Heli Skiing Colorado

A massive benefit of heli skiing Colorado is its affordability. Some of the more popular heli skiing regions found throughout North America can be prohibitively expensive, and that doesn’t even include the high cost of getting to these remote locations. The heli skiing prices Colorado offers are hard to believe. Even the most frugal-minded ski bum can find an option that’ll work for them.

The single runs offered by Silverton Mountain for less than $200 are out of this world. It makes it possible for everyone to heli ski Colorado and experience what so few have had the privilege to do. Of course, it can still be expensive if you’re staying at one of the satellite locations like Vail or Aspen. A private helicopter charter from these locations can easily be more than the heli skiing itself. Skiers looking for the lowest heli skiing Colorado cost should find direct transportation to Telluride or Silverton themselves.

Colorado may be a densely populated mountain state with plenty of bustling cities and suburbs, but travel to the location where Colorado heli skiing takes place can be a challenge. Telluride and Silverton are fairly remote locations with no immediate international airport. However, there is still a regional airport close by that visitors will use to access this area. Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ) is located 65 miles from Telluride and Silverton - an hour-and-a-half scenic drive. Fortunately, 10 major airports offer non-stop direct flights during the winter months, so facilitating this travel shouldn’t be too much of an issue. Once you’ve landed at MTJ, you can utilize ground transportation from a variety of companies to get to Telluride/Silverton. Once there, having a personal car is not necessary. If you’ve decided to stay in a different town when you come to heli ski Colorado, like Breckenridge, Vail, or Aspen, getting there is much more convenient as Denver International Airport is only around 2 hours away. However, you’ll have to utilize one of the private charter services to access your operator as previously discussed.

Both Colorado heli skiing operators, Silverton Mountain and Telluride Helitrax, operate exclusively in the San Juan Mountains of Southwestern Colorado. This region is absolutely enormous and encompasses 1.8 million acres, according to the National Forest Service. The tenure offered by each operator is considerably smaller but more than enough to experience the best heli skiing in Colorado. Telluride Helitrax, for example, offers 200 square acres of terrain to explore.

Colorado heli skiing features some of the highest elevation runs in North America. Many of the peaks within the San Juan Mountain range are over 14,000 feet, dwarfing the vertical descent of other regions. At elevations like this, your breath may be shortened and altitude sickness is a very real concern. It’s highly recommended that you acclimate yourself to the stark difference in elevation once you arrive at your accommodations. After a few days, your body will be well adjusted for heli skiing Colorado.

The towering peaks you’ll experience when you heli ski Colorado come with a unique set of terrain features not found in other regions. On your trip, you can expect:

• Long, Steep Approaches: You’ll experience some of the longest vertical descents of your life while heli skiing Colorado. The steepness of the mountain peaks slowly trickles down the ridgeline, offering a consistent pitch that’ll make the hair on the back of your neck stand up for longer than what might be comfortable.
• Chutes and Cirques: The most challenging and breathtaking terrain to experience on your Colorado heli skiing trip, this is reserved for only the most experienced in the group. The San Juan Mountains feature a plethora of rocky terrain that creates jarring and treacherous lines.
• Lack of Trees: At this elevation, nearly the entire run will be above the treeline. If glade skiing is a priority, heli skiing Colorado may not be the best choice for you.
• Alpine Basins: The glacial terrain in Colorado has created some of the most expansive basins in the country, and this is where you’ll find the most relaxing scenery and skiing on your trip.

Avalanche Danger: What Time of Year is Best for Colorado Heli Skiing?

Drastic elevation drops and fickle snowpack makes the San Juan Mountains ripe for avalanche danger. Luckily, your operator will take on the responsibility of snow condition scouting ahead of time, so you can trust that they won’t be bringing you into high-risk areas. You’ll also be provided with avalanche equipment, as well as instruction on how to use it. However, you should still be mentally prepared for the very real risk of avalanches when heli skiing Colorado.

 

While most powder dumps and large storms happen in January and February, making it the most popular time to book a Colorado heli skiing trip, the snowpack will not be at its best. If you want access to the most terrain possible, and the longest runs, consider booking a trip in late March or early April.

Visitors coming to heli ski Colorado will be pleasantly surprised that the weather is somewhat mild. While it will still be winter, frigidly cold days are quite rare, and the state receives around 300 days of sunshine every year. In Telluride, the coldest month of the year is January, with an average low of around 16 degrees and a high of 37. This makes it the perfect blend of wintery conditions that contribute to quality snow, while still being warm enough that it can be enjoyed during the daytime. Overall, the snowfall you’ll experience while heli skiing Colorado can be surprisingly low compared to other destinations. Telluride itself only receives a little over 200 inches per year, with most of it coming later in the season. March is the snowiest month of the year, and when most of the season's snow accumulation occurs. This lower accumulation of snow throughout the winter is why Colorado heli skiing is full of avalanche danger, and why it’s best to go later in the season.

Silverton and Telluride

The best heli skiing in Colorado takes place in the San Juan Mountains surrounding these towns, so this is where you will most likely be staying. Telluride is one of the more unique ski towns in the world, as it’s separated in two by the local resort. Free, public transportation from one side to the other is serviced by gondola. Telluride is settled at the bottom of a canyon and is filled with opportunities for outdoor activities. Additionally, it has a vibrant arts district that’s worth a visit. Dining in Telluride features lots of high-end options. La Marmotte is a classic choice amongst tourists looking for a sophisticated experience after they heli ski Colorado. Dishes like beef tartare and broiled mahi-mahi can all be found here for a luxurious night out on the town. Silverton is a slightly smaller ski town, and it’s almost like walking back in time. This old mining town has lots of history, with ample access to outdoor activities like snowmobiling and snowshoeing. You can also visit the old ghost town of Animas Forks, accessed via the beautiful Million Dollar Highway Scenic Byway. For food and drink, check out Golden Block Brewery, a staple of the Silverton community that offers rotating craft beers and wood-fired brick-oven pizza. As always, the established ski resorts in the area are worth a visit if you’re seeking a toned-down experience after heli skiing Colorado. Both Silverton Mountain and Telluride Ski Resort offer world-renowned trails.

Other Ski Towns

Colorado’s rich skiing history has resulted in numerous ski towns popping up throughout the state. If you traveled to Colorado by car, it’s absolutely worth checking these towns out for some additional culture. After heli skiing Colorado, consider visiting:

• Breckenridge: Unfortunately, much like heli skiing Colorado Vail and Aspen, heli skiing Breckenridge Colorado is not possible. However, this is the quintessential ski town everyone thinks of when they visit Colorado. In many ways, it’s Colorado’s Tahoe. You’ll find a bustling nightlife due to the town's younger residents.
• Aspen: It doesn’t get more elaborate than Aspen. Visited by celebrities and winter athletes alike, Aspen is where you go for a high-rolling winter getaway. With the private charter, heli skiing Colorado is still possible from here.