A Colorado Heliskiing and Heliboarding Alternative

Backcountry Skiing in Colorado vs. Alaska Heli Skiing

To be sure, Colorado also offers its version of backcountry skiing. And while it’s more adventurous than waiting in line at the ski lift, it’s not the same as Alaska heliskiing.

While you can find heliskiing in Colorado, only two companies offer it right now. The reasons for this are many. The Colorado Rockies are heavily populated by skiers, snowboarders, snowmobilers, and others, so it can be dangerous to land a helicopter in these areas. Moreover, permits are required to land, and they can be difficult to get. Local laws regarding noise from choppers also limit helicopter operation in the best locations. For these reasons, most backcountry skiing in Colorado is via snowcat.

Partly due to the cost of the type of helicopter fuel you need at high altitudes and partly due to the tourism market in the Telluride area, heliskiing in Colorado can cost thousands of dollars per hour. While it’s true that those who want to try Alaska heli skiing must pay for their plane ticket to Alaska, the total cost of the trip may end up being roughly equivalent to a few days in Colorado.

Furthermore, the heliskiing experience is just different. Colorado is all about glitz and glam and privilege, while Alaska is about athleticism and adventure and the true mountaineering spirit. On a Colorado ski trip, the pampering that local expensive hotels offer is a welcome antidote to fighting the crowds at ski resorts all day long. At Alaska Backcountry Guides, the focus is on the adventure. We take good care of you, providing comfortable lodging and hearty meals made of salmon, reindeer elk meat, and other local food, prepared by a top chef.