Planning ahead: (Heli-/Cat-)Skiing in January

My mother is coming to visit me in the US in January and I promised her that we'd go skiing together. She also expressed some interest in doing some days of heli- or cat-skiing and since I've never been lucky enough to do this kind of thing in North America, I turn to you, the wise maggot community, for recommendations.

In particular, we intend to stay 7-10 days anywhere in the US or Canada in January and to have about 5-6 days of "resort skiing" and 2-4 days of heli-/cat-skiing.

Hence the following questions:

Where?
How much?
Contacts?

No recommendations?

All Heli-ski operations in AK are closed during January (I think owens may open at the end though - don't quote me on that)

I would look to Canada for your travel plans

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Odin

All Heli-ski operations in AK are closed during January (I think owens may open at the end though - don't quote me on that)

I would look to Canada for your travel plans

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He didn't say AK, he said US. He could look at Wasatch Powder Birds, Ruby Mountain Heli, I think there is a heli operation near Telluride but I could be wrong, and there are numerous cat skiing operations in the lower 48 as well. Of course, Canada would probably be cheaper with more guaranteed snow, but I don't know.

I know, ding ding, I was giving him the briefing as to what was going on up here.

Now back to your regularly scheduled lack of help.



(BTW: Alaska is still in the US, even if almost every one else doesnt believe that)

So, where in Canada then?

Lots of good places to go, hard to recommend one over another. I guess one thing would be availability as most places allow a group to book the same week for the following year. That said, since it was such a crappy season last year you might have an easier time of it, but I would begin to look very soon. You could get hold of the B.C. Heliski and Snowcat Operators Association for a complete list of operators and start from there. Of course the biggest operators are CMH and Mike Weigele Helicopter Skiing. I have been to Monashee Powder Adventures- Anstey and they have another lodge(Tsuius). Really good terrain. As well, I've heard good things about Baldface, Chatter Creek, Valhalla, Retallack and Island Lake. No matter what you decide on I know you're going to have a wicked time!

My only heli experience was with Coast Range Heli out of Pemberton, BC (Whister area). I don't have anything to compare them to but they seemed very professional. We had a great day.

In the US I can heartily recommend Mt Bailey Snowcats. It's a couple of hours drive from Bend and Mt. Bachelor.

http://www.catskimtbailey.com/

In SW Colorado, there's a bunch of places such as Diablo Snocats and San Juan Snocats. I haven't been to any of these.

http://www.sanjuanski.com/
http://www.snowcat-powder.com/

Durango is nearby, as is Silverton and Telluride.

I think Silverton Mountain is a worthy place, though hotly debated among some here.

Out of Telluride is Helitrax. Some people on this board have had some good experience with them.

Remember that birds get grounded in bad weather and cats usually run unless the snow is exhausted.

I would recommend anyplace where you have a resort AND heli or cats in the same area. That maximizes your ability to do whichever seems best on any given day (although you should have a reservation in advance at the more popular places).
I would also get away from the coast for drier snow and better pow.

My personal vote would be for JH with Heli there http://www.heliskijackson.com/ or Cats at Targhee http://www.grandtarghee.com/winter/a...powdercat.html .
Another good option would be the Wasatch Powder Birds http://www.powderbird.com/utah.html and any of the fine UT resorts.

You could save her lotsa dough by going for cats, and if she isnt a hard core powder junkie she might prefer the more relaxed cat ski pace. OTOH, this may be your best chance at heli fun, so make her buy the bird.
You may also find yourself split into a higher skill group unless you take a hit for mom and ride with her.

see last years Powder magazine highlighting operations in the US/Can/AK. Not sure how complete it is, but seemed pretty good.

Fernie/Island Lake is a nice combo as is Kicking Horse/Great Canadian. Only problem with the heli/cat lodges is they have to be booked far in advance, so conditions can be variable.

Lots of ski resorts have day heli/cat operations nearby, then you can book based on conditions. But you also tend to get some lower level skiers.
Alta/Snowbird/WPG would be a good choice because of consistent conditions.

Aspen has a nice cat operation off the backside, you ride the gondola up to 11,250 and then take the cat from there.