heli life
Heli Founder, Andy Culp, Offers an Inside Look to Valdez Heli-Ski Guides

(Heli.life)Since we started Heli in 2016, I have been fortunate enough to participate in my fair share of heliskiing trips. As we work with pretty much every heliskiing operation in the world, I have been lucky to visit many, but still have a long way to go before I have experienced them all. With any luck, I’ll have many years to keep checking them off the list.

I just got back from my first trip to Valdez Heli Ski Guides in Valdez, Alaska which has re-energized my spirits and stoke both personally and professionally. In this post, I’ll share what I think you should know when considering and booking a trip to Valdez Heli Ski Guides.


Terrain

World class. All alpine. From big, steep, spines, couloirs, glaciers, chutes to more mellow and gentle – it’s got everything except trees. Unbelievable vert.

The Guides

When it comes to the ski program at any heliskiing operation, the guides define your experience, and this holds true with Valdez Heli Ski Guides. It all starts with lead guide and operations manager, Jed Workman, who has vast experience guiding in Valdez and runs a world-class team of guides. Safety is absolutely critical and taken very seriously. After that is established, you can expect to have an absolutely hilarious time with your colorful and big personality guides. Very responsive to guest preference and ability, the guides will do a great job of turning up the difficulty or toning it down as the group desires – simply communicate how you’re feeling and what you’re after and they will make every effort to accommodate.

The Lodge

From a facilities standpoint, the Tsaina Lodge is excellent. Everything you could think of as a requirement for a heliskiing lodge is there and more: ping pong, pool table, hot tub, bar, expansive outdoor deck, cigar room/lounge, tempurpedic beds, fitness center heavily inspired by a CrossFit box, and super-fast WiFi. Of course, there is a dedicated gear and boot room with drying racks, cubbies, etc., and a tune shop. The helipad is 50 yards away from the lodge and can host up to 6 A-Star machines.

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