boston

Has anyone gone yet? How was it? Where did you go - which company?

Engage_mike

People don't really do that..its just on the movies

roremc

I went last year with RK Heli out of Mt Panorama.

The weather was shit. Could only go in the trees and not across the glaciers. We ended up doing 6 runs. Easily the best snowboarding of my life! Worth every penny! The only downside is that I think you need to get a private if you want something super steep with chutes etc. So if you can get some buddies together...

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So many runs so little time.

snowvols

Don't bother coming to Utah to do it. Everywhere they go you can get to with a pretty quick and easy skin. Heli-Free Wasatch is the only way to go though.

killclimbz

I would go with an Alaskan or Canadian heli operator if I did it. They have access to remote terrain, you can't get to otherwise. Sled, splitboard, etc.

There is also an operator out of Washington that looks to have access to some great terrain and the guy out of the Ruby Mountains in Nevada is another one worth looking at.

Those are about it though. Other operations share with areas that others can hike (Utah) too or have super sketchy avalanche prone slopes that limit (Colorado) what you can actually ride.

turbospartan

Someone with more experience could probably give better info than I, but doing my web surfing I came across an outfit in Alaska that seems pretty good.

Heli Ski Alaska With Valdez Heli Camps - Heli Skiing and Heli Snowboarding in the Chugach Mountains

One of the benefits of using these guys is that if the weather is not right, you are guaranteed a spot on the Cat.


Another good one (from what I read) is Eagle Pass Heliskiing

This is where Travis Rice and crew filmed parts of Art Of Flight.


Just a couple of thoughts, based on my limited internet research.

chupacabraman

I prefer Cat Skiing. There's never down time because of weather when the heli can't fly, it's cheaper, plus on I'd say on average the runs are a little better (not as mellow as heli-skiing). Of course everything varies from company to company, but that's from my experiences, and a few friends of mine who have done both share the same thoughts.
Heli-skiing is for rich folks that want to go ride untracked powder on low angle slopes with no features.
If you want the ultimate experience you get 'heli assisted backcountry' which basically means have a chopper drop your crew off in a remote location and pick you up later in the day.
Of course the experience of flying in a helicopter can't really be beat... but I'm looking to go shred, not for a touristic ride.
The cheapest Heli ops start at about $700/day and go upwards from there (the skies the limit... like $10,000 per day if you really want). Most don't do single day trips, but there are some that do.

Sick-Pow

What he said^^^^ and check out Baldface Lodge up in Nelson BC. Hot Tubs, killer food, SICK terrain, amazing POW.

IdahoFreshies

dam, that sounds absolutely perfect! There is cat skiing at brundage, they claim 19,000 acres of cat accessed terrain, might have to go check it out, too bat its like 1500 bucks, might need to find some friends...

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If you don't like the way I drive, stay off the sidewalk.

chupacabraman

Check out Valhalla Powdercats at South Slocan, BC. One of the best Quality-VS-Cost operators out there A little far from you, but not bad if you fill up a 12-seater van (cat holds 12 people too).

-- EDIT --

I should also add that when going Heli or Cat boarding you DEFINITELY want to rent the whole thing and fill it completely with your group. This ensures everyone is the same ability level (and it's cheaper). The last thing you want to do is just take one seat with a group of tourists...