Heliskiing in Valdez, Alaska
Video Item Preview
Share or Embed This Item
- Publication date
- 1999
- Topics
- heliskiing, alaska, helicopter skiing, helicopter boarding, heliboarding, ski touring, skiing, chugach mountains, Valdez, Alaska, helisnowboarding, snowcat, promotion
- Publisher
- Magnetic Couch Productions
- Language
- English
- Rights
- May be displayed as is WITHOUT modification as long as source is credited to http://www.valdezhelicamps.com. Any modification or usage other that display AS IS must be approved by Matt White of Valdez Heli Camps (907) 783-3243 ~ http://www.valdezhelicamps.com.
Heli Ski
In the end, to ski is to travel fast and free - free over untouched snow country. To be bound to one slope, even one mountain, by a lift may be convenient but it robs us of the greatest pleasure that skiing can give, that is to travel through the wide wintry country; to follow the lure of peaks which tempt on the horizon and to be alone for a few days or even hours in clear, mysterious surroundings. Hans Gmoser, Heli Skiing Pioneer
Throughout the post World War II decade, mountaineering was at the height of its glory days. Peaks such as Mount Everest were climbed and conquered. Members of the 10th Mountain Division started new ski areas around North America.
The first helicopter ski flights took place in Europe in the 1950s. Within that same time period, an ambitious Austrian named Hans Gmoser immigrated to Canada. While working as a ski guide, he began using helicopters to transport skiers to terrain that was otherwise deemed inaccessible. As helicopter transport gained popularity, the sport of heli skiing was born. It become popular with skiers who had finely developed their skills and were looking for a way to push the envelope.
Nowadays, a heli skiing trip is a trip to nirvana for the snow-sport enthusiast. Can you imagine seven days without lift lines? Would you really miss lugging your gear across an icy parking lot while a mob of tourists push past you? Would you not be thrilled by thousands of vertical feet of unblemished dry powder? Wouldn't you like to fly?
The thrill of flying and the thrill of untracked vertical await you at Valdez Heli-Camps. Your excitement and anticipation builds as you listen to the roar of the helicopter's rotor. Then, as you suddenly take off, the butterflies in your stomach begin to dance in formation. Below you, the snowfields beckon and entice. This is why we ski. This is why we live. Are you ready? Of course you are. Contact VHC at 907-783-3243, or email info@valdezhelicamps.com. Your life is about to change.
In the end, to ski is to travel fast and free - free over untouched snow country. To be bound to one slope, even one mountain, by a lift may be convenient but it robs us of the greatest pleasure that skiing can give, that is to travel through the wide wintry country; to follow the lure of peaks which tempt on the horizon and to be alone for a few days or even hours in clear, mysterious surroundings. Hans Gmoser, Heli Skiing Pioneer
Throughout the post World War II decade, mountaineering was at the height of its glory days. Peaks such as Mount Everest were climbed and conquered. Members of the 10th Mountain Division started new ski areas around North America.
The first helicopter ski flights took place in Europe in the 1950s. Within that same time period, an ambitious Austrian named Hans Gmoser immigrated to Canada. While working as a ski guide, he began using helicopters to transport skiers to terrain that was otherwise deemed inaccessible. As helicopter transport gained popularity, the sport of heli skiing was born. It become popular with skiers who had finely developed their skills and were looking for a way to push the envelope.
Nowadays, a heli skiing trip is a trip to nirvana for the snow-sport enthusiast. Can you imagine seven days without lift lines? Would you really miss lugging your gear across an icy parking lot while a mob of tourists push past you? Would you not be thrilled by thousands of vertical feet of unblemished dry powder? Wouldn't you like to fly?
The thrill of flying and the thrill of untracked vertical await you at Valdez Heli-Camps. Your excitement and anticipation builds as you listen to the roar of the helicopter's rotor. Then, as you suddenly take off, the butterflies in your stomach begin to dance in formation. Below you, the snowfields beckon and entice. This is why we ski. This is why we live. Are you ready? Of course you are. Contact VHC at 907-783-3243, or email info@valdezhelicamps.com. Your life is about to change.
Credits
Produced by Video Alaska - (907) 229-9025
Post Production by Magnetic Couch Productions (907) 344-9479 - info@mcproductions.com
Special Thanks to Teton Gravity Research, Video Alaska, Outdoor Sports (Wilton, CT), & Avalanche Productions for footage
- Contact Information
- Contact Valdez Heli Camps at (907) 783-3243, or find VHC on the web at http://www.valdezhelicamps.com/.
- Addeddate
- 2005-12-02 03:46:44
- Color
- color
- Director
- Matt White
- Identifier
- valdezhelicamps.com
- Location
- chugach mountains, valdez, alaska
- Run time
- 10:55
- Sound
- sound
comment
Reviews
Reviewer:
GirdwoodTelevision
-
favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
December 2, 2005
Subject: Fan-Freakin-Tastic!
Subject: Fan-Freakin-Tastic!
I wonder if they'll take me out for a ride if I play this on Girdwood Television? I'm playing it anyway. This is too cool not to share. Good job gentlemen!
Reviewer:
girdwoodguru
-
favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
December 1, 2005
Subject: WOW!!! This is big mountain skiing!
Subject: WOW!!! This is big mountain skiing!
I can't say that I am the best skiier or snowboarder, but I do live in Girdwood, Alaska, and we have some pretty hardcore winter enthusiasts here. This video really shows me what riding the big mountains is like! I don't think you can ski like this anywhere else in the world, but in AK. AK ROCKS! I hear this outfit (Valdez Heli Camps) also guarantees their services by the vertical foot that you descend... not like other outfits based on time in the air, etc... that is pretty cool - I would go for a ride with them if I weren't so phobic about the big mountains.