Friday, 10 January 2014

Heli-Happiness – is skiing outside the crowds worth it?

If you are a ski or snowboard lover and continue to return to the Alps, or perhaps the Rockies, year after year, then maybe this year it is time to leave the chairlift queues and busy pistes behind in search of fresh powder and an unbeatable experience. Be warned though, after embarking on a heli-skiing holiday, or perhaps just a day out, you will undoubtedly realise what all the fuss is about and may find it difficult to return to chilly chairlift rides!

Yes, heli-skiing is very expensive and that fact cannot be ignored but if you are considering it, then it is worth taking the time to appreciate what you get for your money. A helicopter can take you from the ground to the top in a couple of minutes whilst you experience magical and uninterrupted views that people may pay hundreds to see on sightseeing flights. You will then get multiple opportunities throughout your heli-skiing day to experience the pure joy of making your own tracks through fresh powder without being surrounded by the hordes who flock to the obvious off-piste within a ski resort. In nearly all cases you will ski (or snowboard) the kind of conditions that you would be incredibly fortunate to catch even once in a year in a top powder resort such as Whistler or Utah. And it is easy to see why…the heli-ski area covered by a helicopter in one day makes even a big resort seem small in comparison, yet only a tiny fraction of the skiers are dropped onto the terrain! Heli-skiing companies now offer a wide variety of packages from family trips to private tours but on average, you are not likely to be sharing a helicopter with more than 7 people. When you consider the fact that chairlifts nowadays can take up to 8 people, who all depart at the top to ski the same run, you will appreciate the capacity heli-skiing offers for breath-taking experiences away from the routine.

There is also the opportunity to forge new bonds while sharing a trip of a life-time with likeminded people. Whether it is just for the day, or over the course of the week, you will be indulging in the champagne powder luxury of untamed places only accessible by helicopter, and mutual exhilaration can create long-lasting friendships. There is undoubtedly something magical and elemental about standing on top of a deserted mountain with only untouched powder ahead of you, and the knowledge that when you can ski no further, a helicopter will be ready and waiting to take you to the top of the next peak! If you are looking to invest in a week’s long holiday then the bliss continues well into the evening as many companies now offer very comfortable lodging which includes sumptuous three-course dinners, massages and saunas. Finally it has to be said that the best heli-skiing is found in Canada and North America. Although there are several tour operators in the Alps, the snow guarantee and expanse of space unfortunately just doesn’t compare. The industry leader is most likely Canadian Mountain Holidays, who operate 11 fantastic lodges all over north-western Canada.

You can find out more on their website: http://www.canadianmountainholidays.com/
…and as they say, it’s more than a vacation!!


At SportsCover Direct, we are able to offer you a protective insurance policy tailored to the demands of a heli-skiing holiday. We know where you are most likely to need the extra cover, such as repatriation and search and rescue, as well as reimbursement of costs should any natural disaster or extreme conditions affect your holiday. For more information, take a look here: 

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