SKI-MOUNTAINEERING
/ HELI-SKI COMBO

Valdez, Alaska

Valdez Alaska is well known among hardcore skiers for its steep couloirs and outrageous ribs. Home to the first “World Extreme Skiing Championships” and made famous by the endless footage found in ski movies from TGR to Warren Miller. This stunning range rises steeply from the port of Valdez to its jagged summits 6000 feet above. The snow in Valdez is unique in that is dense enough to “stick” making mind blowingly steep lines possible, yet the snow is still light enough to feel like hero powder.

The 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.

Accommodations and 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.

Gear List

Skis With Alpine Touring bindings

We recommend a touring ski with a waist between 105cm and 116. Skis should be equipped with touring binding, preferably tech style bindings.

Climbing Skins

Skins need to be in good condition and cut to fit your ski.

Ski Touring Boot

Boots need to be compatible with your bindings. Boots must have a walk mode.

Ski Crampons

Ski Crampons must be compatible with you bindings and ski waist width.

Boot Crampons

We highly recommend aluminum crampons. Make sure they work with your ski boots.

Harness

Harness must fit over ski clothing, be light weight and in good condition. You should also have 2 locking carabiners and a belay device.

Ice Axe

Ice Axe needs to be light weight and short (Less than 55cm).

Ski Backpack

A good ski pack should be light weight and have a dedicated pocket for your avalanche rescue gear and be between 35-50 liters.

Avalanche Rescue Gear

You will need a shovel and probe. The Shovel should have an extendable handle, an aluminum blade and fit into you pack without sticking out. Make sure your probe is in working order.

Avalanche Beacon

Your beacon should be a modern digital beacon. Come with new batteries in your beacon.

Ski Helmet

While we don’t require you to ski with a helmet we do highly recommend it.

Beanie

Light or medium weight beanie.

Buff/Neck Gaiter

We recommend a lightweight buff as it has many uses.

Goggles

We really like goggles with changeable lenses for use in bright and low light. They should also be compatible with your helmet.

Sun Glasses

Even if you always prefer to ski in goggles, sun glasses are needed for the up. Goggles will get fogged with sweat.

Warm Gloves

How warm depends on you. We recommend a durable well fitting ski glove.

Light Gloves

Lighter weight gloves are recommended for hiking up to reduce sweating.

Hard Shell Jacket

Waterproof/breathable jacket with ventilation.

Light Insulating Jacket

Breathable light insulating jacket.

Mid to Heavy Insulating Jacket

When temps are cold, you will be happy for a nice warm jacket.

Top Base Layer

We really like sun hoodies.

Sunscreen

50 SPF or greater. Make sure your tube is not old as sunscreen can lose it’s effectiveness over time.

Lip Screen

Make sure it has SPF.

Small First Aid Kit

This should contain blister repair material, over the counter pain killers and a few bandaids. We will have a full sized med kit on the boat as well as field kits with the guides.

Itinerary

Valdez, AK 5 Day Backcountry/Heli Ski Combo

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

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

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.

Includes/Excludes

$4,500/person for 6 nights, 5 days. Group pricing available.

Included in Price:

Not Included in Price:

Flight/Transport to Valdez
Lunches and Dinners
Alchohol
Personal Insurance

Dates*

Mar 22-26, 2021
Mar 29 – Apr 2, 2021

*Custom dates available

Pricing

$4500/person

*Custom dates available

"My trip with Winslow was exhilarating and challenging. She helped me with the skills that made our backcountry ski experience memorable. It was a rewarding experience that took me outside my comfort zone and I loved every minute of it. Thank you Winslow!"

- Bob S.

YOUR TEAM

We specialize in designing custom and private trips, perfect for you or a group. Our team of highly experienced, certified, professional guides will teach you the skills, and lead you there and safely home.