Chase the Snow: Top 6 Heli-Skiing Experiences to Try Now

For expert skiers, resort boundaries are just the starting line. If you’re ready to go beyond the lift lines and drop into untouched terrain, heli-skiing offers the ultimate ride. From the rugged peaks of Alaska to the high-altitude ranges of Utah, here are the top heli-skiing experiences in the U.S. you need to try right now—powered by some of the best operators in the business.

1. Silverton Mountain Guides – The Ultimate Alaskan Adventure

Location: Chugach & Tordrillo Mountains, Alaska
Operator: Silverton Mountain Guides Heli

Silverton Mountain Guides offers one of the most legendary heli-skiing operations in Alaska. With access to over 1 million acres of terrain in both the Chugach and Tordrillo ranges, this tour serves up steep faces, narrow couloirs, and deep powder runs with few limits. Their expert guides tailor every drop based on conditions and your ability level, making this a true backcountry skier’s dream.

2. Tordrillo Mountain Lodge – Luxury Meets Wild Terrain

Location: Tordrillo Mountains, Alaska
Operator: Tordrillo Mountain Lodge

Combining luxury accommodations with remote terrain, Tordrillo Mountain Lodge offers an upscale heli-skiing experience just 75 miles from Anchorage. Guests enjoy deep powder descents from high-alpine peaks, ridgelines, and glacier runs, followed by gourmet meals and fine wine back at the lodge. If you want world-class skiing with five-star service, this is the spot.

3. Wasatch Powderbird Guides – Legendary Utah Powder

Location: Little Cottonwood Canyon, Utah
Operator: Wasatch Powderbird Guides

Operating out of Snowbird, Wasatch Powderbird Guides has been flying powder hounds into Utah’s legendary Wasatch Mountains since 1973. They provide quick access to over 170,000 acres of diverse terrain filled with steep chutes, bowls, and tree runs. With heli-pads near Salt Lake City and Snowbird, you can get from your morning coffee to fresh tracks in under an hour.

4. SEABA Heli – Steep and Deep in Haines, Alaska

Location: Haines, Alaska
Operator: Southeast Alaska Backcountry Adventures (SEABA)

Haines is known for some of the steepest heli-ski terrain in the world, and SEABA is your gateway to it. Their terrain is often featured in ski films thanks to consistent snowfall, dramatic spines, and challenging descents. If you’re looking for big mountain lines with minimal crowds, SEABA offers some of the most thrilling vertical in North America.

5. Telluride Helitrax – Colorado's Backcountry Gem

Location: Telluride, Colorado
Operator: Telluride Helitrax

Colorado’s only full-service heli-ski operator, Telluride Helitrax gives skiers access to the stunning San Juan Mountains. With elevations up to 13,500 feet, the terrain features open bowls, long glades, and tight couloirs. Helitrax is ideal for those based in Colorado looking for deep powder and high-altitude thrills without leaving the Lower 48.

6. Alaska Heliskiing – A Pioneer in Valdez

Location: Valdez, Alaska
Operator: Alaska Heliskiing

Founded in 1991, Alaska Heliskiing was one of the first to guide in the now-legendary Chugach Mountains. Based in Valdez, they offer everything from steep, spine-laden terrain to wide-open powder fields. Known for its raw terrain and consistent snowpack, this operation is for serious skiers looking for the authentic Alaskan heli-ski experience.

How to Prepare for Your Heli-Ski Trip

Final Tracks

Whether you're looking for high-octane descents in Alaska or world-class powder in Utah or Colorado, these heli-skiing companies deliver once-in-a-lifetime adventures. Don’t wait for the perfect storm—chase the snow and make your mark in the untouched backcountry.