An Alaska Heli Experience

Day #1

We arrived in Haines on the ferry from Juneau.  The 3 hour ferry ride over was amazing, when the peaks of Alaska finally started to break thru we knew we were in for a real treat. Haines is a tiny little in the middle of nowhere Alaska.

Once we got checked into the hotel we decided to head out to Mile 33 Road House and the Alaska Helisking operation run by Seandog. The drive from town was unreal; we saw huge moose, so many bald eagles they started to look like ordinary birds. This is a great way to get out of the hustle and bustle of city life.

Alaska Heli-skiing is a truly family owned and operated company. Everyone was so friendly and treated us like we were long lost friends. First up was the beacon test / training. Our training Adam from Australia hit beacons in the snow and we each had to find them within 2 minutes. If someone is buried after 10 minutes the chance of survival goes down tremendously. After taking my Avalanche 1 course we were taught to find a beacon within 5 minutes. To see these guys making there paying clients find them within 2 made me feel they had the right safety steps in place. Next up was the Helicopter training.

Getting in and out of a Helicopter while on top of a mountain in powder can be tricky to say the least. So we practiced the procedures for proper helicopter use. You have to always be paying attention, one wrong move near the rotors is all it takes and to top that off your looking at your line, dealing with snow flying around and trying to make sure your gear doesn't blow away.

Then the chopper arrived!!! We were the fist group to go out around 1:00pm. We got linked up with 2 amazing skiers from Taos, Steve and Beth. So with that our group was on the way. Riding in the helicopter was amazing, I was nervous at first and am now Im looking forward to our Heli ride today, as well as the deep snow.
 
We were dropped at our first run named, Old Faithfull. The run was not the craziest I have ever seen but great snow, long terrain and did I mention 3 feet of fresh pow? The first day is to test the clients, to make sure they aren't flaying around or getting bogged down in the snow. After I got to the bottom and radioed up it was time for Steve to drop, about 3/4 the way down he setoff a slow moving Avalanche that followed him down the mountain, he was able to move to the side and get out of the path but the thing was heading straight for me. Thankfully it was slow moving and didn't make it all the way.

Our guide Mike had suspected the slope might slide, dug a pit and asked for another guide to come up. So again, all safety measures are in place up here. We decide to ride a different part of the slope.

After a few warm up runs we started getting bigger lines. The biggest decent yesterday was 2,200 vertical feet in one run. The snow is insane, oh I am supposed to say its wet and heavy up here, actually its more like Colorado.. Shhh don't tell to many people as this place is sick!!!!

We got 3-4 runs in our first day, today is cloudy and socked in so the Helicopters aren't flying yet. Were going to drive out there and wait it out.

Heli-skiing is something I will be doing for the rest of my life, I have already made the decision to come up here for Guide School next Feb do the 2 week course and hopefully start taking clients out Heli-Skiing!!!

Day #2

The Indy5000
 
Wow, it just keeps getting better.. Yesterday was raining and windy so hard in town. Everyone thought we were crazy for driving out to the Helicopter pad, even the company. Well in AK the weather moves around a lot and after our 33 mile drive to the Heli Pad sure enough the clouds parted to bluebird.

 
We had about a couple hours of down of down time which you get used to while waiting to get in the Helicopter. So many factors involved, especially with the film crews in town as they get first dibs, rightfully so.
 
T-Top

We finally go to fly around 3:00pm and when we got up we went straight to the goods. Our guide Mike lead us across this ridge so we could drop into a long 3,000 vertical untouched bowl with many feet of fresh snow. We got linked up with a new group yesterday of Scott and Casey from Juneau, local rippers and photographers. So with that they let me drop in first, I cant explain the feeling of this, a 3,000 foot untouched glassy wave of snow and I got to leave my tattoo all over it!

Were heading out to the funny farm, more on that to come.

Day #3

The Helicopter company called and was eager to get us out on the mountain. Today was not your normal Heli day, it sucked. When we arrived they tried to pair us up with some euro skiers when we already had our group from yesterday. So this set a weird tone, then Mike, our guide from the past few days wasn't going to take us up and we would be skiing with another guide. We tell him what zones we have rode the past few days but he says he needs to test us on Old Faithfull. This was the run we took on our first day, the run they test clients on. I was pissed let me throw a $100 into the air and ride some crap low elevation wet snow. The top was fun but as usual the bottom sucked, I was pissed. Then it was off to our 2nd zone.

We arrived at Porky's Pines and were told it would be good. While flying up in a whiteout we should have called it and shit visibility. I here our Guide on the Heli radio saying this is his first time riding this run. Stoked, whiteout and skier guide is going to just run with it. Luckily there was another group in front of us to follow. The guide went first, which I though was weird rode into the abyss and then radioed for next rider and so on and so on. My turn was up and I didn't feel good about this run at all. I took it mellow and followed ski tracks all the way down. All of a sudden I was weightless flying thru the air wondering what the f*ck happened. Wham I finally slam to the earth below, totally flying off a cliff and luckily landing in deep snow, popped up and went to ride off, 2 turns later again, another drop..
 
AK Homemade Dinner..

My mouth is bleeding from biting my tongue; I collect my goggles and beanie after rag dolling and come to the landing pad very pissed. Yelling what the fuck, thanks fo the heads up on that... Turns out everyone, expect the guide was marking for the Heli Landing was looking up and saw me lying up the drop, I feel he could have yelled on the radio as everyone said I was mid turn when I went off. I was not stoked, sitting here sore, and to borrow from Travis Rive "I shot the pouch" I could have easily gotten worked a lot harder. Thanks to a few people upstairs for looking out for me.

So then he ask if we want to go back to "Old Faithfull" Are you kidding me, I am here to ride big shit and you obviously are not the guide for us. Tomorrow will be better if I can ride, I slammed by elbow into my side and am as sore as can be.

We have now moved into the "Funny Farm" 3 miles from the Heli pad to maximize our time here. The funny farm is a place where all sorts of photographers, riders and friends are hanging out together under one big roof. This morning when we walked in we were offered waffles, bacon, and fresh squeezed juices. This place is amazing, it's like being at your parents house. Staying at the funny farm where all meals are included, this has to be good!!!

Day #4

Yesterday was a down day for the Helis, the rain was coming down and wind was ripping around the slopes. So on down days you need to stay busy at the funny farm its really easy. We have a pool table, ping pong table, foosball, pinball and about everything else you could ever want.
 
When your not flying you have plenty of time to geek out and take photos of Bald Eagles. There is a bald eagle preserve with thousands of these guys flying right off the road. Its hard not to pull over and just watch. Now when people get all excited about one Bald Eagle in Eagle County I will just laugh.

If you come to the "Funny Farm" you are sure to be greeted by Summit. A true AK dog and so cute!
 
Awe.. Cute and sure a great protector from Bears and Moose

 
Did I mention they have sleds, at least 6 and all the film crews have there trailers and sleds to!

Bruce and Carrie are amazing people, we got incredibly lucky being invited to stay with them and there family. Everyone is super nice and they even answer the phone "Funny Farm" just ask my mom!!!

Day #5

If you come up to Haines you will meet Al, I have all the faith in his flying abilities and he is a solid guy. Game on!  3-4" of snow in town and blowing up on the mountain. Although today was a little windy the sky was Bluebird. We skied with Steve and Beth from Taos again and they were ripping as usual. Lots of fresh snow meant lots of Avalanches. 2 people were completely buried today with another company. We watch 2 people from another group get caught in about 1000-1500 foot slide, both ok but took a long "swim".

 
Michael from BC, not Beaver Creek ripping down the bowl, look at the slide he barely escaped. Riding here is the real deal, if you are not paying attention it can end quickly. Lots of people are solid riders but this place makes you think and ride. What would you do if this slide was chasing you?

 
I am having so much fun here, all the film crews are here TGR, Absinthe Films, Match Stick, Standard Films, cant wait to see next years movies and see this amazing Haines session! Did I mention we wear climbing harnesses when we ride incase we fall in a crevasse? Now how often do you think about that in Colorado.. Real Riding, and to think of all the Bros back home that passed on this trip.. Ha Ha, To Funny I am here and I am not even sponsored???????? Hmmm Keep riding the Park everyone, leaves the goods for real pow riders.

Day #6

Today was an early start, we got to the heli pad at 7:00am sharp and watched Absinthe Films get to fly, paying free skiers come second to the film crews, so get used to it in Haines, its what happens..
 
But after a little waiting around we got to run this line a few times, these are our tracks from the first run down, so perfect we went back up for round 2
 
The third run was even better, this is the view looking down before I dropped. If you don't like steep terrain Haines might not be the best place for you. But if you like to scare yourself a bit come to visit.

 
Our guide Johnny-B ripping it up, this guys a local from Juneau and can move some snow around.
 
End of the day, time for a photo with the bird. Today was EPIC, Bluebird and lots of snow. All the film crews were out getting lots of work done. Can't wait to see the new movies next season

Day #7

Yesterday we arrived at the Heli pad and found out we only had a 4 seat Helicopter for a 5 person group. So I took one for the team and took the day off. So I went after it first thing, this was a short pitch but super fun. Looking down from the top you couldn't see past the rollover like most of the terrain in Haines, You really need to take a good look from the Heli and you reference points.

 
And I hope this doesn't turn out to be the only shot of me in Haines, a second late on the photo after slashing this pow lip... oh well the memories. Next year I really want to try and bring 4 other solid riders and a photographer/videographer.

VERY IMPORTANT: Your group is only as good as your weakest rider! Today I learned the truth why our group wasn't running some of the Bigger Lines like I came here for. Our guide told us he didn't feel comfortable taking the girl snowboarder in our group to the Extreme Terrain! The chick my buddy brought along at the last second, she rides strong but.. Pick your group and travel friends this sucks. Oh well its been an eye opening trip and I might get to go up tomorrow without both of them, wish me luck!!!!

Leaving Haines

What a trip this has been. Haines is a sleepy little fishing town in South East Alaska that has mountains that rise up from the see. The place runs on Alaska time sort of like Maui time. It might take a few days to sink into the relaxation but when its time to leave it will be gut wrenching to think about facing the reality we have made in our lives. Would it be possible to check out and move to Haines? Only time will tell.

 
We stayed an extra day to ride and had to fly home on one of the puddle jumpers out of the Haines airport. This was a little nerve racking flying over the mountains in a 6 seat plane! But I figured if I stayed safe in Haines Heli Skiing this should be a breeze. 30 minutes later we were back in Juneau.

 
Until we meet again, wow I have found what skiing and snowboarding is all about and cant wait to come back and do it again! Thanks to everyone for reading the blogs.. Next time maybe someone will take a picture of me riding???? Geez...

Adventures

• 11 Oct 2007 - Nita and Em's Excellent Adventure (CL)
• 10 Jul 2006 - RIKSGRANSEN: Snowboarding's Forgotten Land. (SE)
• 30 May 2006 - MUST Japan Tour of Yuku (JP)
• 10 Mar 2006 - Take a Hike - Daisetsuzan National Park, Hokkaido Japan (JP)
• 12 Oct 2005 - The Vertical Mile (CL)
• 05 Oct 2005 - The Nutcracker Experiment (NZ)
• 27 Sep 2005 - A Hell of an Experience - Heliboarding NZ (NZ)
• 22 Apr 2002 - Groundhog Day: A Day In Powder Heaven (AU)
• 24 Jun 2001 - Swiss Style - a snowboarder's nirvana (AU)
• 23 Jun 2001 - The Sheep Catcher and other tales from New Zealand (AU)
• 10 Apr 2001 - Chile con Nieve... (AU)
• 12 Nov 2000 - Babalu Rising (AU)
• 12 Nov 2000 - The Hills are alive with the sound of Dude! (AU)
• 12 Nov 2000 - Welcome to the Jungle (AU)
• 12 Nov 2000 - You've got Pollack! (AU)
• 27 Oct 2000 - The Innsbruck Experience (AU)
• 29 Apr 2000 - One Metre More ... (AU)
• 29 Apr 2000 - Swayze with a touch of Hewey Lewis (AU)
• 29 Apr 2000 - New Zealand for a Footy Weekend (AU)
• 22 Apr 2000 - Urban Rail sliding in Sydney (AU)
• 22 Apr 2000 - What's so good about Whistler Blackcomb? (AU)
• 22 Apr 2000 - Behind the Scenes with Board the World (AU)
• 22 Apr 2000 - Laax - Snowboard Nirvana (AU)