Smaller heli ski groups mean greater opportunities for deep snow and more epic lines; and heli skiing in groups made up of 4- or 5- guests can mean that your mountain experience is as intimate as possible. You can either fill a helicopter with your buddies or join a ready made small group. It’s best when forming your own group to make sure that you are all similar abilities so that wait time is reduced and you can have speedier turn arounds. If you’re joining a ready made group the lodge will pair you with like-minded skiers. The main reason why small group heli skiing is popular is because groups have the flexibility to hop quicker from glacier to glades in order to fit more vertical feet in each day.
The smaller, nimble helicopters transporting guests around the mountains can land in some niftier places giving you access to even more terrain to explore. Being in a smaller group means that not only will you have more contact with your guide – but you’ll also have less people to compete with for the lines and reduced wait times at the pick-ups. All things combined make for a faster programme.
There are some absolutely amazing small group programmes available – and we’ve compiled our top 5 list:-
Photo by Tammy Hanratty
ADAMANTS LODGE, Canada
Operator – CMH Heli Skiing
Programme – 4 guests plus one guide
Helicopter – Bell 407 (two helicopters, rotating 4 groups per helicopter)
The Adamants is CMH Heli Skiing’s only lodge that is fully committed to the small group programme and is home to two Bell 407s which each transport 16 guests on rotation every day. The lodge can host up to 32 heli skiers in the Selkirk range in western British Columbia each week. Skiers can expect consistently light, dry champagne powder whilst enjoying the fantastic 50:50 ratio of high Alpine and tree skiing. This programme is recommended for strong intermediate powder skiers with a good level of fitness.
Photo from Chugach Powder Guides
GIRDWOOD, Alaska
Operator – Chugach Powder Guides
Programme – 5 guests plus one guide
Helicopter – A-Star (one helicopter, rotating 3 groups per helicopter)
All serious skiers have Alaska on their radar for their ultimate trip – it certainly is a destination that is not for the faint hearted – the steep terrain is characterised by couliors and spines. Chugach Powder guides have exclusive access to the heli skiing tenures so there’s no chance of anybody stealing that perfect powder line unlike other operators in Alaska. This small group programme is based out of the Alyeska Resort in Girdwood; and whilst the risk of down days is higher than Canada due to the lack of tree skiing, the real bonus of being in the resort is that there is cat & resort skiing as back up. This programme is recommended for experienced skiers only with a high level of fitness.
Photo by The Public Works
MONASHEES LODGE, Canada
Operator – CMH Heli Skiing
Programme – 5 guests plus one guide
Helicopter – Bell 407 (one helicopter, rotating 3 groups per helicopter)
The Monashees is often described as having the best tree skiing in the world, so it’s no surprise that exploring it in one of it’s small group programmes is a highly sought after experience. Usually the small group programme, which only operates on only 5 weeks of the season, are sold out 14-months in advance so make sure that you book in early. The Monashees has some of CMH’s most challenging, steep terrain, with 85% in the trees, so it is only recommended for experienced powder skiers with a high level of fitness. Please note that the Monashees also operates with larger groups of up to 11 guests per group; as well as 4-person and 10-person privates.
Photo by Zach Doleac
KOOTENAY LODGE, Canada
Operator – CMH Heli Skiing
Programme – 5 guests plus one guide
Helicopter – Bell 407 (one helicopter, rotating 3 groups per helicopter)
CMH’s Kootenay lodge is based in the sleepy town of Nakusp – it is perfect for guests who are wanting a shorter, more flexible trip or those who have limited time to take off work. The heli skiing is in the Monashee and Selkirk mountain ranges which are famed for featuring perfectly spaced glades, steep bowls and endless pillow lines. This small group programme is recommended for strong intermediate skiers with a good level of fitness. Please note that Kootenay also operates with larger groups of up to 11 guests per group.
Photo from Powder South Heli Ski Guides
PUMA LODGE, Chile
Operator – Powder South
Programme – 4 guests plus one guide
Helicopter – A-Star (one, rotating 2 groups per helicopter)
We’ve snuck on a semi private small group programme (also available for private trips) which shouldn’t be overlooked. A semi private trip here means that you would have 8 skiers in total, split between 2 groups and share a A-Star helicopter. The Andes are famed for its consistent powder throughout the season, and the maritime snowpack offers fantastic skiing with great stability. This is adventurous heli skiing at its best as you will be exploring a vast mountain region which offers a huge variety of terrain – with even some new runs to be discovered. This programme is recommended for strong intermediate powder skiers with a good level of fitness.
If you’re looking for the right programme for you – or want to discuss small group heli skiing further – get in touch with one of our heli ski specialists today by calling the office on 0207 736 8191 or emailing info@purepowder.com
