Ultimate Ski Touring (& Optional Heli Assistance)
Elemental Adventure •
We think of ski touring as the gastronomic fine dining answer to heliskiing’s “all you can eat” powder buffet. While the portions are miniscule, once experienced, their exquisite flavour gives them their own special appeal.
All snow is fleeting and fickle so ski touring is no powder panacea – we’ve slogged uphill for hours on plenty of occasions to find a few sublime turns sandwiched between an entrée of breakable crust and a boilerplate ice dessert. And it’s not for everyone – unless you are fit enough to enjoy the descent after a long climb, we wouldn’t recommend it. However, for those that enjoy the challenge of earning their turns, some of the most memorable runs of your life can come from a pair of skins and a couple of hours of cardio. What’s more, the unhurried peace of being alone in silent mountains and absorbing the grandeur can create the ultimate ski experience when you do get lucky with great snow.
Ski touring can be done anywhere with snow and a gradient but we’re not interested in ordinary skiing experiences, so we’ve shortlisted a few really special places to maximise your chances of extraordinary skiing. In some, there is an option to add a heli “bump” to give you an extra run or reduce the time spent doing “junk metres” on your way to the good bits.
Battle Abbey, Canada
Where is it? In the Battle Range of the Selkirk Mountains of British Columbia, Canada
What makes it special? Hans Gmoser, the founder of CMH and father of heliskiing was instrumental in the inception of Battle Abbey. Sitting between Revelstoke and the Bugaboos in the very heart of BC’s heliskiing country, it is blessed with incredible terrain and abundant powder snow. At 2200m elevation, access is by helicopter only.
What’s the programme? A private lodge for up to 10 guests for 5 to 7-night stays. Ski-touring takes place right from the front door in 12,000 acres of exclusive terrain, led by some of the most experienced and passionate guides in the business. In April it’s possible to add heliski days too.
How much does it cost? CA$4999pp for a 5-day/4-night stay, including transfers, accommodation meals and safety equipment.
Sea to Sky, Canada
Where is it? In the Sea to Sky Corridor, between Vancouver and Whistler, British Columbia, Canada
What makes it special? The flexibility of the programme (as well as the epic terrain) is the beauty of this trip. With a guide lined up for the week, keep your options open for ski touring, heliskiing or resort skiing at Whistler until you see how the forecast shapes up.
What’s the programme? Very much tailormade to your preferences, from where to stay and ski to how much heli time. Whistler is the logical place to stay with the lift system on the doorstep to kick-start backcountry touring days . From the boundary of the ski area, leave the crowds and tracks behind. Heliski and heli-assisted ski touring days can be planned and added but taken when weather and snow conditions are most favourable.
How much does it cost? From about CA$7,500pp (group of 4) for a 7-night stay with 2 days heli-assisted ski-touring, 3 days’ guided resort skiing and a full day heliskiing. Inc transfers, accommodation, guiding, and heli time.
Svalbard, Norway
Where is it? High in the Arctic Ocean, just 800 miles from the North Pole.
What makes it special? Skiing to the ocean is the most magical skiing experience and starting from sea-level makes ascending on skins far easier than at higher elevations found in the Rockies or the Alps. Svalbard is a protected wilderness with incredible glaciated scenery and almost no signs of humanity outside a handful of settlements (combined population less than 3000). 24-hour daylight limits temperature fluctuations so there is less freeze-thaw than in mountains at lower latitudes. If you weren’t already convinced, it’s also the best place in the world to see polar bears.
What’s the programme? There are no helicopters, hotels or roads outside Longyearbyen so exploring is strictly by sea and elevation is by leg power alone. Each day is spent going ashore with a particular goal in mind and 1000-2000m per day of climbing and descending is typical.
How much does it cost? Elemental Adventure runs a yacht-based ski-touring programme to Svalbard. From €9,500 per person for 5 days/nts.
Northern Iceland
Where is it? The Troll Peninsula on Iceland’s northern coast.
What makes it special? Where to begin? Other than the usual benefits of skiing in the Arctic (skiing to the sea, oxygen at lower elevations and Northern Lights or midnight sun), the North of Iceland offers spectacular scenery and local culture without the tourists. Low sun makes for long days of perfect corn snow while the presence of a ‘sister’ heliskiing operation creates options to give heli assistance to tired ski touring legs.
What’s the programme? 4 or 6 day programmes with 60 or 90 minutes of heli time which can be spread across the trip to venture deeper and higher into the mountains or focused on better ski days. Extra heli time can be added subject to availability.
How much does it cost? €3700pp for 4 days/4 nights, €5,300pp for 6 days/6 nights. Includes transfers from Akureyri, accommodation, transport, guiding, heli time.
Japan
Where is it? Various locations on both Hokkaido and Honshu
What makes it special? Japan’s famous powder and the chance to ski into the crater of Mt Yotei, Niseko’s iconic volcano.
What’s the programme? Programmes are usually tailormade though Elemental is running a group trip to Japan in January 2025. Ski touring opens up Japan’s “ghost” resorts and deep powder stashes away from the crowds. In other places chairlifts can be used to provide an initial bump before donning skins to explore deeper into the backcountry.
How much does it cost? Depending on programme, from about JPY500,000 per week based on a group of 4
Val d'Aran, Spain
Where is it? In the Spanish Pyrenees, close to the French border.
What makes it special? This is one of just a handful of places in the world to offer ski touring, resort skiing and heliskiing from the same base, not to mention a buzzing après-ski scene, making it a great long ski weekend destination for Europeans but also a nice Alps add-on for visitors travelling from further afield.
The resort of Baqueira Beret is comparable to a mid-sized resort in the Alps while the Posets Maladeta Natural Park offers fabulous touring potential with the Pyrenees highest peak, Aneto, as a highlight and impressive backdrop. Heli “bumps” are a possibility here to increase ski-touring range or make the most of a powder day.
What’s the programme? Both 3 and 5-day programmes are available with a range of options to choose from in terms of ski programme, how much heli time and where to stay. Groups of 4 are optimal to maximise programme flexibility.
How much does it cost? From €4,500pp for a 3 day/3 night trip including transfers, accommodation and 15 heliski runs.
