiing?
The first thing to consider when choosing this option is that private helicopter skiing usually comprises smaller, intimate groups of around four people. Accommodations can, however, be made for larger and smaller groups depending on which destination is chosen. One of the benefits of skiing in smaller groups is that you won’t have the issue of experiencing multiple converging groups in the same area of terrain.
Too many groups can make things overly crowded and decrease the accessibility of the landscape. Contrastingly, a private programme offers exclusive access to the boundless expanse of untouched snow. Aside from this, the private nature of this trip means that your group can experience exhilarating runs without encountering other skiers, which results in a more intimate and personalised experience.
Unlike a set itinerary, where you risk the chance of either having too much on your plate or not enough, having a dedicated helicopter at your disposal means that your itinerary can be adjusted as desired. Having a flexible itinerary is especially beneficial in that it mitigates the inaccessibility of certain ski routes due to unpredictable weather conditions and poor snow quality. Group preferences for scheduling will also be taken into account, and the itinerary will be adjusted accordingly. By ensuring optimal skiing conditions throughout your adventure, you can be assured that you will be able to chase the best powder and have exclusive access to the best runs to suit your skillset and skiing ability.
An additional perk of choosing the private helicopter skiing experience is that you are guaranteed to experience a far more relaxed and streamlined experience. You won’t have the hassle of waiting for other groups or the pressure of meeting a pre-determined schedule. There is no need to compromise on selecting the ski routes as the guides are assigned to your specific group, and make sure that every run is perfectly aligned with your preferences, whether it is a long, relaxed descent or a steep descent to get the adrenaline pumping.
Of course, in any helicopter skiing experience, you want to be assured of having the most advanced and thorough safety measures in place. Fortunately, with private helicopter skiing, this is a prerequisite. These private programmes include avalanche training, beacon practice and thorough and detailed risk assessments designed to best fit your group’s needs. Thanks to these high safety standards for risk prevention, as well as well-trained guides and pilots, you can get the most out of your adventure while staying assured of your overall safety.
A Personalised Experience For Your Group
As has been somewhat touched upon above, one of the biggest draws of private helicopter skiing is that you can customise your trip from start to finish, depending on the requirements or desires of your group. Your itinerary is fully adaptable no matter what kind of trip you are seeking – a leisurely exploration of the slopes or an adrenaline-filled, challenging descent, this programme is fully customisable.
Beyond skiing preferences, the flexibility of the schedule can encompass all aspects of the trip. This extends to accommodation, dining experiences and other recreational activities. For example, if you want a particularly luxurious stay, your itinerary would plan the most exclusive use of lodges and accommodation, where you can experience a private reprieve from the slopes and rejuvenate after a long day in the snow.
Global Destinations For Private Helicopter Skiing
The options available for private helicopter skiing span the globe, creating the opportunity to explore some of the world’s most breathtaking and snow-rich regions. This section will explore some of the destinations that Pure Powder has on offer, including Canada, Alaska, Iceland, Türkiye and Switzerland.
British Columbia: British Columbia in Canada is widely considered the birthplace of helicopter skiing and remains a premier destination. If you choose British Columbia as your skiing destination, you will experience flawless but varied terrain, legendary powder and far-reaching wilderness with steep chutes and open alpine bowls. Furthermore, operators who are partnered with Pure Powder in Canada provide exclusive access to private lodges located in remote mountain settings. This guarantees that after a long day of adrenaline-filled skiing, you will have uninterrupted time to unwind and give your body the rest it needs. By combining the expansive backcountry landscape with luxury accommodations and other amenities, Canada comes out at the top of the leaderboard for serious heli-skiers.
Alaska: Imagine yourself on a long vertical descent, surrounded by dramatic peaks and deep powder, perhaps you’ve guessed it – our next top destination is Alaska. For experienced helicopter skiers, Alaska is a dream destination, with the Chugach and Tordrillo mountain ranges offering some of the steepest and most challenging runs in the world. Thanks to its high-latitude location, it allows for an extended ski season where ideal snow conditions last well into the spring months. This is the perfect location for thrill-seekers who are passionate about taking on high-adrenaline descents.
Iceland: Pivoting towards the dramatic Nordic Island landscape of Iceland, you can experience a unique helicopter skiing experience where skiers descend from snow-capped peaks directly towards the coastline. This area boasts remote fjords and volcanic landscapes, which create a truly otherworldly setting. With long daylight hours this provides more opportunity to spend time on the slopes. By opting for the private heli skiing programme, you will be offered the possibility of plunging into a geothermal hot spring – the perfect way to unwind after a long day of skiing. Pairing Iceland’s awe-inspiring and rugged landscape with relatively low tourism numbers, this helicopter skiing option is perfect for experienced skiers who value solitude and uncompromised adventure.
Turkey: Another lesser-known helicopter skiing destination is Turkey. This is not a destination to be missed, however, with the Kaçkar Mountains in northeastern Turkey offering expansive terrain and consistently reliable snow conditions. An added benefit to this destination is that it has fewer crowds than traditional helicopter skiing spots and provides an off-the-beaten-track experience – from incredible backcountry runs to rich cultural immersion. Turkey is a fascinating destination beyond just the slopes to explore the region’s rich history, vibrant markets and Mediterranean cuisine.
Switzerland: Moving towards a more well-known destination – Switzerland is easily one of the most luxurious helicopter skiing destinations as it boasts world-class descents with first-class accommodation and services. The iconic Swiss Alps offer breathtaking views and impeccable snow conditions with the possibility of skiing the iconic peaks of Matterhorn or trapesing through the beautiful Jungfrau region. If you are looking for a truly 5-star skiing experience decked out with a Michelin-starred dining experience and premium spa treatments, this is certainly the destination for you.
The Advantages of Private Helicopter Skiing
Now that we have explored some of the incredible destinations that you can choose from for your next helicopter skiing experience, let’s explore some of the advantages of opting for the private programme:
- Exclusivity: First and foremost, choosing a private helicopter skiing programme guarantees exclusivity. For this experience, you will have a dedicated helicopter that can take you to exclusive and vast terrains, allowing your group to experience uninterrupted runs with no other skiers in sight. No distractions means that you can fully immerse yourself in this elite sport while connecting with the breathtaking scenery.
- Flexibility: Flexibility is another key benefit to this kind of skiing adventure, as it is entirely customisable. This allows you to tailor your choice of runs to specifically match your group’s skill level and preferences. Unlike scheduled helicopter skiing trips where your group is locked into a predetermined schedule, you can have the unbridled freedom to choose whichever terrain you would prefer, whether that is steep chutes or open bowls – the choice is entirely yours.
- Personalised Attention: Non-private helicopter skiing trips often have a lower guide-to-guest ratio, which inevitably results in less one-on-one instruction and attention. Opting for the private programme, however, will ensure that you receive more personalised time with a guide to refine your technique and improve your skiing confidence. Added to this, if your group are at different skiing competency levels, having more guides ensures that everyone will receive the relevant training and personalised attention that they require.
- Luxury Accommodation: Luxury accommodation and amenities are guaranteed when selecting the private programme. Destination-dependant, many of these private options offer exclusive use of premium lodges and chalets, which are kitted out with gourmet dining experiences and spa facilities, ensuring a comfortable and luxurious experience to cap off the perfect day on the slopes.
- Safety and Security: With exclusive access to the terrain with personalised guidance and safety measures, potential hazards are mitigated so you’re your group is adequately prepared for changing weather conditions. Choosing a private helicopter skiing experience means that you will be provided with an in-depth safety briefing and training to maintain optimal safety standards at all times.
- Less Waiting, More Skiing: There is nothing more frustrating than having to wait for ages while other groups of skiers take their time getting ready. Fortunately, by having a private helicopter at your disposal, you will never need to wait for other groups of skiers – allowing you to fully maximise your skiing time.
Helicopter Skiing With Pure Powder
From unchartered skiing runs to luxury accommodations and unparalleled cultural experiences, private helicopter skiing can offer you all of this and more. Whether you are craving to explore the steep alpine descents in Canada, the perfect powder-filled run in Alaska, or perhaps the scenic beauty of Iceland’s fjords – embarking on a private heli skiing experience will offer this once-in-a-lifetime experience whilst aligning with your group’s specifications and desires.
At Pure Powder, we facilitate helicopter skiing trips for powder enthusiasts all around the world. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking to challenge your helicopter skiing skills or are a newcomer to the sport, we can assist. For more information, head over to our website or give us a call at +44 (0)20 7736 8191.
