Best Heli Skiing In The World!
When it comes to extreme novelty sports, nothing quite compares to the rush of heliskiing. As the whirring blades of the chopper take you up to pristine, snow-capped peaks, it’s hard not to be moved by the stunning scenery. However, this awe becomes quickly replaced by trepidation, as you crane your neck over the cornice where your pilot just dropped you off at. Once you build up the courage to drop in, focus takes over. You (hopefully) flawlessly link all your turns, spewing up huge clouds of frothy powder and gradually make your way down to the pickup point. From there, you do it all over again.
This is the reality of heli skiing – a once-in-a-lifetime experience that has the risk of becoming a newfound addiction. If you’ve got the thirst for it, you’ll be pleased to learn that the best heli skiing can be found all over the world!
Here’s a look at the best heli skiing locations on the planet!
Regions to Visit to Find The Best Heli Skiing
North America has always been a major player in the world of skiing, and even more so when it comes to heli ski ing. Heliskiing is believed to have found its origins in British Columbia, Canada, and ever since then, it has continuously grown across the continent. North America is ideal because of its numerous, high-elevation mountain ranges and huge consumer market, making it easy for operators to open their doors.
Some of the snowiest mountain ranges in the world are found within the boundaries of North America’s shores. These include the Rockies and Canadian Rockies, two ranges that harbor the most operations. No matter where you are located around the continent, it’s nearly guaranteed that you’ll have quick access to a heli skiing operator, as there are countless connecting airports.
U.S.-based operators provide some of the most easily accessible packages. Unlike B.C. operators that specialize in multi-day excursions, the continental U.S. often offers day packages that fly out of established ski resorts. This makes it incredibly easy to book a small heli-skiing trip that’s combined with a larger family ski vacation. Overall, the best heli skiing in the U.S. can be found in these locations:
Canada is truly the mecca of heli skiing and where an ambitious skier can find the quintessential experience. All the best heli skiing in Canada is found in British Columbia, where operators offer the classic multi-day, all-inclusive packages. No matter where you go, expect to ski in absolute luxury. Each operator generally offers comfortable accommodations, world-class dining and spirits, and beautiful natural scenery. Be prepared for a long journey, as most operators require a serious travel haul to get there. Expect multiple connecting flights to regional airports.
The best heli skiing BC offers is most often found in the Greater Revelstoke region. The various subranges of the Canadian Rockies, including the Selkirks and Purcells, are found in this region. Some of the biggest names in the industry operate here, including Canadian Mountain Holidays (CMH) and Selkirk Tangiers Heli Skiing.
In Canada, you’ll truly find it all in regard to terrain. Most heli-skiing runs start atop glaciers or high alpine peaks, where challenging natural features are ready for the taking. From there, you’ll be exposed to snowy bowls of all difficulty levels. Towards the end of the descent (or all of it depending on the run), you’ll have the opportunity to experience some of the most iconic and picturesque tree-skiing in the world.
Alaska is just about as synonymous with heli skiing as British Columbia. In fact, there is conflicting evidence that heliskiing first found its roots here. Regardless of the timeline, The Last Frontier remains one of the most rugged and fabled heli skiing destinations in the world.
Here, you can often find the same all-inclusive package experiences as with British Columbia operators. Despite similarities in how they operate, the terrain is wildly different. Nearly all the best heli skiing Alaska offers is found on glaciers, meaning there are no trees. You’ll come face to face with cornices, chutes, and everything else your mind can imagine.
Alaska has three main regions for heliskiing, some more accessible than others. They include:
- Juneau: Found on the Alaskan Panhandle, Juneau butts right up against British Columbia, and in many ways shares similar terrain features. You’ll be skiing the Coast Mountains here and feel as if you’re skiing down directly to the sea. Alaska Heliskiing is the original operator in this region.
- Valdez: As the most well-known extreme skiing region in Alaska, Valdez does not disappoint. Only accessible by ferry, it’s one of the more challenging areas to get to, but the skiing is top-notch. Most of your journey will take place in the world-renowned Chugach Mountains, home of Valdez Heliski Guides, created by the infamous Doug Coombs.
- Anchorage: The most accessible place in Alaska, Anchorage International Airport offers quick airport transportation. Legendary heli skiing operator Chugach Powder Guides operates an hour’s drive east of Anchorage.
Although the best heli skiing in North America is fantastic, there’s plenty to explore in other regions of the world, including the Arctic! Whether you live outside North America, or you’re just looking for a worldly adventure, there are plenty of options – some even in different hemispheres.
South America and the Patagonia region have a booming heliskiing scene that’s been growing year over year. Both Chile and Argentina have popular ski resorts within their borders, providing Northern Hemisphere skiers the opportunity to extend their season into the “summer.” Why not take it a step further and book a heli skiing trip as well? From Argentina, you can even enjoy heli-skiing on the frozen continent of Antarctica, an entirely novel experience that only a handful of individuals have had the opportunity to enjoy.
If South America isn’t your vibe, you can still enjoy Southern Hemisphere heli skiing in New Zealand, where multiple operators can be found. Or, if you’d prefer to keep your skiing to the winter season, you could travel to Japan and experience the highly coveted “Japow” outside the bounds of the resort.
The Best Place to Heliski in The World is...
...the best place...is where you are booked! There rarely are any bad heli ski trips!
Skiing has always been about taking one step further. From the first day on the bunny hill, it’s a journey of progression – pushing boundaries, tackling more challenging terrain, and experiencing everything that the sport has to offer. Heliskiing takes this journey another step further and allows the most dedicated to experience the thrill of skiing barren, untamed, and wild terrain.
While the best heli skiing destinations in the world are subjective claims, there are plenty of opportunities to explore. From the expanse of North America, to the raw, untamed beauty of the Arctic...all the way down to Antarctica, you can find a way to score an untouched playground of powder and experience the best run of your entire life. Go for it!
Reviews & Comments
Please share a comment or review, if you have skied here! This REALLY helps the heliskiing community! Thank You!
BRADY
5/9/23
Brady is an avid skiing & backcountry enthusiast, aging "big wave" surfer and is totally addicted to heliskiing!
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