Sustainability
Heli-skiing worth protecting
Actively working toward carbon-neutral operations - so the mountains we love outlast us.
Our commitment
Fighting climate change, honestly
We love heli-skiing - so much that we have spent three decades building the best operation in the finest heli-ski terrain on Earth. But we don't hide from the truth: reaching these summits by helicopter has an environmental cost, and as skiers and riders we feel deeply connected to these massifs, glaciers and oceans.
Our goal is to seize every opportunity to make VHSG a carbon-neutral company - and to show other heli-ski operators it can be done, moving our whole industry toward a greener future. Across the first decade of the new Tsaina Lodge we steadily reduced our CO2 emissions by re-engineering our premises; where helicopter emissions remained unavoidable, we offset them through verified renewable-energy projects with ClimatePartner.
Transparency matters to us: we have deliberately supported offset projects that also advance sustainable development in the Southern hemisphere, so economic progress there is not tied to fossil fuels. Most recently, we acquired and restored the Alaska Rendezvous Lodge with sustainable materials, advanced thermal insulation and energy-efficient heating. Housing guests there alongside the Tsaina Lodge eliminates long daily commutes from Valdez, cutting our footprint while improving the experience. Carbon-neutral operations remain our intention for the future, with offset investment one of several strategies.
Eco-performance milestones
Three decades of measurable progress
Real projects, real numbers - the steps we have taken to shrink our footprint in the Chugach.
- 2011
Reclamation of the Tsaina property
For 40 years before it became the birthplace of Alaskan heli-skiing, the Tsaina was a roadhouse and truck stop. We corrected the environmental issues left by those decades of use.
- 2012
A new, eco-built Tsaina Lodge
We built a modern eco-tour lodge using sustainable materials.
- 2013
Hydro-electric study
We commissioned an initial environmental impact study for hydro-electric generation in Cascade Creek Canyon, adjacent to the Tsaina Lodge.
- 2014
Electric generation re-engineered
A redesign of our electric generation plant cut an estimated 1,605 tons of CO2 emissions per year.
- 2018
Electric grid partnership
Copper Valley Electric Cooperative, the Tsaina Lodge and Alyeska jointly funded commercial electric service for the lodge, several pipeline stations and our neighboring community at Mile 45 of the Richardson Highway - cutting an estimated 628 tons of CO2 per year for the Tsaina Lodge alone.
- 2022
ClimatePartner - climate neutral
Our heli-ski operations were certified climate neutral, offsetting 744 tons of CO2 per year by supporting wind energy in Northeast Brazil.
- 2023
Protect Our Winters partner
The Tsaina Lodge and VHSG joined Protect Our Winters (POW) as a Brand Partner - a community of athletes, scientists, creatives and business leaders advancing non-partisan climate policy to protect the places and lifestyles we love.
- 2024
100% carbon neutral
We became 100% carbon neutral, offsetting 890.56 tonnes of CO2 for the season by supporting the expansion of renewable-energy projects in Asia.
- 2025
Reclamation of the Rendezvous Lodge
We renovated the Alaska Rendezvous Lodge with sustainable materials, advanced insulation and energy-efficient systems. Its location beside the Tsaina Lodge eliminates long daily shuttles from Valdez, cutting emissions while improving the guest experience.
In good company
Partners who share our values
We choose to work with brands that take their own environmental responsibility seriously.
Ski mountains worth protecting
Come experience the Chugach - and the operation working to keep it pristine for the generations of skiers to come.