Operations

• VHC has the only complete helicopter and snowcat skiing and lodging service in Alaska.
• With VHC's inclusive packages there are no ancillary costs.
• All lodging, meals, transportation, guest services, and airport transfers charges are included.
• You can create your own package mixing helicopters, snowcats and lodging to meet your budget    and desires.
• With VHC you can stay, dine, and socialize with the pilots, guides, and fellow skiers you will meet on your trip in a friendly relaxed atmosphere. We have the only hot tub in Valdez!
• Guides are your hosts on and off the mountain.
• VHC charges by vertical feet skied not by the run. You pay for what you actually ski.
• Small capacity dictates no waiting for helicopters in the field.
• VHC is the only heliski company in Valdez that runs its own fully insured and guided snowcat skiing operation
• Snowcat skiing is a direct alternative to our heliskiers at no additional charge to the package.
• We are able to move from snowcat skiing to heliskiing within minutes as weather conditions dictate.
• Moonlight and northern light cat skiing and tours when conditions allow.

Daily Schedule: 
 Valdez Heli-Camps (VHC) Ski Weeks begin on Sunday afternoon.  Check-in and registration is from 4 to 6pm.  We will meet your flight if arriving by air, and provide transportation from the Valdez Airport to our lodge.  This evening, you will have the opportunity to unpack and get to know the crew.  Dinner will be served directly following a brief orientation.  Afterward, you are welcome to explore Valdez, visit the gym, or relax and prepare for the exciting week ahead. 

Monday morning rise and shine it's time to ski!  A buffet style breakfast will be served from 7:30 to 8:30am.  It is suggested that you take some time to stretch in the morning to prepare for the ski day.  At 8:30am the shuttle will depart for the helicopter and snowcat staging area. Upon arrival at 9:00am, we will conduct on site helicopter/snowcat general safety and avalanche transceiver orientation briefings.  Our A-Star 350B-2 helicopters seat seven: one pilot, one guide and up to five clients travel in each group.  We will make our best effort to group you with skiers or snowboarders of a compatible skill level.  Each group will access terrain suitable to the least skilled member of the group.  It is suggested that to ensure your optimal experience with VHC you plan to bring a group of four to five people that enjoy a similar skiing experience.  Our guides can tailor ski days throughout our vast terrain to suit the desires of almost any compatible group of friends. 

Lunch will be served at the warming hut or in the area you are skiing that day.  Remember, with the excitement of skiing these mountains comes a great responsibility.  Try not to overdo on your first few days.  Feel free to take a break or ski a partial day. The helicopter makes periodic refueling trips.  You may return to our warming hut or staging area at this time.  In general, we will conclude our day at 4:00pm.  In an effort to maximize your skiing experience we will extend or change these hours of operation to suit conditions.  Our goal is simply to ski whenever and wherever safely possible! 
 
 

Gourmet Meals
Upon return to the lodge, dinner will be served.  We are delighted to offer the freshest seafood from the richest waters in the world.  Alaskan halibut, salmon, and crab are world-renowned.  Tuesday through Saturday will see a similar schedule.  With the groups now in sync, the safety rules established, and the mountains before us, you will begin to realize the vast skiing opportunities found only in Alaska!  Saturday evening brings a close to our week together.  I hope you will take a taste of Alaska home.

Can I Do This?
The primary mission of VHC is to bring the terrain of the Chugach Mountains to you at a comfortable and safe level.  The basic requirements for your ability and fitness are these.   You should be fit and at minimum an advanced intermediate skier or snowboarder. That is, you can ski/ride a variety of snow conditions with confidence and minimal difficulty. If this is true of you and your abilities, VHC is just the introduction to big mountain skiing you have been waiting for!  If you are still unsure, please feel free to contact us.  We also recommend that you experiment at your local ski area with wide base powder or all mountain skis.  If you would like to be provided powder skis you should inform us at your time of reservation (ski rental information listed below).

Safety : 
Our professional guide staff has extensive experience in mountain safety and emergency medical training.  Each guide carries a backpack stocked with light rescue gear and a first aid kit. The radio dispatcher tracks the ski day and should emergency arise is able to relay appropriate equipment and support.  Should evacuation become necessary you will be financially responsible for costs incurred.  Please be sure your medical insurance covers this type of rescue.

What About the Weather? 
Valdez, Alaska consistently receives more snowfall than any other area in the whole of North America!  Warm Japanese currents push into the open Prince William Sound seaport Village of Valdez, bringing with them warm moist air.  These same currents that keep Valdez uniquely mild in winter, build and flow over the Chugach Mountains, eventually mixing with the cooler interior Alaska weather currents producing amazing snowfall amounts. Although large amounts of snow are what we dream of, sometimes it keeps us at bay.  On days we are unable to fly, or helicopter operations are delayed by weather conditions yet, skiing conditions are still favorable, we will utilize snowcats to access 4100 vertical feet/1280 vertical meters of terrain.  This in itself is a wonderful skiing option and allows us to take instant advantage of improving weather conditions by vaulting directly to helicopter service with little delay. Our heated and comfortable PistenBully snowcats offer an excellent backcountry transportation opportunity during conditions deemed unsuitable for helicopter operations or as an affordable option for our clients geared exclusively to the snowcat skiing experience.  Again, I would like to reiterate our goal, ski whenever and wherever safely possible.  VHC is not limited to the air alone!  
In the event we are unable to ski due to conditions, we have available to us some interesting activities such as: 

• Tours of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Terminal* 
• Scenic excursions/fishing in the Prince William Sound* 
• Snowmachine adventures *  
• Introductory to advanced ice climbing experiences in Keystone Canyon, the sight of such world class ice falls as Bridal Veil and Horsetail Falls.