Flexibility, Efficiency, and Mobility:
We could add more groups but have deliberately opted for a minimalist, streamlined approach. Operating with less groups increases our flexibility, efficiency, mobility – and safety. We can easily move groups to different areas or fly deeper to access better snow, weather, and terrain. Fewer groups to ferry in and out of the mountains means that we minimize flight time and fuel runs; more of your flight time is used for actual heli-skiing and offers many more options for skiing the best possible terrain.
Heli-skiing operations with four or five groups sharing one helicopter typically need to stay closer to their base of operations and stack groups in the same terrain or area to remain profitable. If they fly deeper it will increase the number of fuel runs (burning more of your flight time and increasing your wait times for pick ups). Plus, it burns a lot more flight time to ferry all of the groups to deeper terrain, increases wait times, decreases the margin of safety.
Our method reduces wait times for pick ups and lets us slow down the pace of skiing – so your guides can focus on the actual experience rather than managing the numerous operational and safety challenges that are inherent with four or five groups in the field.
More Flight Time:
Our packages include six (6) hours of flight time (Hobbs) per group – one hour more than most operators offer and with one or two less groups per helicopter – for a comparable price. Much of the cost for heli-skiing is based on flight time, so if you're comparing our costs with other operators, make sure both packages include the same number of hours for an accurate comparison. Flight time is tracked by the Hobbs meter onboard the helicopter. The meter begins tracking when the pilot raises the collective. This alters the pitch of the rotor blades simultaneously (collectively) and causes the helicopter to fly. The meter pauses when the helicopter is on a Landing Zone or Pickup Zone with the collective down, or during fueling, even when the blades are spinning.
We average five to six runs per every hour of flight time, so for six hours of flight time, you will typically ski 30-36 runs (keep in mind these are not your average ski area runs; these are big Alaska lines). However, the exact number of daily runs may vary depending on a number of factors including: weather conditions, snow stability, group ability, distance to the intended terrain, and multiple other factors. We do not ski a standard circuit within a small region simply to rack up as many runs as possible. Some days you'll ski more runs and some days less, especially if we must fly deeper to access better snow and weather conditions. Our focus is always to find the best snow, terrain, and weather conditions even when we must incur longer flight times while focusing on safety.
Given that Alaska weather may inhibit heli-skiing on any given day, you'll have six days to help you use all of your flight time. Some days we may be out all day crushing it. Other days we may launch later or return earlier due to weather and/or snow conditions.
Extra Flight Time:
When weather cooperates, you may use all six hours of your flight time in less than six days. Each additional hour of flight time above the original 6 hours during your reserved week is discounted at $3,800 per hour (per group of four). This covers our minimum operating costs to help keep you flying and skiing. You only pay for what you fly above your original 6 hours; and you are not obligated to purchase additional flight time above the original 6 hours. However, we recommend having reserve funds budgeted in case of epic conditions to truly maximize your Alaska heli-skiing trip.
Down Days & Trip Insurance:
If flight operations are cancelled due to weather, unsafe avalanche or snow conditions, or a mechanical issue, it will be considered a “down day.” Leftover flight time from your original 6 hours in any week will not be credited. Pulseline makes a large financial commitment to the helicopter company regardless of whether we can actually fly, so there are no credits or refunds for leftover flight time.
As a result, we require each participant to purchase trip insurance, which provides some reimbursement of these costs in the event we are unable to utilize the 6 hours of flight time during your trip. (See below for additional information.)
Guide Experience & Safety:
Your safety is our chief concern. Every decision that we make is rooted in conducting safe operations. It starts with our guide training and knowledge. Our guides are exceedingly experienced with some of the deepest knowledge in the heli-skiing industry and a comprehensive understanding of terrain, snowpack, and weather conditions in Alaska. Collectively we've guided thousands of skiers and snowboarders in the Chugach Mountains and the Chilkat Mountains and beyond for decades. Many of our guides pioneered the terrain and opened new runs in the Chugach Mountains, and established protocols for guided heli-skiing operations in Alaska. Our guides are professional to the core across multiple disciplines including avalanche and snow safety forecasting, heli-skiing operations, crevasse/high-angle rescue – and all are expert skiers or snowboarders. You can count on our guides to find the best terrain and snow while providing a safe and exciting experience.
Location & Terrain:
There's a reason that professional skiers and snowboarders like to film in Alaska every season – lots of snow, big descents, and generally deeper and more stable than a continental (i.e. interior) snowpack. We are offering trips this year to two of our favorite areas in Alaska:
Haines and the Chilkat Mountains. We will be in Haines from March 20 to April 2, 2021. Haines is located on the Lynn Canal just north of Juneau, Alaska. The Chilkat Mountains are some of the highest coastal mountains in the world where the peaks rise 7,000 feet from the ocean, and is home to the world’s largest non-polar ice cap. The combination of the warm maritime storms and cold Arctic air creates some of the deepest yet lightest snow in the world. There is a variety of terrain, from glacial cirques, steep couloirs, and “spines” and even tree skiing options.
Haines is a great little town with an “end-of the road” feel to it. The only road connecting Haines to the outside world comes from Canada. We will typically be flying just north of town at 33 Mile on the highway. In this area, there is often a “blue hole” which forms even on cloudy days, which can allow us to get out skiing. Also, as the tree line is higher here than in Valdez, there are tree skiing runs where we may be able to go heli-skiing even when it is cloudy.
Since the season in Haines ends earlier than in Valdez, we will be spending time in Haines in late March. This is the time of year we love being in Haines as typically we are dealing with a mid-winter snowpack, yet the storms are starting to be less frequent and strong, providing us more weather windows for riding.
Valdez and the Chugach Mountains. We will be in Valdez April 9 to April 22, 2021. Alaska's Chugach Mountains surrounding Valdez in the northern Gulf of Alaska are the snowiest, most glaciated tract of coastal mountains on the planet. These mountains offer an ideal combination of diverse terrain and deep snow – deeper on average than the rest of the Chugach Range. This unique glacially-chilled powder paradise is shielded from rain and warm temperatures that can wreak havoc on snow in other maritime zones and being further north, we can typically reliably ride cold powder until May. We have found that heli-skiing during the mid-April timeframe provides reliable powder skiing with longer days to maximize our weather windows.
We ski and ride silky powder – with a consistency that allows it to adhere to steeper terrain yet is still cold and dry. The deep snowpack in the Chugach Mountains surrounding Valdez is generally more cohesive and stable than very dry powder on a thin snowpack; and the snow has an ethereal quality that will leave you craving more and more.
People often ask whether we prefer Valdez or Haines for Alaska heli-skiing – the truth is we love them both equally! The terrain and experiences are different but equally enjoyable. Haines is a bit more difficult to get to, and has a smaller full-time population. The heli-ski acreage is smaller in Haines, but the distances between areas is also shorter, which often requires less flight time. Valdez has more skiable terrain, but it also has much larger and many more glaciers, which can increase our flight times. Haines has more potential for tree skiing and Alaska spines, while Valdez is known for many large planar slopes; although you can find a great mix of terrain in both places.
Requisite Skiing/Snowboarding Ability:
Heli-skiing in Alaska is the pinnacle of big mountain freeride skiing and riding. We access some of the most challenging heli-ski terrain in the world including steep, deep, technical lines along with variable snow and weather conditions. Therefore for these trips, we require that each rider be at least a High Level Advanced, Expert, or Pro level as described below:
High Level Advanced - You confidently ski or ride all conditions (fresh powder, hard pack, wind buff, ice, etc.) and ride in control on steeper slopes up to 40 degrees. You are comfortable skiing or riding steeper or more difficult lines occasionally, but conditions must be good and you may take additional time to make it down. You may not have any experience yet with slough management on bigger Alaska faces, but you are open to learning more.
Expert - You ski or ride with confident control in all conditions and terrain; you are generally comfortable skiing steeper lines in excess of 40 degrees even in challenging snow conditions. You often push yourself to ski more technical lines and are comfortable getting a bit of air occasionally (but not necessarily hucking the largest cliffs).
Group dynamics are crucial. We require that everyone in each group of four knows one another and has similar abilities, objectives, and personalities. Separate parties may be combined for special circumstances with approval by Pulseline Adventure.
Pro - You ski or ride at the absolute highest level – whether or not you are actually getting paid for it. You are known as a local ripper, shredding the gnar in style.
Group dynamics are crucial. We require that everyone in each group of four knows one another. This will minimize the potentially negative group dynamics that can arise when strangers are combined into one group and abilities, objectives, and personalities differ.
Fitness Requirements:
Heli-skiing in Alaska is mind blowing, but it can be strenuous even for expert skiers and riders. It is mandatory that you are physically prepared before your trip, so that you can handle large amounts of vertical, deep powder, variable snow surface conditions, technical terrain, long days in the mountains, and potentially harsh weather conditions over multiple days, while wearing a pack.
We recommend that you ski or ride as much as possible before your trip. If you are not skiing or riding three to four days per week, please undertake a supplemental fitness training program to ensure that you are ready for this Alaskan big mountain freeride experience and can keep up with the rest of your group. Fitness is also key for helping prevent injuries and increasing the margin of safety. As part of your trip application, we will request information regarding your fitness and planned fitness training.
Additionally, we will provide you with a suggested 4 to 6 week training program that can be completed at home without weights to help ensure you are at peak performance for your trip. This training program focuses on a number of exercises that we have found to be extremely helpful for skiing fitness. Please remember to check with your physician before starting any new exercise program.
Excerpt of Required Equipment (Full List will be sent to you after booking):
- Big Mountain Powder Skis or Snowboard – skis should be at least 105mm underfoot but we recommend 110mm or wider. Skis with traditional sidecut and camber underfoot and slight to moderate rocker at the tip and tail perform well in Alaska terrain. Alpine style ski bindings are preferred. Snowboards should have sufficient rocker and an appropriate size and width for your weight. Please confirm the proper functioning of ski and snowboard bindings and double check your DIN before arrival in Alaska. We strongly recommend a full tune and wax as well (all temperature wax). If you are coming with new equipment, ski or ride on it at least one day before coming to Alaska. We also recommend bringing a second set of skis or two snowboards in case of any equipment issues, since there are no local ski shops in Valdez or Haines. Please call us if you have any questions about appropriate equipment.
- Avalanche Backpack – each guest is required to have an Avalanche backpack. The size should be sufficient to include an extra layer, shovel, probe, lunch and water (22L pack is sufficient). We love Ortovox packs, but there are a number of good manufacturers. We will have a few extra avalanche bags to rent, but this must be arranged in advance. We can also provide guests with an Ortovox discount code if you would like to purchase one. Please contact us for more details.
- Modern Digital Avalanche Beacon – must be digital (no analog). Again, we prefer Ortovox beacons, but other brands are fine as well (e.g. Mammut, Pieps, or BCA). If you have any questions please ask us.
- Shovel and Probe – your shovel should be metal or aluminum (no plastic), be large enough to move snow efficiently in the event of an avalanche, and be stored inside your pack; please make sure your probe is at least 240cm and that it can be locked when fully extended.
- Lightweight Harness and a Locking Carabiner – We recommend the Couloir Harness from Black Diamond (https://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en_US/product/couloir-harness/) and the Black Diamond Rocklock. (https://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en_US/product/rocklock-twistlock-carabiner/)
