Metalhead505

Right now I am looking outside crying because all the snow is gone in New York, and Im just woundering were should I go in the summer. Me and some friends are thinking about going Heli-boarding but dont know were to go that has Killer Snow and is Cheap because we are not made of money. So we said if we cant find a place we will just go try out Sandboarding with I always wanted to do. So does anyone know any Heli or Sand boarding places close in the North-East, I can travel but not crazy!

T.J.

heliboarding is NOT cheap and nowhere close to NY. better try sandboarding.

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Passion Over Fashion

Metalhead505

I know it is not Cheap but there has to be a place that is the Cheapest, How much does it usally cost to Heli at a good place?

Snowolf

The closest places to heli board are in western Canada and Colorado /Utah has some limited heli. For a half day of heli you can expect to pay around $800 to start and that is if you can find half day deals. Most operators sell multi day package deals with a vertical feet garuntee with additional charges for extra vert. Some have unlimited vertical feet deals, but it is usually dependent upon buying a full week deal. Here is an example of a Canadian operator and they base rate for the 5 day package is $5700.00 for late season or $6200.00 for prime season.
Heliskiing packages that will fulfill your heli ski dreams!

By comparrison, you can get full days of cat skiing/boarding with unlimited vertical for $500 -$600 a day.

Also keep in mind, you don`t get to drop cool shit like you see in snowboard videos. It takes several years for an operator to get to know you before they will take you to gnarly terrain. Their problem is everyone claims to be an expert rider or skier, when in reality they are mediocre at best. Most people overate their abilities and these operators can`t afford lawsuits from people who get hurt and claim "they should have known that I could`nt do that" you know how people are. In reality, you first few time with a cat/heli outfit they will take you to basically open blue terrain. Granted it will be untracked and fun, but hardly gnarly or worth dropping 6 grand on...chist I don`t own cars wotrth that....




Helicopters are terribly expensive aircraft to operate and even a 2 seat Robinson trainer used for flight training is upwards of $250 an hour. A large Jet Ranger or similar model used for heli boarding is going to run $400 to $500 and hour just for the machine, the pilot will run about $50 and hour. Even splitting with a group, it`s a lot of money.

If you want to ride and not go broke, just buy a commercial ticket and fly out west to get in some great resort riding in Colorado, Utah or up here in the northwest. You can hike for your turns in the west all summer long and there are plenty of people here who can help you with that. Myself and Killclimbz for example don`t let summer stop us from riding great lines. For what you spend on Heliboarding you could have an epic week long stay at Whistler in a 5 star hotel and eat lobster every night. The best alternative to heliboarding for that epic backcountry experience it cat skiing/boarding. A snow cat costs a fraction of what a heli costs. Many resorts all over the west have some epic cat skiing. I have done cat skiing and I can justify dropping a $500 bill for some great untracked riding.

In summer, you can also just come to Portland Oregon and ride at Timberline Lodge for the cost of a $50.00 lift ticket.

I tried sandboarding.......ONCE! It is way more work than fun; you have to rewax the board almost every run and you get to climb back up sand dunes for each ride. It is hot, dirty and the ride is like that horrible wet sticky snow at the end of season....I would much rather climb Mt. Adamas in august to ride suncups than that.

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Metalhead505

I am going to try Sandboarding most likely this year and save money up for the Heli trip in two or three years, but I know you said you didnt like sandboarding Snowolf but I have to try it and maybe you just went on a bad day and had a bad experience.

Does anyone Know any good Sandboarding Places to go hit?

Instructor

Yeah heli borading is very expensive and when its over, well its over....
go for sand boarding, it should be pretty fun

Simply^Ride

So I read some information about sand boarding on the internet. It looks pretty interesting, they also have a terrain park near Eugene in Oregon (not that I would go when I am there, but it sounds like fun). One thing that would become sort of annoying is that you have to wax your board every run, of course I can see why, but still....

Snowolf

Yeah, that is where I went (Florence, Oregon) Compared to snowboarding it was a disapointment; it was slow by comparison and way more work than fun. Of course, if that was all I had, I guess I might think it was okay, but with all the snow fields in the Cascades to hike to, I would rather ride snow than sand...

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con3593

hmmm, the terrorists said screw planes and picked up boards....shit

nzboardlife

how much does an average snowmobile set ya back? just wondering