Located in the heart of the
spectacular San Juan Mountains, Telluride Helitrax is Colorado’s most
experienced and original helicopter ski company, in operation since 1982.
Helitrax operates at the highest elevations in North America; we offer
incredible terrain, snow conditions customer service.
We’re a family-owned guide
service, committed to small groups, a tailored experience and a variety of
heli-ski adventures, including single-day trips and custom multi-day tours.
Charter flights can also be arranged from Aspen or Vail for a day of
heli-skiing in Telluride.
TRIPS
SINGLE DAY HELI-SKI TRIP
Whether
new to heli-skiing or a heli-veteran, our day trip delivers. Board our Bell 407
helicopter to discover the finest skiing Colorado has to offer. Included in a
day of heli-skiing are six runs (totaling approximately 10,000-12,000 vertical
feet), powder skis, poles, avalanche beacon and food and water throughout the
day. A safety orientation, helicopter briefing and avalanche protocol
expectations are covered in a morning meeting and the day ends with an après ski drink.
PEAKS RESORT & SPA HELI-SKI PACKAGES
Imagine
a heli-pad out your back door with access to 200 square miles of terrain, plus
ski in/out access to a world-class ski resort. That’s what a stay at the Peaks
Resort & Spa offers. Stay for five or seven nights at the iconic Peaks
Resort, with breakfast every morning, two days of heli-skiing lift tickets for
the Telluride Ski Resort.
MULTI-DAY HELI-SKI TRIP
For
powder skiers who can’t get enough, we offer heli-ski packages for 2 - 5 days.
With 200 square miles to choose from in the San Juan Mountains, hundreds of
landing zones and a wide variety of terrain we keep adventures fresh and
exciting each day. Each day includes six or more runs, food, powder skis,
safety equipment, après ski and a damn good
time.
SEMI PRIVATE TOUR
Have
a group of four or more? A semi-private tour ensures your group will ride and
fly together. This package saves you money and provides us the opportunity to
tailor the day towards your groups pace and ability.
ASPEN & VAIL HELI-SKIING TOURS
Staying
in Aspen or Vail? Not a problem. Telluride Helitrax is the only heli-skiing
operation that services the Aspen and Vail area. Let us arrange a private
fixed-wing charter from either Aspen or Vail, and enjoy a 40 minute scenic
flight to Telluride. Once in Telluride, guests board a helicopter for a full
day of heli-skiing in the 200 square miles surrounding Telluride, in the San
Juan Mountains. After a day of heli-skiing you’ll be back to Aspen or Vail in
time for happy hour. Fixed-wing charter flights have a minimum rate and are
only scheduled for perfect weather days.
CUSTOM HELI-SKI TOUR
Exclusive,
private trip. You put the group together, tell us what you are thinking and let
us do the rest. We will search out the best snow and terrain available to meet
your group’s expectations. We have offered custom tours since 1982; we
provide an unrivaled experience. Custom tours can accommodate up to 16 skiers
divided into groups of four skiers. Custom tour pricing is based upon the
actual flight hours (when the helicopter is actually in the air), with a two
hour minimum. Each group of four skiers can expect to get six - eight runs per
flight hour. We provide great food, the latest powder skis, safety equipment
and heaps of bragging rights. Call early to secure your day.
BACKCOUNTRY SKI TOURS
Do
you prefer to ski in the backcountry on your own terms? No one knows the San
Juan Mountains like a Helitrax guide. Everyone of our team is an active
backcountry skier with intimate knowledge of the surrounding mountains. Not for
the faint of heart, our tours require at least 1 1/2 hours of uphill travel to
reap the rewards. All trips include an avalanche orientation, beacon,
transportation and lunch. We can also put together a spectacular helicopter
assisted back-country tour for small groups on a limited basis. These tours are
world class, you will not be disappointed. Transportation by passenger van.
SCENIC HELICOPTER FLIGHTS
Lift
off from either the Peaks Resort or the Telluride Airport and enjoy one of the
most scenic and exhilarating scenic flights available anywhere in the world. 15
minute flights are offered each afternoon (weather dependent). Each scenic
flight can carry 4 to 6 passengers. Don’t forget your camera.
2013
HELI-SKI RATES
|
Trip Description
|
Purchase prior to
7/15/12
|
Summer rates, trip purchase between
7/16/12-10/15/12
|
Autumn rates, purchase trip between
10/15/11-12/15/11
|
Regular season Rates
12/15/11-4/8/11
|
|
Single Day (for groups of 3 or less)
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
$1199
|
|
Heli-Ski
Multi-Day
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
$1149
|
|
Semi-Private (for groups of 4 or more)
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
$1149
|
CUSTOM
TOURS
Custom Tour pricing is based on
actual flight time (when the helicopter is actually in the air). Rates for December/January
are $6250/hr for the first 1.5 hours and $4250 there after with a 1.5 hour
minimum. During February/ March the rate is $6250/hr for the first two hours
and $4250 there after with a two hour minimum.
ASPEN AND VAIL CHARTERS
|
Group Size
|
Charter cost per person
|
Heliski rate per person
|
Total Cost per person
|
|
1
|
$2300
|
See single day rate above
|
$3399-$3499
|
|
2
|
$1150
|
See single day rate above
|
$2249-$2349
|
|
3
|
$800
|
See single day rate above
|
$1899-$1999
|
|
4-12
|
$550
|
See Group rates above
|
$1549-$1649
|
Please note
than on Aspen/Vail charters not all passengers on the Fixed wing charter are
required to heli-ski with us. So you can bring along other friends and family
who would like to just visit Telluride for the day.
Steamboat
Springs Charters: Fixed wing Charters
are available, please call for pricing.
Helicopter
assisted Backcountry tours: Please call
for more information.
Scenic
Helicopter Flight: $700/15 minute flight
for up to five passengers.
All taxes and surcharges are included in above pricing,
gratuity is encouraged. Prices subject to change. In addition to the above services we also
offer helicopter charter flights from surrounding airports, film production
support and avalanche mitigation services.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is included in a day of heli-skiing
with Telluride Helitrax?
We
provide six runs of guided heli-skiing (avg: 10,000 - 14,000’ vertical of
skiing per day), lunch, snacks, drinks, après
ski, sunscreen, an avalanche beacon, safety equipment, powder skis (sorry, we do
not have snowboards) and ski poles.
Is
heli-skiing just for experts?
Advances in ski technology have
opened powder skiing to a wide range of skiers.
Skiers should be Advanced
Intermediate, with a sense of adventure and in reasonable physical condition.
Skiers should confidently ski groomed black diamond runs, as rated on the
Telluride Ski resort, with a few inches of powder on them. Skiers should also,
at least occasionally, choose to ski un-groomed single black diamond runs and
can ski them with control (see also: What is the terrain like?).
Snowboarders should be Advanced with
the ability to traverse in powder snow, following a broken ski trail. In
addition, snowboarders need to have the ability to carry enough speed in a
straight line to cross flatter terrain. If you have any questions about your
ability feel free to give us a call.
We do not provide snowboards.
Snowboarders should bring the biggest board they have and consider moving
bindings back to best handle powder.
How
fit should I be?
Fitness can be more important than
ability. The more fit you are, the more fun you'll have. We ski at the highest
elevations in North America, so reasonable cardiovascular fitness is
particularly important.
What
is the terrain like?
We
operate in some of the highest ski terrain in North America: ranging in
elevation from 10,000 to 13,500 feet. Each run drops 1,000 to 3,000 feet—
approximately 300-800 meters.
Our
special use permit area encompasses over 200 square miles of high alpine
basins, cirques and summits surrounding Telluride to the north, south and east.
Almost all of our terrain (200 square miles in San Juans) is above tree line,
and is considered some of the most spectacular ski terrain found anywhere in
the world. Our heli-ski operation is a moderate angle heli-skiing with most
runs equivalent to double blue and single black runs, as rated on the Telluride
Ski Resort.
Most days start with a low angle run,
to assess the conditions and group abilities.
If snow conditions, avalanche hazard and a groups ability allow, we then
seek out steeper terrain, similar to double back diamond runs. We do not consider any of the runs we ski to
be extreme. There are no mandatory jumps and no fall zones.
The pace of the skiing during the day
is not rushed; taking in scenery is part of the adventure, holding up the group
is generally not a concern if you meet the above skier profile criteria.
Does
Helitrax take snowboarders?
Yes. Snowboarders should be Advanced
with the ability to traverse in powder snow, following a broken ski trail. In
addition, snowboarders need to have the ability to carry enough speed in a
straight line to cross flatter terrain. If you have any questions about your
ability feel free to give us a call.
We do not provide snowboards.
Snowboarders should bring the biggest board they have and consider moving
bindings back to best handle powder.
Is
there a minimum or maximum age limit?
Telluride Helitrax does not have age
requirements. We have taken skiers as young as seven and as old as 75. The
decision to heli-ski is based on ability, although we do request that
heli-skiers younger than 16 be accompanied by an adult guardian.
Who
will I ski with?
Guests ski with a guide and are
sorted by reservation groups. Ability and over all group load weight are taken
into consideration. Groups who book heli-skiing together will ski together
provided the weight considerations (calculated by the pilot) of the flight
groups are met. Most days there are four to five skiers plus the guide in each
group. Helitrax may take up to 20 skiers per day; you may encounter other
groups throughout your day.
What
type of Helicopter do we fly in?
Telluride Helitrax flies a Bell 407,
the same aircraft used by larger Heli-Skiing Operators for elite and custom
tours. Our aircraft has two seats up front: one for the pilot and the other for
the heli-ski guide. There five seats in the cabin.
Will
I have to jump from the helicopter?
Never. The pilot lands allowing
heli-skiers to carefully disembark.
When
is the best time to heli-ski?
The heli-skiing season, late December
through early April, offers great backcountry skiing and riding opportunities.
Operations begin when we determine we have a sufficient amount of snow, with
opportunities for good powder skiing equivalent to those at other times of the
year.
Our
most popular time period is the last two weeks of February through the first
three weeks of March, book early to ensure your seat.
What
are Helitrax’s refund and cancelation policies?
We ask clients to carefully read our
Terms and Conditions prior to making a reservation; we highly recommend trip
insurance from Travel Guard.
More Frequently Asked Questions at helitrax.com
tags:
advanced,
backcountry,
colorado,
extreme,
heli,
heli skiing,
heli-skiing,
helicopter,
Helitrax,
San Juan Mountains,
ski,
skiing,
telluride,
telluride helitrax
\
