If you are reading this, you are likely already deciding to heli, just a matter of where. Cost probably isn't really an issue - hello it's heli. If you talk about this with your friends, some of them will tell you that you are insane for dropping a few $K to "ski" when you could "easily go to Deer Valley for a week" with that kind of money. "go. have fun there. We'll really miss you."
Or you could fulfill a dream that most people well . . . dream of.
Most of the pitches were 45-50 degree slopes which made for great fast cruising. Surely by the end of the day, your legs are cooked. We got about 18-23k vertical each day. Yes we could ski steeper, but we'd probably get tired faster. While I'm sure everyone is thinking "yeah I've done steeper" (we all have), we're not there to do that all day. We were out to ski damn nice terrain with damn nice snow and have a damn good time doing it. for several days.
Another myth debunked was that I wanted steep AND powder. Well folks - that usually means avalanches. Also, unless the skies are totally clear, you're not flying. So just set your expectations accordingly. On our down days we would point "but it's clear over there!" (that was said a lot, and after a while it just sounds annoying).
The staff (guides / lodge staff) are all top notch. The food is definitely gourmet and you won't be disappointed in quality or quantity. The guide's are great fun, and obviously very good at what they do. Safety is their primary concern, and while they seem calm/collected/having a good time, you can tell their game is on point behind all of the smiles and jokes. On our trip there was one instance of a rather large skier triggered avalanche, and the whole guide crew snapped into action, and executed all of the proper steps (if you'd even call it that), in such a manner that it was almost as if that was expected. Honestly, after seeing that coordinated effort, my willingness to write this review became 10 fold, as they hire the best, to ensure their guests are in extremely good hands. You don't want to go out in the mountains and be under the supervision of clowns - when literally your life is in their hands. It's not a party or something to be taken lightly. Though by the look on their faces, they make it seem so easy. I guess that's what professionals do.
This video sums up my 3 days of riding. Unfortunately it's only riding footage, and no lodge/staff https://vimeo.com/131496458 read more
