Wouldn't It Be Nice To Hand Pick Your Ski Run?

Any lover of deep powder and two-plank gliding (or mono-plank for the those who love snowboarding) knows that at a certain point the time comes to leave the ski-area and the lifts behind. Heli-skiing opens up backcountry terrain where you get to find your line and go down the "run" of your choice, provided of course that the guide clears it as safe. Heli-skiing was once thought of as only for the best of the best. Today, guiding services open up the untrammeled and un-skied runs for intermediates and pros alike.

Heli-skiing requires some modifications to the ski set up. Any backcountry skier is going to have to be equipped with wide, "all-moungtain skis" that should be no less than 80cm at the waist (center of the ski). In addition, Alpine Touring or "AT" bindings that allow a free heal for hiking are ideal. Telemark bindings are also solid options for those who prefer to dip a knee in the pow. Which ever choice you make, ensure your equipment is in working order before you leave on your trip. You don't want to have to worry about equipment on an amazing adventure like this.

Beyond the skis, helmets, telescoping poles and avalanche gear are absolute necessities. An avalanche beacon, probe and shovel have to be in every skier's kit. Anyone who does not know how to use this gear gets a primer from a professional guide prior to even boarding the helicopter. This is the safety equipment you need to have with you but hope you never need to use. Your guide helps assess avalanche danger as you and the team begin picking out routes, runs and lines. Once the line is cleared as safe, the guide steps aside and has the clients head down the route, one at a time with all member watching for safety. Once everyone is down, the guide points the skis downhill and heads down to the team where everyone waits for the helicopter to come back and grab everyone for another run.

One of the premier hell-skiing areas of the world is the area of British Columbia around Revelstoke and Golden. This mountainous region is wild, untamed and perfect for hell-skiing opportunities. It is possible to get up to 8,000 to 10,000 feet of vertical in one day, all on slopes that are pristine, powdery and untouched. Imagine the pride of tackling two- to three-foot deep powder on runs all day. That is the stuff of true chalet and pares-ski tall tales and glory.

The beauty of the Revelstoke and Golden area is beyond superlatives and is nothing short of primeval and gorgeous mountain terrain. This is the place to begin any hell-skiing adventure as it is the best.Expect a continental snow pack, with dry and light powder over a solid base. When it dumps here it dumps. It is not uncommon for an average winter up in these peaks to see over 500-inches of dry powder each year.Get off the lifts and leave the ski area behind. Get into the air and heli-ski for the ultimate in skiing freedom.

Source: http://www.artipot.com/articles/1385694/wouldnt-it-be-nice-to-hand-pick-your-ski-run.htm

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