deutsch
englishFrequently asked questions
about Heli-skiing & Snowcat-skiing.
>> Are my skiing skills good enough for heliskiing or snowcatskiing?
>> When is the best time to go Heliskiing / Snowcatskiing?
>> Poor weather and ‘down days’.
>> To ESTA online registration
„Heli“ and „skiing“ – lift up with the helicopter and ski down. Well, the helicopter replaces the ski-lift. And: No! You don’t have to jump off the helicopter! The helicopter lands and you have all the time to get off, while the guide is taking care of your skiis or your board.
The use of the helicopter allows to access a big terrain of up to 8,000km². Under the guidance of one or several trained and certified mountain guides, skiers and snowboarders ride down through untouched wilderness and unprepared deep snow. Often several kilometers long! The runs reach out from the high alpine, glaciers, through old grown forests down to the valley.
Snowcatskiing is guided skiing or boarding with a trained and certified mountain guide through untouched wilderness and unprepared deep snow. The runs are often several kilometers long and reach out from the high alpine, glaciers, trough old grown forests down to the valley. The snowcat replaces the ski-lift. Right behind the driver’s cab the snowcat has a heated cabin with seats for up to twelve guests. Compared with heliskiing, the snowcat covers a much smaller terrain with an average size of 200km².
Are my skiing skills good enough for heliskiing or snowcatskiing?
Maybe you have heard of one of those wild stories telling that ‘heliskiing is only for pros! You have to jump out of the helicopter and then you are on your own, running down steep slopes only, jumping over big cliffs!’ Thank God, this is not reality!
Fact is: Every skier or snowboarder who gets along with every degree of difficulty (blue-, red- and black diamond runs) in a regular ski resort can go heliskiing / snowcatskiing.
As a general rule: The fitter and more thoroughly trained you are the more you will enjoy your trip. It is advisable to build up your condition and strength 8 to 10 weeks before your trip starts with jogging, cycling and, of course, stretching.
When is the best time to go Heliskiing / Snowcatskiing?
The season usually starts in January and lasts till mid of April. Like in any other skiing holiday you may enjoy beautiful blue bird days in perfect powder. But your trip may also be attended by bad weather and nasty snow conditions.
January is cooler and snowier and you will tend to spend more time in the trees.
February is a transition month. The weather tends to stabilize more and you will spend more time in the high alpine.
March and April have more stable good weather patterns. In the last weeks of the season depending on the aspects and sun affect it is possible to get corn- or firn snow.
On poor weather days the group usually goes skiing in the trees.
Due to weather conditions it may happen that the helicopter can’t even start. Then you have a so called ‘down day’.
In case you do not reach your guaranteed vertical meters, the operator will refund you.
Compared with heliskiing catskiing has one big advantage: With the snowcat you do not depend on the weather. That means you will be skiing or boarding every day.
Safety has the highest priority for all the operators!
The mountain guides daily compile and score snow profiles and monitor constanly weather dates and forecasts. On the first morning the guests receive a 1 or 2 hour safety briefing which includes: how to deal with the helicopter / snowcat as well as handling and rescue training with the avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe. Every operator hires only certified mountain guides and pilots with many years of experience in flying in the alpine.
Nevertheless, a 100% warranty that exludes all dangers that may can happen when skiing or boarding in unprepared terrain cannot be given.
The helicopter as well as the snowcat are heated. So do not dress as warm as you would for a regular ski-resort. The guides will keep you informed about weather conditions and temperature. If you feel insecure, ask the guides how to dress for the day.
As of January 12, 2009, a valid ESTA approval is required for all Visa Waiver Program (VWP) to travel to the United States.
>> To ESTA online registration
