Utah has consistently offered some of the most pristine skiing in the world. To this day, however, the region is still an infrequent destination for traveling skiers and instead caters to a more local demographic. With this in mind, it’s still a well-known skiing mecca because of its high-quality snowfall, ample sunshine, and outstanding backcountry features.
If the resorts in Utah aren’t enough for you, choosing to heliski Utah may be the best decision you ever make. You’ll be able to experience the same wonderful quality of snowfall but without the large local crowds. Additionally, you’ll be provided with access to more extreme terrain than you could ever find inbounds, and afforded the opportunity to make some of the most epic memories of your life.
Most alluring, however, is the nearby accommodations to all heliski Utah operations. You won’t be required to spend a week out in a remote backcountry lodge in this region, giving you more freedom to explore. It’s the best of both worlds for people that want ridiculously surreal powder without sacrificing nightlife. Here’s a look at everything Utah has to offer.
Utah heli skiing is home to two operators, each of which provides exceptional packages and professional guiding services. Your choice will be largely dependent on where you want your home base to be. Operators include:
Utah heli skiing is notorious for its “champagne powder.” This translates to light and fluffy blower snow that’s an absolute delight to ski through. The cold air in the northern Utah mountains creates some of the lightest powder in the country, making it incredibly easy to link turns and fly down the backcountry.
Additionally, the sheer amount of snowfall that the Utah mountains experience is astounding. Most of the backcountry locations you’ll be frequenting aboard your helicopter receive over 500 inches of snowfall a year. Unlike other areas of the country that dump large amounts of snowfall at more infrequent intervals, Utah has consistent snowfall all year round. It’s highly likely that’ll you’ll get a powder day when you book a trip to heli ski Utah.
As far as temperatures are concerned, expect below-average winter lows. It’s common for the Utah mountains to drop below 0 at night. However, sunny blue-bird days in the high 30s are also incredibly common.
When you come to heliski Utah, you’ll be skiing in different portions of the Wasatch and Uinta Mountains. If you’re skiing with Powderbird, you’ll be enjoying the Little Cottonwood Canyon and the mountains surrounding many of Utah’s famous ski resorts – Alta, Park City, Deer Valley, and others. If you’ve chosen Diamond Peaks to heliski Utah, you’ll be enjoying a more northern portion. Both are equally as impressive and utilize National Forest Land, with permitted access provided to the operators by the Forest Service.
Terrain differs wildly and can be carefully selected to meet your ability level. More intermediate skiers will be taken down gentle bowls and ridges and provided the opportunity to ski open-spaced trees. Advanced and expert skiers will have much more terrain available to them, including tight chutes and dense glades. Snow quality can be tricky in some areas, so expect to encounter sticky snow and crust. While guides always intend to avoid this, it can inevitably occur.
More important than anything else, though, is physical fitness. You should come prepared with the endurance to ski an entire day at a moderate pace. It’s recommended to start an exercise regime months before arriving.
As mentioned, a main draw of why people come to heliski Utah is the proximity to society. You’ll never be stuck out at some remote lodge without service. In fact, you’ll often be provided accommodations right within a bustling downtown.
