The Chugach Mountains
Valdez and the Chugach Mountains stand apart from other heliskiing destinations for several reasons. Here's why we think it is the best heliskiing in the world:
- World-Class Terrain
The Chugach Mountains offer unmatched variety. You’ll find everything from wide-open bowls to steep, technical lines that challenge even the most seasoned riders. Want untouched powder? Check. Hair-raising descents? Done. 30 Degree glacier runs that go for thousands of feet? Got that too.
To make things better - Pulseline is one of only three operators with a permit for the US Forest Service terrain – approximately 800,000 square acres of terrain – which some call the “Holy Grail.” This brings the total skiable terrain to over 3,000,000 square acres.
- Consistent, Perfect Snow
The snow in the Chugach Mountains is renowned for being some of the best in the world, thanks to its unique coastal climate. Moist air from the nearby Gulf of Alaska collides with the cold mountain air, resulting in heavy snowfall—often over 700 inches per season on Thompson Pass and over 1,000 inches per year in some of our zones. Despite the massive snow accumulation, the relatively cold temperatures keep the snow light and fluffy, perfect for skiing and snowboarding. This, combined with a long season that stretches from November into May, makes the Chugach Mountains a powder paradise with ideal conditions for big-mountain skiing and riding.
- Stable Snowpack for Safe Adventure
The Chugach's maritime snowpack is legendary. It provides not only deep, powdery conditions but also greater stability, meaning less avalanche risk and more access to incredible, challenging terrain.
- Insane Vertical Drops
Few places in the world offer the sheer vertical of Valdez. Skiers here regularly experience 4,000 to 6,000 feet of vertical drop in a single run. You’re not just skiing—you’re surfing down massive, untouched mountainsides.
- Expert Guides, Pure Wilderness
Valdez offers more than just incredible terrain; it provides one of the last true wilderness experiences in the heliskiing world. Led by Pulseline’s world-class guide team, many with 20 years of experience guiding in these mountains, you’ll be far from the crowds, with only the sound of your skis slicing through the powder.
