Safety

Heli-ski / Heli-board Guides

Our guides are the best in the business. Over twenty-five years of operation has honed the skills of our professional and dedicated team. Our Guides are UIAGM / NZMGA certified and/or specialists in mountain safety. They are chosen for their ability to provide you with an exciting and memorable Heli-Ski experience. Every winter, all guides attend our pre-season intensive safety-training course. In addition to their technical qualifications, they have strong interpersonal and communication skills and a genuine love of the sport of skiing. Languages spoken by our guides include Japanese, French, Spanish and German.

Safety

The only consideration more important to us than Heli-skiing is your safety and well-being during your time with us. Our safety infrastructure provides you with an unsurpassed level of safety and service. Guides are well trained in avalanche hazard evaluation and control, route selection, weather analysis, emergency first aid, mountain survival, rescue and ski instruction techniques. Radio repeaters give us voice communication throughout the Heli-ski area. Snow pack and weather are analysed daily and forecasts made accordingly, with slope assessment conducted prior to skiing. Our crew are qualified to ensure your safety both in the air and on the ground during heli-skiing. We are a QUALMARK rated heli-ski business in the Southern Lakes Region so you can be assured of a high level of quality and service with Harris Mountains Heli-ski.

Pilots

Our professionally trained helicopter pilots have specific experience flying in New Zealand’s alpine environments, and all of our crew are qualified to ensure your safety both in the air and on the ground during heli-skiing. Our pilots are regularly subjected to stringent performance checks to meet New Zealand CAA requirements. We are a QUALMARK rated heli-ski business in the Southern Lakes Region so you can be assured of a high level of quality and service with Harris Mountains Heli-ski.

Helicopters

Harris Mountains Heli-ski use only high performance helicopters. Our fleet consists predominantly of European AS355 twin engine Squirrels and AS 350 Squirrels. They have the highest level of Civil Aviation Authority certification for heli-ski helicopter operations. This involves regular monitoring and audit of all aspects of our operation. Our helicopters and pilots are QUALMARK rated so you can be assured of a high level of quality and service.

Equipment

Alpine skis, telemark skis, or snowboards are all welcome. Slide on whatever you are most comfortable with.
The new wide body powder skis are great for all abilities. They allow you to ski a wide range of snow conditions, faster, easier and with more stability. Many of our guides use these and they’re wonderful for those wanting to go longer and harder in more advanced terrain. You don’t have to own your own powder skis, talk to us and we can recommend a variety of hire equipment retailers.

Heli boarding is growing every season – Snowboards have a wide base and this allows you to perform well in off piste and deep powder snow. Many of our guides use snowboards. You don’t have to own your own snowboard, talk to us and we can recommend a variety of hire equipment retailers.