Heli-skiing combines the fun of riding the off-trail powder with skipping past the line for the gondola with your own helicopter ride back up to the top. Heli-skiing is quite popular in Switzerland with an estimated 15,000 flights each year to 42 landing sites and has really taken off in Telluride with the variety of safety features put in place.
For a beyond resort boundaries ski adventure consider Helitrax. Helitrax has been providing skiers and snowboarders unparalleled backcountry adventures since 1982. Helitrax has the honor of being known for flying at the highest elevation of any heli-skiing outfitter in the country. You’ll have breathtaking views of the San Juan Mountains during your flight and will ride the best powder on your way down the mountain. The helicopter is equipped with storage for skis, boards, and poles as you ride up in the helicopter. You’ll land, get your equipment and carve your way back down to the base of the mountain.
Helitrax does include powder skis, poles, safety equipment, lunch, snacks, and drinks in the fee and at this time does not have snowboards. If you want to snowboard, you must bring your own and should have it adjusted for the powder and terrain. You’ll also participate in a safety briefing before your flight that typically departs around 9:30 a.m.
In a single day heli-ski trip, you can fit in six runs that average about 10,000 – 12,000 in vertical feet. Tours will always include a safety orientation covering helicopter safety and avalanche protocol. In fact, Helitrax has worked on avalanche mitigation since 1982 as well so you can trust you’re in good hands when it comes to safety on the mountain. Most tours also include après ski activities to round out your day carving the fresh powder.
Helitrax offers single day trips, multi-day packages, semi-private, and custom tours available. Helitrax will work with you or your group to design a trip around your ability and comfort level. It is recommended that skiers wishing to try heli-skiing can ski at an advanced intermediate level and ride a Telluride Ski Resort black diamond run without problems. Skiers should also be relatively fit for this activity and acclimated to Colorado’s elevation as Helitrax operates at at least 10,000 feet in elevation and up to 13,500. There is no age limit for heli-skiing, they’ve worked with children as young as seven and adults as old as 75, though skiers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
If you’re interested in the helicopter ride portion only, Helitrax offers scenic flights in the afternoons, depending on weather. So, if you’re not ready for the skiing part of heli-skiing, you can still enjoy a scenic tour of Telluride!
Please contact Helitrax or find more information on their website at: www.helitrax.com. To book a reservation, they will need a 50% deposit and costs vary depending on tour type and how many skiers are in your group.
