A Beginner’s Guide To Heliskiing.
Jumping
20ft from a helicopter, straight into neck-deep powder then navigating your way
down almost vertical slopes until you end up exhausted at the bottom of the
mountain.
Sounds like a bit too much?
Yeah, we thought so too.
That's why we put together this "Beginner's Guide To Heliskiing”, to introduce you to this amazing sport and dispel any ludicrous claims that seem to surround it. Thanks to James Bond films, the Extreme Sports TV channel and some wonderful imaginations we've heard all kinds of rumours that are completely untrue.
Think you’re not good enough? Think you’ll hold up the group? Think you may not be able to hack the off-piste? Read on and I’ll tell you why you'd be just fine.
Sounds like a bit too much?
Yeah, we thought so too.
That's why we put together this "Beginner's Guide To Heliskiing”, to introduce you to this amazing sport and dispel any ludicrous claims that seem to surround it. Thanks to James Bond films, the Extreme Sports TV channel and some wonderful imaginations we've heard all kinds of rumours that are completely untrue.
Think you’re not good enough? Think you’ll hold up the group? Think you may not be able to hack the off-piste? Read on and I’ll tell you why you'd be just fine.
THE ORIGINS.
Heliskiing all began roughly 50 years ago with Hans Gmoser pioneering the sport
in the Canadian Bugaboos. However his idea of using helicopters to access
previously un-skiable areas never really took off and it took another 30 years
before companies and customers realised the sports potential.
In the 80’s-90’s adrenalin seekers and extreme skiers jumped on the bandwagon. With a lack of guidelines for emergency situations and no fully certified guides they were the only real risk-takers (nutters) that would partake.
Skip forward a few years to today. Thanks to modern technology, highly experienced guides and a set of strict rules and regulations, heliskiing has become a somewhat more civilised affair.
In the 80’s-90’s adrenalin seekers and extreme skiers jumped on the bandwagon. With a lack of guidelines for emergency situations and no fully certified guides they were the only real risk-takers (nutters) that would partake.
Skip forward a few years to today. Thanks to modern technology, highly experienced guides and a set of strict rules and regulations, heliskiing has become a somewhat more civilised affair.
WHAT IT INVOLVES
Many people consider heliskiing to be reserved for professionals or the very rich. That’s not the case. Admittedly, it is not cheap at €399. However it’s one of the best experiences you’ll ever have. Being in untouched snow, surrounded by breathtaking scenery and without a lift queue in sight… now that’s priceless!
Now here’s what it doesn't involve:
- Having to tackle extreme, steep slopes. - Our guides tailor the routes/speed to suit you, so you’ll never be out of your comfort zone - unless you want to push yourself!
- Racing your group to the bottom. - Again, our guides are on hand to tailor the day to YOUR preferences.
- Using poor quality hire equipment. - Forget using ancient equipment from local ski hire shops, we offer the most sophisticated safety equipment, training on how to use them and the option of using current equipment from our hire shop.
- Jumping out of a helicopter. - Calm down Mr Bond, there’ll be no jumping out of helicopters here. Instead We’ll set you down on a flat area, where you simply step out of the helicopter.
If you want any more information of what heliskiing includes, have a look at
our page http://valheliski.com/why-heliski/
DAY IN THE LIFE
Here's a typical day-in-the-life of a Val Heliski customer. (Times vary slightly depending on location).7:30AM Check into the Val Heliski desk in your resort. (Little earlier if you're renting equipment).
8.30AM: Val Heliski VW Caravelle minibus will take you to the relevant heli port or La Rosière ski resort where you will meet your heli guide (depending on your package choice).
You’ll then get kitted out with a backpack and necessary backcountry snow equipment, and you’ll have a heli ski introduction talk with your guide, which includes transceiver training and a safety brief.
There’ll
be an assessment of your group’s ability on and off the piste, and if needed –
or asked for – some instruction on your technique.
Then you’ll fly out to your designated drop zone, you’ll step out of the heli then the heli will take off and your group will suddenly find itself at the top of a stunning, remote mountain!
Then you’ll fly out to your designated drop zone, you’ll step out of the heli then the heli will take off and your group will suddenly find itself at the top of a stunning, remote mountain!
The only thing left to do is to ski or
snowboard down it, following your guide as they show you the best lines and
untracked snow. Near the bottom at a suitable, scenic spot, your guide will
stop and create a Savoyarde-style picnic with wine. Then it’s further skiing or
snowboarding, before you arrive at your pick up zone. The heli will then come
back and pick you up. Depending on whether you’ve booked an extra afternoon
descent, it’ll either take you back up for another run (each run takes between
an hour and a half and two hours) or it’ll bring you back home to our
base.
AFTERNOON:
Depending on your route (which you’ll discuss with your guide), you’ll either ski or snowboard to a pick up point, where the helicopter will pick you up and then it’ll bring you back to France to either our Yurt – where you can enjoy a selection of locally-produced dishes – or our private helipad or your resort heliport. Alternatively, for some routes it’s possible for your guide to get you back to France on skis or a snowboard, and they’ll radio ahead so we can come and collect you from a designated pick up area. This often works well in deepest winter when the snow allows us to ski and snowboard way down to the valley floor.
At this point you’ll have the option of having a late lunch at one of Val Heliski’s recommended restaurants, or at our Wilderness Yurt.
There’s also the option of freeskiing at La Rosiere resort if your guide’s chosen route ends up there, and if you have any time left in the day (the lifts close at 4pm December and January, 4:30pm February, and 5pm March and April).
Depending on your route (which you’ll discuss with your guide), you’ll either ski or snowboard to a pick up point, where the helicopter will pick you up and then it’ll bring you back to France to either our Yurt – where you can enjoy a selection of locally-produced dishes – or our private helipad or your resort heliport. Alternatively, for some routes it’s possible for your guide to get you back to France on skis or a snowboard, and they’ll radio ahead so we can come and collect you from a designated pick up area. This often works well in deepest winter when the snow allows us to ski and snowboard way down to the valley floor.
At this point you’ll have the option of having a late lunch at one of Val Heliski’s recommended restaurants, or at our Wilderness Yurt.
There’s also the option of freeskiing at La Rosiere resort if your guide’s chosen route ends up there, and if you have any time left in the day (the lifts close at 4pm December and January, 4:30pm February, and 5pm March and April).
4.30PM – 6PM: Après ski
party – The Val HeliSki VW Caravelle minibus will take you back to our
favourite après ski bar to watch video footage of your day on the big screen.
It’s the perfect chance to invite friends and family!
6PM - LATE:Relax and find your own way to put an end to one of the best
days of your life!
