A Typical Day Heliski: The Play-by-Play

It’s officially winter on the South Island. A couple of ski fields are already open, and snow is starting to pile up on the peaks. As you plan your skiing for the season, we’d like to humbly suggest the winter adventure of a lifetime: a day heliskiing or heliboarding in the Southern Alps of New Zealand.

What would that epic day look like? Here’s a taste (these times vary for each trip, but you get the idea):

7:00am - Roll out of bed. Drink a cup of coffee while getting your gear together with ski film soundtracks playing on repeat in your head. Eat a hearty breakfast to give you powderific energy.

7:30am - Answer the day’s most anticipated phone call: final confirmation from the friendly staff at Harris Mountains Heliski that the weather is looking great, and your heliski trip is ON! They'll tell you what time they’ll pick you up at your accommodation for the drive to our base to begin your adventure.

8:45am - Gather with your ski buddies and meet your HMH guides. Make your way to the helicopter staging area near Wanaka, Queenstown or Mt Cook, where your helicopter will be waiting.

9:30am - Receive your briefing on helicopter and avalanche safety. (Feeling badass yet? Probably!)

10:15am - Load your skis and boards onto the heli and lift off. Check out multiple dream lines on the flight and discuss the various powder attributes of each with your guide and buddies.

10:30am - The helicopter lands high on a snowy ridge. You step out to epic scenery. Grab your skis or board and click in.

10:45am - Drop into your very own line of untracked powder. Revel in your deep turns all the way to the bottom of the run. Catch your breath and ride the high.

11:30am - Your helicopter picks you up for round two.

11:45am - Repeat with freshies.

12:45pm - Repeat with more freshies.

1:30pm - Gourmet picnic lunch on a snow-covered mountain. (Seriously.)

2:30 – 4:00pm - Finish out your day with a few more runs, hitting the other dream lines you’ve been eyeing.

4:30pm - Take your last heli ride of the day back to town. Relax and enjoy the post-heliski buzz as the HMH staff drive you back to your accommodation.

5:00pm - Sit down for an après heliski beer with your buddies. (You know how beers taste better after skiing? Imagine how they taste after heliskiing.) Relive the highlights of your adventure.

Sound good? We think so. Check out our ski packages to see which one’s right for you!