Sun Valley Heli Ski

With over 50 years of proven experience, Sun Valley Heli Ski is Central Idaho’s dedicated heli skiing operator. As the original heli skiing company in the lower 48 states, this organization continues to set itself apart with its expert team of guides, expansive tenure, and remote lodging package options.

Those looking to heli ski Sun Valley will be blown away by this company’s massive terrain offering. With over 750,000 acres accessible to you from the chopper, there is an infinite variability in run selection that changes every day. Their team of guides work hard to ensure that they’re providing you with the very best conditions available at any given moment.

On top of Sun Valley heli skiing, this company provides access to the only remote, heli-accessed lodge in the continental United States. The Smoky Mountain Lodge is a luxurious, 6-bedroom accommodation that can be booked for multiple days in conjunction with your heli skiing,

Whether you’re looking for a full day excursion or a half day experience, you can heli ski Sun Valley at an affordable rate. Sun Valley Heli Ski costs depend on the season and group size, but are priced accordingly:

Full Day

• Holiday Season (Opening Day – Jan. 2^nd, Jan. 14-16, Feb. 18-26): $1,800 per person
• Non-Holiday Season: $1,750 per person

Half Day

Half-day heli skiing is not available on an individual basis and is only provided for groups of up to 4 people.

• Holiday Season (Opening Day – Jan. 2^nd, Jan. 14-16, Feb. 18-26): $6,000 per group
• Non-Holiday Season: $5,500 per group

Please consult with operator directly for current pricing.

Unlike other remote heli skiing destinations, getting to Sun Valley is straightforward as there are only two main airport options to choose from:

• Friedman Memorial Airport (SUN): This is the most direct route into the greater Sun Valley area and is located just 25 minutes south of the town. A complimentary shuttle is provided by the ski resort if you’re staying at one of their accommodations. Being a smaller airport, flights can be limited, however. Daily, direct flights only come from Salt Lake City, Denver, Seattle, Los Angeles, San Francisco, or Chicago. If flying in from another location, you’ll need to choose Boise Airport.
• Boise, Idaho Airport (BOI): If your budget or flight path doesn’t allow you to utilize Sun Valley’s airport, flying into Boise is your alternative. The airport is located 2.5 hours West of Sun Valley, so you’ll need to rent a car to heli ski Sun Valley.

Once in the area, getting around Sun Valley and Ketchum is a breeze. There are six different Mountain Rides bus lines that provide access to the ski resort, accommodations, and the variety of nightlife and food options available in the towns.

Idaho is highly regarded as the pinnacle for rugged, off-piste terrain and this is exactly what you’ll find when you come to heli ski Sun Valley. When it comes to this legendary landscape, the terrain is highlighted by boundaryless acreage, astonishing vertical, and the highly coveted “white smoke” that blankets the region every winter season.

Geography and Landscape

Your heli skiing trip will take place almost exclusively in the Sawtooth National Forest, a 2+ million-acre wooded playground that contains a breathtaking amount of terrain diversity. Between the four mountain ranges serviced by Sun Valley Heli Ski, you’re guaranteed to have access to top-notch skiing, powder day or not. The Smoky, Boulder, Soldier, and Pioneer ranges all have a wide range of terrain options suited for intermediate and expert skiers alike.

Sharp, staggering drops in vertical feet are commonplace in the Idaho backcountry. Peak elevation is found in the Pioneer Mountains at over 12,000 feet (3,660 meters). On any given Sun Valley Idaho heli skiing trip, you can expect up to 3,000 feet in a single run. This results in long, leg-burning descents that both adrenalize and exhaust you.

In addition, the Idaho backcountry is ripe with tall, slender conifers that create excellent gladed terrain. A significant portion of the mountain ranges are below the tree line, resulting in a healthy amount of natural obstacles that spice up the heli runs.

Sun Valley is aptly named. On average, the region receives over 250 days of sunshine every single year, making it the prime destination for bluebird powder days. If bluebirds are what you’re after, choosing to heli ski Sun Valley over any other location is your best bet. During the winter months, expect an average temperature of 23 degrees.

This cold, but manageable daily temperature is the perfect recipe for light and fluffy snow, and Sun Valley heli skiing has plenty of it. Depending on the mountain range and elevation, base snowpack can range from 200 to 400 inches every year. While this may be less than other heli skiing regions, the quality of snowfall is impossible to compare.

If you only came to heli ski Sun Valley, you’re missing out on the world-renowned ski resort that trailblazed the entire area’s legacy. Established in 1936, Sun Valley is North America’s first ski resort, setting the precedent for hundreds of other resorts that would come later down the line. Not only this, but Sun Valley is also the location of the first chair lift, further cementing its pivotal role in the winter sports industry.

Besides the notable history, skiing and snowboarding at Sun Valley are as good as they get. Unlike other resorts that often feature a manufactured on-slope experience, Sun Valley retains much of the natural landscape that you’ll find in the surrounding Idaho backcountry. The astonishing vertical feet you flew down while heli skiing? You’ll find that in bounds at the resort too. With 3,400 feet of consistent pitch top to bottom, a featured aspect of this resort is the lack of lift time.

A major advantage of booking with Sun Valley Heli Ski is that they offer customizable packages which include resort access. Your trip shouldn’t be limited to the exhilaration of helicopter runs, as sometimes it’s refreshing to rip up perfectly manicured groomers. Sun Valley is also incredibly novice-friendly, so if the rest of your family is comprised of less-experienced skiers, they’ll still find their time enjoyable.

The humble ski town of Sun Valley is characterized by its rich combination of a vibrant art scene and classic ski bum energy. The town is notorious for its annual Sun Valley Music Festival which features renowned live classical music performances.  In addition, there is a robust selection of fine art galleries portraying works that transcend all cultures and styles.

Don’t let all this pomp and circumstance fool you, however, as Sun Valley is notable for its gregarious and lively drinking culture. There are countless popular nightlife spots around the community that are frequented by locals and tourists alike and have been a staple in the town for decades. Some popular options for food and drink include:

• The Pioneer Saloon: A classic, old-time Western restaurant, this saloon embodies the original Idaho settlers. Sitting between taxidermy-lined walls you’ll find a delicious selection of comfort meals like steak and the classic Idaho baked potato.
• Michel’s Christiana: For those with a higher-end, refined taste, Michel’s Christiana is a culinary masterpiece that has been serving traditional French cuisine to the Sun Valley community since 1959. While you’ll be receiving top-tier service and cuisine, the market prices of the dishes are refreshingly reasonable.
• Apple’s: Found right at the base of the Sun Valley ski resort for easy apres-ski, you’ll find a great selection of beer, up-scale burgers and fries, and some contemporary options like ahi tuna and artisan salads.

For powder-hungry storm chasers, culture seekers, and all types of individuals in between, Sun Valley heli skiing is an invigorating experience that’ll leave a lasting impact. The steep vertical and weightless snow of Idaho’s most barren mountain ranges produce extreme skiing that’s reserved for only the most dedicated of adventurists.

Other options to go heli skiing in Idaho are available, so feel free to look browse our directory.

While the journey with Sun Valley Heli Ski may only last a day, your time in the surrounding town will be the culmination of your trip. With intricate and interpretative art exhibits, best-in-class resort skiing, and bottomless brews and burgers, you’ll be far from disappointed when you come to heli ski Sun Valley.