Backcountry
Trip Report
Report for Tuesday, April 14, 2026
For years, I’ve wanted to heli-ski in Alaska. It’s definitely a bucket list item.
I’ve heli-skied before, but the Chugach Mountains just seemed different and alluring.
The range is incredible because it delivers massive, untouched terrain with deep maritime snow, dramatic views, and long, uninterrupted descents that feel truly remote and wild.
I arrived in Cordova, Alaska, at Points North Heli-Adventures with the sun attempting to cut through a thin layer of high clouds.
I knew a snow system was coming in, but later in the week, it was looking promising.
The next day was safety training as more snow built up in the mountains.
The following afternoon, the weather started to clear, and we were told to be on standby to fly.
However, we never made it out, and that was okay because every weather model was showing a bluebird day was coming tomorrow.
My buddy and I were paired up in a group with two sisters from California.
They grew up ski racing at Palisades Tahoe and were both highly proficient riders.
We loaded the heli from the Orca Adventure Lodge and started what would likely be my greatest day I’ve ever had on skis.
Predictably, our guide, Jeff, took us on a fairly mild warm-up run before getting into more of the terrain I was expecting.
The snow was deep, the snow was soft, the air was cold, the sun was out, and visibility was unlimited.
After a few runs, Jeff asked us how we were feeling.
Of course, the answer was “Good!”
“Alright, let’s step it up then,” he replied.
And step it up we did; not just one notch, but a couple of notches.
Jeff started guiding us toward steeper terrain and narrow chutes with incredible snow quality and fun factor.
On one heli drop, we hiked along a ridge to access a steep, north-facing bowl. We watched as Jeff traversed over an icy snowfield with a crevasse below before ripping epic deep powder to the bottom of the valley below. Ultimately, we decided the risk was too great to follow him given the no-fall zone, crevasse, and steep terrain. We reversed our hike to have the heli come pick us up again.
We shared one helicopter with two other groups and continued to rip some perfect fall-line terrain.
I figured we would continue with what the other groups were doing, but Jeff had other plans and took us to a pointed peak that made me feel like I was on top of the world.
I didn’t know exactly where we were going to ski because it looked like a cliff in every direction. I admittedly was a little nervous.
The run was called “Salt Lick,” and the entry was a 55-degree pitch followed by a consistent 50-degree fall line for another 1,000+ vertical feet. I went first after Jeff, making the best turns I could while my sluff raced past me. When I got to the bottom, it was a different kind of stoke — the stoke of adventure and accomplishment that you just skied a big Alaskan line.
With still a few hours left in the day, we got word that one group got tired and went in for the day.
Being down to two groups, the laps got faster, and the helicopter was often waiting for us at the bottom.
We party skied lap after lap of untouched powder on lower consequential terrain with huge vertical drops. So. Much. Fun.
By the end of the day, we had been out in the mountains for 10 hours.
That’s what you do when the conditions are perfect, and the longer Alaskan sunlight allows it.
At dinner that evening, everyone was stoked and sharing pictures and stories from the day.
The owner of the operation made his nightly announcement before dessert and said it may have been the best day of the season.
Low pressure moved in for the rest of the week, and we unfortunately didn’t get to ski again.
That’s what happens sometimes in Alaska; you are at the mercy of the weather.
In a typical heli-ski week, you hope to get 2-3 days minimum on the snow.
We only got one, but that one day was pretty special.
The kind of day you chase for years and somehow still exceeds every expectation.
Everything lined up in a way that rarely happens.
Perfect snow, perfect light, perfect terrain.
Moments that felt bigger than skiing.
Moments I’ll remember for the rest of my life.
This was why Alaska had always been the dream.
And somehow it turned out even better than I imagined.
One unforgettable day in the mountains.
One box finally checked.
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