If you’re into extreme sports and you want to venture to areas of the world that few others get to see, then heli-skiing is something worth looking into.
Not only do you get to shred some fresh and untouched powder, but you get to have an exhilarating ride in a helicopter too. Let’s find out everything there is to know about heli-skiing.
What is Heli-skiing?
Heli-skiing is a type of backcountry skiing that uses a helicopter to access ski areas on mountains that are otherwise inaccessible.
There are many mountains in the world that are prime locations for skiing and snowboarding but aren’t serviced by ski resorts, the government, or anyone else. This means there aren’t any easy gondola or ski lift rides to the top, and if a snowcat machine can’t drive there, you are really only left with helicopter access.
The only way some of the best ski locations in the world are accessible is by flying to them, which is only possible with a helicopter. Here, you pay a specialized helicopter ski service to drop you off at a specific location, right at the top of the mountain so you can shred downhill through some fresh snow.
Check out this TikTok below of a fun day of heli-skiing the Italian Alps!
@sachameyer Holy Mother 🤯 I DID IT !!! What a day 🫠. #heliski #heliskiing #italianalps #ski #foryou #factionskis #dream #paradis ♬ son original – Sacha Meyer
Where and How Did Heli-skiing Get Started?
In 1948, Lewis Williams of Aero Services in Vancouver became the first known individual to use a helicopter for skiing purposes, transporting skiers to Grouse Mountain outside Vancouver, BC. While he could be credited as one of the pioneers, the concept evolved independently in various regions.
By the 1950s and 1960s, individuals like Monty Atwater in California, Bengt “Binx” Sandahl in Alaska, and European operations in the Alps began utilizing helicopters to access pristine snowfields.
Hans Gmoser and Mike Wiegele, in the late 60s and 70s, further popularized the sport in British Columbia, setting the standard for modern heli skiing vacation packages.
This has made Canada, specifically British Columbia, often regarded as the birthplace of heli-skiing because of Hans Gmoser. He was a mountaineering expert and mountain guide, and was the first person to really turn heli-skiing into a more accessible activity for the average person.
Gmoser was an Austrian-born immigrant, who landed in Canada in 1951 and quickly moved to Banff, Alberta. Using a helicopter was first considered in 1965 when Olympic ski racer Brooks Dodge requested that Gmoser take him on a guided ski tour.
Brooks had one special request: to use a helicopter to get to the very top of the peaks so that he could ski in powder that had never been touched before.
Gmoser had gone on a difficult guided ski tour the year before, where he noted how difficult it was to get to their destination. Considering this, Gmoser was more than happy to use a helicopter to make the trip much easier.
Today, heli-skiing is a huge tourism offering in Canada because of this, you can heli-ski all over British Columbia.
Why Choose Heli-skiing Over Traditional Downhill Skiing?
You might be wondering why you would ever step foot in a helicopter just to go skiing. Well, there are actually a number of reasons.
- The most obvious reason is that using a helicopter allows you to access locations that you could otherwise never get to. Some of the best ski slopes and mountain sides do not have any chair lifts, gondolas, or groomed runs. A helicopter is often the only way to get there.
- If you have to take a helicopter to reach the beginning of your ski journey, chances are almost 100% that the slopes will be full of people. Skiing in a busy resort can be frustrating due to the hundreds or even thousands of people constantly in your way, an issue that you won’t have here.
- Some people may like groomed ski slopes, but many also like fresh powder. Skiing in fresh powder can be somewhat of a challenge, which is exactly what some people enjoy.
- Heli-skiing usually has many terrain options, more than your average ski resort. Mountains come in all kinds of shapes, sizes, and more, and the helicopter is a great way to explore them all.
- If you’re somebody who just likes to have an adventure and experience a thrill, the helicopter ride itself is already more than enjoyable enough.
- You may simply choose heli-skiing over traditional downhill skiing if you are wealthy and can afford the experience, many do not have this luxury.
Can Anyone Go Heli-skiing?
Technically speaking, the biggest obstacle to this type of skiing is a financial one. Heli-skiing, as you can imagine, costs a great deal of money. Hiring expert guides and professionals to fly you up a mountainside with an expensive piece of equipment is not cheap.
That said, your own skill level plays a role here too. It is recommended that you have at least an intermediate skill level to try heli-skiing.
If you’ve never skied some basic slopes at a resort, you might want to try that before heli-skiing. Heli-skiing generally involves some tough terrain with difficult-to-maneuver tracks. You need to have basic ski skills at the very least. This is not something that beginners should try, particularly not without expert guidance.
Is Heli-skiing Gear Different?
You don’t necessarily need any kind of specialized gear to go heli-skiing compared to regular skiing.
As far as clothes are concerned, a good windproof and waterproof outer shell, a moisture-wicking inner layer, and a heat-retaining middle layer should do just fine. Of course, your hats, face masks, gloves, and more are also required.
As for actual ski gear, some high-quality downhill skis combined with Alpine bindings should be more than enough as well. Although you don’t necessarily need specialized gear for this type of skiing, it should be very high quality.
Remember that skiing through uncharted powder down a difficult mountainside will put a lot of stress on your gear, so it needs to be able to handle it. Renting is an option, but you are best off using gear you are familiar with when going heli-skiing for your own safety.
Is Heli-skiing Dangerous?
Heli-skiing is generally considered to be fairly safe, although there are a few risks to be aware of, especially when compared to skiing at a maintained and easily accessible resort.
- Mountains with fresh powder that are not properly maintained may pose an increased avalanche risk.
- Although riding a helicopter is generally considered fairly safe, it’s still more dangerous than not riding in one. Helicopter accidents do happen.
- If you have an accident or suffer an injury on the middle of a mountainside that requires a helicopter to access, it will be difficult to get help to you in a timely manner.
Read my related guide “Is Heli-Skiing Dangerous? (The 5 Primary Dangers)” here.
Where are the Best Places to Go Heli-skiing?
Here’s a list of some of the very best heli-skiing destinations in the world along with a quick description:
| Heli-Skiing Location | Location Description |
|---|---|
| Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada | Known for its extensive terrain and deep powder, it offers one of the best heli-skiing experiences on Earth. |
| Chugach Mountains, Alaska, USA | With steeps that can reach up to 45 degrees, it’s a dream destination for advanced skiers seeking an adrenaline rush. |
| Bugaboos, British Columbia, Canada | Where heli-skiing was born. It offers a unique blend of glaciers, forests, and alpine terrain. |
| Alagna, Italy | Located in the Alps, it offers a combination of vast glaciers and steep, challenging terrains, with landing points reaching over 4,000 meters. |
| Cordillera Blanca, Peru | Less known but equally thrilling, this destination offers a unique heli-skiing experience in the Andes Mountains. |
| Queenstown and Wanaka, New Zealand | Given its southern hemisphere location, it’s a go-to spot for those seeking summer heli-skiing. With the Southern Alps as its backdrop, the views are as amazing as the skiing. |
| Himalayas, India | The region around Manali, including the Hanuman Tibba and the Deo Tibba, is known for some of the highest heli-skiing drop-offs in the world. |
| Tordrillo, Alaska | Located in the deep Alaskan rugged wilderness, the Tordrillo Mountains offer pristine powder and excellent terrains. The region’s challenging chutes and open alpine slopes are perfect for those looking for a remote and untouched heli-skiing experience. |
| Whistler, BC | Known globally for its winter sports, Whistler provides a world-class heli-skiing experience in the Coast Mountains. |
| Bella Coola, British Columbia | Located in the remote coastal fjords of British Columbia, Bella Coola offers massive vertical drops with dramatic landscapes for some adrenaline-packed heli-skiing. |
| Zermatt, Switzerland | Located at the foot of the iconic Matterhorn, Zermatt provides skiers with a mix of high-altitude skiing and European charm. Access unreal terrains and glaciers, and enjoy the picturesque views of the surrounding Alps. |
| Hokkaido, Japan | Well known for its legendary powder, Hokkaido offers an East meets West heli-skiing experience. The island’s cold climate creates a unique, light snow, providing a dreamlike skiing experience. |
What You Should Expect to Pay for Heli-skiing
How much heliskiing costs depends on a variety of factors. There are some relatively affordable options, such as a single-day packages that are under $1000 USD. However, there are many multi-day options that will cost you anywhere from $1000 to $3000 USD per day.
Some multi-day or week heli-skiing tours can cost even more, where you are offered luxury accommodations, private helicopter use, private chefs, spas, and more. These can end up costing hundreds of thousands of dollars for certain tours and companies.
Choosing private tours is what really spikes the costs and these are when you see the costs skyrocket to those high numbers.
Jamie is the founder of Action Sporter. He is the chief zipline writer and the lead editor. He has 5 years of zipline experience being a tour guide in Newfoundland. Most of the time you can find Jamie adventure traveling, hiking, skiing, skateboarding, or anything action related!