Alaska. It’s just that much bigger. For any avid freeskier, it’s likely the pinnacle. It’s steeper, deeper, gnarlier. And of its many popular zones, Haines is arguably the foremost region that comes to mind for skiers. It’s here that Alaska Heliskiing makes its home.

Having served major film production companies, including Matchstick Productions, Teton Gravity Research and snowboarding powerhouse Absinthe Films, Alaska Heliskiing has built a strong rapport among some of the world’s top skiers and snowboarders. And while deluxe packages are certainly available, most folks appreciate Alaska Heliskiing for its “no frills” mentality. If you’re keen to eat ramen and spend every last dollar on heli time, you’ve likely found your match.

Alaska Heliskiing’s roots trace back to the mid-1980s, when co-founders Sean Dog and Bruce Griggs chartered helicopters and began to guide friends through their favorite zones, simply for the cost of the heli. This core value remains at the heart of what drives this operation, and keeps pow-hungry rippers coming back time and again.

In terms of getting there, your options are plane, ferry or car. Coming from the lower 48? Your best bet is flying to Juneau via Seattle. From there, you’ll fly or ferry to Haines. For those coming from Canada or overseas, flying to Whitehorse via Vancouver is a sure-fire bet. Once there, you’ll want to rent a car and make the four-hour drive, enjoying stunning views along the way.

Now that you’ve arrived, it’s time to get the goods. Choose between the Ski Bum package, which includes a bed, a shared kitchen, transportation and shared accommodations near the base; the Around Town option, which gets you digs in town for some nightlife options but requires you rent a car; or the Deluxe package, with a private chef and lavish lodging, either in town or near the base. Seven-and five-night lodging plans exist, providing approximately 30 heli drops (averaging 4,000 feet of vertical per run) or 18 drops, respectively. Daily flying rates are also available, in addition to single-drop options if that’s more your budget.

For the budget conscious, there’s also the option of heli-assisted touring. Get dropped off in the alpine, skin to your heart’s content, shred stunning lines back down to the road and call back to base to request a pickup by van.

For those who are looking to take their skills to the next level, take note: Alaska Heliskiing hosts a guide school at the start of each heli season. It serves as preseason training for the operation’s entire staff, and it’s open to the public. Pay the fee to partake in any of the various offerings, from AIARE 1: Decision Making in Avalanche Terrain to Wilderness Advanced First Aid, heli rescue, crevasse rescue and more.

Whether you’re looking to break into the world of heli guiding or just looking to increase your own knowledge, this guide school allows you to engage with and learn from experienced, like-minded individuals. Then, the kicker is that you get to hang out all season, and you’ll get heli time at cost. How’s that sound?

For Alaska Heliskiing to open its doors this way is just another example of how the operation caters to core mountain folk. Trending to the younger, raw side of things, this is a worthy offering for those who want to spend their dime on amazing terrain, epic snow and not much else.

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