Alaska Heli Skiing - Here's Your Ultimate Resource
Photo courtesy of Tory P. - Thx!
Those looking to join the ranks of legendary freeskiers will find that it’s never been easier to explore your Alaska heli skiing opportunities. This iconic region, known for decades as the premier extreme skiing destination, is unsurprisingly marked by mind-blowing terrain, flawless snow quality, and surreal natural beauty. Whether you’re looking to just begin heliskiing or are looking to add a world-class destination to your repertoire, heli skiing Alaska is a perfect choice.
The region’s countless operators have made it more accessible than ever to heli ski Alaska. With chartered expeditions led by the world’s most experienced guides, you’ll find that you can discover lines that’ll simultaneously spark both fear and exuberance.
Notice the small avalanche in the bottom left of this shot? Tory says her dad Barney caused that...no harm done...they all had an epic run!
Here is everything you need to know about heli skiing in Alaska - your ultimate resource!
Alaska Heli Skiing Operations
Do you want to experience the dramatic views of the Chugach range, as your heart pounds before your steep powder descent (with a couple "no-fall" turns), like this young lady (Tory P.) did in this video? Then you'll have to decide on which heli skiing operator in Alaska is your choice to get you there!
Alaska certainly competes with British Columbia as ground zero for North American heli skiing. And like B.C., those hose looking to heli ski Alaska will find that the region is saturated with exceptional guide services. No matter where in the state you want to go, you’ll find Alaska heli ski guides willing to facilitate the experience. Each offers its own unique packages, lodging accommodations, and price points.
The best heliski Alaska companies can be found in three distinct regions: Juneau/Haines, Valdez/Cordova, and Anchorage. Each location utilizes a different set of mountain ranges and has its own unique local cultural experience. From small, remote Alaskan towns to larger metropolitan areas, you’re guaranteed to find an operator that meets your needs and expectations when you heliski Alaska.
Here's a quick, comprehensive look at all the Alaska heli skiing operators found in this beautiful, glaciated state.
Alaska Heli Skiing Operator Directory
Juneau/Haines Alaska Heli Skiing Operators
- Alaska Heliskiing
As the first established company to provide skiers the opportunity to heliski Alaska, Alaska Heliskiing has always been about one thing – skiing with friends. Located in Haines, this company was started and continues to be operated by Seandog Brownell. They pride themselves on sticking to their roots, even as other Alaska heliskiing companies focus on making the experience as luxurious (and expensive) as possible. As the great freeride snowboarder Jeremy Jones stated about this company, “You will not be picked up in a fancy car, or served hot chocolate on the glacier, but with any luck you will ride the best run of your life.” Package pricing is as follows:- Daily: $1,100/day
- Weekly: $6,000/week + $1,050/week for food and lodging.
- Private Weekly: $55,000/week + $1,250/week for food and lodging.
Consult operator directly for current pricing & packages.
- Alaska Mountain Guides
Operating in both Haines and Skagway, Alaska Mountain Guides have been offering heliski Alaska packages for over 25 years. They say they have an extensive team of guides with experience in all skiing regions of the world, including Japan and South America. This company specializes in week-long Alaska heli skiing packages and while they don’t have a central lodge for guests to stay at, all skiers will be put up in accommodations found within the towns of Haines and Skagway. The all-inclusive option features a rental home in town complete with three square meals, whereas the standard package features hotel lodging and lunch, only. Pricing for these packages is as follows:- All-Inclusive 7-Day Package in Haines: $8,250
- Standard 7-Day Package in Haines: $7,250
- Skagway 7-Day Heliski Alaska Package: $6,950
Consult operator directly for current pricing & packages
- Alaska Powder Descents
Founded more recently in 2007, Alaska Powder Descents is led by highly qualified guides who regularly serve as Alaskan skiing guides for professional winter sports film crews, National Geographic, and Teton Gravity Research. Operating exclusively in the National Forest regions around Juneau, they have access to over 1 million acres of permitted land, making their tenure extremely variable depending on conditions. On “no-fly days”, groups will be brought to Eaglecrest Ski Area, where astonishing levels of lift-accessed backcountry terrain can be found. Packages and pricing:- 7 Days with Accommodations: $5,875
- Full Day Heli Skiing Alaska Trip: $1,150
- Half Day Trip: $650
Consult operator directly for current pricing & packages
- South East Alaska Backcountry Adventures (SEABA)
SEABA specializes in small, group tours and never exceeds a guest/guide ratio of 5:1. Their heliski Alaska company operates in Haines and has the unique advantage of three different staging areas. This gives guests multiple terrain options that can be selected based on the best available conditions. Packages and pricing:- 7 Day Heliski Alaska (All-Inclusive): $8,900
- 7 Day Private Heli Skiing Alaska (All-Inclusive): $92,000
Consult operator directly for current pricing & packages
Cordova/Valdez Alaska Heli Skiing Operators
- Alaska Backcountry Guides
Alaska Backcountry Guides prides itself on being a niche Alaska heli skiing company. Founded during the two year Canadian covid restrictions, owner Joey Wolf operates a very cool looking private hangar at the Valdez airport, and this is where operations and meals take place each day. Those who want a semi-private or economical private experience when they heliski Alaska, will find that this operator appears to check all the boxes. With private, in-house pastry and executive chefs, and overnight accommodations at the Totem Hotel in Valdez, it doesn’t get much more turn-key. Package Pricing: - 7 Day All Inclusive Heli Skiing Alaska: $10,999
Consult operator directly for current pricing & packages
- Alaska Rendezvous Guides
Alaska Rendezvous Guides operates 45 miles north of Valdez, making it one of the more Northern operators on this list. In Alaska, most storms clear from the North first, meaning you can heliski Alaska even when more Southern operators are waiting for the green light. They service three distinct regions with over 3,500 square miles of terrain. Included in their terrain is Thompson Pass, the snowiest location ever recorded in Alaska. With average snowfall amounts nearing 600 inches, you’re nearly guaranteed deep powder runs when you heliski Alaska with this company. Pricing and packages are available through inquiry.
- Alaska Snowboard Guides
Operating around Thompson Pass, which receives an average of over 550 inches of snow each winter, Alaska Snowboard Guides (ASG) offers their heli packages to skiers as well. They fly primarily above the treeline, which allows for faster speeds and more vertical per day. 35,000 feet per day is not uncommon. This operator is flexible and affordable. It's worth note that their site has not updated in several seasons.
- Black Ops Valdez Heli-Skiing
Operating in the middle of the Chugach Mountains right outside of Valdez, Black Ops Valdez Heli-Skiing is highlighted by a team of guides that have decades of experience facilitating Alaska heli skiing trips. With this company, you pay for flight time rather than runs. The longer the run you want to do, the higher the cost. However, a variety of all-inclusive packages are offered, with Alaska heli-skiing lodge accommodations at Robe Lake.Packages and pricing:- 7 Day Heliski Alaska (All-Inclusive): $11,000
- 4 Days of Heli Skiing Alaska (All-Inclusive): $6,500
- 3 Day Alaska Heli Skiing (All-Inclusive): $4,500
- Single Day Trip: $1,500
Consult operator directly for current pricing & packages
- Points North Heli Adventures
Points North Heli Adventures is nestled in the remote town of Cordova, giving this operator access to some very unique regions to heliski Alaska. They operate in a more Southern portion of the Chugach range closer to the ocean and are the only company to fly three helicopters – giving you more flight time to heliski Alaska. Unlike other companies that cater to more advanced skiers, beginners looking to heliski Alaska will find that Points North has a terrain selection for them. Compared to other Alaska heli skiing operators, their price is quite affordable: - 7 Day Alaska Heliski (All-Inclusive): $7,495
Consult operator directly for current pricing & packages
- Valdez Heli-Ski Guides (VHSG)
As one of the original Alaska heli ski guides, VHSG was founded over 30 years ago by the legendary Doug Coombs. They continue to offer some of the best Alaska heli skiing in the region, with central access to the Chugach Mountain range and Thompson Pass. VHSG operates the highest-end Alaska heli skiing lodge out of all the operators, and guests are swooned with a variety of luxury accommodations. A hot tub, bar, gym, cigar room, and private rooms can all be expected. Packages and rates are as follows:- 7 Day Individual Alaska Heli Skiing: $6,500 (accommodations not included)
- 7 Day Individual Heliski Alaska Trip (All-Inclusive): $8,500
Consult operator directly for current pricing & packages.
Anchorage Alaska Heliskiing Operators
- Chugash Powder Guides
The team at Chugach Powder Guides (CPG) offers four-day and single-day trips to heli ski Alaska in the Western portion of the Chugach range. Guests stay in the Hotel Alyeska, which caters to the Alyeska Ski Resort. This is where Chugach Powder Guides arrives to pick up skiers every morning. If you're searching for Alyeska Heli Skiing, you'll discover that the hotel/resort partners with CPG to deliver the packages - so...same operator. Skiers can expect between 16,000 and 18,000 vertical feet in a single day. This makes Chugach Powder Guides one of the best Alaska heli skiing companies for the amount of vertical skied. Package pricing:- 4 Day Heli Skiing Alaska: $6,550
- Single Day Heli Skiing Alaska: $1,575
Consult operator directly for current pricing & packages
- Majestic Heli Ski
Located over 2 hours East of Anchorage, Majestic Heli Ski is in a remote location, but their transportation services make sure to take care of the logistics for you. Instead of just operating in the Chugach range, this operator has a tenure that stretches into the Talkeetna Mountains, giving you greater access for heli skiing Alaska. Majestic Heli Ski offers a comprehensive array of packages, each being all-inclusive (besides single day):- 7 Day: $12,700
- 5 Day: $9,000
- 4 Day: $7,100
- 3 Day: $5,200
- Single Day Heli Skiing Alaska: $1,475
Consult operator directly for current pricing & packages
- Silverton Mountain Guides
Located about 45 miles North East of Anchorage, Silverton Mountain Guides (SMG) has its origins back in Colorado. By some statistics, SMG is the largest heli skiing operator in the U.S. Led by Aaron Brill, they pride themselves in personal selection (pre-screening) of their guests, matching hard-charging skiers with each other in an effort to maximize daily vertical descents. This is not an operator for intermediate skiers. Utilizing massive tenure which covers three separate regions, including: Northern Chugach, Seward, Girdwood, Tordrillo, Neacola and Valdez, skiers can rack-up as much as 50,000 vertical feet in one day. This is a fast-paced program with 3 groups, utilizing one helicopter and two guides per group, which increases speed and safety.- 6 Day: 6 Day Northern Chugach Package: $8,890 - Alyeska Girdwood base
Consult operator directly for current pricing & additional packages.
- Third Edge Heli
Third Edge Heli operates just 50 minutes away from Anchorage airport, making it close enough that you can enjoy heli skiing Alaska on your departure day. A new all-inclusive lodge was built in 2021, where you can enjoy fine dining and exclusive accommodations. Pricing and packages are by inquiry only.
- Tordrillo Mountain Lodge
The longest-operating Alaska heli skiing lodge, Tordrillo operates exclusively in the Tordrillo Mountains and has one of the most luxurious and all-inclusive package options in the region. You certainly pay for these luxury accommodations, but if first-rate service is a priority on your heli skiing Alaska trip, look no further. Rates and Packages:- 7 Day Heli Skiing Alaska Trip (All Inclusive): $17,500
Consult operator directly for current pricing & packages
World Class Travel Ideas!
Alaska is an awe inspiring wonder, and can stir the tourist traveler gene in many of us, so consider theses adventures & itineraries after your heliskiing trip:
- Don't miss the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights!) You're far enough North, and you're there in the right season. Because it's dark most of the time, your chances of mother nature demonstrating the ultimate light show are very good! The University of Alaska Geophysical Institute actually forecasts these celestial events!
- The National Parks in Alaska are breathtaking in the winter as well.
- Perhaps the most world renowned race (without motorized vehicles), is the Iditarod! See the massive celebration of an ongoing Alaskan tradition - tons of dogs & sleds!
Facts & FAQ
There are conflicting theories among extreme sports historians about where heliskiing originated. While most subscribe to the belief that Hans Gmoser was the pioneer of heli skiing, originally offering it in British Columbia, there is evidence that heli skiing was taking place in Alaska as early as the 1950s.
Regardless of the history, one thing is certain – Alaska has always been at the forefront of heli skiing evolution and continues to do so to this day. Heli skiing Alaska has always been regarded as the premier experience in skiing, and there were some key individuals that made it become a reality.
Doug Coombs, the late professional freeride skier, was instrumental in opening the Chugach Mountains as a heliskiing mecca. First competing in the World Extreme Skiing Championships in Valdez in 1991, Coombs quickly went on to pioneer the heli skiing Alaska industry. He founded Valdez Heli-Ski Guides in 1993, formulating the idea that you can cater an experience formally reserved for professional extremists to your average adrenaline-seeking layman skiers. By 1998, there were three other companies offering services for heli skiing Alaska in the Chugach range.
Decades later, we have cataloged at least 15 separate companies that provide the opportunity to heli ski Alaska, and business has never been more booming. While nearly all the extreme lines in these regions have since been conquered and filmed, Alaska continues to chart a legacy as the highest-quality, Heli-accessed terrain in the world.
As you can see from the above-listed prices of individual operators, there’s a certain price range to expect when you come to heli ski Alaska. On average, 7 days of heli skiing in Alaska will cost you between $6,000 and $10,000, accommodation dependent. There are certain companies that exceed these amounts, but they come with luxury amenities that you may not need if you’re solely concerned with skiing.
Single-day trips will generally cost around $1,500. In some cases, the Alaska heliskiing operators will charge by Hobbs hours, which is the flight-time meter installed in the helicopter. Other companies will charge by individual runs, normally starting at $175 per run.
Alaska heliskiing is certainly remote, and it can be more difficult to access than other popular heliskiing regions. This is especially true for locations that are outside of major cities with dedicated international airports.
Alaska is sparsely developed, and many times there are no paved roads connecting major towns to one another. In these instances, flight is normally the preferred method of transportation, followed by ferry. If you’re traveling to an area like Valdez or Cordova, you may have to consider this. However, if you’re traveling to a major area like Anchorage, your operator will likely arrange transportation to bring you to their Alaska heli skiing lodge.
Here's a step-by-step breakdown of how to get to each Alaska heliskiing region:
Juneau/Haines
While Juneau is Alaska’s capital and contains a major airport, it isn’t directly serviced by most of the country. To get here, you’ll likely need to take a connecting flight that stops in Seattle. From Seattle, however, you’ll be able to enjoy a non-stop flight from Alaskan Airlines. These trips normally run a couple of times a day, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to plan your arrival times.
To arrive in Haines, where many Alaska heliskiing operators are found, you’ll still need to fly into Juneau. Once you’ve touched down you have a few travel options. You can opt to take another short flight to the smaller regional airport in Haines, or you can travel across the sea via Ferry. The Alaska Marine Highway System runs year-round, so you’ll be able to schedule a trip even in the dead of winter. You can also travel via road, although this is by far the most time delayed method.
Valdez/Cordova
Valdez and Cordova are by far the most difficult-to-access locations to heli ski Alaska, but the long trip is well worth it. Most skiers traveling here will first fly into Anchorage International Airport. From there, you will take a connecting flight (45 minutes) to the smaller regional airport in Valdez. Optionally, you can drive, but this will take upwards of 6 hours. You can also take a train from Anchorage to Whittier, and then hop on a ferry to travel across the inlet to Valdez.
If you’ve chosen to heli ski Alaska with Points North, you’ll need to travel to Cordova which is a whole adventure in itself. Cordova is not on any road system, meaning you can only access it via air or water. Alaskan Airlines offers direct daily flights from Anchorage, and you can also jump on a ferry at Whittier like the one that takes you to Valdez.
Anchorage
Accessing Anchorage to heli ski Alaska is incredibly straightforward, as most major cities in the lower 48 states offer direct flights. These include:
- New York City
- Chicago
- Atlanta
- Minneapolis
- Houston
- Dallas
- Salt Lake City
- Denver
- Phoenix
- Seattle
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- San Francisco
- Portland
Alaska is an enormous geographical region and is home to breathtaking natural landscapes. The pure ruggedness, touched by millions of years of geological evolution, has resulted in some of the most astonishing scenery witnessed on the entire planet.
All Alaska heliskiing operators function in two main regions: Southcentral and the Southeast. These two areas surround the Gulf of Alaska off the Pacific Ocean and are sliced by towering glacial mountain ranges that contribute to the jaw-dropping heliskiing terrain experienced here.
Alaska Heliskiing Geography near Juneau
When you travel to Juneau and Haines to heliski Alaska, you’ll be descending the ancient mountains of the Coast range. This behemoth chain of mountains traverses the coastline of Southeastern Alaska, Western British Columbia, and portions of the Pacific Northwest. With peak elevations that exceed 15,000 feet in some locations, you’ll be able to truly heliski Alaska on the top of the world.
Anchorage Alaska Heli Skiing Geography
Most heliski Alaska operators in the Anchorage, Valdez, or Cordova region will be bringing you into the Chugach Mountain range. These mountains were formed 50 million years ago when a microcontinent called Wrangellia collided with Southern Alaska. This resulted in a massive dump of sediment that was then pushed and sculpted to form the metamorphosed mountain ranges that you’ll be dropping in on. Mount Marcus Baker is where the peak elevation is found, at over 13,000 feet.
If you’ve ever watched an epic backcountry skiing film where professional athletes take on tight lines down mammoth glaciers, more than likely it took place in Alaska. When you heliski Alaska, you can experience what very few people ever will. You’ll be taking on the same types of runs that freeriding legends have conquered for decades. See the line that this group took in the picture? Epic! It was skied by a father and his two daughters! YES, YOU can do it too! Image courtesy of Tory P. - Thx!
Don’t let this level of elitism scare you away. There is an immense variety of terrain offered in the Alaskan backcountry, and your heliskiing operator will gauge skill levels before proceeding to more advanced terrain. Most companies start with low-angle terrain (20-30 degrees) and slowly work up to the steeper grades (50+ degrees) once everyone is comfortable and the Alaska heli ski guides feel confident in everyone’s ability.
A main advantage of choosing to heliski Alaska over other regions is that you’ll rarely suffer altitude sickness. These mountains ascend straight from sea level, so you could be skiing anywhere from 2,000 feet to 10,000 feet in elevation, making it much easier to adapt once you arrive.
The main terrain features you can expect when you heliski Alaska include:
- Steeps, Couloirs, and Cirques: When you heliski Alaska, expect rocky outcroppings and extreme pitch. The raw vertical drop of some of the Alaskan mountains is impossible to find anywhere else in the world. In some sections, you can descend 900 feet in a matter of minutes. Peppered in with these stomach-wrenching elevation changes are a diversity of geological features that create extremely challenging terrain. From snow-covered spines and ramps to narrow, adrenalizing chutes, you’ll find some of the most expert-level terrain when you heli ski Alaska.
- Expansive Glacial Bowls: The sediment deposits and rocky glacial runoff of the Alaskan mountain ranges results in exceptionally wide bowls below the initial pitch drop. These bowls often start as cirques and then seem to go on forever. You can expect a range of speeds on these sections depending on location. You’ll have the opportunity to bomb the snow-laden bowls as well as take a gentle cruiser.
- Lack of Trees and Glades: If you’ve come to heli ski Alaska, don’t expect densely forested terrain. This is glacier country. Most of your time will be spent in completely treeless terrain. Unlike other heli skiing regions like British Columbia where glades are commonplace, nearly the entire Alaskan backcountry is above the tree line. While this lack of foliage may be uninteresting to the eyes, it contributes to the steepness and goliath nature of the surrounding mountains. You likely won’t even have time to soak up the visual landscape anyways, as you’ll be too busy focusing on not pinballing down the chutes.
While every skier will have a different opinion on where the best heli skiing in Alaska is, most extreme athletes and veteran heliskiers will unanimously vote on the Chugach Mountains.
Located in Southcentral Alaska around Valdez and Cordova, Chugach contains every part of Alaskan heliskiing that people revere. Due to the massive storm dumps that blow in from the Pacific Ocean across the Gulf, it also has an exceptionally high quality of snow.
Alaska is one of the more unique regions when it comes to climate and snowfall. Both the Southcentral and Southeast regions surround the Gulf of Alaska and come into direct contact with the Pacific Ocean. This results in a combination of both Arctic and Maritime conditions that create some of the best snowfall in the world.
The proximity of the Coast and Chugach Mountain ranges to the ocean serve as a relief for storms. Tropical storms roll in hard and fast and collide with the towering mountains. This causes the storms to stall and unload all their precipitation before dissipating. As a result, Alaska receives a ridiculous amount of annual snowfall. If you come to heliski Alaska during the right time in the season, you can easily have up to 50 feet of snowpack beneath you. These amounts are even greater at higher elevations.
The maritime conditions found directly off the coast result in storms having a high moisture content. When these storms eventually hit the Alaskan mountain ranges, extremely wet and heavy snowfall drops. While this may not be immediately preferred by skiers, it’s actually quite positive. This density of this snow creates a sturdy, well-rooted snowpack that lowers the risks of avalanches. This is why you can take on even the steepest pitches when you heliski Alaska. Furthermore, the subzero nighttime temperatures cause most of the moisture to retreat from the snow once it settles, giving rise to light and airy “champagne powder”.
Heli skiing Alaska is best done later in the season once there has been enough time for significant storms to occur. Unlike other regions that occasionally start their heliskiing season in early December, Alaska doesn’t begin until February. Many operators take this a step further and don’t even open their books until March. However, although you must wait longer for the season to begin, the large snowpack results in a season that goes later into the year. Heli skiing Alaska in April is common.
Overall, the best time to heli ski Alaska is right in the middle of the Alaska heli skiing season – March.
Ready to Go Heli Skiing in Alaska? Find The Right Heli Skiing Operator Today!
Along your journey to go heli skiing Alaska, your emotions will be constantly barraged by the sheer magnitude of everything around you. From your flight over the Gulf of Alaska, where you’ll first witness the gnarled teeth of the Chugach and Coast Mountain ranges, to the trepidatious moment you peak over the edge of the cliff you’re about to descend, heli skiing Alaska is an experience unlike any other.
There’s a reason why this beautiful region is everyone’s first thought when it comes to heliskiing locations. With endless, challenging glacial terrain serviced by a multitude of first-rate operators, there’s no adventure more complete than a trip to heli ski Alaska.
Take the plunge and book the trip of a lifetime. Browse any of the operator’s individual pages to learn more.
BRADY
5/9/23
Brady is an avid skiing & backcountry enthusiast, aging "big wave" surfer and is totally addicted to heli skiing!
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