Valdez Alaska Ski Mountaineering + Heli Skiing 

Though the steep skiing is what attracts many people to ski Valdez, you don’t have to be a pro to enjoy the vast terrain. While not limited to extreme skiers, you must be a strong advanced intermediate skier to really enjoy what Valdez is all about. The Valdez mountains are incredibly stunning in their beauty, with sharp jagged ridge lines whose faces are ribboned with couloirs. The easy access to jaw dropping lines is unparalleled. From the Thompson Pass area, there is virtually no approach, there is good skiing literally from the tops of the peaks right to the road. Skiing in Valdez should be on the bucket list of any true skier!

The Experience

We have spent months at a time in the Valdez area skiing a different exciting tour each day. Since 2009 we have been running our Ski Mountaineering/Heli-Ski Combo. This five-day program will give you the full Valdez experience. We do three days of human-powered skiing, hiking from the road on skis and skins to access the powdery faces and couloir above. The other two days of this five-day trip we will use Helicopters to optimize or vert. One day we do a “Heli Bump” (one ride on a helicopter to get us to the top of our first line…. Hopefully, a big one.) For the remainder of this day, we will ski and climb our way back to the road. The “heli bump day is often guests favorite day as it opens up so much more terrain. The remaining day is a “Full Heli day”. On our full Heli day, we do a day of heli-skiing with one of the Heli skiing operations located around the pass, and I promise you’ll never be so tired at the end of a day of skiing. These runs are often 2000 vert of skiing or more, and the lines are steep and challenging. If you still have the energy after the allotted runs you’ll have the option for more.

Logistics

We will stay in the town of Valdez in comfortable Bed and Breakfast. Don’t expect luxury, but you can expect a comfortable bed, a warm shower as well as a nice place to relax after a big day of skiing. Oh there is also a washer and dryer and small kitchen for our use. A basic breakfast is provided, but we can also supplement if we want something more hardy. Dinners are up to you to decide. It’s nice at least a night or two to check out one of the restaurants in town. But there is not a lot to choose from, so often we just buy groceries and cook something up at the BandB. Whichever we decide is fine. We can discuss before we leave. ITCOG will rent a vehicle in Anchorage and drive it down for our use during the trip. It takes between 30-45 minutes from town to the pass and other starting locations.

Valdez Skiing Adventure

Itineraries

Day 0

Arrive in Valdez

We will pick you up from the Valdez airport and take you to the B and B. On some trips you may be able to fly into Anchorage and drive to Valdez with the guide.

Day 1-5

Open Ski Days

We have found it best to leave our ski days open. We will get in a full day of Heli skiing and a Heli Bump. Weather is fickle and we will make the best of it by touring on days that the heli is grounded due to weather.

Day 6

Head Home

We will transport you to the Valdez airport for your flight home. In some cases your guide will be driving back to Anchorage, you are welcome to ride to Anchorage in this case.

TRIP INCLUDES

• 2 IFMGA/AMGA Certified Mountain Guides
• Liability Insurance
• 1 Full Day of Helicopter Skiing
• 1 Ride Helicopter Assist
• All Transportation in Valdez
• Memories to last a life time

TRIP EXCLUDES

• Flight/Transport to Valdez
• Lunches and Dinners
• Alchohol
• Personal Insurance