So, you’ve vacationed in the Bahamas, chartered a yacht in St. Tropez, and enjoyed the tropical rejuvenation spas of Bali. Perhaps it’s time to venture into other vacation realms, one that gets the adrenaline going. What about being atop tall majestic mountains frosted with a blanket of perfection, with tree lines and powder bowls for an obstacle course. If you are an avid skier or boarder like some of us here at Privé, heli-skiing will without a doubt be a memorable excursion to embark on. heli-skiing is essentially downhill skiing in unchartered, untouched mountain territories with access being granted by a scenic helicopter ride.
It may seem a bit overwhelming when trying to figure out which is the best location to go to for this adventure, but Canada and Alaska are amongst the finest, with Heliski.com being the best company to go to when planning a heli-skiing vacation. The members are Heli-skiing enthusiasts and have skied with many of the operations from the above locations. Heliski.com provides an unbiased assessment, with advice based purely on the customers needs. They provide services for finding the best suited operation; quite simply, Heliski.com just wants to ensure that the investment will far exceed the customer’s expectations.
The prices vary based from different factors, here’s a price list provided by Heliski.com:
A good rule of thumb is $1K/day/person Canadian. A typical week runs $7 – 12K Canadian, per person. A Private week is 2 to 3 times that number.
Prices vary by:
• The time of year (early and late season are less expensive)
• The scale of the operation (large helicopters are less expensive, and boutique operations are more expensive)
• The number of days (some weeks are 6 days of skiing, some 7)
• The number of groups per helicopter (fewer is better – less waiting). Some operators ski four groups per helicopter, some two. Private is one.
• The amenities and the travel options (some fly you in by helicopter; some include hotel in Vancouver or Calgary).
• The amount of skiing, measured in vertical feet or meters. Most guarantee a minimum, typically 100K feet per week. Over that, one pays $30 to 45 per thousand feet. Some operators charge a higher base price, but include unlimited vertical. Ski as much as you want. Some charge by the hour of helicopter flight time (common in Privates and in Alaska)
Trips come in all sizes, typically 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 days.
There are 1-day operators, usually found near a resort. It’s a taste of the real thing, and expensive for what you get. You have to be prepared to go over the safety briefing every day, and they cater to newbies, so be ready for the challenges and delays that can bring.
Some operators combine cat-skiing and/or resort skiing with heli-skiing. This can be a good way to warm up, and it keeps the cost down. Catskiing is 40-50% of the cost of heli-skiing on average.
After a days work of conquering steep vertical slopes, take a well deserved rest in a lodge surrounded by enchanting pristine wilderness: enjoying gourmet meals prepared by a culinary genius, followed by a sauna and massage. We at Privé are particularly fond of Skeena’s; The lodge itself is stunning, warm wood and lighting makes it very inviting. The pictures truly say just how magnificent this lodge is. Fine wines and food are readily available and prepared; the hot tub will provide relief to the body. The lodge can accommodate up to 16 guests, all of whom are there for the best skiing in the world. Which is what it all comes down to.
For inquiries contact: Privé International
Post by: Amba Pragnell
Heli Skiing (1 year ago)
Great article
Top 10 Privé Holiday Edition. (8 months ago)
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