Skiing
What is heli-skiing? The ultimate guide to this thrilling winter sport
Heli-skiing pushes the boundaries of what's possible off-piste, and is the only way to traverse certain mountainsides.
If you’ve ever wanted to be dropped off on a mountain peak that seemed impossible to reach, heli-skiing can open up a whole new world. Curious how exactly you get up there? Watch freeskier Fabian Lentsch reach tremendous peaks in this heli drop-off video, then read the guide below.
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Fabian Lentsch: Heli drop-off
Watch behind-the-scenes footage of Fabian Lentsch's tense heli drop onto an Alaskan ridge line.
Spending time on the ski slopes is one of the best ways to experience a breathtaking winter mountain landscape and a healthy dose of adrenaline. But what if you want to turn up the intensity meter even higher? For the biggest thrillseekers, the answer is heli-skiing.
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What is heli-skiing?
Heli-skiing, or helicopter skiing, is one of the most electrifying off-piste skiing experiences out there. This type of backcountry skiing involves using a helicopter to access remote downhill skiing areas carefully selected by an expert mountain guide. The helicopter acts as your chairlift, transporting you to some of the most pristine, untouched powder you can find.
Once you arrive at the top of the mountain, you’ll put on your skis and head down the slope. Heli-skiing trips take you to pristine locations that not even snowcat skiing tours can reach.
Fabian Lentsch enjoys the ride
© Pally Learmond
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History of heli-skiing
The idea for heli-skiing originally came from Art Patterson, a Canadian geologist and avid skier. Patterson was first inspired while using helicopters in the 1950s to access remote areas for his work in Alaska. He approached climbing and ski guide Hans Gmoser to help make his dream a reality.
Gmoser led what’s often credited as the first heli-ski trip in the early 1960s, but it didn’t exactly go as planned. Snow conditions were terrible, and the first try was essentially a bust. Patterson would bow out after an unsuccessful second run, but Gmoser wasn’t ready to give up yet. Heli-skiing took off a short time later when Gmoser found a better spot at the base of British Columbia’s Bugaboo Spires.
Gmoser eventually opened the Bugaboo Lodge, the first site of his pioneering heli-skiing operation CMH Heli-Skiing and Summer Adventures, which remains active today. By the 1970s, heli-skiing’s popularity was booming, proving that if at first you don’t succeed, it’s truly worth trying again.
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Why heli-skiing?
Heli-skiing pulls some people in way more strongly than other backcountry skiing or snowboarding types. The promise of ungroomed powder in some of Earth's most stunning summit locations draws thrillseekers from all over. If you love an adrenaline surge, it doesn’t get much more adventurous than heli-skiing.
Legs of Steel Crew with the Heli in Haines, Alaska
© Pally Learmond/Red Bull Content Pool
Heli-skiing is comparable to cat skiing safety-wise, but you’ll have more terrain choices since helicopters can travel just about anywhere. Plus, if you love a steep slope, heli-skiing has the advantage of taking you to much greater heights than any other off-piste discipline.
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Where to heli-ski
If you want to experience the joys of heli-skiing, you’ll probably have to do some travelling. You can sometimes find heli-skiing tours in popular destinations for traditional skiing, such as Park City, Utah and Sun Valley, Idaho, in the USA. You’ll need to be a pretty advanced off-piste skier first. But if you’re ready to take the leap, you can find beginner tours to help you get the lay of the land.
Alaska is also a hot spot for heli-skiing. With steep slopes in locations such as the Chugach Mountain Range, the state’s incredible powder will really take your off-piste adventures above and beyond. Heli-skiing is also one of the best ways to experience the steep couloirs of the Swiss Alps.
Fabian Lentsch hitting fresh powder
© Pally Learmond/Red Bull Content Pool
British Columbia, the birthplace of heli-skiing, remains one of the best places to explore peaks you can only get to by air. In addition to hosting some of the best extreme heli-skiing spots in the world, British Columbia remains home to Gmoser’s CMH Heli-Skiing and Summer Adventures. You can visit 11 different CMH sites, including the original Bugaboos ski resort.
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Heli-skiing gear
As with any off-piste adventure, heli-skiing calls for thicker skis and adjustable ski poles that are made for navigating untouched terrain. It’s also important to wear warm layers and sturdy boots that fit your skis. Wearing bright colours is an essential safety precaution that ensures you’re easy to spot. If the unexpected happens, you don’t want to blend in with all that white powder.
Speaking of which, alongside typical protective equipment such as a helmet and goggles, avalanche safety gear is non-negotiable for heli-skiing. You should be equipped with a transceiver, probe, shovel, and avalanche backpack. Many heli-skiing tours will provide an avalanche safety pack, but always confirm this before you start your trip. Additionally, you can usually rent skis when you arrive at your destination if you’re travelling and don’t want to haul everything on the way there.
Heli-skiing: the adventure of a lifetime
Heli-skiing pushes the boundaries of what’s possible off-piste. It’s the only way to traverse certain mountainsides – and the only way to get what many consider the ultimate skiing experience. If you’re a daredevil who can’t get enough excitement on the slopes, heli-skiing is calling your name.