Where is Sun Valley Heli Ski Located?

As the name suggests, SVHS is based in Sun Valley. Sun Valley is in central Idaho, adjacent to the town of Ketchum and approximately 155 miles (2.5 hours) east of Boise. Sun Valley has its own airport with direct flights to and from LA, SF, Seattle, SLC, Denver and Chicago

During winter, the base of operations is at the Sun Valley Gun Club, which is about 3 miles northeast of downtown Ketchum.

The heli ski terrain is vast, across 750,000 square acres and four mountain ranges: the Smoky Mountains to the west; Boulder Mountains to the north; Soldier Mountains to the southwest; and Pioneer Mountains to the northeast.

Sun Valley Heli Ski Terrain

SVHS has exclusive helicopter access to a powder playground of 750,000 square acres near Sun Valley, which is significantly larger than any of the other U.S.A. heli ski operators in the lower 48. It’s 365 times the size of Sun Valley Ski Resort, so there are lots of great ski runs, and fresh tracks are assured.

The Sun Valley Heli Ski terrain is varied and includes alpine bowls and powder meadows. There is plenty of sub-alpine terrain with lots of open areas and light trees including burns. Many of the runs are long, and you’ll be well satiated for powder turns. Run lengths range from 1,000 to 3,000 feet of untracked Idaho powder. The full day heli ski guests are guaranteed 6 runs a day, whilst half day heli ski experiences are guaranteed 3 runs.

There is a maximum of four guests per group which improves safety considerations, and the small group format also enables guests to be appropriately grouped by ability, speed and weight.

Much of the terrain is suited to advanced skiers and snowboarders, and there is also plenty of terrain for first time heli skiers and strong intermediates (particularly around the Smoky Mountain Lodge). The terrain also includes expert terrain, which is ideally tackled as part of a private heliski charter to ensure you’ve got your own posse who also want to ski hard and steep.

Snow & Weather

Sun Valley has lovely Idaho powder and you’ll be able to devour the powder buffet on offer with Sun Valley Heli Ski. Whilst Idaho is renowned for its potatoes, Idaho snow is nothing like mashed potatoes. Instead the Idaho snow is light dry powder that you get in the interior of western USA, and the consistently cold temperatures keep the powder in very good condition. The large terrain size is also advantageous so that the guides have a variety of slope aspects to choose from, to ensure you ride the best snow available.

The heli ski tenure receives an annual snowfall of 200 to 400 inches (5-10 metres). In an aptly named area called Paradise, it snows up to 50 percent more than it does at the Sun Valley Resort.

There is sunshine 250 days a year - it’s not called Sun Valley for nothing. There are bluebird powder days and the frequency of no-fly days is relatively low, especially compared to the heli ski outfits up in Alaska.

Sun Valley Heli Ski General Terms & Conditions

Sun Valley Heli Ski (“SVHS”) takes great pride in the helicopter skiing and riding experiences and exceptional customer service which we provide. In return, we ask that our guests understand that we must make advanced financial and time commitments in order to provide these services. Helicopter skiing and riding is a complex experience. We ask that you understand that certain elements of the experience are beyond our control, including weather, snow conditions and skier ability levels on a particular trip. Being on time and prepared for your day of skiing will enhance your experience.

Full Day Heli Skiing/Riding Reservation Policies & Procedures

Reservations and Payment

You will agree that you have placed one or more non-refundable $750 deposits to reserve the seats you are reserving. You hereby authorize SVHS to charge the credit card that you have on file for the remainder of the purchase price 3 days prior to your scheduled fly date and agree that this is also non-refundable. If your reservation is made within 3 days prior to your scheduled fly date, then you agree that you have made a non-refundable payment for the entire purchase price.

Waiver and Release

On or prior to your scheduled heli ski or riding day, you will be required to sign a Waiver and Release. This Agreement states that you understand all the unique risks of flying in a helicopter in mountainous terrain in potentially hazardous weather while skiing and riding in the backcountry and that you agree to assume all the risks associated with such activities. It also states, among other things, that you will release SVHS from all liability under any circumstances and that you will indemnify SVHS for any liabilities it may incur for providing these services. Finally, it states that you will not sue SVHS under any circumstances. The full text of the Agreement is available on the bottom of our website under “Waiver and Release.” We highly recommend that you read this important document.

Cancellation and Refund Policy

• You agree without question to adhere to SVHS’s Cancellation and Refund Policy. Except as described below, all payments made to SVHS are non-refundable, regardless of whether you are able to fly with SVHS on your scheduled fly date. ·
• No refund will be issued in the event you do not arrive at your scheduled designation at the designated time as advised by SVHS staff. ·
• No refunds are issued in part or in whole for unused days due to a guest’s late arrival, early departure or any other reason. ·
• No refunds are issued for missed skiing or riding due to ability, fitness, equipment failure, or personal choice. You acknowledge that you will be in sufficient physical condition to helicopter ski or ride at high elevations on your reserved day. SVHS reserves the right to evacuate any guest out of the field if the guest does not have the requiste skills to helicopter ski or ride or is otherwise a danger to him/her self or others. If a guest becomes injured, ill, or requests to leave the field prematurely for any reason, no refund will be made. Additional flight time and other costs resulting from any evacuation or early departure from the field will be charged to the guest.

It is important to note that it is not the responsibility of SVHS to remind you of your reservation. It is the responsibility of the guest to be on time at whatever time or location SVHS may direct, on their reserved day.

The only exception to our Cancellation and Refund Policy is when we are unable to fly due to weather or other circumstances, in SVHS’s sole discretion. If this occurs, everything that you have paid toward the purchase price will be refunded, less a 6% Administrative Fee. You may also choose to keep your payments as a credit to be used for future trips. This is described in more detail below under Weather Days & Other SVHS Cancellations. 

Charges and credits may be placed in your account and will be subject to the policies then in effect for future usage. Rates paid for on any given day are only good for the date of the original reservation(s). Any reservations changed to another date will be subject to a rate increase or decrease if you change to a day that has a different price.

Insurance

Sun Valley Heli Ski strongly recommends that all guests carry Trip Cancellation Insurance, Trip Interruption Insurance, Medical Insurance, and Emergency Evacuation Insurance. These various coverages safeguard you against unforeseen mishaps that can occur before or during your helicopter day with us. The refund and cancellation policy is absolute. If you injure yourself before you come or have circumstances which causes you to cancel your trip, your package will not be refunded beyond the terms of the above policy.

Weather Days & Other SVHS Cancellations

As a reservation holder, you are required to remain available until noon on each of your available days. If SVHS is unable to deliver a reserved day for any reason, including due to weather, we will try to reschedule your trip on a space available basis. If we are fully booked or are unable to accommodate you, a full refund (less a 6% Administrative Fee) will be given. You may also choose to keep your payments as a credit to be used for future trips. You have no other obligation in the event of a day cancelled by SVHS due to weather or other circumstances.

SVHS reserves the right to cancel any day at any time for any reason in its sole discretion. If SVHS is unable to deliver a reserved day due to the inability to meet minimum group requirements, snow conditions, weather or any other cause subject to SVHS’s sole discretion, we will reschedule your days or provide you a refund or credit as described above.

Full Day Heli Ski & Riding Run Guarantee

SVHS guarantees its guests 6 runs per day for full day heli skiing. If you do not get in 6 runs, as the case may be, you will receive a refund of $100 per run per person. SVHS reservations are based on run achievement. If you choose to miss any skiing or riding for any reason, you will be charged the runs achieved by the groups in the field for that day.

Availability/Weights

SVHS’s helicopter seats 4 guests and one guide in each group. Upon request, SVHS will do its best to keep your group together. However, at the elevations we fly to in the mountains, there is an upper weight limit for each group, including gear, which cannot be exceeded in order to operate safely. Due to weight limitations, we reserve the right to split your group. Each guest will be asked to step on the scale at our headquarters or other location so we can accurately calculate weights and safe groupings. Additionally, an individual weighing 240 pounds or more may expect to pay all or part of an extra seat.

T&Cs Pertaining to Smoky Mountain Lodge Trips

Reservations and Payment

By making a booking you agree that you have made a non-refundable deposit equal to 50% of the full purchase price in order to reserve your Smokey Lodge Trip. You hereby authorize SVHS to charge the credit card that you have on file for the remainder of the purchase price 3 days prior to your scheduled fly date and agree that this is also non-refundable. If your reservation is made within 3 days prior to your scheduled fly date, then you agree that you have made a non-refundable payment for the entire purchase price.

Smoky Mountain Lodge Run Guarantee

SVHS guarantees its guests 18 runs per person for a 3-day 2-night SML trip. If you do not achieve the requisite number of runs, you will receive a refund of $100 per run per person. If you would like to ski or ride additional runs, we will try to accommodate you, subject to weather, snow conditions, logistics and other matters in SVHS’s sole discretion. The charge for exceeding the maximum guaranteed runs is $175 per run per person. SVHS reservations are based on run achievement. If you choose to miss any skiing or riding for any reason, you will be charged the runs achieved by the groups in the field for that day.

Availability/Weights

SVHS will only book up to 8 seats per SML trip. A group of heli skiers and riders is comprised of up to 4 guests and one guide. At the elevations we fly to in the mountains, there is an upper weight limit for each group, including gear, which cannot be exceeded in order to operate safely. SVHS will do its best to accommodate you on the desires of your group. However, adjustments may have to be made due to weight restrictions of the aircraft and other related matters. As a result, we reserve the right to split your groups.