FREESKIER's 2015 Cat and Heli-Skiing Guide

It’s an experience that every skier should have at some point in their life. In fact, it’s something every skier should experience multiple times—as many as possible. We’re talking about cat and heli-skiing of course.

The advantages are plentiful. Above all else, you’ll have first class admission to some of the rowdiest skiing there is. Major steeps, expansive bowls, abundant glades, seemingly endless vertical and mighty deep snow.

Then, there’s the simple satisfaction that’s derived from traveling via high-tech machine in a mountain environment. Skinning for turns is fun too, (we know, we know!) but it’s sure hard to beat flying high above the mountaintops with a bird’s eye view of the lines you’re about to demolish; or, blasting 80s rock from the speaker system in the cabin of a snow cat, high fiving and laughing with friends while you’re whisked back to the top of the next drop zone.

And consider the lasting benefits of spending time with some of the world’s top mountain guides; these are individuals who can impart years’ worth of knowledge, ultimately bolstering your own ideas about how to live and play in the mountains—safely and efficiently while maximizing fun.

That’s just a taste. We haven’t even scratched the surface in regards to the plethora of incredible lodges that are out there with various amenities. Or the small scale operations with rustic charm.

So, whether you’re looking to check cat or heli-skiing off of your bucket list this year, or perhaps you’re a seasoned vet who’s keen to experience a new spot, you’ll find the goods in the subsequent pages. We’ve teamed up with some of North America’s absolute best operations to bring you this, FREESKIER’s 2015 Cat and Heli-Skiing Guide.

The 2015 Cat and Heli-Skiing Guide

Flash forward 50 years and CMH Heli-Skiing is one of the most recognized names in the British Columbia heli scene. The company now operates out of 11 lodges scattered throughout the BC Interior and flies through 3.1 million acres of the world’s most orographically blessed terrain, a tenure larger than the combined footprint of every single North American ski area. Because CMH was the first to stake a claim, it got its pick of the best terrain among famous BC ranges like the Kootenays, Selkirks, Monashees and Bugaboos.

With this expansive area comes skiing of every flavor: towering old-growth tree skiing, sprawling alpine bowls, hulking glaciers, cascading pillows and spines, all donning up to 40 feet of British Columbian white goodness, a quality of snow that you won’t soon forget.

Accommodations range from remote heli-accessed mountain lodges to luxury hot springs resorts to the funky CMH K2 Rotor Lodge, a renovated motel built in partnership with K2 Skis, which accesses the spectacular high-alpine and tree skiing of the Selkirks. Thanks to this unique partnership, every guest at the Rotor Lodge heads home with a brand new pair of K2 pow skis.

Watch: 50 years of CMH Heli-Skiinng

Along with this variety of lodges spread amongst numerous zones, CMH offers trips to suit every type of skier. Powder University trips allow intermediates to learn to ski better in deep snow, while Steep Shots and Pillow Drops packages, based out of the Rotor Lodge, will get advanced skiers to mind-blowing, movie-style snow and terrain each day. CMH also offers packages specifically catered to families, and with an expanded heli-accessed touring program, the skier that wants to break a sweat on both the up and down can leave feeling fully satisfied. Upon your return to any of CMH’s lodges after a day of epic skiing, you’ll be welcomed by a warm fire, a hot tub or sauna, après cocktails and a chef-prepared meal.

[caption]Photo by Brody Smith[/caption]

Now in its 50th anniversary season, CMH has become one of the world’s leading heli- ski operations. Here heli-skiing has become a science intended to maximize your every experience both on hill and off. Whether you’re looking for the killer terrain and flair of the K2 Rotor Lodge; the original heli-ski experience of the CMH Bugaboo Lodge; a ritzy, private trip through the CMH Nomads; or just an unforgettable adventure at any one of the 11 CMH options, you won’t be disappointed.

The bulk of the operation runs out of the rustic but comfortable Gold Panner Resort near Vernon, BC. Here, heli-skiing and a fully catered stay don’t require a trust fund. Kingfisher is one of the more affordable options in the province, and its unlimited vertical policy means you’ll ski as much powder as your legs can handle in terrain that ranges from high alpine to perfectly spaced trees, especially if you bring a crew of rippers big enough to fill an entire helicopter—the golden rule of heli skiing.

Looking for a swankier experience? Kingfisher has that too. Based out of the Swarovski-family-owned Sparkling Hill Resort on the shores of Lake Okanagan in Vernon, these higher-end packages deliver face shots by day and spa treatments with European-inspired comfort by night. There’s even an option to bring a non-skiing significant other on this luxury trip so your heli vacation can be cleverly disguised as a couples retreat.

[caption]Kingfisher Heliskiing at Sparkling Hill Resort.[/caption]

This season Kingfisher adds heli-assisted ski touring to its repertoire. Hitch a lift to the top of your first line in a Bell 407 helicopter and then enjoy up to 4,000 vertical feet of guided, human-powered powder skiing amongst the Monashees before another ride in the bird back to cold beer. Priced only a fraction more than a full day at Vail (if you include a day ticket, parking, lunch and après), it’s the perfect option for the budget- conscious ski bum. And for those looking to up their backcountry game, check out one of Kingfisher’s new heli-assisted freeride camps to unleash your inner meat hucker. Based on price, accessibility and powder potential, Kingfisher Heliskiing should be on just about everyone’s short list if they’re heading north this season.

Packages start with a basic single day in the bird, which includes lunch and après beverages. From there, you can jump up to the all-inclusive, multiday experience which includes unlimited vertical and is based out of the Echo Bay Lodge just south of Revelstoke. Here you’ll enjoy stunning views and meals that are nothing short of gourmet. From Echo Bay, it’s just a short flight into the Gold Range section of the Monashees, where the longest descents in Eagle Pass lie. And for the ballers among you, there’s a fully customizable, private experience. Want a daily massage to accompany your heli-skiing? Why not?

[caption]Photo by Pally Learmond[/caption]

With every package, you can expect a commitment to service and safety from the Eagle Pass staff. Each guest is outfitted with a standard beacon, shovel and probe, and as an added precaution, a BCA Float airbag pack. On every outing, guides work hard to find the absolute best terrain that the conditions will allow within Eagle Pass’ 270,000-acre zone. This means that you can expect to feast on expansive bowls, tantalizing spines, fluffy pillows and scenic glaciers if you’re into that sort of thing. It’s the kind of terrain you dream about. And thanks to the remarkable tree skiing in the Monashees, weather days aren’t a huge concern. Over the past several years, Eagle Pass has only averaged two to three down days per season.

Still not convinced? Eagle Pass has a bit of a reputation in the film world. As you fly around the area, don’t be surprised if you recognize lines and features from ski flicks like Into the Mind by Sherpas Cinema, Few Words by Candide Thovex, Hurt So Good by Legs of Steel and even The Art of Flight by Brain Farm. Eagle Pass has hosted several of the industry’s top pros because the snow is deep and the terrain is sick. In these mountains, you can go as big as you want while still being acutely aware of how small you really are.

From Terrace, Northern Escape has access to 1.7 million acres of varying terrain, where the average snowpack ranges from 180 inches at 4,500 feet to 280 inches in the high-alpine regions. The area offers everything from high-alpine bowls and glacier skiing to steep tree chutes and chest deep powder stashes.

[caption]Photo by Paul Morrison[/caption]

Of course, operating in this setting means that Northern Escape is extremely committed to guest safety. Whether a guest is an expert or novice, the staff ensures that everyone is educated about backcountry safety protocol and outfitted with a beacon, shovel, probe and avalanche airbag pack.

While many outfits can offer similar experiences, what sets Northern Escape apart is its cat skiing back-up program. Although the operation only averages one down day per week, Mother Nature will inevitably complicate your plans at some point during your stay at any heli ski operation. To offset this, Northern Escape has 7,000 acres of dedicated cat skiing terrain along with three snowcats to keep the action going when the peaks are socked in.

[videocaption]Watch: Northern Escape Heli-Skiing.

If Mother Nature decides to be fickle part way through the day, pilots can simply drop guests off at the cat skiing zone for the afternoon. On the flip side, if the skies clear after a morning of cat skiing, guests will be whisked up to the peaks without wasting any time. This enables Northern Escape to offer more guaranteed vertical feet than most other operations in the industry. And in the unlikely event that the minimum isn’t met, they’ll be happy to provide credit toward future trips.

While guaranteed skiing, badass terrain and loads of deep powder are standout characteristics, perhaps the biggest draw of Northern Escape is its intimate setting. Between its three group lodges, when the operation is at full capacity, a mere 26 guests are staying at Northern Escape.

There are multiple packages available with one sure to suit your needs. The Classic package is for groups of six, with a maximum of three groups sharing a heli and staying in the Yellow Cedar Lodge. The Elite package accommodates two groups of four, sharing one heli and residing at the Pioneer Lodge just across the street. Both of these packages can be booked with a guaranteed amount of vertical or an unlimited vertical option. And those looking for a solo experience can book private packages at the Treston Lake Lodge, just 30 minutes north of Terrace. There, you’ll be treated with private heli transportation, unlimited vertical and your own private chef when it’s time to chow down.

With plenty of options, almost 2 million acres of heli terrain and a 7,000-acre cat skiing zone, there’s enough snow for everyone up there. It’s time to spoil yourself.

Based in the Babine Range, a subrange of the Skeena Mountains, Skeena Cat Skiing operates on the second largest cat skiing tenure in all of North America, with 32,000 skiable acres around Mount Thomlinson and Gail Creek. Here, high- alpine bowls around the hulking Mount Thomlinson spill into steep, old-growth glades. It’s a tree skier’s paradise with perfect terrain for both storm skiing and bluebird days. This far north, the snow stays cold, and because you’ll share the huge expanse of Skeena’s tract with a maximum of 24 skiers per day, there’s no shortage of fresh turns to be had.

Now in its fourth season of operation, Skeena continues to explore further into its tenure. Each year it adds more cat roads to better navigate the terrain, access new zones and milk more vertical for guests.

Skeena has packages for any budget. A single day here ranges from 8 to 12 runs and up to 16,000 feet of vertical bliss. The full-service, all-inclusive option will have you set up in the cozy Suskwa Lodge in New Hazelton, where each day of skiing can be ended with a cocktail and a professional massage if that’s your kind of thing. The more à la carte, daily package is a cost-effective way to experience backcountry skiing without having to tour. Whether you go big on the all-inclusive package or keep it mellow, it’s guaranteed you won’t be paying heli-style prices.

Despite its remote location, getting to Skeena Cat Skiing is relatively easy thanks to twice-daily flights between Vancouver and Smithers. From there, it’s only an hour drive to the lodge. When you arrive, Zyp will likely be there to greet you along with delicious homemade fare and a selection of quality BC wines. Skeena’s tight crew of employees go out of their way to make every stay memorable, providing world-class cat skiing with a down-home atmosphere. It’s an experience that blends equal parts solitude and funky-community vibe, topped off with a ridiculous amount of pow.

Retallack is now regularly featured in the pages of the world’s leading ski magazines and big-hit ski films. Retallack: The Movie (2011), produced by Inspired Media and Red Bull Media House, stands out as a highlight. Furthermore, in 2009 and 2010, Retallack played host to the famed Red Bull Cold Rush, a new kind of competiton where skiers pushed the limits of what’s possible in a backcountry setting. And in the spring of 2014, Retallack opened its doors to the no-rules-apply Orage Masters, a rather bold move and yet another sign of the operation’s commitment to the sport we all know and love.

Hosting events of this magnitude certainly earns the operation major kudos, but this shouldn’t overshadow the basic principle that has solidified Retallack as a leader in the space: 100-percent dedication to its clients, both in the lodge and out in its vast, challenging and beautiful terrain.

Situated one hour north of Nelson, BC, the 11,000-square-foot luxury lodge sits in the heart of the Selkirk Mountains. While there are a handful of airports within close range, it’s recommended that guests utilize the two nearest international airports in Kelowna, BC, and Spokane, WA. From Spokane it’s four hours to the north, and from Kelowna you’re looking at a five-hour journey. Hardly a challenge when you consider the goods awaiting at the finish line.

Perhaps best known for its burly steeps, Retallack boasts everything from expansive, open bowls to mind-blowing glades and mouthwatering pillow lines. The majority of terrain caters to advanced skiers. They’ll tell you it breaks down as such: 20 percent moderate-gentle slopes, 45 percent “fun” steeps between 20 and 35 degrees, and the remaining 35 percent beyond 35 degrees and classified as very steep.

While in the alpine, you’ll soak up tips and knowledge from the highly experienced guides that accompany you. Retallack operates two cats for 24 guests, and each group has its own lead guide, tail guide and driver.

When your legs can’t take it anymore, it’s back down to the lodge where après bevies and hors d’oeuvres await. Then kick back in the living room, keep the stoke alive in the game room or take advantage of the hot tub, sauna or the resident massage therapist prior to your gourmet dinner. And we mean gourmet. These guys are not messing around in the kitchen. When the day’s done, grab a brew (or a tray full of Lemon Drops) in the bar room.

Whether you’re looking for a rugged experience or a lavish one, Retallack will deliver. The incredibly kind, hard-working and animated staff will provide you the best care, and rest assured, they’re all true mountain folk, just like you.

Having served major film production companies, including Matchstick Productions, Teton Gravity Research and snowboarding powerhouse Absinthe Films, Alaska Heliskiing has built a strong rapport among some of the world’s top skiers and snowboarders. And while deluxe packages are certainly available, most folks appreciate Alaska Heliskiing for its “no frills” mentality. If you’re keen to eat ramen and spend every last dollar on heli time, you’ve likely found your match.

Alaska Heliskiing’s roots trace back to the mid-1980s, when co-founders Sean Dog and Bruce Griggs chartered helicopters and began to guide friends through their favorite zones, simply for the cost of the heli. This core value remains at the heart of what drives this operation, and keeps pow-hungry rippers coming back time and again.

In terms of getting there, your options are plane, ferry or car. Coming from the lower 48? Your best bet is flying to Juneau via Seattle. From there, you’ll fly or ferry to Haines. For those coming from Canada or overseas, flying to Whitehorse via Vancouver is a sure-fire bet. Once there, you’ll want to rent a car and make the four-hour drive, enjoying stunning views along the way.

Now that you’ve arrived, it’s time to get the goods. Choose between the Ski Bum package, which includes a bed, a shared kitchen, transportation and shared accommodations near the base; the Around Town option, which gets you digs in town for some nightlife options but requires you rent a car; or the Deluxe package, with a private chef and lavish lodging, either in town or near the base. Seven-and five-night lodging plans exist, providing approximately 30 heli drops (averaging 4,000 feet of vertical per run) or 18 drops, respectively. Daily flying rates are also available, in addition to single-drop options if that’s more your budget.

For the budget conscious, there’s also the option of heli-assisted touring. Get dropped off in the alpine, skin to your heart’s content, shred stunning lines back down to the road and call back to base to request a pickup by van.

For those who are looking to take their skills to the next level, take note: Alaska Heliskiing hosts a guide school at the start of each heli season. It serves as preseason training for the operation’s entire staff, and it’s open to the public. Pay the fee to partake in any of the various offerings, from AIARE 1: Decision Making in Avalanche Terrain to Wilderness Advanced First Aid, heli rescue, crevasse rescue and more.

Whether you’re looking to break into the world of heli guiding or just looking to increase your own knowledge, this guide school allows you to engage with and learn from experienced, like-minded individuals. Then, the kicker is that you get to hang out all season, and you’ll get heli time at cost. How’s that sound?

For Alaska Heliskiing to open its doors this way is just another example of how the operation caters to core mountain folk. Trending to the younger, raw side of things, this is a worthy offering for those who want to spend their dime on amazing terrain, epic snow and not much else.

With Meiners at the helm until 2012, the operation earned an esteemed reputation for safety. In addition to the snow science education among the staff, Alaska Rendezvous “has a very strict safety protocol around the aircraft and while moving in the mountains,” explains Alexandra Meiners, daughter of the late Theo Meiners who has taken over the operation. “Upon our guests’ arrival, they sit through a full seminar on snow and aircraft safety.” Once they are fully educated on the ins and outs of the helicopter, they’re also given training for the provided safety equipment.

With safety protocol in the bag, it’s time to tackle some terrain. Standing in the parking lot of the lodge, you can look up to Mount Billy Mitchell right across the street and a run called Happiness just beyond that—both staff favorites and yet just a taste of the seemingly endless terrain out there. No matter what your skill level, there is something that will get your heart racing and have you dreaming about it for years to come.

The northerly location of Alaska Rendezvous allows you to get into that terrain more often with some of the best weather patterns of any operation in the state. In Alaska, weather often breaks to the north, providing beautiful blue holes to fly in. In 2014, Alaska Rendezvous flew 51 out of 54 days of operation—that’s a 94-percent fly rate in an industry that’s often plagued by down days.

Those looking for the all-inclusive experience can book seven nights at a time and enjoy up to 36 runs of legendary Chugach laps throughout the week. If that’s not enough, simply add on more runs or days and pay as you go. Morning and night, you will feast on expertly prepared food in Teddy’s Fine Dining and Pub Fare, which stands up to fine dining establishments in any city. And for those looking to indulge in some libations, a full-service bar is also available.

If you’re not the all-inclusive type, Alaska Rendezvous will still welcome you (and your RV) with open arms, allowing you to book on a half- or full-day basis for three or six runs. This is a great option for those who don’t have enough cash flow for the entire week but want the full Alaskan experience. Park your RV in the lot, and for just $25, you can plug in, enjoy hot showers in private bathrooms and relish the amenities and atmosphere that the lodge has to offer along with affordable food and beverages.

Whether you’re a millionaire from New York City or a ski bum from Crested Butte, you can count on the Alaska Rendezvous experience to foster camaraderie among everyone in the lodge and deliver a ski trip you won’t soon forget. In the words of Theo, “Tonight we party, tomorrow we ride!”

After searching long and hard to find the perfect location, Rota decided on the inland portion of the Chugach, along the Glenn Highway, two hours outside of Anchorage. This short drive from Alaska’s biggest city finds you sandwiched between the spires of the Chugach and Talkeetna ranges where Majestic offers untapped skiing, nearly unrivaled access and most importantly, better weather than many other zones. Several redeye flights every day between the lower 48 and Anchorage means you can be skiing the day you arrive and the day you depart without burning precious time in transit or risking weather delays while traveling to more remote operations.

Most weather patterns bring snow from the coast, but since Majestic is located inland, it can fly in clear skies toward the edge of the storms on days when coastal operations are shut down. Last season, the operation logged a 95-percent fly rate, an almost unheard of statistic in Alaskan heli-skiing. Within Majestic’s relatively untouched 1.3 million-acre tract are a plethora of runs waiting for first descents. Weekly groups of 16 people or less have complete run of the zone, and there’s no shortage of fresh tracks. To enhance the experience, a top-notch safety protocol is in place with every guest being provided an airbag pack and avalanche safety practice from day one.

In the unlikely event weather shuts the heli down for a day, Majestic has plenty of other options to choose from. You can head out on the groomed cross-country trails with skis or fat bikes, take a snowmobile out for a rip, head out ice climbing or utilize the snowcat to keep the ski vert coming when you’re really fiending.

Accommodations are plush at the Majestic Valley Wilderness Lodge, and meals are mouth-watering from first sight, often using local Alaskan ingredients such as salmon and king crab. After dinner, take a soak in the hot tub or circle around the massive outdoor bonfire for a few drinks as you chat about your next adventure.

Majestic offers three-, five-and seven-day all-inclusive packages, each with the goal of your skiing 15,000 vertical feet every day of your stay. Want to ski more? Extra vert can be added for $50 per 1,000 feet. The ultimate goal of Majestic Heli Ski is to maximize your time on snow by operating in a location that limits the unpredictability in the weather and transportation that comes with heli-skiing in Alaska. Something you’ll appreciate while you enjoy the trip of a lifetime.

The operation is owned and run by ex-professional hockey player turned big-mountain skier and all around badass Kevin Quinn and his equally accomplished and ripping wife Jessica Sobolowski-Quinn. It’s based on the southeastern edge of the famed Chugach Range and offers over 2,000 square miles of skiable terrain right out the door of its waterfront lodge. As the only heli outfit in this part of the Chugach, Points North doesn’t have to compete for lines with other operations as can be the case in busier heli hotbeds. And with twice-daily flights from both Seattle and Anchorage, Points North is one of the easier Alaskan heli-ski operations to get to.

With the terrain being featured in each of the last 12 Warren Miller films, many have seen exactly what this place has to offer. The Points North tenure ranges from beautiful ramps of AK powder for the upper-intermediate level skier to face-melting spines for the experienced ripper. Since weather is always a factor in Alaska, PNH guides work hard to maximize your skiing each day the helis can fly, and rather than offering guaranteed vertical feet or number of runs per day, Points North charges by the heli hour during their weeklong trips. When it lines up, it’s go time, and in good conditions, it’s not uncommon to log eight to twelve runs a day and garner up to 40,000 vertical feet.

Watch: Points North Heli-Adventures.

As an all-inclusive heli operation, you can expect Points North to take great care of you from the moment you land in Cordova to the moment you head home. Weeklong packages include lodging, chef-prepared meals, transportation around town and skiing, taking much of the headache out of planning a heli trip. Because of the full-service approach, in addition to the phenomenal skiing around Cordova, nearly 85-percent of clients return year after year.

Even if the weather doesn’t cooperate, you can expect to stay busy. Down-day activities include sea kayaking, ice climbing, fishing, glacier tours and skiing at the local hill, Mount Eyak, a funky little ski area right in Cordova.

Making turns in Alaska should be on just about everyone’s bucket list. The big mountains, deep snow, steep spines and frontier vibe of Alaska are an undeniable draw, and it’s exceedingly rare to meet someone who wasn’t completely blown away by the place. It’s this life-altering heli-ski experience that Points North Heli- Adventures looks to deliver to each and every client that shows up.