by David F. Peachin with photography by David F. Peachin and Ed Lord
Mar 1999, Vol. 3 No. 5
When the helicopter pilot pulls the rotary blades into lift-off pitch, those adrenaline glands begin pumping. Heli-skiing in a Eurocopter ASTAR-B1 helicopter in the San Juan mountains near Telluride, Colorado is the dream of every aggressive, intermediate skier. Skiing above the tree line in track powder alpine terrain at 12,000 feet, is not a sport for the masses.
Colorado’s only heli-ski operator, Telluride Helitrax, offers a day’s package of five runs above 10,000 feet leds by guides, and including lunch, safety orientation, and they supply an avalanche safety beacon.
The helicopters operated by Helitrax carry three guests and a guide plus the skis, which are loaded in an exterior basket. The heliport is located behind a resort referred to as “the Alps.” Handling four groups at a time, each helicopter is capable of supporting up to five loads per day.
“Fat” skis are available for rental for $30.00 per day and skier Ed Lord recommends using them. “ They are specifically designed for powder and they are often gouged up if there is a shortage of snow.”
Helitrax pays strict attention to weather forecasting and avalanche conditions in the 250 square mile area included in their ski permit. While they are authorized to do “shooting,” a technique used to create avalanches, the company relies primarily on weather forecasting and skiing the best terrain. Following a storm, they will ski lower angle slopes until the snow becomes stable. They limit the terrain steepness to thirty-five degrees of pitch.
Skiiers are carefully screened before they are permitted to ski on the mountaintop. The safety briefing includes information on daily weather, reminders about skiing in control, information about possible obstacles on the runs including buried rocks. The skiers are also taught how to sit, ride, and unload from the helicopter.
Michael Friedman, company president, feels Helitrax offers the best heli-sking in North America. “We have a total of seventy-five landing zones so we can offer track powder on the top of the mountain—all day long.”
Surfers chase big waves all over the world, but skiers have to part with $625.00 a day, plus $75.00 for additional runs. “If you are adventurous, fit, and ready to ski on track powder, this is the best of heli-sking. Come to Telluride in southwest Colorado”