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WHAT IS HELI SKIING?
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WHAT IS HELI SKIING?
September 15, 2020
You don’t have to be a seasoned skier to enjoy the thrills of
heli skiing
in Alaska. It’s no secret that
helicopter
skiing is quickly becoming one of the area’s top attractions, and
Tordrillo Mountain Lodge
offers some of the industry’s best guides to lead you on this one-in-a-lifetime mountainside adventure.
WHAT IS HELICOPTER SKIING?
Heli skiing is off-trail, downhill skiing that is accessed by a helicopter. It’s about skiing in natural environments without the effort that comes with hiking to these areas. Most heli skiers are looking for powder snow, natural terrain features, long descents, smooth corn snow, old-growth tree glades and steep lines.
Heli ski guides and operations offer skiers the opportunity to ski with minimal risk in the backcountry. You don’t need to be an extreme mountaineer to find yourself on top of a huge mountain in the middle of the wilderness anymore. Contrary to popular belief, heli skiing doesn’t mean you have to jump out of a helicopter! The helicopter acts as your lift to the top of the mountain. From here, the helicopter lands, skiers exit, put on their skis, and start their thrilling descent down the powdery mountain.
The History of Heli Skiing
Heli skiing history began with Hans Gmoser, a mountain guide from Austria. Gmoser is generally credited to have started heli skiing back in 1965 in British Columbia. Evidence also suggests that heli skiing may have even taken place in the late 1950s or early 60s in Alaska, Wyoming, or Utah based on old photos in ski books.
Years back, taking a helicopter to remote places for the chance to ski untracked powder runs was seen as something for only the most daring. Today, heli skiing has become a socially acceptable form of family fun. Ski movies often show heli skiers navigating only the most extreme terrain. Although those lines are accessible via chopper, the majority of heli skiers are intermediate skiers looking to experience the backcountry in a safe environment.
Whether it’s the idea of riding in a helicopter through some of the most beautiful
heli skiing terrain
in the world, or skiing incredibly long runs of totally untracked powder, heli skiing with Tordrillo Mountain Lodge is the perfect way to do it. In addition, skiers don’t need to worry about feeling pressured to keep up with or race down the mountainside against others. This makes Alaska heli skiing the perfect option for your next family vacation.
Alaska Heli Skiing Myths and FAQs
There’s a lot to know about heli skiing in Alaska. In fact, there’s so much information and myths out there that we decided to break down the post popular FAQs and myths about the sport to help you get up to speed on this popular Alaska adventure.
Myth #1: You Have to Jump Out of Helicopters to Heli Ski
Contrary to popular belief, the helicopter will make a secure landing. This allows you to get out of the helicopter calmly, where you wait for the heli to lift off and fly away. Most of the time the helicopter will be using an LZ (Landing Zone) that they have used many times before. Hollywood and James Bond have their own versions of what heli skiing is really about, but we can assure you that you will not be jumping out of the helicopter at Tordrillo Mountain Lodge and your landings will be safe and effortless.
Myth #2: Heli Skiing is Only for Experienced Skiers
Not true! You’d be surprised to know that heli skiing in Alaska is not just for the seasoned skier. If you’re an intermediate skier and are considering taking yourself to the next level (and what better way to do it than in the backcountry of Alaska!), here are some questions to ask yourself:
Do I feel confident and comfortable when I ski?
Am I able to control my skis in a variety of terrain?
Have I powder-skied before? If not, am I open to trying this?
Am I afraid of heights? After all, you will need to ride in a helicopter!
If you’re able to answer these questions and feel your excitement level spike up a few notches, heli skiing may be for you! Contact Tordrillo Mountain Lodge for more information about heli skiing packages, available dates, travel accommodations, and more.
Myth #3: Wild Animals Will Chase You Down the Mountain
While you’re very likely to see moose and bears in Alaska, you won’t find these natives trying to steal your first tracks or pre-dinner snack. Guides are always looking out for wildlife from the heli and will often point them out to you as you fly over them. They are mostly found in the lower elevations, and viewing them from the heli is really the best vantage point. When you get to the lodge, make sure to ask Lodge Manager, Bret Gilleland, about her “close encounters of the bear kind.”
Myth #4: Heli Skiing is for Thrill-Seeking “Huckers”
Alaska is where the first World Extreme Ski Competition took place, but at Tordrillo Mountain Lodge, we have terrain that suits all skiers, from an intermediate skill level to someone looking to push the envelope. The guide team at Tordrillo Mountain Lodge has spent years skiing, guiding, and pioneering new runs in their heli terrain and they tailor every trip to the desires and skill levels of their guests.
