Travel
The North American Heli & Cat Skiing Guide
by Amy Reinink
You've made the decision. This year, it's time to push your boundaries, to break out of your comfort zone. It's time to lose the lift lines and hit the backcountry. The terrain you're going to rip should make your teeth chatter, your palms sweat and your hair stand on end. Finding your ideal location shouldn't.
Here's our guide. You'll find operations ranging from full-monty, week-long stints that quench the desires of even the most extreme skiers to user-friendly (and wallet-friendly) snowcat day trips. (For further information about a particular company's packages, accomodations, rates, and more, click on the link to their website. Many offer a variety of experiences to choose from.)
Regardless of your ability or the depth of your pockets, this guide should send you on your way to a spring vacation of smooth, powdery bliss. Click on either the U.S. or Canada to start your adventure.
Alaska Backcountry Adventures
Location: Chugach Range, AK
The Lowdown: $675 per day (6 runs)
Website: www.alaskabackcountry.com
Contact: info@swayback.com; 888-283-9354
Chugach Powder Guides
Location: Chugach and Alaska Ranges, AK
The Lowdown: $920 per day for heliskiing; $285 per day for snowcat
Website: www.chugachpowderguides.com
Contact: info@chugachpowderguides.com; 907-783-4354
Points North Heli Adventures, Inc.
Location: Chugach Mountains, AK
The Lowdown: $850 - $950 per day
Website: www.alaskaheliski.com
Contact: 877-787-6784
Valdez H20 Heli Adventures
Location: Chugach Mountains, AK
The Lowdown: $1,040 per day
Website: www.h2oguides.com
Contact: dean@h2oguides.com; 907-835-8418
Valdez Heli-Camps
Location: Chugach Mountains, AK
The Lowdown: $795 per day
Website: www.valdezhelicamps.com
Contact: info@valdezhelicamps.com; 907-783-3243
Valdez Heli Skiing Guides
Location: Chugach Mountains, AK
The Lowdown: $900 per day (6 heli runs)
Website: www.valdezheliskiguides.com
Contact: info@valdezheliskiguides.com; 907-835-4528
Chicago Ridge Snowcat Tours
Location: Chicago Ridge (in the Rocky Mountains), CO
The Lowdown: $290 per day
Website: www.skicooper.com
Contact: 719-486-2277
El Diablo Alpine Guides
Location: Molas Pass (in the San Juan Mountains), CO
The Lowdown: $280 per person, $2500 for the ole cat.
Website: www.snowcat-powder.com
Contact: info@snowcat-powder.com; 877-241-9643
Monarch Ski and Snowboard Area
Location: Monarch Mountain, CO
The Lowdown: $160-$230 per day (10-12 runs)
Website: www.skimonarch.com
Contact: (719) 530-5040
Steamboat Powder Cats
Location: Buffalo Pass (near Steamboat Springs), CO
The Lowdown: $299-$400 per day (8-19 runs)
Website: steamboatpowdercats.com
Contact: info@steamboatpowdercats.com; 800-288-0543
Telluride Helitrax
Location: San Juan Mountains, CO
The Lowdown: $1195 per day (6 runs)
Website: www.helitrax.net
Contact: powder@helitrax.net; 866-435-4754
Brundage Mountain Adventures
Location: Payette National Forest, ID
The Lowdown: $279 per day
Website: www.brundage.com
Contact: info@brundage.com; 1-800-888-7544
Peak Adventures Snowcat Skiing and Boarding
Location: St. Joe Mountains, ID
The Lowdown: $325 per day (6-12 runs)
Website: www.peaksnowcats.com
Contact: info@peaksnowcats.com; 208-682-3200
Sun Valley Heli Ski Guides
Location: Sun Valley, ID
The Lowdown: $925 per day (6 runs)
Website: www.sunvalleyheliski.com
Contact: info@sunvalleyheliski.com; 800-872-3108
Ruby Mountain Helicopter Skiing
Location: Ruby Mountains, NV
The Lowdown: $3,800 for a 3-day package
Website: www.helicopterskiing.com
Contact: info@helicopterskiing.com; 775-753-6867
Cat Ski Mount Bailey
Location: Mount Bailey, OR
The Lowdown: $350 per day
Website: www.catskimtbailey.com
Contact: catski@diamondlake.net; 1-800-733-7593
Park City Powder Cats
Location: Uinta Mountains, UT
The Lowdown: $379-$475 per day
Website: www.pccats.com
Contact: pccat@xmission.com; 435-649-6596
Wasatch Powderbird Guides
Location: Wasatch Range, UT; Greenland; South America
The Lowdown: $840-$980
Website: www.powderbird.com
Contact: info@powderbird.com; 801-742-2800
North Cascade Heli-Skiing
Location: North Cascades, WA
The Lowdown: $875-$925 for 1-day program
Website: www.heli-ski.com
Contact: info@heli-ski.com; 1-800-494-HELI
High Mountain Heli-Skiing
Location: Snake River, Palisades, Hoback, Teton, and Gros Ventre Mountain Ranges, WY
The Lowdown: $850 per person, per day
Website: www.heliskijackson.com
Contact: info@heliskijackson.com; 307-733-3274
