Sun Valley Heli Ski
Come enjoy the spectacular Idaho backcountry with Sun Valley Heli Ski. Located in historic Sun Valley, SVHS has exclusive helicopter access to an amazing playground of 750,000 square acres, which is by far the largest heli terrain in the lower 48 states. Their intimate state of the art helicopter will be your chariot as you ascend over the majestic mountain peaks of the Smoky, Boulder, Pioneer and Soldier Mountains in the Idaho backcountry. SVHS’s legendary powder terrain offers runs for intermediate and expert skiers and riders.
You will feel your heart pumping as the helicopter lifts off and you begin your journey. You will find yourself glued to the windows as you gently gain altitude and go eye to eye with the mountains as you rise with them. At cruising altitude, you will be awed by the majesty and immenseness of the Idaho mountains. The helicopter will then begin its final descent (“the short and final,” as the guides call it), where it will typically circle around once or twice and then descend on the top of the world. The excitement, views and camaraderie are second to none. Now, the best part: You are about to go ski untracked legendary Idaho powder for the rest of the day!
Sun Valley Heli is the oldest heli ski operator in the United States and a member of Heli Ski US. It offers full and half day heli skiing and riding as well as private charters. It also offers heli assisted ski touring and scenic flights. In addition to all that, SVHS provides customized tour packages that incorporate heli skiing and riding with other winter adventures, such as resort skiing, snowmobiling, cross country skiing, ski touring, rock and ice climbing and other activities.
Sun Valley Heli’s runs range from 1,500 to 3,000 feet of pristine Idaho powder. Their guests fly in an A-Star B3E, the unquestioned king of helicopters for helicopter skiing. Groups are small with an intimate guest to guide ratio of 4:1. All heli skiers and riders are provided with Mammut RAS Rocker 18L air-packs and brand-new state of the art Barryvox avalanche transceivers.
The current team of guides is unsurpassed in offering over 100 years of collective backcountry, avalanche and guiding experience. This is a testimony to the level of dedication and professionalism that makes SVHS a preeminent U.S. heli ski operation. Personal service is the trademark of SVHS.
A full day of heli skiing and riding includes six runs per person per day of Idaho pow. The day starts in Sun Valley Heli Ski’s office with a PowerPoint presentation that describes the experience you will have that day. The first group will often ride the Challenger Chairlift up to the peak of Sun Valley’s Bald Mountain, where they will be picked by the helicopter, typically in front of gawking and envious Sun Valley skiers and riders. Needless to say, this is an awesome experience. Once in the field, the six runs allow SVHS’s guests to experience the diversity of SVHS’s massive terrain. This includes gentle ridge top lines for warm up runs and intermediate skiers, open cirques and bowls, trees and gladed skiing and other high alpine terrain features. Extra runs are available for an additional fee. Lunch is served in the field mid-day, usually in a sunny and wind protected area with exceptional views and camaraderie. Numerable high fives are a must!
A half day includes 3 runs per person per day. This is a great adventure for a first time heli-skier or rider who wants to gain backcountry experience without the pressure of a full day in the backcountry. SVHS’s vast intermediate terrain makes it easy for the first time heli skier and rider. It is also great for more experienced, but budget conscious skiers and riders.
Sun Valley Heli is also fortunate to have the luxurious Smoky Mountain Lodge, the only remote fly-in heli ski lodge in the lower 48 states. It has five bedrooms and can accommodate up to 10 persons. The Lodge is great for family and friend trips, corporate incentives and awards, continuing education programs and other retreats. If you’re looking for a remote heli ski lodge experience, it is much easier to access the Smoky Mountain Lodge, than spending all the time and effort necessary to access the remote heli ski lodges in British Columbia and Alaska.
SVHS’s unique Heli Assisted Ski Touring Adventure or “HASTA” is designed for skiers and riders who like to earn their turns with some morning help from the helicopter. The day starts off in the morning with a helicopter ride to a pristine majestic peak within SVHS’s terrain. From there, a SVHS guide and a group of up to 4 will spend the remainder of the day skiing, riding and touring back to a pre-arranged road pick up point or, for an extra fee, a helicopter ride back home.
SVHS’s scenic flights orbit around the Pioneer, Smoky, Boulder and Soldier Mountain ranges, the spectacular ranges that surround Sun Valley. Guests can view these majestic vistas in a lens that can only be experienced from the sky. Trips can be customized to accommodate a group's desire and can include lunch in the field as well as other amenities.
SVHS’s custom winter adventure packages combine all the amazing winter and other activities that Sun Valley offers. These highly customized tours for groups ranging from 4 to 30 people are focused on helicopter skiing and can also include resort skiing, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, back-country touring, ice climbing, and an overnight or more at the lodge, among other exciting adventures. These tours are all customized to accommodate a groups’ desires.
Sun Valley Heli Ski is a premier gem in a region that contains the finest jewels of the mountains. A wonderful experience awaits you, whether you fly with SVHS while visiting Sun Valley or go to Sun Valley to specifically take advantage of SVHS’s vast array of Adventures. Go Fly With Them!