High Mountain Heli Skiing

High Mountain Heli Skiing is Wyoming's only heli-skiing operation and one of the longest-running in North America, working a permit area of roughly 305,000 acres south of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. They have been at this since 1974, fly Astar AS350B3e helicopters, and run the December through April window when the snow is in. The right fit is an advanced to expert skier or rider who wants to ski terrain that the resort cannot reach, accepts the cost, and is willing to plan around weather. The wrong fit is anyone still building skills in variable backcountry snow; this is not a learning environment.

What a day actually looks like

You meet early, get gear sorted, and run through a beacon and avalanche safety check before lifting off. The helicopter delivers you to the top of a run, the guide assesses the line and pace, you ski, and the helicopter picks you up at the bottom for the next lap. Group runs share a helicopter; private A-Star bookings give you the heli to your group only and let you tailor the day. They provide airbag pack, beacon, probe, shovel, and radio. Wider powder skis (around 110mm or more underfoot) are available to rent if your setup is not built for deep snow.

Who this is built for

Strong intermediate-plus to expert skiers and riders. You should be comfortable in variable snow, steep pitches, trees, and chutes, and physically conditioned for repeated big descents at altitude. If your only ski experience is groomed lift-served terrain, the cost-to-fun ratio drops fast in deep snow. If you have skied Jackson Hole, Snowbird, Whistler off-piste, or comparable, you are in the zone. Groups can include mixed skill levels but the day's terrain has to match the weakest skier in the group, so honest self-assessment helps the booking go well.

Other similar businesses

The closest practical alternatives are the resort itself (cheaper, more terrain hours per dollar, but tracked out faster), guided backcountry touring (lower cost, more vertical earned per descent, no helicopter), and snowmobile-access skiing or cat-skiing in nearby ranges. Turpin Meadow Ranch covers the snowmobile side for a different winter adventure if heli does not fit your day. For sports injury follow-up if something does not go right, Hole Ortho handles orthopedic care locally.

How to book it well

Two practical points. First, do not schedule heli-skiing for the last day of your trip. Weather sets the operations; flights cancel for low ceilings, wind, and avalanche risk, and a cancellation on your last day costs you the trip. Booking in the first half of your stay gives you a re-flight buffer. Second, book ahead. Peak weeks and powder cycles fill, and walk-up availability during a deep snow week is unrealistic. For private A-Star groups, book months out.

Where this gets tricky

Cost is the obvious one; this is one of the higher-priced winter activities in North America. Weather dependency is the other. Fly days happen, no-fly days happen, and the operation will not push into unsafe conditions. If your trip is short and you have inflexible plans on the back end, build the buffer in or accept the risk. Difficulty is the third; this is not for beginners or for people unfamiliar with deep snow on steep terrain.

One thing to keep in mind

The guides chase the best snow across the permit area, not the obvious zones. A storm might leave the southern end of the area loaded while the higher-profile zones get scoured by wind. Trust the guide's read of the day; their job is to find the best skiing for that hour, not to chase pre-trip expectations. Ask questions about the terrain choice if you want to learn, but do not lobby to ski a specific zone you saw photos of last season.

Jackson Hole Heli-Skiing Highlights and Activities

For the right skier, on the right day, with the right buffer in the trip plan, this is a high point of a Jackson Hole winter. For everyone else, the resort and the lift-served sidecountry deliver more value per dollar. Decide which you are before you book.

FAQ

What skill level do I need to be?

Strong intermediate-plus through expert. Comfortable on variable snow, steep terrain, trees, and chutes. Solo expert skiing and being relaxed at altitude both help. Beginners and lower intermediates should ski the resort.

What if my flight gets weathered out?

The operation reschedules to the next available day inside your booking window when possible, or refunds per their cancellation policy. The first defense is leaving buffer days in your trip.

Can I ride a snowboard?

Yes. Snowboarders welcome, with the same ability requirements. Bring a board built for variable backcountry snow.

What is the difference between a shared seat and a private A-Star?

Shared groups split a helicopter with other skiers; the day's pace and terrain choices are managed by the guide for the group. Private A-Star books the helicopter for your group only, lets you tailor terrain choice and pace within safety limits, and is the higher-cost option.