There’s backcountry... and then there’s Alaska.
It’s the final frontier of freeriding. A place where the mountains rise from the sea and the snow stacks deep. Sure, you’ve seen the jaw-dropping AK lines in films, but what those clips don’t show is the thousands of acres of untouched terrain ready for intermediate to expert riders to explore. Whether you’re dreaming of dropping into your first heli line or just curious what it’s all about, this guide breaks down everything you need to know about chasing pow in the land of the midnight sun. Get ready to level up your riding and your adventure meterbecause Alaska doesn’t just deliver epic days, it delivers the best day of your life.
Words and Photos by Weston Team Guide Sam Roche
@icyplayaballa
If you are a powder enthusiast, chances are you’ve heard of Alaska as a Mecca for helicopter skiing and snowboarding. A long-time staple of ski and snowboarding media, Alaska has been billed as where the best riders in the world go to push their limits. So…what business do the rest of us have riding here? Well, if you were able to “zoom out” from those gnarly film lines, you would see endless terrain for intermediate, advanced, and expert riders. Epic mountains covered in snow and glaciers, shoot skyward from the ocean to create the best snow riding on the planet. As an Alaska heli guide, my sales pitch to potential guests is simple:, “the best day of riding of your life is likely in Alaska, but you might need to put some time in before you get it.” In other words, a heli trip to AK is an adventure with a lot of unknowns and factors outside of your control. This blog helps shed some light on the experience so you can decide for yourself if a heli trip to Alaska is worth it!
Who should go?
Every skier and snowboarder with a passion for freeriding should eventually make the pilgrimage to Alaska. It takes some money and some skiing/riding skills (covered next), but the planning and preparation are part of the journey working towards a major goal in your riding progression.
What level of riding skills should you have for Alaska?
A common misconception is that you need professional level skills to ride in Alaska. You don’t. You should, however, be a solid intermediate rider (or higher), and that includes having the ability to efficiently ski or ride un-groomed snow. Good fitness is also important so your legs can handle the longer runs in AK. The good news is you have all winter to get your legs strong before heading to Alaska in the spring!
When to go?
The prime riding season in Alaska is the spring, mainly March and April. Outside of that, February can offer great powder skiing on all slope aspects, but the days are shorter, and the mid-winter snowpack can be less stable than later in the spring. Most heli skiing operations shutdown by May 1st, but north facing slopes at higher elevations can still hold cold snow into early summer, and the corn snow is often good through the 4th of July!
What is the terrain like?
The majority of terrain in Alaska is in the alpine, above tree-line and much of that terrain is glaciated. Besides some exposed rock, there is very little contrast in a world of white, so good weather and sunlight is needed for safe riding and flying. The terrain is vast, offering a huge variety from mellow cruisers to super steep. Depending on your location, an average run might be between 1500-3000ft of vertical, with the longer runs approaching 4000-5000’!
What is the weather like in Alaska?
Weather is the biggest factor on an Alaska heli trip. As mentioned above, most of the terrain is above tree-line, and as such requires good light (i.e. sun) for safe and enjoyable riding (and flying). Most popular locations in Alaska are on/near the coast where abundant marine moisture produces huge annual snowfall totals. At the same time, those storms can keep us out of the mountains. “Down days” are part of the AK experience. You can score a week straight of bluebird days, or a week straight of storms…more than likely it will be mix of both. Do your best to stay patient, and remain ready for when the skies clear.
Is it possible to hike for my turns instead of the heli?
Yes! Alaska has several incredible locations for ski touring and splitboarding. Popular areas include Turnagain Pass, Hatcher Pass, and Thompson pass. A human powdered trip in AK is its own topic, so keep an eye out for a future blog on that!
What skis/snowboard do I need?
For skis and snowboards, you’ll want something that will help your legs survive the long runs and vertical in Alaska, and can perform in a variety of snow conditions found in the alpine- from firm snow to deep powder. The Weston Grizzly 118, or similar wide waist skis are ideal. For snowboards, I’m a big fan of the new Weston Gnarnia (and it’s predecessor the Ridgeline), and the Weston Backwoods but in general most big-mountain, freeride-focused boards are well suited for Alaska.
Ok, I’m in! How to choose a Heli Operation?
Choosing the right heliski operation is critical to having a successful trip, so do your homework. Here are a few key factors to consider:
- Understand The Pricing: Depending on the operator, you might pay-per-run, per-vertical-foot, or per-flight-hour (usually called Hobbs time, or heli time). This can make it confusing to compare prices, so it’s a good idea to call the operators and get clarity on the pricing structure.
- Understand the refund/rollover policies: If you aren’t able to use all the heli skiing you paid for because of weather, understand the refund policy, or if you can roll-over to a future trip. Consider purchasing trip insurance to protect your trip investment.
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Down Day Activities: Different operations/locations offer different down day activities. Only a couple of operations are located near a proper ski area (Girdwood and Juneau). Backcountry touring, Nordic skiing, ice climbing, fitness facilities are just a few of the potential down day options to look for when researching.
Go Forth and Slay Pow!
When conditions are right, there is no better place to ski or snowboard than in Alaska! Come prepared with an open mind for adventure, and you just might experience the best day of riding of your life!
Have questions?
Sam Roche is a member of Weston’s Guide Team, and connect with him via Instagram @icyplayaballa
