Helipark
Helipark Heli Skiing, New Zealand
Helipark in New Zealand is a revolution in heli-skiing. It’s a completely unique experience that is suitable for all powderhounds as well as wannabe powderhounds. Helipark is like a cross between a great ski resort and the backcountry, but it has the best of both worlds. It has the benefits of a ski resort in that it’s small enough to undertake some avalanche control, but it also has the advantages of the back-country in that you only have to share the powder with a maximum of 19 other ski or snowboard enthusiasts. And the best thing about Helipark is that instead of hiking or chairlifts (or ghastly nutcracker ropetows), a helicopter is the mode of transport to get you up the hill. Powderhound bliss!
Helipark is also an amazing concept because it’s semi-guided heli-skiing. If you want support from the guides you can get it, but if you want to take your own line down the mountain that’s fine too. The guides are there to watch your back for safety considerations, but they are not on your back.
Heli Ski and Heli Board Packages
Another pioneering concept in relation to Helipark is that you can ski or snowboard as many runs as your budget, your legs or your wife will allow. The first run costs $225 which includes the ride up (and down) from Mt Potts lodge to the ski area. Subsequent runs are just $85 per lift (2009 prices). This package includes the use of an avalanche transceiver, lunch, and après snacks and schnapps (try saying that four times quickly!).
Helipark is a fabulous opportunity for heli-ski virgins to get a taste of heli-skiing without fully committing to an expensive heliski package. It’s also great for experienced heli-skiers because they can get “max” vertical.
Accommodation is available at Mt Potts Lodge for those who want to sample the joys of Helipark over multiple days. Alternatively Helipark is an easy day trip for those staying in Methven.
Where is Heli Park (Mt Potts) Located?
Helipark is at Mt Potts which is approximately 75km (50-60 minutes) from
Methven and 190km from Christchurch airport. The operators can organise air or road transfers from Christchurch or Methven for groups of three or more, but the most common method of getting there is to self-drive. From Methven head towards Geraldine and after about 29kms (18 minutes) turn right at Mt Somers (Ashburton Gorge Rd). The turn-off is signposted to Mt Potts and Lake Clearwater. After 21km the road becomes unpaved (and then momentarily paved again), go past Lake Clearwater and then there’s a sign to turn right at the entrance to Helipark. The unpaved road is reasonably flat and whilst it may be snow-covered at times, it’s a reasonable drive for 2WD cars.
Heli-Skiing Terrain
The park seems bigger than what you’d expect for 380 hectares, and it has multiple peaks onto which the heli can drop you. The terrain is incredibly varied with tight chutes, steeps and drop-offs as well as gentle bowls, some of which are appropriate for intermediate skiers and boarders. Intermediates should discuss their ability level with the guides to ensure they don’t get dropped on one of the peaks where there’s no easy way down.
The runs have differing lengths with a maximum vertical drop of about 800 metres, although the most common routes result in the last 200 metres just being a gentle run out to the heli pick-up point.
One of the most amazing things about Helipark is that it can really cater to a broad range of ability levels. And because the “group” doesn’t have to ski together, intermediates don’t have to worry about holding up faster skiers, and experts don’t have to get frustrated waiting for slow riders. Everyone’s happy!
Snow and Weather Conditions
Helipark is actively controlled for avalanches and the guides know the terrain well. However it is the backcountry and avalanche risk is still present. Avalanche transceivers are provided as part of the package.
As to be expected for New Zealand, the snow conditions vary significantly and are dependent upon the recency of snowfall and the temperature. However the peaks are at a high elevation so there’s a high likelihood of dry fluffy snow, and Helipark receives an abundance of snowfall (reported as 11m annually).
Like other
New Zealand heli skiing and ski areas near Methven, the treeless Helipark is at the mercy of the fickle weather. Helipark can only operate in fine weather so keep your itinerary flexible to accommodate for no-fly days.
History
The revolution of Helipark has been a bit of an evolution in the use of the great terrain. The ski area started as the Erewhon ski club field (which is “nowhere” spelt backwards – OK maybe not quite!). Then with a realisation that ropetows are not the most pleasant mode of transport, it transformed into the Mt Potts cat-skiing operation. However the cat couldn’t get up to the top of some of the great peaks, and the frustration of this led the owners to find the perfect solution to get to all the gnarly lines – a helicopter!
More Reasons to Heli Ski at Helipark
The novel Helipark has a flexible approach to guiding so that you can make the most of the great terrain. And it comes at a fraction of the cost of other
New Zealand heli skiing operators. If that’s not enough reason to go heli-skiing at Helipark, be a tourist and check out the locations where the Lord of the Rings was filmed.
See the Powderhounds' video and
review of Helipark for further information.
If you have any questions or would like to enquire about a specific date
click here.