Telluride Helitrax

Telluride Helitrax, as expected, is based straight out of Telluride, CO. This heliskiing operator is adjacent to Telluride Ski Resort and is near everything you could want to do in the town. Most skiers coming to fly with this operator will do so out of Telluride, but other options are available.

If you’re staying at Vail, Aspen, or any other surrounding ski region, Helitrax can easily organize a private flight charter. In just 40 minutes, they’ll bring you directly to their helipad for easy access to their terrain. Once the day’s over, they’ll return you to the resort you’re staying at before dinner.

Helitrax has a decades-long reputation in Colorado. Originally started in 1982, this operator was the brainchild of four local ski partners: Mike Friedman, Mark Frankmann, David Bush, and Brian Miller. The operator first functioned as a guided backcountry touring company, named Telluride School of Ski Mountaineering. Quickly though, the four decided to utilize their backcountry experience more seriously and applied for a Special Use Permit from the US Forest Service.

 

The San Juan Mountains of Southwestern Colorado is where Helitrax Telluride calls home. They have over 200 square miles of exclusive access surrounding Telluride. No matter where you look (except West), Helitrax can help you ski there. The majority of Helitrax’s terrain is above treeline, creating astonishing descents with spectacular views and ungodly amounts of powder. Unlike other operators, this company has countless intermediate runs for skiers that aren’t 100% comfortable with backcountry skiing. Most of their terrain is equivalent to a blue or black run, with a mild angle pitch. However, plenty of expert and advanced terrain is available if you wish. The company has hundreds of drop-in locations, allowing its guests to ski in the best snow possible on any given day. With all this in mind, safety is a top priority. Helitrax is a member of Heli-Ski US and ensures that all safety guidelines are met every year. In addition, their guides are certified by organizations like AMGA/IFMGA.

Telluride Helitrax specializes in single-day trips, making the experience very achievable for people visiting Colorado on a standard ski trip. Going on a week-long heliskiing vacation to a remote lodge can be very expensive and unobtainable for some people. By offering customized, daily packages, anyone with a little room in their budget can access terrain only available by chopper.

Helitrax flies Eurocopter S350 B3e helicopters with all their packages, capable of flying four skiers at a time. A typical day up in the San Juan Mountains entails 6 runs totaling around 10,000 to 14,000 vertical feet. Included in all packages are powder skis and snowboards, avalanche gear and safety training, as well as lunch and snacks to enjoy up in the mountains.

During peak season, Helitrax is open seven days a week. February and March are the busiest months, but January and April are often more available. If you value large, alpine runs with maximum vertical, late season is the best time to come.

Three different trip types of packages at Telluride Helitrax are available. These include:

• Daily Heliskiing: As the standard package, you’ll be sharing the helicopter with other people. 6 runs can be expected in a day, as mentioned. Additional runs are available for extra.
• Custom Heliski Tours: If you’d rather have a tailored experience and the ability to select your own terrain, the custom tour is your best option. This package can accommodate up to 16 group members, spread across four helicopters.
• Regional Tours: Regional tours provide private helicopter transfers from neighboring ski areas like Aspen and Vail. Flights to luxury hot springs can also be selected.

Overall, Telluride Helitrax prices are reasonable. Their standard package starts at $1,650 per day, custom packages start at $10,500 per hour (for one helicopter with four people), and the private charter is $3,200 round trip, per group on top of the daily heliskiing rate.

Consult the operator directly for current pricing and packages.

Telluride is a unique ski town in that it’s separated into two by a gondola. If you wish to get to the other side of town, taking the gondola is your quickest and cheapest way of doing so. There is so much to do in the surrounding area that your trip doesn’t have to be limited by skiing alone. Dunton Hot Springs is a very popular destination that can be linked with your regional heliskiing package. Set in an 1800s ghost town, this spring offers a romantic excursion for couples seeking a night away from the ski town. While in the town, be sure to check out numerous top spots for food and drink such as Brown Dog Pizza.