Do like to earn your turns? How about skiing terrain that’s hardly seen an ascent or descent in the world famous Chugach Range of Alaska? If you answered yes then you’re exactly who we’re hoping fills the final few open spaces in the inaugural season of Points North Heli-Adventures (PNH) new heli-assisted ski touring program.
For years PNH has helped bring skiers and riders the best days of their lives. By shredding some of the best snow, on the best mountains, in arguably the greatest mountain range for skiers and riders in the world, PNH holds it down. They have access to over 1500 square miles of terrain without any competition. Their safety record speaks for itself, and hands down, after having traveled throughout the great state of Alaska from Girdwood to Valdez, from Haines to Denali, The PNH experience in terms of staff, non-ski activities, and overall vibe is unbeatable-never mind when the ski conditions are all-time. Now, starting this March, PNH is offering heli-assisted ski touring, the first program of it’s kind in the Chugach.
The vision for this program has been developing for quite some time. Myself and my ski partner Jeff Dostie were fortunate to spend time in Cordova last season, assessing the local and alpine terrain for the feasibility of bringing guests to experience ski touring in the region. All of the photos in this piece were taken from our trip last spring.
Here’s a breakdown of the program for this year as told by the PNH website:
Last year PNH obtained a non-motorized ski touring permit from the U.S. Forest Service in the Cordova Ranger District. This permit is the first of its kind in the Chugach.
We invite you to come visit PNH this spring and help us develop our program in terrain that has never seen tracks, up or down, before. This is a rare opportunity as it’s your chance to have limitless first descents and be part of the naming of an entire new “zone” in our newly permitted ski touring area.
2012 Dates
- March 18-24
- March 25-31
- April 1-7
- April 8-14
Details
- Groups of 4 or 8
Price
- $1950 for 5 days with 1 extra day for a weather window.
This includes
- 4 nights/ 5 days, (6 nights of lodging total)
- All meals, transportation during your stay
- 1 guide and 1 packer
- 1 helicopter drop off and 1 helicopter pick up
- 2 nights lodging upon your arrival & departure at PNH or the Reluctant Fisherman (to be determined)
- Additional helicopter lifts are available based on actual flight time.
Information
All groups are flown from our base in Cordova to one of our Yurts (Arctic Tents), complete with wood stove, food and the necessities to be comfortable in the mountains. Groups will have the opportunity to ski from the front door without the pressure of heli ski groups around you. All trips will be tailored to your needs and desires. Groups can stay at a given location or ski to another location with all the comforts waiting for you. The choice is yours. PNH has several tent locations giving you the option for tree skiing, alpine skiing and of course all that comes with skiing and riding in the famous terrain of the Chugach Mountains.
Upon your return from the mountains we would love to have you stay with us at our facility if we have room. We offer lodging (all-inclusive meals, lodging and transportation) at $150 per night. If you need additional lodging pre or post your trip with us, there is also a great hotel in town, http://www.reluctantfisherman.com that can accommodate your lodging needs.
Other Information
Since you’ll be visiting and skiing with us as backcountry skiers and mountaineers, we assume that you will be showing up to Cordova with the necessary equipment to have a safe, enjoyable stay. This trip is not for the first time ski touring enthusiast for the 2012 season. All trips are with one of our certified PNH guides however; it is highly recommended that you read up on avalanche safety techniques and glacier travel protocols before your trip. This will also be refreshed with you prior to departure into the mountains.
Refund / Cancellation Policy
In the event of weather and groups cannot access the heli drop off touring terrain, they will have the opportunity to ski tour the endless terrain around Cordova. $300 will be refunded or credited to a future trip in the event you cannot fly into the mountains due to weather.
Equipment List
(*) Starred items are recommended
Backcountry Ski/Snowboard Gear
- Shovel, Beacon, Probe, AT Binding with Skis or a Splitboard, Skins, *Verts
Mountaineering Equipment
- Ice axe(s), *Whippet, Crampons
Glacier Travel Equipment
- Harness, *snow picket, one hand prusik, one foot prusik, pulley, *rope man, 20’cordelett, 6 carabineers, one locking carabineer, 3 long runners.
Yurt Equipment (comfort)
- Booties, Sleeping bag (rated -15, -25, -40), Down *Pants/Jacket, 4 Season Sleeping Pad.
The heli season is getting ready to kick off next week, February 18th, but the heli-touring program won’t get underway until March 18th. Many seats have been booked already, but some space remains for each of the four week season of heli-ski touring.
Any ski focused trip to Alaska costs something, especially when helicopters are involved. While this trip has its costs it’s considerably cheaper than the price of a full week of heli-skiing. There’s also an incentive for anyone out there seriously interested in making this trip happen, so if you can get a group of four together, so know there’s a solid discount involved. Please inquire further if you fall into category.
For more details visit the PNH website linked here, contact Jessica and/or Kevin at 877-787-6784 (toll free) ; 907-424-7991 (direct); info@alaskaheliski.com; or feel free to email me with any questions at Brennanlagasse@unofficialnetworks.com
No matter where you end up, I hope you can make it to AK this year!
