Industry News
Valdez-based ski guides Pulseline Adventure has announced Alaska’s version of “March Madness” — two new heli-skiing programs in early March. Pulseline’s March Madness packages include less pre-bought flight time (Hobbs hours) than its standard packages — with less up-front cost and financial risk.
Pulseline designed these programs to allow skiers and snowboarders to capitalize on a massively above-average snowpack in the Chugach Mountains that opens up virtually unlimited terrain options and ski lines.
“The Chugach is a magical place to ski anytime, but with immense snowfall the mountains come alive. The skiable terrain increases 10 times. Lines that didn’t exist before become skiable, and lines that were rideable last season aren’t even recognizable. With this much snow, it’s like flying into a completely new mountain range. The options are literally endless.”
– Gabe Monroe, Chief Guide at Pulseline Adventure
This is the season to go heli-skiing in Valdez. The Alaska Department of Transportation has recorded more than 540″ of snowfall at 2,500 feet above sea level near Thompson Pass — with much higher amounts in the heavily glaciated, higher-elevation heli-skiing zones. Meanwhile, the City of Valdez, at sea level, has already received 300 inches of snowfall as of February 15, 2024.
In November 2023, six feet of snow fell in less than 24 hours at Mile 46 on the Richardson Highway, 21 miles northeast of Thompson Pass. Anchorage received 104 inches of snowfall as of January 29, 2024, the earliest date on record that the city has surpassed 100 inches. As of February 8, the Snow Water Equivalent in the Prince William Sound and the Copper River Drainage were at about 150% of the long-term average, correlating to a super deep snowpack.
Early March in Valdez is typically colder, with blower powder snow and skiing on all aspects and elevations. Later in the season, the south-facing aspects and lower elevations may become unavailable as the sun angle increases, so the first two weeks of March are a unique time to experience skiing in the Chugach Mountains.
With a gargantuan snowpack this season, even by Alaska standards, lines that aren’t usually skiable, especially spine lines, come into play. Plus, a fat snowpack provides other benefits.
“We can go faster and make bigger turns when the snowpack is deeper. It creates features that people want to ride in Alaska like flutes and spines, and it fills in the aprons and runouts. We have more options for ski runs, and it’s possible to put in more technical landing zones. A deep snowpack also means we’re going to have a good, long season all the way through April.”
– Jason Champion, Lead Guide at Pulseline
These two programs include fewer pre-bought Hobbs hours than the standard packages – which results in less up-front cost to you and, as a result, less risk (and the new 2024 credit policy further helps protect your investment.)
All the action’s up north, and you don’t want to miss out.
OPTION 1 – March 2-9
- 2.5 Hobbs hours
- Cost per person: $7,500
- Includes lodging (double occupancy), meals, ground transportation in Valdez, and safety equipment
OPTION 2 – March 9-16
- 3.0 Hobbs hours
- Cost per person: $8,150
- Includes lodging (double occupancy), meals, ground transportation in Valdez, and safety equipment
There’s no obligation to ski more than your pre-bought hours, but if you want to ski more, Pulseline is offering the special price of $4,400/Hobbs hour ($1,100 per person based on a group of 4) – compared to its normal rate of $6,000/Hobbs hour.
Email info@pulselineadventure.com or click this link to get more details and reserve.
