Heli Skiing Service in India

How a heli skiing day works

• Briefing. Before the first flight the guide checks each skier's avalanche transceiver and goes through using the probe and shovel, and the crew explains how to approach, board and leave the helicopter.
• The lift. The helicopter flies the group up and sets it down on a ridge or a high bowl, then leaves.
• The run. You ski down behind the guide, who chooses the line for the group's ability and that day's snow.
• The pickup. The helicopter collects the group at the bottom and flies it up for the next run, as many times as the day, the weather and the package allow.

Snow and weather decide everything. Low cloud, poor visibility, strong wind or high avalanche risk keep the helicopter on the ground, and the guide and pilot decide what is skied and when to stop. A trip of several days, with spare days, gives the best chance of good flying.

Who heli skiing suits

Confident skiers and snowboarders who ride steep, ungroomed off-piste snow comfortably and are fit enough for several long runs in a day at altitude. If you have only skied groomed resort pistes, spend a few days skiing powder at a resort such as Gulmarg or Solang first. Tell us your level honestly in the enquiry: it decides the group you ski with and the terrain the guide picks.

What to send with your enquiry

• The region you prefer: Manali, Kashmir or anywhere in the Himalaya.
• Your dates, and how many days you want to ski.
• The number of skiers and each person's level and off-piste experience.
• Whether you bring your own skis or board, or need equipment arranged.
• Whether you need the stay and road transfers arranged as well.

What decides the cost

There is no fixed rate. The written quote depends on:

• The region and the base the helicopter flies from.
• Flying time: how many runs, and how far each lift is.
• Group size, since the helicopter's cost is shared by the group.
• The number of days, including any spare weather days.
• Guiding, equipment, stay and transfers, where they are included.

The same factors apply to any private helicopter charter.

What to check before you pay

• The operator's name and the aircraft that will fly.
• The guiding: one mountain guide with every group, and avalanche safety equipment for every skier.
• What the price includes: number of runs or flying time, guiding, equipment, stay, transfers and taxes.
• The weather terms: what happens to the money if the helicopter cannot fly on a booked day.
• Your insurance: check that your travel or sports insurance covers heli skiing and mountain rescue.

For other flying in the mountains, see our helicopter joy rides, including the Auli joy ride over a snow slope in Uttarakhand, or call +91-9634801801.