The first thing we have to say: heli-skiing isn't for novice skiers. The conditions and terrain where heli-skiing takes place can vary enormously - from spacious glaciers with gentle slopes to tree skiing with steep inclines. Snow conditions play a crucial role as they can change from light and powdery to wind-packed crust, with countless variations in between.
You need to be an experienced skier capable of handling difficult situations that may arise. It's hard to specify exactly what skiing level is required to enjoy heli-skiing to the fullest, but we can give you some guidelines to assess your readiness.
1.- You should have experience on conventional ski slopes, including the most challenging ones. You must be able to transition from a blue run to a black run without hesitation, and it's important that you've been skiing for several years.
2.- It's worth noting that even if you don't ski like Alberto Tomba, this isn't a barrier to heli-skiing.
3.- When the situation demands it, you should be able to sideslip, climb step by step, traverse slopes, and perform kick turns with your eyes closed.
4.- Even if you've never skied powder snow, it's important that you've ventured off-piste and can handle ungroomed terrain.
Powder skiing isn't fundamentally different from other types of skiing once you've grasped the basics. It's very common for first-time heli-skiers to feel uncertain about their ability, but this fear disappears after the first few runs.
Tips
- The best advice we can give to beginners is to join an introductory group.
- Before taking the plunge, ski as much as possible, challenge yourself on steep gradients and venture off-piste.
- If possible, take some lessons and get a reliable assessment of your ability level.
- Join an exercise programme about eight weeks before your trip - it will get you in shape and improve your strength and stamina. Any combination of cycling, weight training, running or swimming will help. The fitter you are, the more you'll enjoy it and the less chance you'll have of getting injured.
Heli-skiing provides new thrills in skiing practice. If you're daring enough and believe you have what it takes, don't hesitate - though do prepare your wallet first, as it's quite expensive.
