Heli in Alaska - Snowboarding Forum

JaneR · 09-28-2012, 11:09 PM

I am planning to spend a few weeks for a significant birthday heliboarding in Alaska. The trip is 3 years away but I want to start planning it now so I book the best possible trip I can and I know it is going to cost a lot so need time to save for it. I don't want this trip to stop me doing my annual snow trips to NZ and Japan.

There seem to be a few heli companies running out of Valdez Alaska.

Has anyone on this forum been on a heli adventure with any companies in Valdez that they could recommend?

I have heliboarded a few times over the last few years in NZ and I have the perfect board- a Jones Floater which I will replace with exactly the same board before the trip as I love it. I ride it in deep pow in Niseko every year and it is the easiest board I have ever had on pow so I know I have the right board for the trip.

Also any tips on preparing for a trip like this would be good. I am determined to make the most of it and plan on being very fit.

Cheers guys!

tigre · 09-29-2012, 02:45 AM

I can't tell you which company is best to go with, but I will advise against doing the week-long packages to the tune of $1000+ a day. For just the cost of two of those days you can buy a splitboard and assorted other gear and access a lot of the same terrain the heli skiers get to, and then buy a few days of heli drops on ala cart pricing (I know Alaska Backcountry Adventures and Rendezvous both do that). Then you're not paying for days you're not flying - and there will definitely be down days for weather. For lodging, the best thing to do is fly to Anchorage, rent an RV (there are also places over there to rent a snowmachine if you know how to ride one in this kind of terrain), and camp for free up at the Pass. You really don't need to spend $10-20K to have the time of your life up here.

wrathfuldeity · 09-29-2012, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tigre

I can't tell you which company is best to go with, but I will advise against doing the week-long packages to the tune of $1000+ a day. For just the cost of two of those days you can buy a splitboard and assorted other gear and access a lot of the same terrain the heli skiers get to, and then buy a few days of heli drops on ala cart pricing (I know Alaska Backcountry Adventures and Rendezvous both do that). Then you're not paying for days you're not flying - and there will definitely be down days for weather. For lodging, the best thing to do is fly to Anchorage, rent an RV (there are also places over there to rent a snowmachine if you know how to ride one in this kind of terrain), and camp for free up at the Pass. You really don't need to spend $10-20K to have the time of your life up here.

^Thanks, on the bucket list.

JaneR · 09-30-2012, 02:43 AM

Sounds like good advice. I must admit I hadn't thought about getting a split board.

I also like the idea of picking the days to heli board rather than commiting to a whole week or two and having some bad weather.

Thanks mate.

09-28-2012, 11:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
JaneR Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Melbourne Posts: 18	Heli in Alaska I am planning to spend a few weeks for a significant birthday heliboarding in Alaska. The trip is 3 years away but I want to start planning it now so I book the best possible trip I can and I know it is going to cost a lot so need time to save for it. I don't want this trip to stop me doing my annual snow trips to NZ and Japan. There seem to be a few heli companies running out of Valdez Alaska. Has anyone on this forum been on a heli adventure with any companies in Valdez that they could recommend? I have heliboarded a few times over the last few years in NZ and I have the perfect board- a Jones Floater which I will replace with exactly the same board before the trip as I love it. I ride it in deep pow in Niseko every year and it is the easiest board I have ever had on pow so I know I have the right board for the trip. Also any tips on preparing for a trip like this would be good. I am determined to make the most of it and plan on being very fit. Cheers guys! __________________ JaneR www.findfriendsforfun.com

09-30-2012, 02:43 AM	#4 (permalink)
JaneR Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Melbourne Posts: 18	Sounds like good advice. I must admit I hadn't thought about getting a split board. I also like the idea of picking the days to heli board rather than commiting to a whole week or two and having some bad weather. Thanks mate. __________________ JaneR www.findfriendsforfun.com

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09-29-2012, 02:45 AM	#2 (permalink)
tigre Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Valdez, Alaska Posts: 121	I can't tell you which company is best to go with, but I will advise against doing the week-long packages to the tune of $1000+ a day. For just the cost of two of those days you can buy a splitboard and assorted other gear and access a lot of the same terrain the heli skiers get to, and then buy a few days of heli drops on ala cart pricing (I know Alaska Backcountry Adventures and Rendezvous both do that). Then you're not paying for days you're not flying - and there will definitely be down days for weather. For lodging, the best thing to do is fly to Anchorage, rent an RV (there are also places over there to rent a snowmachine if you know how to ride one in this kind of terrain), and camp for free up at the Pass. You really don't need to spend $10-20K to have the time of your life up here.