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Heliskiing is a truly unparalleled experience—fresh mountain air, sweeping views, and untouched remote terrain combine to create a day of fresh tracks that you can’t just have within resort boundaries. For many skiers and snowboarders, it’s a rite of passage and the ultimate winter experience.
But while it may seem like a relatively recent trend, heliskiing has been around for decades. The first excursion was led in 1964 by Hans Gmoser, a renowned Austrian mountain guide and the founder of Canadian Mountain Holidays (CMH) in British Columbia. Inspired by what he referred to as “One of the most impressive days in all my years skiing in the mountains,” Gmoser vowed to make it more accessible for his guests. Fast-forward and heliskiing is an experience that skiers and riders can enjoy in some of the most beautiful mountains across North America.
So we’ve put together a list of some of the best heliskiing adventures in North America, from one-run trips for less than $200 to luxurious week-long excursions.
The Best Heliskiing Destinations And Experiences In North America
CMH Heliskiing, British Columbia, Canada
CMH is the first and largest heliskiing operation in the world. At more than 3 million acres, the total CMH riding area is roughly one-third the size of Switzerland and 23 times larger than all the skiable terrain of every resort in North America combined. From its head office in Banff, Alberta, CMH operates 11 destinations in the Bugaboo, Cariboo, Monashee, Purcell, and Selkirk ranges of British Columbia.
One of the benefits of booking with CMH is that they can access terrain for so many different types of skiers and riders. Their Powder Intro is for strong intermediate and advanced resort skiers and riders who haven’t been in the backcountry, while their Steep Shots & Pillow Drops tour instructs advanced skiers on navigating pillow lines. Powder Masters is for the experienced heli rider who seeks out quality snow. Touring & Fusion focuses on high alpine runs, glaciated landscapes, and sub-alpine bowls. Last but not least, Family Trips offer an introduction to wilderness conditions for families with members 12 and up. It offers the chance for kids to unplug and get a taste of fresh powder.
CMH services vary in cost and trip duration. One-day trips from Golden, British Columbia start at $2,115 CAD per day (approximately $1,560 USD). On the flip side, the pinnacle of an exclusive luxury trip is CMH Valemont, beginning at $250,000 CAD (approximately $185,000 USD). As a bonus, additional runs are free, allowing guests to ski or ride more vertical feet than guaranteed in their package.
Tordrillo Mountain Lodge, Alaska
Luxury, adventure, and wildlife combine at Tordrillo Mountain Lodge, which offers it all. Guests spend their days heliskiing and heliboarding through the Alaskan backcountry, taking in panoramic views of Denali and volcanic summits. They then spend their nights at the picturesque lakeview lodge, where they can marvel at the Northern Lights.
Wes Wylie, an experienced guide at Tordrillo, says that what makes Tordrillo Mountain Lodge especially unique is its total seclusion. “Most heliski operations have access by roads,” says Wylie. As he continues, “Tordrillo flies guests from Anchorage to a remote glacier in the Alaskan wilderness, where guests feel like they are staying on the edge of the earth.” Tordrillo attracts a diverse group from around the world, seeking adventure and a customized, five-star experience. “We show every guest the time of their life, irrespective of their skiing ability,” says Wylie.
Tordrillo’s all-inclusive week-long package includes a hotel stay in Anchorage, a round-trip flight to the lodge, seven-day heliskiing adventures, gourmet meals, and access to snowshoes and fat bikes. Prices start at $18,500 per person from mid-February to late April. Visit during the summer months for their unique Kings & Corn experience, where guests can heliski in the morning and fish for Alaska salmon at night.
Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia, Canada
As North America’s largest ski resort, Whistler Blackcomb has it all, from five-star luxury accommodations to award-winning restaurants to thousands of feet of vertical to a hopping après-ski scene. What visitors may not realize is that you can heliski right from the base of the mountain, accessing heliski terrain that is 50 times the size of the main resort, covering 432,000 acres and 173 glaciers. Whistler has several outfitters to choose from, making it easier than ever to access British Columbia’s incredible backcountry.
Whistler heliskiing day packages start at $1,720 CAD (approximately $1,239 USD) per person for 3 runs and $2,095 CAD (approximately $1,612 USD) for a full day of 6 runs, while those with an Epic Pass receive an additional 20% discount. Phantom Heli Skiing offers a 6-run package starting at $1,780 CAD. Both outfitters provide guests with round-trip transportation to and from their accommodations.
Sun Valley Heli Ski, Idaho
While Sun Valley Resort is recognized for its quiet slopes, long runs, and jaw-dropping views, some people may be surprised to discover that they can go heliskiing from the iconic Sun Valley Lodge with Sun Valley Heli Ski, which boasts access to the most skiable backcountry terrain in the lower 48. Guests have the pick of Idaho’s Smoky, Pioneer, Soldier, and Boulder mountain ranges.
A typical heliskiing day with Sun Valley Heli Ski begins at 7:15 a.m. with a video briefing, and then an hour of training and safety protocols. Take-off is at 9:30 am with a small guest-to-guide ratio of 4:1. A full day consists of 6 runs. Rates start at $1,900. Guests also have the option to extend their heliski experience by staying in Sun Valley or at the remote Smoky Mountain Lodge. The exclusive Smoky Mountain Lodge comes complete with a private chef, with rates starting at $64,000 for a group of eight. Visitors can fly directly into Sun Valley, or it’s a little over a three-hour drive from Boise Airport.
High MTN Heli, Jackson Hole, Wyoming
High MTN Heli lives up to its motto, “It’s Powder Time,” thanks to the region’s 500 inches of snowfall each year. Servicing an area south of Jackson Hole Resort since 1974, High MTN Heli takes skiers and snowboarders to open bowls, thick forests, and stunning scenery in the Palisades and Snake River mountain ranges, as well as portions of the Tetons and Gros Ventre.
Expert guides lead day trips for $1,900 and 3-day excursions for as low as $5,400 per person. The private package costs $22,500 for up to three riders and allows participants to custom tailor their trip for their needs. High MTN Heli is based at the Snake River Sporting Club, located 13 miles south of Jackson, and on the west side of the mountains at Teton Springs Lodge & Spa near Victor, Idaho.
Powderbird, Snowbird Resort, Utah
Just beyond Utah’s world-famous ski resorts is incredible heliskiing on The Greatest Snow on Earth®. Heliskiing doesn’t get much more convenient than Powderbird, located a 45-minute drive from Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC). Departing right from a heliport at Snowbird Resort, Powderbird has been leading heliskiing trips in Utah’s Wasatch since 1973. While the “Cottonwoods,” as locals call it, often get winter storms that bring several feet of powder, it’s those bluebird days that provide optimal ski conditions and the ideal weather for helicopters.
Powderbird’s experienced ski guides group riders according to ability. Terrain ranges from classic advanced intermediate runs to aggressive expert slopes. The price for a full-day individual seat starts around $2,000, while packages for three days of heliskiing and four nights at the Cliff Lodge start around $9,000.
Silverton Mountain Heliskiing, Colorado
While Silverton Mountain is known for its advanced and expert-only skiing on 26,000 ungroomed acres, Silverton Heliskiing really elevates the experience on more than 40 square miles of Colorado’s finest terrain. Silverton has one of the most affordable entries into heliskiing, with a single run starting at $199 with the purchase of a resort lift ticket. It’s the only heliski operator in the continental United States that offers single run heli excursions like this. Silverton also has all-day and private heliskiing options. For those who want to go all out, skiers and riders can rent the entire helicopter for $15,000 on weekdays and $20,000 on the weekends.
Silverton Heliskiing is located just one hour north of Durango or one hour south of Montrose. The base of the operation is a few miles outside the historic mining town, or hop on heli transport from Telluride.
Chugach Powder Guides at Alyeska Resort, Alaska
Located less than an hour from Anchorage, Alyeska is known for its expansive 1,610 skiable acres and staggering 650″ of average annual snowfall. It’s also the gateway to the Chugach Mountains, home to some of the best backcountry skiing and heliskiing experiences in the world. Chugach Powder Guides are your heliskiing experts here, offering some of the most awe-inspiring and accessible heliski experiences you’ll find with its base camp in Girdwood, located just 40 miles from Anchorage International Airport. They offer access to an astounding one million acres of heliski terrain, spanning the Talkeetna Mountains to the Seward area.
Dan Starr, the marketing manager and a guide for Chugach, says that in order to ski big Alaska lines, the weather, snowpack, stability, and your skiing or riding ability all have to align. However, a benefit of their operation is that clients can either heliski or take snowcats to access remote terrain. Starr says, “Riders can ski every day, regardless of inclement weather.” The heliski season runs from mid-January through April 30. Prices start at $1,575 for a full day during peak season and can go up to $20,000 for a private charter.
After you’ve bagged all the dream lines your legs can handle, settle into world-class accommodations at Alyeska Resort. Enjoy a gourmet meal at one of the resort’s eight restaurants. We named Seven Glaciers one of the best ski resort restaurants with a view in North America. Then cap off the day with a hydrotherapy treatment at the Alyeska Nordic Spa.
This is by no means an exhaustive list of all of the great places to go heliskiing in North America. We’d be remiss not to mention iconic heliskiing destinations like Revelstoke, Canada, where Selkirk Tangiers has been guiding trips for decades. In Colorado, Telluride Heli Trax provides heliskiing and snowboarding access to more than 200 square miles of terrain in the San Juan Mountains surrounding Telluride Ski Resort.
Header image: ©Tordrillo Mountain Lodge
February 04, 2026
