Best heli skiing for old guy and son?

**McScrundle** · 10-10-2010, 01:06 AM

I got a full ride scholarship to college this last year, and my dad said he would take me heli skiing now that he isn't paying for college (I know, sweet deal right?). He told me to do some research and give him the best deal. He said he would be open to anything along the west coast (includes alaska).

Now, I have been skiing for my entire life, but it has only been in the last few years that I have surpassed my dad in skill.

Who would be a good tour guide to go with who could cater to both me (aggressive, trying to find most difficult lines) and my dad (great form, but less adventurous).

Also, when should I cash this deal? With La Nina, this sounds like it is going to be a good year, so I don't see much reason to wait till next year or something.

**Adamantium** · 10-10-2010, 01:38 AM

You're unlikely to find any opp that will be able to drop you and your dad off a the same spot and have the perfect terrain for each of you on the same run. Your group will move at the pace of the slowest/most conservative skier, regardless. Ski with your dad, enjoy the trip, and find the interesting lines on what's available.

edit: Considering La Niña, take a look at the interior BC/Alberta operations, both heli and cat. Amazing terrain and snow there.

**viscousflow** · 10-10-2010, 03:25 AM

i think im starting to get this place

**HellgateBasement** · 10-10-2010, 07:59 AM

Revy has a pretty sweet package deal that I've considered doing.

$2888 for two people

Day 1 - Cat/Heli Prep
Day 2 - Cat Skiing at Revelstoke Mountain Resort
Day 3 - Day Heli Skiing with Selkirk Tangiers
Day 4 - Day Tour in the backcountry of Revelstoke

I don't know what the vert is, or if lodging is included, or any of that.

Might be worth checking out.
http://www.revelstokemountainresort.....html#ultimate

edit: Congrats on the scholarship. You're doing it the right way.

**DropCliffsNotBombs** · 10-10-2010, 09:50 AM

The problem with heli skiing is that you are always reduced to the speed/ability of the slowest member of the group.
Most operations are used to "holding the hands" of their clients since most ripping skiers simply can't afford the price of heli skiing.

**LeeLau** · 10-10-2010, 10:17 AM

Congratulations on the full ride scholarship.

Take a look at Last Frontier Heli. They have incredible tree-skiing. They have glaciers as far as the eye can see.

Based in NW BC so La Nina, for them anyway, is likely to bring lots of snow

http://www.lastfrontierheli.com/

**Johnny Casino** · 10-10-2010, 10:54 AM

Mica Heli or Chatter Creek

Do a search, tons of info on this topic.

**farmer** · 10-10-2010, 10:56 AM

I'll agree with Lee on Last Frontier. I haven't skied with them (we can't all have parents that will pay to go heliskiing you lucky bastard), but I was working in that area this summer, trying to put a mine in some of the places that they go. Awesome area!!! If I end up there again, I'm definitely going to bring my skis. I know there are a few guys in Stewart who go sledding up there a lot in the winter, and they said the amount of snow they usually get is unreal.

**McScrundle** · 10-10-2010, 02:06 PM

Wow, thanks for all the advice! My dad has been very very generous in offering me this opportunity, and I don't want to overextend myself by going with a 8k/person package or something similar. But I have narrowed it down based on your suggestions. Something with a cat alternative, and something in interior BC, and a weeklong. Also, has anyone had experience with North Cascade Heli?

-BTW I reread my first post, and it totally comes across that I am a pretentious douchebag who isn't that grateful for this possible opportunity. That's not true at all haha. And even now, I feel like I really don't deserve heli-skiing without first doing some touring and earning my turns (like most of the trip reports here, its 8 hours up, 8 minutes down). But that's what I plan on doing all of my winter break (or at least side country with friends at alpental).

Final question: for the last 4 years I had been saving to upgrade skis, and last season I put it all down for '09 Gotamas. After saving for so long, I would feel bad not using a powder ski I saved for so long on a heli ski trip. Should I take them?

**Johnny Casino** · 10-10-2010, 02:13 PM

Originally Posted by twbarrett

Should I take them?

Don't bother. You'll have a few choices for skis with whatever place you decide to go. Someone else mentioned it in another post that if you loose a ski they won't spend long looking for it. It would be a shame to go home with half a pair of skis that took you 4 years to save for.

**McScrundle** · 10-10-2010, 02:20 PM

Originally Posted by Johnny Casino

Don't bother. You'll have a few choices for skis with whatever place you decide to go. Someone else mentioned it in another post that if you loose a ski they won't spend long looking for it. It would be a shame to go home with half a pair of skis that took you 4 years to save for.

Alright, I was looking at the Micaheli guide, and the skis they provide are "Volkl powder skis." I would look retarded if I brought the same ones they offered.

**Johnny Casino** · 10-10-2010, 02:24 PM

Mica has one of the better rental fleets, Volkl and K2 for sure and possibly a couple of others.

**NorCascader** · 10-10-2010, 04:50 PM

North Cascade heli is super sweet. good guides and they take you to the best spots personalized to your ability. Sounds like this year will be December/January dumpage.

**Caucasian Asian** · 10-10-2010, 08:01 PM

Originally Posted by twbarrett

Alright, I was looking at the Micaheli guide, and the skis they provide are "Volkl powder skis." I would look retarded if I brought the same ones they offered.

I would never not take my own skis with me.
I usually throw two pairs in the truck and decide on the pair i'm going to ski once I talk to the guides in the morning. I'm more comfortable on my own gear than somebody else's.

**mntlion** · 10-10-2010, 08:22 PM

CA: you HAVE more options then most rental fleets too.

**tahoermk** · 10-10-2010, 08:59 PM

Another congrats on the full ride scholarship!! Just wanted to offer two alternative suggestions to a heli trip that my buddies and I have found to be off the hook every time we've gone. As you have heard, on a heli trip, you are limited to terrain the "group" can ski, and as with any group ski deal, you are only as fast as your slowest member. This really sucks when you are paired up with a beater in your heli group. Two places to look into are Baldface Lodge and Retallack lodge in BC ( there are others in the area). Both are great lodges and you get a short heli ride into Baldface. The food, lodging, snow and terrain are unreal and you get four or more days to get your fill. They both try to match skier styles and speeds in each cat. Prices are reasonable but they sell out fast. Every time we have gone, and everyone we have sent, have always had a great time. Enjoy the time with pops wherever you go.
http://www.baldface.net/about-baldface
http://www.retallack.com/about_retallack.php

**philth** · 10-11-2010, 10:41 AM

Heli skiing once or save your dad some money and go cat skiing twice! I've been to Baldface and worth every dime. A quote from a Heli-guide I met a few years ago....Pro's go heliskiing cuz they are making movies on someone else's dime. Rich hacks go heliskiing so they can tell other rich hacks they went heliskiing and good skiers that just want to rip go catskiing....thought that was funny.

**philth** · 10-11-2010, 10:43 AM

^^^That being said I would gladely go Heliskiing in the Chugach..^^^

**Braap** · 10-11-2010, 10:50 AM

If I was going with my dad (an old man) I would do the Kings and Corn trip. Not the most epic skiing, but definately a worthwhile trip for a father and son trip.

http://www.chugachpowderguides.com/kingsandcorn.html

**mntlion** · 10-11-2010, 10:54 AM

heli = twice the price, but twice the vert too (on average) I've maxed a cat day, with a custom group at 17-20K ft, and done a few heli days, with good groups at 50K ft daily.
(not a pro, just worked at a heli lodge for a few years, and wife is a ex-heli guide now)
YMMV

**Mofro261** · 10-11-2010, 11:44 AM

Heliskiing is a damn fine way to blow some cash- but first I think you need to narrow in on:

1) how much cash. 1 day heli trips can be awesome and you'll likely get 6 runs on a package and then pay for extra runs as well. Likely spend ~1000-1200 depending on how many extras and if you go with a smaller 5 person A-star. Multi-day trips can run up some serious cash but are sometimes necessary depending on the weather window. Nothing sux more than having a trip booked and then not being able to fly due to weather.

2) when you can go. Early season, mid winter, late winter. Each time has an advantage (cheaper early season, most consistent snow mid, longer days late etc). One day trips here provide the most flexibility to get the goods while the goods are great.

3) where to go. The more remote to get to, usually the more the cost involved and the longer you'll want the trip to be. Is there a fall back, ski resort/ cat skiing option for any potential down time due to weather.

I got lucky when I was younger and got to go on a couple heli trips with my dad- great time even if the terrain wasn't as aggressive as I'd hoped- just don't go in thinking you'll be skiing movie lines and have a good time. My best trip was a one day filling an A-star with another 4 buddies and skiing some steep tree runs. You will get more vert with the heli and riding in one is almost worth the the extra.

**stalefish3169** · 10-11-2010, 11:49 AM

Originally Posted by philth

Heli skiing once or save your dad some money and go cat skiing twice! I've been to Baldface and worth every dime. A quote from a Heli-guide I met a few years ago....Pro's go heliskiing cuz they are making movies on someone else's dime. Rich hacks go heliskiing so they can tell other rich hacks they went heliskiing and good skiers that just want to rip go catskiing....thought that was funny.

A) Being a pro doesn't gurantee a bunch of cash. I've seen a lot of pros pay for heli.

B) A lot of rich heli skiers rip.....because they get a lot of practice heli skiing.

C) Nothing against cat, but would you rather go to 1or 2 mountains or 1or 2 hundred?

**garyfromterrace** · 10-11-2010, 12:24 PM

So is daddy-o going to sponser a full week? 2 days? 3, 5?
I think that needs to be factored in. Is there a budget? If not, renting a private bird for the day would be grand no issues about fast groups/slow groups. Last Frontier is amazing terrain but I don't think they do 2 or 3 day trips (not sure of this, but seems likely). If you're thinking of coming up this way Northern Escape is another option, and they're going to have cat skiing this year on days the birds don't fly. No 1 or 2 day, but they might do less than 7 day packages.

Have a great time with the old man! I plan on heli-ing with my kid for the first time this January. To say I'm stoked is an understatement.

**old goat** · 10-11-2010, 02:56 PM

Originally Posted by twbarrett

-BTW I reread my first post, and it totally comes across that I am a pretentious douchebag who isn't that grateful for this possible opportunity.

Not at all--my son got the Dept of Defense to pay for Med School and I made him the same offer, or to go guided skiing in Chamonix which would actually be cheaper. You earned the scholarship, enjoy the trip. (If it's an athletic scholarship I hope the program doesn't dump you if you're hurt doing a sport other than your scholarship sport. If the scholarship is for brains,wear a helmet.)

**Scotsman50** · 10-11-2010, 03:41 PM

I took my son on his first heli-ski trip last year to North Cascades Heli. It was actually a heli-touring trip. I will never forget his face during our first upload in the heli.
NCH is great and they have great terrain and the Heli-barn at NCH is where I want my ashes scattered. They have a full rental fleet.

My only advice... even though you ski better than your dad and want more adventurous terrain ... be nice to your dad and ski with him ,at least some of the time. My son just went to college and heli-skiing with him was one of the highlights of my life and something I will never forget especially because it was his first time. I'm sure my son will have better heli trips in the future but for me... the dad... watching my son experience the joy for the first time will stay with forever.... I'm sure it will be the same for your dad.

Here's his first heli ride at NCH
[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UhiLR-NrAc&feature=player_embedded"]YouTube - MVI_4419.AVI[/nomedia]