Ever Wonder What Makes Heli Skiing So Special?

Imagine standing on a mountaintop surrounded by nothing but the sky and the neighboring mountain summits. The helicopter that brought you here is gone; the sound of its thumping rotors has faded in the wind. A crystal blue sky is above you and the rugged majesty of the mountains reach out to the horizon and beyond. But only one thing really matters- an endless slope of fresh white powder, as light and dry as talc, is waiting for you. The track is in front of you is steep and challenging. It’s not easy. But if you wanted easy, you would not be here. This is heli skiing in British Columbia. It is skiing at its very best.

Revelstoke and Golden in British Columbia lay in the heart of the heli skiing capital of the world. This is a bucket list destination for extreme skiers and thrill-seekers from across the Europe and North America. Breathtaking scenery, unsurpassed snow conditions, and spine tingling, adrenaline-pumping high adventure combine to make heli skiing in British Columbia the skiing experience of a lifetime. Enjoy the deepest and driest snow on the planet as you ski wide open alpine bowls, chutes, pillows and secluded tree runs. It is like no other place on Earth. Thousands of square miles of mountain peaks, glaciers and perfect snow ensure that no two days of heli skiing are exactly alike.

The unique alpine conditions encountered during a Canadian Heli-Skiing adventure require high quality and functional clothing to cope with temperature changes between the heated helicopter cabin and the cold high altitude weather. Focus on layering lightweight, breathable fabrics that will keep you warm and dry throughout the day. Soft-shell fabrics or thin waterproof and wind-breaking materials are ideal for the top layer. Good skis, of course, are of critical importance. The deep powder conditions of heli skiing require wider and softer skis of a different shape than those typically used on ski slopes at lower altitudes.

A British Columbia heli skiing adventure is all about the mountain and untouched powder that is measured in feet, not inches. Heli skiing is reserved for the adventurous few who choose to leave the crowds behind and go their own way. It is about incredible descents in untracked snow through varied and wild terrain. It is about challenging yourself and experiencing thrills few people will ever know. No, it’s not easy. If it were easy, everyone would be doing it. Simply put, heli skiing in British Columbia is a skier’s dream come true. Start researching heli skiing packages today and embark upon the dream that is heli skiing!

Mitchell Strathford is a winter sports blogger and avid skiing enthusiast who has been fortunate enough to experience Canadian HeliSkiing on several occasions. When planning a heli skiing trip, Mitchell highly recommends you look for heli skiing packages in the British Colombia area.

By: Unknown On 8:53 AM

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Choosing Between The Alps Or The Rockies For The Best Skiing Holiday

There’s no time like the present to start planning your next skiing holiday, especially as early booking can give you a substantial saving. These days, a charming dilemma exists between choosing European slopes for some traditional alpine skiing, or crossing the pond to experience the great skiing which the Rockies has to offer. To aid the decision making process, detailed below are a few key factors to consider when deciding whether to opt for a few days in Chamonix or journey to Aspen in pursuit of the ultimate skiing destination.

An important consideration is travel time. UK based skiers are only a few hours from the majority of European Alpine resorts. Particularly if a combination of fly/drive or fly/train transportation methods are utilised, travellers can depart early in the morning from a UK port and be skiing by the afternoon. Obviously travel to the Rockies takes far longer and may well involve two flights or more. For short holidays, a visa is not required for a UK citizen to visit the USA (just an EU passport) and all European Alpine destinations are accessible with an EU (UK) passport. Medical costs in Europe can be covered by acquiring an E111 card. Covering the cost of emergency medical treatment in America is more complicated and appropriate insurance is recommended in addition to ski travel insurance.

Whilst European time is an hour ahead of that in the UK, in the Rockies the time is about seven hours behind that at Greenwich. This can cause particular problems with jet lag and unsettled body clocks for vulnerable individuals. If you are planning on skiing for a week or more, then the Rockies is an attractive prospect. For shorter trips or for individuals who do not adapt well to changing time zones, a European resort may well be more suitable.

In terms of the type and quality of skiing available, picking the right resort at the right time of year will be most likely to give you what you want. Both continents offer a fantastic range of terrain, scenery and opportunities for boarding and cross country skiing as well as more traditional downhill skiing. The Rockies can boast drier, more powdery snow for longer periods than the Alps, but this is by no means a given and the Alps generally provides superb snow in season. Essentially, it is important to be clear what type of skiing you want and pick a resort accordingly.

Seasoned ski enthusiasts may argue that Alpine ski resorts have greater atmosphere and offer a more traditional skiing experience. The more celebrated resorts, for example Zermatt, Grindelwald and St. Moritz have all developed from old alpine villages, so benefit from traditional architecture and customs. In comparison, established American resorts offer nearly a century of history, as well as a very high standard of modern accommodation and premium health and fitness facilities.

With the exception of travelling time, both Alpine Europe and the Rockies offer a similar skiing experience in terms of quality and enjoyment. The traditions and customs vary from country to country, but these differences add to the unique and special memories which each holiday brings.

About The Author
Greg is an editor for the travel blog Travelling Tan where he likes to write everything from travel to lifestyle. Join him there for more great pieces.

By: Unknown On 8:30 AM

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