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WHAT ARE YOUR BOOKING & PAYMENT POLICIES?

The first step in booking with Helitrax is to complete a trip Inquiry. After receipt of this form, a staff member will be in touch to discuss details about your trip. Please review our terms and conditions. Next step is completing the online Reservation & Waiver form for each trip participant at least 7 days prior to trip date, a 20% deposit is due at the time of booking. All trip participants should review our Know Before You Go page a few days before the trip. Final payment is due before your trip.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN A DAY OF HELI-SKIING WITH TELLURIDE HELITRAX?

We provide six runs of guided heli-skiing (avg: 10,000 – 14,000’ vertical of skiing per day), lunch, snacks, drinks, apres ski, sunscreen, an avalanche beacon, avalanche airbag pack, powder skis or snowboards and ski poles. A typical heli-ski day starts with an 8:30AM guest and guide meeting at the Peaks Resort. Skis are assigned and a safety briefing and daily logistics discussion take place. The first flight typically departs at 9:30 – 10:00 AM and guests are usually back at the resort between 2:30 – 4:00 PM. Times and schedules may vary with weather conditions and operational logistics.

IS HELI-SKIING JUST FOR EXPERTS?

Skiers should be Advanced with the confidence to tackle a variety of terrain and conditions in new or variable snow. Snowboarders should be Advanced with the ability to traverse in powder snow, by following a broken ski trail. Snowboarders need to have the ability to carry enough speed in a straight line to cross flatter terrain.

Although we offer skiing on a wide range of slope angles, all participants should be able to confidently execute solid linked turns on black ungroomed runs and in powder. You should be able to comfortably ski/ride in most conditions including powder, hard pack, wind crust, and on a spectrum of slopes with varying steepness.

You should have a sense of adventure and be in good physical condition. The better shape you are in, the better time you will have with us.

Skiers over 70 are welcome, but you need to have exceptional fitness and possess the skiing skill set described above. Skiing at 13,000 feet is quite a bit more challenging than at lower elevations.

Honesty about your ability and fitness will provide you the best experience. If your ability does not meet the criteria above, you may be flown out of the field with no refund applied. If you have any questions about your ability, feel free to give us a call.

See also:  How fit should a heli-skier be? & What is the terrain like?

WHAT IS YOUR GUEST WEIGHT POLICY?

At Telluride Helitrax, we fly the safest, state-of-the-art Eurocopter S350 B3e helicopters. These machines are the best and safest for high elevation flying. However, due to many elements, total group weight is a factor we need to consider. Average per person weight across a group should be 185 pounds. This is to ensure the safest and most professional experience for our guests. We have options for your group if you exceed this average. To discuss these options or ask additional questions about weight, please call us directly at 970.728.8377.

If you provide inaccurate body weight information, your group may be over our helicopter’s weight limit for the day. In this case, your group may be split up, one member of the group may be canceled from the trip, or you may need to purchase an additional seat in order for us to stay within our weight limits.

HOW FIT SHOULD A HELI-SKIER BE?

Depending on snow conditions, fitness can arguably be more important than ability. The more fit you are, the more fun you’ll have. We ski at the highest elevations in North America, so good cardiovascular fitness is particularly important. Our guests need to be fit enough to ski/ride six runs equaling 10,000 to 14,000 vertical feet of skiing at a moderate pace.

The more time you have to acclimate in Telluride, the better you will be able to handle the elevation.

WHAT IS THE TERRAIN LIKE?

We operate in some of the highest ski terrain in North America: ranging in elevation from 10,000 to 13,500 feet. Each run drops 1,000 to 3,000 feet—approximately 300-800 meters. Our special use permit area encompasses over 200 square miles of high alpine basins, cirques and summits surrounding Telluride to the north, south and east. Almost all of our terrain is above tree line, and is considered some of the most spectacular ski terrain found anywhere in the world. Our heli-ski operation is a moderate angle heli-skiing with most runs equivalent to double blue and single black runs, as rated on the Telluride Ski Resort. Most days start with a moderate angle run, to asses the conditions and group abilities. If snow conditions, avalanche hazard and a groups ability allow, we then seek out steeper terrain, similar to single and double back diamond runs. We do not consider any of the runs we ski to be extreme. The pace of the skiing during the day is not rushed; taking in scenery is part of the adventure, holding up the group is generally not a concern if you meet the above skier profile criteria.

IS THERE A MINIMUM OR MAXIMUM AGE LIMIT?

Telluride Helitrax does not have age requirements. We have taken skiers as young as 7 and as old as 75. The decision to heli-ski is based on ability, although we do request that heli-skiers younger than 16 be accompanied by an adult guardian.

MY RESERVATION IS CONFIRMED, WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW FOR MY SKI DAY?

Our Know Before You Go page contains essential information that each rider in your trip must know. From confirmations to how to dress and avalanche transceiver information, once you’ve made your reservation be sure to read through this page.

WHO WILL I SKI WITH?

Heli-skiers ski with a guide and are sorted by reservation groups. Ability and over all group load weight are taken into consideration. Groups who book heli-skiing together will ski together provided the weight considerations (calculated by the pilot) of the flight groups are met. Most days there are four plus the guide in each group. Helitrax may take up to 20 skiers per day; you may encounter other groups throughout your day.

WHAT TYPE OF HELICOPTER DO WE FLY IN?

Telluride Helitrax flies a Eurocopter A-Star B3-e, the same aircraft used by larger Heli-Skiing Operators for elite and custom tours.

HOW MANY GUESTS DOES HELITRAX TAKE EACH DAY?

There are typically 16 seats available per day, although occasionally Helitrax will take up to 24 skiers with two helicopters. You will ski in a group of four guests to one guide. To ensure your seat, we recommend booking as soon as possible.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR FOR THE DAY?

Come dressed for a normal day of skiing on the Telluride Ski Resort. Both goggles and sunglasses are a good idea every day. Dress appropriately; we do not have room for backpacks or to store additional clothing once we leave our staging area. Additional information on what is appropriate on a particular day will be give during the morning safety briefing.

DO I NEED TO WEAR A HELMET?

For Helitrax’ insurance compliance, all participants, including our guides and staff, are required to wear helmets. Kindly bring your own helmet. In cases where wearing a helmet is not feasible due to specific circumstances, you may sign a waiver to release liability.

ARE GRATUITIES INCLUDED IN THE PRICE?

Helitrax guides and staff work hard to make your heli-skiing adventure as safe & enjoyable as possible. While gratuities (tips) are always greatly appreciated they are never required. A suggested dollar amount range for a gratuity is $85 to $165 per guest per day.

WILL I HAVE TO JUMP FROM THE HELICOPTER?

Never. The pilot lands allowing heli-skiers to carefully disembark.

WHAT IF IT IS SNOWING IN THE MORNING?

We evaluate the weather early every day we plan to operate and make a determination at that time. Occasionally we will keep the trip on a “weather hold” if we deem there is a good possibility that we will be able to fly that day. You are required to keep yourself available to ski with us until 12pm, although we normally make a final determination by about 10am. Reservations cancelled due to weather are refunded in full.

WHAT ABOUT AVALANCHES?

Although we heli-ski in avalanche terrain, our avalanche forecast program is top notch—as is our safety record. We have over 100 seasons of combined professional avalanche forecasting on our staff and more than 35 seasons operating within our terrain. We use this experience to develop a daily snow stability evaluation in combination with explosive testing, use of avalanche airbag packs and transceivers to assure our guests of the safest heli-skiing experience we can provide.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO HELI-SKI?

The heli-skiing season, late December through early April, offers great backcountry skiing and riding opportunities. Operations begin when we determine we have a sufficient amount of snow, with opportunities for good powder skiing equivalent to those at other times of the year. Our most popular time period is the last two weeks of February through the first three weeks of March, book early to ensure your seat.

WHAT ARE HELITRAX’S REFUND AND CANCELLATION POLICIES?

Read our Terms & Conditions prior to making a reservation; we highly recommend trip insurance.

CAN I RIDE IN THE HELICOPTER WHILE MY FRIENDS SKI/SNOWBOARD?

Unfortunately no, this is not possible. Helitrax takes out several groups of four guests and a guide on any given day using the same helicopter. All the available seats are needed to accommodate the other group(s) that might be out skiing/snowboarding the same day your friends are with us. We do offer Scenic Flights which offer fantastic views of the area surrounding Telluride.

Know Before You Go

Once you’ve made your reservation, make sure every rider in your trip reads through this essential information.