Ruby Mountain Heli Ski

In their 200,000 acres of tenure, they have lots of couloirs.

They also specialize in heli-assisted ski touring where completely CRAZY backcountry skiers hike up insane pitches and then turn right around and ski them! - not us!

One very well known chute in the Rubies is the “come line.” That’s a gambling reference, I think!

This chute is legendary…nice and steep at the top, with vertical rock features on both sides. And it’s REALLY LONG…I took several breaks  - worth the trip just to ski this chute!

Here's a video that does it justice...even has nice approach footage from the heli.

Ruby 360 Lodge: downstairs ski shop - where it all happens in pre-flight am hours!

Near Elko NV, high on a hill in Lamoille, the driveway up to the Ruby 360 Lodge sets the tone...

I LOVED the whole pre-flight vibe, including the music selections & the disco lights above the tech bench!

It's steep, requiring a 4-wheel drive. Then you are presented with a classic entry architecture and large foyer on the main floor. This floor is expansive with high, vaulted ceilings, gorgeous views and includes a large lounge for après ski. It also leads to a terrific open-air kitchen, family dining table for all 16 guests and a quaint, appropriately appointed bar.

The 10 guest rooms are both on this floor and the floor below. This ski shop, where all guests meet to gear up, is also downstairs.

Like I said, I loved the vibe after breakfast, as everyone was gearing up downstairs. Mike puts on some tunes and fires up the "disco lights," which complement the Persian rugs nicely! The staff and the guests all get busy in one room, which adds to the mounting excitement of a heli skiing day. And the heli lands on its pad about 50 yards outside the door - pretty sweet!

My friend and I stayed in room 10 downstairs. Our room had an exit door straight out to the jacuzzi-spa! I’ve never landed at a helipad and made such a fast transition into the spa - just a few minutes - with a drink in hand…it was a wonderful reward after a very memorable day of heliskiing.

Ruby Mountain Heli Ski's cost / vertical meter or foot is approximately twice that of many BC operations. It's a bit hard to measure, because their vertical guarantee is a run guarantee of 15-18 runs in 3 days. They delivered 18 runs.

Their additional runs were only $400 / flight. Half my group opted out for additional runs, which doubled my cost to $200/run. But my last two runs (19 & 20) were the best of the trip! Mike took me and a fantastic snowboarder down a killer steep & deep chute in the shade, that hadn't been skied in two months! Thanks Mike!

Their runs are comparatively short (Approx. 1200 - 2000 feet), compared to other parts of the globe. Therefore their vertical guarantee is moderately valued.

That said, I have never come home from a heli skiing trip second-guessing an operation's "vertical value proposition" with dissatisfaction. And Ruby Mountain Heli Ski was no exception 🙂

They run all 16 guests with one A-Star, so there was lots of waiting time. In many instances, groups were three deep, waiting for a lift. Comparatively speaking, that's a bit much. I'm not aware of any other heli skiing operators that run four groups (of 4 skiers) with one A-Star.

Many operations will run 8-12 guests (2-3 groups with one A-Star) with their small-group bookings, and I have experienced some waiting with these operators as well.

A thought about the rooms: Double occupancy rooms (at least mine downstairs, room #10) are comparatively small. We were swimming in our ski gear and other luggage - pretty tight. But the rooms are well appointed and obviously new. The beds were very comfortable, and that’s all that really matters, right?

Safety first: Their backpacks have a balloon as a requirement and are HEAVY - twice the weight of other backpacks without balloons. I’ve been offered a choice (with balloon or without, at other operations.) Especially with the spring conditions we were experiencing, I would have preferred the lighter weight pack on my back. A nuanced point for sure...

• Ruby Mountain Heli Skiing is a very professionally run operation with an intimate, family vibe. That's hard to do, but with nearly five decades under their belt, they do it exceptionally well.
• 16 skiers at a time, dining family style at the table across from an amazing open kitchen, with a small bar on the other side - a very cool set up!
• The food was EXCELLENT, prepared by michelin star type culinary chefs for sure!
• The Ruby 360 Lodge is relatively new...and gorgeous. It's perched on the hill with huge windows that open up to a stunning view.
• The spa on the deck, right next to the heli-pad, which of course all share that same terrific, sunset view over the valley below!
• The ski shop downstairs is a quality set up, super fun and very functional. It's a great vibe, as you gear up, and then the heli lands right outside!
• The terrain is quickly accessible right from the lodge, (when not driving.) The elevation is up to 11,300, and yes, there's plenty of great tree skiing - my fav!
• And Some SICK couloirs! Including The Come Line!