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6/16/09
We've posted two new photo galleries from the 2009 season on our Picture Gallery page. All of the pictures were taken by our guests and guides. If you skied or rode with us this year and have some pictures to share we'd love to see them and post the best ones.
We'll keep adding videos and more pictures thru out the season so keep checking back.
6/08/09
We start 'em young here at VHSG. Our fantastic VHSG photographer Mike Stoner and his daughter Kate. Please join us in 2010 so we can show you the greatest heli-skiing on the planet!
6/01/09
Please check out our updated Packages and Rates Page for our 2010 pricing. Make sure to book well in advance for our more popular weeks. We'll also be posting new pictures and videos from the 2009 season in the next few weeks. So make sure to check back in soon.
4/24/09
We have been all over the Chugach this week--all the way from Cordova to the Lost World where you can see Marcus Baker shimmering in the distance. We have had only 2 down days due to weather this week. Many local big hits have been skied--like Mad Cow, The Wall, The Cauliflowers, Clueland, and the Flatirons--as well as some rarely descended lines like Nemesis. For a mountain range that was developed in the 90’s, it continues to amaze us how many times we find ourselves skiing new runs and looking at new horizons. The Chugach is simply amazing. For all of you who have visited this week and this season, thanks for skiing with VHSG!
Looking down the Hairy Tongue. Photo: Jed Workman
1, 2, 3. . .dropping! Photo: Jed Workman
Christian Cabanilla flying 52F way out west in the Lost World.
Watch your step. Photo: Jed Workman
The Cauliflowers. Photo: Andy Hermansky
This Swiss discover real mountains!
4/21/09
The final week of the season is upon us and it has not disappointed. Below are some pictures from one of the private groups adventures down south yesterday.
Cameron's view of the Chugach.
Adam on Jerry's Wall.
Blind Faith.
Solitary Confinement.
Cameron is feeling it.
4/20/09
The past week and a half have been amazing. Last week we flew 6/7 days despite some difficult weather. With us were many VHSG vets--folks that have skied here for many years. Many steep runs were hit including Meteorite and Mad Cow. On Saturday, the public ship skied just about every possible line off The Elephant including the East Face, Bowling Ball and the uncommonly descended North Face. Today is bluebird once again and the 3 ships are out skiing on Cartoon (the shoulder of Pontoon), the Cauliflowers, and Aftermath.
4/15/09
Tax day for all, powder day for a few. We have had quite a bit of new snow over the past week. On Monday we found about a foot and a half of new snow. Yesterday, it continued to snow keeping us on the ground but today's forecast looks better with a good possibility of an afternoon break in the weather.
Evan Jordan on Cracked Ice. April 13, 2009.
4/13/09
Bluebird skies on The Pass today. All three ships launched mid morning to the north. One private skied in the Hoodoo Glacier area in the morning before moving south to the Bench Glacier. The other private skied in the Far North, while the public skied in the north circuit.
4/12/09
Last night we welcomed our new guests for the week. We will again be running 2 private ships and a public ship. It is great to see so many familiar faces, almost everyone here this week has skied with us multiple times before, including one guest who has been skiing here since 1993. Today we will be starting the day with our helicopter and safety briefings. Currently we are window shopping in the backyard.
Snowfall in the harbor, April 12, 2009.
Below: Photos from the last week, courtesy of Jamie Robertson.
4/10/09
Everyone welcomed a rest day yesterday after skiing so many runs on Tuesday and Wednesday. Today we attempted to window shop and got three groups off the ground before the weather shut down again. Tomorrow's forecast is better for the Pass and we expect more successful window shopping. Below are some pictures from Wednesday of the Brazilians in the Funny Farm area.
Sergio skiing in Funny Farm.
4/9/09
Wow.
Another bluebird day yesterday. Folks got to see the Chugach inside and out. The privates flew the Lost World, The Shoup, the Valdez Glacier, the Far North, and finished the day on the West Face of Dimond. Our public ship flew the North Circuit. Everyone found excellent snow on steep couloirs, faces, and bowls amongst some of our most glaciated terrain.
Below: photos from April 8, 2009.
4/8/09
Mostly clear skies yesterday allowed the ships to roam a bit. Zell, Kremer, and the JHAF crew started the day with Meteorite continued to Jerry's Wall, The Wall, and the Valley of the Tusk. Another private with Eric Henderson and JR skied in the Deserted Glacier and Wortmans while the public ships skied in the Tsaina Valley and the North Circuit. Mostly clear skies are expected again today.
Looking at our tracks on Stained Glass. Photo: Eric Henderson
Deep powder down south, April 7, 2009.
Deep powder on the Deserted. April 7, 2009.
Rhinestone Cowboy.
Hanging at the Tsaina.
4/7/09
Yesterday we waited patiently for the Tsaina magic to break up the clouds in the afternoon. Around 3:30 blue holes began growing and launched three ships. The public got their 6 runs before 7:30 pm and the privates got many runs in during the afternoon from Dimond to Tiekel. Bluebird skies today should allow us to fly far today.
4/6/09
Yesterday we welcomed 32 new guests and briefed them on proper helicopter saftey and safe skiing techniques. After beacon drills were completed, the cloudy skies began to break. Beginning on Stairway we began our window shopping at 11am. Skies continued to clear before noon and we were able to get all three ships out skiing many runs from Python to 40 1/2. Similar conditions are expected today.
Jackson Hole Air Force in the house. The crew arrived on Saturday night for a week of treatment with the Doctor.
The Brazilians skiing powder on April 5, 2009.
Below: More pics from last week.
Toast skiing powder under Meteorite.
Lunch Break.
Geoff, Jon, Ron, and Alex on top of Ten-awesome, Shoup Glacier.
4/5/09
Transition day today---last weeks' guests left after skiing this season's best week in the Chugach. Some of the deepest snow any of us have seen in years and stable snow conditions allowed us to ski steep, classic runs and push the boundaries of skied runs on the north western edge of our zone in the Lost World. A big thanks to all of our guests for the great times they shared with us. Today we begin a new week with another full house--2 Private ships and 1 Public ship.
Christian Cabanilla shut down on the Stevens Glacier.
Simone and Tom.
Meteorite.
Simone and Jason pick there line.
Chamonix Coulior, Stevens Glacier.
Haunted House.
4/3/09
Doug Coombs past away 3 years ago today. Missing him immensely. Many of our guests this past week were introduced to steep skiing by Doug. Our thoughts go out to Emily and David today.
4/2/09
Yesterday's run list reads like a Chugach classic tick list. Between three ships, we skied Pontoon, Meteorite, The Wall, East Peak, 40.5, The Elephant, Double Edge, and just about everything in between. Today we expect similar conditions -- deep snow, fast sloughs, and bluebird skies for the majority of the day.
Photos of Meteorite and East Peak courtesy of Tim Koether.
4/1/09
Excellent skiing yesterday! Despite window shopping conditions, the blue holes held and three ships skied deep, steep powder--more than 2 feet in places. The public found deep snow on everything from Python to 40.5 while the two Private ships skied Billy Bitchin' North and West Faces, Crudbusters, the Elephant, Hoppiness, and Clueland. It was some of the deepest conditions any of us have seen in the Chugach in many years. This morning it is bluebird, though we do expect some clouds in the PM.
3/31/09
On Monday we launched three ships from the Tsaina at 11 am. Mostly cloudy skies kept us close to home but we managed many runs on Crudbusters, 40.5, Stairway, the Tsaina Valley, and Funny Farm. Deep snow abounded on the road corridor—more than 60cms on some runs! Today we are expecting window shopping conditions again.
Jason thinks helicopters are cool. Zell landing Film Line on 40.5, March 30th.
Toast thinks skiing is fun. Deep snow on Contest Line, March 30th.
3/30/09
The storm continued to produce heavy snow in Valdez and light snow on Thompson Pass yesterday. We ski toured in Nick's Gully and found 40cms of new snow at 3000'. Clouds should be dissipating throughout the day providing us with window shopping conditions in the afternoon. Conditions should continue to improve throughout the week.
Below: Some pictures from window shopping on Saturday.
3/29/09
A low pressure system in the Gulf of Alaska has made flying difficult over the last three days. Yesterday we were able to make it out for a few runs on Crudbusters in a blue hole. We are hoping for similar conditions this afternoon. It is currently snowing (8:15am) at the Tsaina (1640'). Storm totals are estimated to be 8-14 inches at 3500'.
The Redoubt Volcano sent a trace amount of ash last night to Valdez but was quickly buried by the falling snow. Currently the most significant impact on our operations has been delayed flights in and out of Anchorage.
Below: Conditions on and near The Wall before the current storm rolled in. Photos courtesy of Reijo Linnola.
3/27/09
Yesterday was a snow day. Groups came up to the Tsaina mid morning to go ski touring and ski road runs off Thompson Pass followed by a BBQ session on the pad.
Today looks good for skiing. We are headed up the hill this morning expecting window shopping conditions. Yesterday ski touring groups found up to 8 inches of new snow in Nick’s Gully. Upper elevations today should be holding about a foot of snow.
We have yet to see any effects from the Mt. Redoubt eruption.
3/25/09
Monday and Tuesday were expected to be Window Shopping days—flying in blue holes as an incoming storm encroached upon us. Instead, both days were mostly sunny on Thompson Pass while snow fell in the town of Valdez. On Monday we flew three ships. Our public ship did runs on Mega-Crud, The Elephant, Superbowl, CMH, and 40 1/2. Ship #2 skied Funny Farm, Reindeer Sausage, Stained Glass, Big Bowl and the North Circuit. Ship #3 was chartered by a Japanese Film crew, the makers of the Icon series ski films. On Tuesday the public flew into the North Circuit to the Funny Farm ramps, Happytop, Fresh Face, Captain’s Ridge, and Two Goats. Ship #2 flew in the Tsaina Valley and the Arctic North.
Today, Wednesday, we are down due to snow on Thompson Pass. We have experienced no ash to date from the recent eruption of Mt. Redoubt.
Be sure to befriend Valdez Heli-Ski Guides on Facebook for more pictures, video, and contacts with like-minded heli skiers.
Below: The Icon Film crew in the Hoodoo Glacier. March 23rd, 2009.
3/22/09
Snow day! We woke up to big flakes in the sky today. While we always hope to fly, the snow is welcome as it will freshen up local runs and create even deeper conditions in the heart of the Chugach Mountains. Today we welcomed our new guests to the Tsaina heli pad where we briefed them on safe helicopter protocols and safe skiing techniques. After doing beacon drills our guests proceeded down the road to go ice climbing. Drier conditions are expected tomorrow, when we hope for favorable window shopping conditions.
Below: Photos from the past week.
Stefan Heiber rips The Mastadon, March 20, 2009.
Soft snow in The Valley of the Tusk, March 20, 2009.
Guide Doug Workman in the North Circuit, March 19, 2009.
Paolo, Kurt, Guenther, and Reijo on the Tasnuna Glacier. March 20, 2009.
3/21/09
We woke up to snow this morning in Valdez . After a delayed start a large blue hole developed over the Tsaina Heli Base and we launched at noon into the Crudbusters area. The Austrians skied 5 runs before heading to the airport to fly home and the Japanese film crew shot in beautiful light. We found 10-20cms of new snow which skied very well. We had an amazing week of skiing and had a great time introducing new friends to the Chugach Mountains!
Tonight our new guests arrive and we'll be flying all three helicopters this week.
3/19/09
Continued clear skies and light winds should allow us to fly far and wide today. We will continue to explore some of our favorite hits to the East and South of the Tsaina with 2 ships. Pictures to come soon.
3/18/09
Excellent skiing today throughout the Chugach! Just off the road corridor, we contintue to find powder skiing! The public ship flew in the North Circuit today skiing runs such as Reindeer Sausage, Stained Glass, Birdshot, Fresh Face, Mad Cow, Victoria's Secret, and Rock N' R. Groups skied in between 8 and 10 runs. The Private did a tour of the range skiing in the North Circuit, Greenland , Clueland, and The Cleave. We had sunny skies and no wind today which is what we expect for the remainder of the week. Temperatures continue to be cold keeping the protected powder stashes in fine shape—today's high at the Tsaina base was 20F.
3/17/09
Monday March 16th we flew two ships. The Private skied in the Tsaina Valley and the Tonsina Glacier where they found protected powder on runs like Easter Bunny and Rockin'R. Our other ship flew the Road runs where they found settled and wind deposited snow in the gullies of Nicks, Magic Kingdom , Cracked Ice, and The Snatch.
Below: Office Manager Drew Stern enjoying some of the benefits of the job!
3/15/09
Over the last couple days of we have found good skiing just north of Thompson Pass. Yesterday, in the Tsaina Valley , we were skiing 10-20cms of powder on runs such as the Three Stooges, Sidewinder, Coldsmoke, and Stale Fish. Our weekly guests departed last night having skied 30-36 runs. Some skied as much as 125,000 vertical feet during the course of their ski week.
Our new guests arrived last night and completed their safety briefings and beacon drills this morning at the Tsaina heli pad. We were unable to get out today due to poor visibility and light snowfall. The forecast for the week shows an improving trend with continued cold temperatures and partly cloudy skies. Here are a few pictures from last week:
3/11/09
Snowfall this week has prevented us from flying every day, but we have made the most of it when Mother Nature has allowed. Yesterday we were able to get in 6 runs for most groups. We only had an inch of new snow at the helipad but were pleasently surprised to find up to 10" of new snow in some spots. Yesterday's runs included the Karat Ramps, Stairway, Back it In and we even were able to sneak a run down one of the Banana Chutes. Snowfall today might prevent flying, but the skiing will be excellent when we get out next. Come join us for a long weekend!
3/09/09
Our first week of the season has begun. Despite strong winds last week we have found some decent skiing in the Tsaina Valley and in other locations. Currently its snowing and it won't take more than a few inches to make for some excellent powder skiing. We have also found a stable snowpack. Packages are still available for a variety of weeks this season. Please contact us for more information. Here is a picture of setting up our repeater on top of Mt. Dimond. More pictures to come soon.....
3/03/09
Welcome to Valdez Heli-Ski Guides' 15th season! Our guides have begun to arrive on Thompson Pass in preparation for our first week of heli-skiing beginning March 8th . We have begun flying and ski touring in our backyard, getting our heads and hands in the snow. Our guides and pilots, some of the most experienced in North America, are all returning from last year. Northstar Trekking will once again be providing us with our helicopters--3 A-Star B2's. Once again we will be operating at the Tsaina heli pad on Thompson Pass and from the Harbor Inn in town.
Space is still available for some weeks. We have had a late cancellation for a private package the week of March 22-28. This package for a group of eight is being offered at a substantial discount due to its last minute availability. Please contact Drew in the office at 907 835 4528 or email us at info@valdezheliskiguides.com .
We will begin posting pictures and condition reports on March 8th .
2/01/09
1/13/09
It'll be a few years before this little guy heliskis with us, but there is still space available for you to join us this year. Space is still available for good weeks this upcoming season. Contact Drew in the office at 907.835.4528 or email at info@valdezheliskiguides.com for more info.
12/22/08
11/03/08
We are back from our European tour. What a great trip! Thanks to everyone who came and visited us at the shows. If you missed out this year, check back next summer as we'll be visiting Europe again next fall.
We still have space in several of our weeks left for the 2009 season. We only have one Private Package left for the week of March 22-28, 2009. Contact us at info@valdezheliskiguides.com for more info.
10/13/08
*NEW* LONDON PROMO SHOW
Greetings everyone!
The snow is falling hard in The Chugach Mountains already and I hope you all are as excited about the upcoming ski season as we are. Many of you are already aware of our promo show schedule in Europe this fall. For those of you that aren't, please check out the info below to see if we are coming to a town near you. We have recently just added a show in London for the 25th of Oct.
VHSG European Tour Dates
Oct 16 in Zurich , Switzerland at 19.30h
Location: Rolfs Wein Bar
Ramistrasse 7
8001 Zurich
The Ramistrasse is located directly at Bellevue in downtown Zurich
For questions contact 044-360-46-00 ask about the Alaska Heli Promo
Oct 20 in Albstadt-Ebigen , Germany at 20.00h
Location: Hotel Linde
Untere Vorstadt 1
72458 Albstadt-Ebingen
Fon +49.7431.13414-0
For questions contact +49(0)7431/134660
Oct 25 in London , England at 19.00h
Location: The White Horse
1-3 Parson's Green
London
Ph 020 7736 2115
Please contact VHSG directly at info@valdezheliskiguides.com for more information on the London show.
These are fun filled nights full of VHSG ski videos, slide shows, appetizers and drinks. If you or your friends are interested in skiing or riding with us, this is a great opportunity to meet us in person and ask any questions you may have. Of course we also hope to see past and present clients as well. These shows are always a lot of fun. I hope you all can join us.
9/04/08
Here is a link to our Fall 2008 Newsletter. Be sure to also check out our Video Gallery Page in the next few days as we will be posting new video clips.
PO Box 3281
Valdez, AK 99686 USA