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Through September 1, you may cancel your spot at any time and receive a full refund. After September 1, the following cancellation fees apply:
For cancellations received from September 1 - October 14, $500 fee. For cancellations received from October 15 - November 30th, $1000 fee. After December 1st, no refund. These fees apply regardless of other SKI BUMS trips for which you are signed up or would like to sign up, and regardless of our wait list status.
View the full SKI BUMS cancellation policy or submit your cancellation >
For cancellations received from September 1 - October 14, $500 fee. For cancellations received from October 15 - November 30th, $1000 fee. After December 1st, no refund. These fees apply regardless of other SKI BUMS trips for which you are signed up or would like to sign up, and regardless of our wait list status.
View the full SKI BUMS cancellation policy or submit your cancellation >
From CPG: "The charge for exceeding the package vertical footage is $50 per 1,000 vertical feet. If we do not achieve the guaranteed package footage, the refund is $50 per 1,000 vertical feet." View CPG's refund policy >
$6299 per person for double occupancy
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$7199 per person for single occupancy (there are limited single occupancy spots available)
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$7199 per person for single occupancy (there are limited single occupancy spots available)
$1000 deposit due at sign up | Sign up for the trip >
$3000 due by October 15, balance due by December 1 | Make a balance payment >
Late payments are subject to a 5% late-payment fee. It is up to you to submit your payments on time. You may always pay early.
$3000 due by October 15, balance due by December 1 | Make a balance payment >
Late payments are subject to a 5% late-payment fee. It is up to you to submit your payments on time. You may always pay early.
You may pay with any major credit card, cash or check.
Online payments: We use PayPal to process all online credit card payments. PayPal is the internet's most trusted online payment portal, and you do not need to be a PayPal member to submit a payment. If you would ever like to use PayPal to send a manual payment (from a smartphone, for example), our account address is: payments (at) ski-bums.org.
PayPal mobile apps: iPhone / iPad / iPod Touch | Android
Payment by phone: we use Square Payments to process payments over the phone. To pay by phone, please contact us.
Payment by cash or check: please contact us.
Online payments: We use PayPal to process all online credit card payments. PayPal is the internet's most trusted online payment portal, and you do not need to be a PayPal member to submit a payment. If you would ever like to use PayPal to send a manual payment (from a smartphone, for example), our account address is: payments (at) ski-bums.org.
PayPal mobile apps: iPhone / iPad / iPod Touch | Android
Payment by phone: we use Square Payments to process payments over the phone. To pay by phone, please contact us.
Payment by cash or check: please contact us.
Upon arrival in Alyeska, all participants receive a detailed itinerary with meeting times, events, & helpful tips. Here is an overview of our trip, to help you think through scheduling, packing, etc.
Sunday is a travel day. After landing in Anchorage, you'll probably want to head directly to Alyeska. It's a breezy 40-mile trip from the airport to our hotel. (See "Ground Transportation," above.)
After checking in, take some time to relax, hydrate and soak up the mountain atmosphere! Pick up equipment rentals, explore our resort hotel and have a bite to eat.
The official SKI BUMS fun begins at 9:30 PM. You'll meet the other BUMS at our welcome reception and meet & greet at the hotel. Our trip leader will hold a brief welcome and info session, and you'll receive your SKI BUMS member tags and the official trip itinerary.
After checking in, take some time to relax, hydrate and soak up the mountain atmosphere! Pick up equipment rentals, explore our resort hotel and have a bite to eat.
The official SKI BUMS fun begins at 9:30 PM. You'll meet the other BUMS at our welcome reception and meet & greet at the hotel. Our trip leader will hold a brief welcome and info session, and you'll receive your SKI BUMS member tags and the official trip itinerary.
The scheduling for this trip will be very different from a typical SKI BUMS trip, and will largely be determined by the weather. Thankfully, we've got lots of options to have fun in the snow no matter what Mother Nature is sending our way.
Our day begins very early on Monday morning, with a 7 AM orientation and safety meeting with Chugach Powder Guides. You'll learn all about how to safely travel aboard the heli and receive training for our top-of-the-line safety equipment. We'll discuss the valuable ways to stay safe in the backcountry, with the personal attention of seasoned pros. CPG has hosted more than 500 heli trips since 1997. They've got a stellar safety record.
The first heli journey starts very simply. We'll take an easier powder run for the CPG guides to ascertain our skill levels. From there, we'll divide up into groups based on experience and skill. Each heli has one guide and four skiers / snowboarders. From there, we'll begin to explore the stunning Chugach backcountry. As each day progresses, the guides will work with us (and keep a close monitor on the snowpack) for the best locations. In the event that cloud cover keeps the helicopters from flying, we've got a guaranteed seat on CPG's snowcats, which travel to an excellent array of backcountry terrain. Our skiing / snowboarding days are Monday through Friday.
In the evenings, we'll dine together as a group at different restaurants around Alyeska. One night's dinner is a prepaid delicious gourmet meal at the award-winning Seven Glaciers restaurant.
We've added a Friday night stay for a great evening to relax at the resort before heading home. See "air transportation" above for the best flight recommendations.
Our day begins very early on Monday morning, with a 7 AM orientation and safety meeting with Chugach Powder Guides. You'll learn all about how to safely travel aboard the heli and receive training for our top-of-the-line safety equipment. We'll discuss the valuable ways to stay safe in the backcountry, with the personal attention of seasoned pros. CPG has hosted more than 500 heli trips since 1997. They've got a stellar safety record.
The first heli journey starts very simply. We'll take an easier powder run for the CPG guides to ascertain our skill levels. From there, we'll divide up into groups based on experience and skill. Each heli has one guide and four skiers / snowboarders. From there, we'll begin to explore the stunning Chugach backcountry. As each day progresses, the guides will work with us (and keep a close monitor on the snowpack) for the best locations. In the event that cloud cover keeps the helicopters from flying, we've got a guaranteed seat on CPG's snowcats, which travel to an excellent array of backcountry terrain. Our skiing / snowboarding days are Monday through Friday.
In the evenings, we'll dine together as a group at different restaurants around Alyeska. One night's dinner is a prepaid delicious gourmet meal at the award-winning Seven Glaciers restaurant.
We've added a Friday night stay for a great evening to relax at the resort before heading home. See "air transportation" above for the best flight recommendations.
Sunday, February 23 to Saturday, March 1, 2022
Heli ski operators price their trips based on how many total vertical feet you accumulate. Our trip includes 60,000 of heliskiing, with a guarantee of at least 50,000. In the event of bad weather when the helicopters can’t fly, we have guaranteed access to snowcats to get you up on the mountain skiing and riding.
Our trip includes daily lunches. One evening, we'll enjoy delicious pre-paid dinner at the award-winning Seven Glaciers restaurant. We'll have casual, comfortable dinner plans for our other evenings at Alyeska.
Six night stay at Alyeska Hotel, double or single occupancy accommodations | Five days of hell skiing, with 50,000 - 60,000 vertical feet | Guaranteed CPG snowcat trips if weather doesn't permit the helicopters to fly | Use of backcountry safety equipment | Daily lunches | One dinner | Professional CPG guides | A SKI BUMS trip leader
As with all SKI BUMS trips, space is limited, and this trip is now sold out.
You must be a registered member to join a SKI BUMS trip; only those who sign up via the SKI BUMS website may join us.
Sign up for SKI BUMS membership >
You must be a registered member to join a SKI BUMS trip; only those who sign up via the SKI BUMS website may join us.
Sign up for SKI BUMS membership >
We are happy to arrange roommates for you. Typically, half of our participants ask us to match them up with a roommate. We'll ask a few easy questions and accommodate your preferences.
Equipment rental is not included in the trip price. Most participants will bring their own powder skis or boards, but you can easily rent equipment at Alyeska. View rates here. Helmets are mandatory for this trip.
For the best quality heli skiing experience, it's vital that groups of skiers and snowboarders enjoy a similar pace. There's no opportunity to simply take the chair if you arrive at the bottom of the run before others, because there's no chair lift. For that reason, SKI BUMS only recommends this trip for advanced and expert skiers and snowboarders.
Many participants will be on their first heli skiing trip. You must be very confident skiing or riding in deep powder conditions. You should have well-defined skills on all in-bounds terrain at major resorts in the North American West or Europe. Because terms like "advanced" and "expert" can mean different things to different people, please read our classifications below to determine if this trip is right for you.
Advanced
You ski or ride with confidence and finesse, with offensive tactics and techniques on in-bounds terrain. You can carve arc-to-arc turns on groomed runs, and you handle soft bump runs with consistent form and rhythm. You are competent, if not always confident, on hard mogul runs or steep ungroomed conditions, and you can handle all but the most extreme in-bounds terrain. You may lack the needed confidence or particular technical or tactical options for true virtuosity in all terrain and conditions.
Expert
You can ski or ride almost anywhere, almost any time, with confidence, flair, efficiency, and offensive movements and tactics. You fear no terrain. Moguls, glades and steeps are exciting and fun. Chutes, spines, jumps, pillow drops and big mountain runs may be within your repertoire. The challenge is to continue to improve.
Many participants will be on their first heli skiing trip. You must be very confident skiing or riding in deep powder conditions. You should have well-defined skills on all in-bounds terrain at major resorts in the North American West or Europe. Because terms like "advanced" and "expert" can mean different things to different people, please read our classifications below to determine if this trip is right for you.
Advanced
You ski or ride with confidence and finesse, with offensive tactics and techniques on in-bounds terrain. You can carve arc-to-arc turns on groomed runs, and you handle soft bump runs with consistent form and rhythm. You are competent, if not always confident, on hard mogul runs or steep ungroomed conditions, and you can handle all but the most extreme in-bounds terrain. You may lack the needed confidence or particular technical or tactical options for true virtuosity in all terrain and conditions.
Expert
You can ski or ride almost anywhere, almost any time, with confidence, flair, efficiency, and offensive movements and tactics. You fear no terrain. Moguls, glades and steeps are exciting and fun. Chutes, spines, jumps, pillow drops and big mountain runs may be within your repertoire. The challenge is to continue to improve.
If you would like to book additional nights at Alyeska, contact the hotel directly. SKI BUMS cannot assist with trip extensions, and we cannot provide roommates for those who are booking additional nights on their own. We do encourage you to coordinate with other trip participants, and our Facebook page is the most enjoyable way to do so.
Air transportation is not included.
Anchorage (ANC) is the nearest large airport serving Alyeska. We will have participants who are flying in from multiple destinations, so we do not recommend any one particular flight. Our trip officially begins with a meet & greet cocktail reception at 9:30 PM at our hotel on Sunday night February 23rd.
Anchorage (ANC) is the nearest large airport serving Alyeska. We will have participants who are flying in from multiple destinations, so we do not recommend any one particular flight. Our trip officially begins with a meet & greet cocktail reception at 9:30 PM at our hotel on Sunday night February 23rd.
+ Sun, Feb 23: travel day: fly to Anchorage; check in at our hotel after 4 PM
+ Mon thru Fri: hell skiing the Chugach Mountain range (snowcats also available)
+ Sat, Mar 1: check out of Alyeska, spend the day at the Fur Rendezvous Festival in Anchorage
+ Mon thru Fri: hell skiing the Chugach Mountain range (snowcats also available)
+ Sat, Mar 1: check out of Alyeska, spend the day at the Fur Rendezvous Festival in Anchorage
Cars won't be necessary during our trip; click here to view ground transportation options between Anchorage's airport and Alyeska. Our trip leaders will help coordinate transfers; feel free to discuss your plans with us in our Facebook group. Ground transfers are not included in our trip price.
One tremendous advantage for our trip: our home base is Alyeska Resort, the largest ski area in Alaska. If you want to take a break from the heli, you can enjoy Alyeska's lift-served areas, which includes a 2,500 vertical drop, big bowls, fir tree glades and fantastic top-to-bottom runs.
Alyeska's unique in many ways; it averages a whopping 650 inches of snow each season, making it the snowiest ski resort in the world. And fascinatingly, although much of the terrain lies above the tree line, the top peak is just 3,939 feet. You can enjoy a big mountain experience without the threat of altitude sickness. The sun is fairly late to rise here -- lifts open at 10:30 AM -- but from mid-February on, the resort gets more daylight hours than any other ski resort in North America.
The resort is home to the only 4-diamond AAA hotel in Alaska, which we'll call home for the week. (see Lodging, below). And it's easy to get here: it's located just 40 miles from Anchorage airport.
Alyeska's unique in many ways; it averages a whopping 650 inches of snow each season, making it the snowiest ski resort in the world. And fascinatingly, although much of the terrain lies above the tree line, the top peak is just 3,939 feet. You can enjoy a big mountain experience without the threat of altitude sickness. The sun is fairly late to rise here -- lifts open at 10:30 AM -- but from mid-February on, the resort gets more daylight hours than any other ski resort in North America.
The resort is home to the only 4-diamond AAA hotel in Alaska, which we'll call home for the week. (see Lodging, below). And it's easy to get here: it's located just 40 miles from Anchorage airport.
Air transportation | Ground transportation to Alyeska | Breakfasts | Five dinners | Skiing or snowboarding instruction | Equipment rentals | Alyeska resort lift tickets (if you'd like to ski / ride on the lift-served terrain, you can purchase a discounted lift ticket for $50)
$6299 per person (double occupancy)
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$7199 per person (single occupancy)
(there are limited single occupancy spots available)
View our payment options & schedule >
-- or ---
$7199 per person (single occupancy)
(there are limited single occupancy spots available)
View our payment options & schedule >
Saturday's going to be one for the memory books; we'll check out of the hotel early morning and head into Anchorage for the annual Fur Rendezvous Festival (see above). It's like nothing you've ever seen before.
If you're flying from Anchorage Saturday evening, you can store your luggage during the day at the airport. If you'd like to spend the night in town and fly out on Sunday, see "optional overnight" and "air transportation," above for helpful advice.
If you're flying from Anchorage Saturday evening, you can store your luggage during the day at the airport. If you'd like to spend the night in town and fly out on Sunday, see "optional overnight" and "air transportation," above for helpful advice.
Our rooms are guaranteed after 4 PM Sunday. You'll simply visit the front desk and check-in under your own name. if you arrive before your room is ready, the hotel can store your luggage for you.
SKI BUMS is thrilled to announce our very first trip to the snowiest ski resort in the world, where massive peaks of untracked powder are waiting for you. Imagine rising off the ground in a state-of-the-art helicopter to journey far beyond the chair lifts, over the breathtaking heights and spectacular valleys of the Chugach Mountains in Alaska. There are stunning slopes and awe-inspiring vistas stretching in every direction; it's the purest form of skiing and snowboarding you can imagine.
You're invited to join other advanced and expert skiers and snowboarders for a six night stay at Alyeska Resort and five unforgettable days with Chugach Powder Guides. Prepare for a week that's unlike anything you've experienced before. And after all our fun in the snow, we'll cap off the trip with a weekend in Anchorage at a fun-filled winter festival.
It's a once-in-a-lifetime moment, and this trip is now sold out. But you're encouraged to add your name to our wait list; new openings may happen any day.
You're invited to join other advanced and expert skiers and snowboarders for a six night stay at Alyeska Resort and five unforgettable days with Chugach Powder Guides. Prepare for a week that's unlike anything you've experienced before. And after all our fun in the snow, we'll cap off the trip with a weekend in Anchorage at a fun-filled winter festival.
It's a once-in-a-lifetime moment, and this trip is now sold out. But you're encouraged to add your name to our wait list; new openings may happen any day.
We've chosen one of the world's most well known and highly respected heli ski operators, Chugach Powder Guides. In operation since 1997, CPG has built a solid reputation through quality guides, a commitment to safety and an outstanding track record. CPG guides will accompany each group of skiers and snowboarders throughout our week.
Our home for the week is the lovely Alyeska Hotel, the only AAA 4-diamond resort in the state. Originally built in 1994, this recently renovated property has an indoor pool, a full-service spa, award-winning restaurants, complimentary wi-fi and spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and glaciers.
Select double or single occupancy. (Single occupancy slots are limited; if our signup page permits you to select one, then a single occupancy slot is available for this trip.)
Select double or single occupancy. (Single occupancy slots are limited; if our signup page permits you to select one, then a single occupancy slot is available for this trip.)
We've planned this trip very carefully; the last week of February is ideal for a Chugach heli experience. Temperatures are quite comfortable, average temps hover in the 20's, and sub-zero temperatures are very rare. Deep snowfalls are common. With a five-day hell trip, you should expect that at least one of those will be a snowy day where we board a snowcat instead of the helicopter, and enjoy untracked blankets of fresh powder.
The use of backcountry safety equipment is included in the trip price. All participants will receive a Mammut Pulse Barryvox avalanche beacon, Mammut avalanche airbag and a harness. Bright and early on Monday, all participants will join in a helicopter safety and orientation meeting hosted by Chugach Powder Guides. To learn more about safety preparations, view this FAQ >
We'll be starting out easy. Our first runs of heli skiing will include a skill level observation by the CPG guides to determine which areas are best for us; after observation, we group up into different helicopters with 4 skiers or boarders plus one guide. Over the course of the week, we'll have access to an unparalleled variety of areas, including bowls, glades, big mountain runs, steeps, spines, and even pillow lines. You won't be pushed beyond what you're comfortable doing; SKI BUMS will work with the CPG guides to coordinate groups' destinations based on pace, skill level, conditions and snowpack safety.
To get stoked about the kind of runs we'll be doing in Alaska, join our trip's Facebook group. It's open to anyone who's thinking of coming on the trip. Join the discussion here >
To get stoked about the kind of runs we'll be doing in Alaska, join our trip's Facebook group. It's open to anyone who's thinking of coming on the trip. Join the discussion here >
ARRIVAL, FEB 23 | Look closely at Anchorage arrival times and plan ahead; many flights from the East Coast get in quite late in the evening after connecting in Seattle. Plan to land at Anchorage no later than 8:15 PM on Sunday, February 23rd.
DEPARTURE, MAR 1 | Many Anchorage flights depart very early in the morning or include a red-eye overnight flight. For this reason, we recommend spending Saturday, March 1st in Anchorage, then taking a late night flight or spending the evening in Anchorage. Be sure to see "Fur Rendezvous Festival," above.
Connect with the other BUMS on Facebook if you'd like to coordinate travel with others.
DEPARTURE, MAR 1 | Many Anchorage flights depart very early in the morning or include a red-eye overnight flight. For this reason, we recommend spending Saturday, March 1st in Anchorage, then taking a late night flight or spending the evening in Anchorage. Be sure to see "Fur Rendezvous Festival," above.
Connect with the other BUMS on Facebook if you'd like to coordinate travel with others.
After spending Saturday March 1st enjoying the festivities in Anchorage, you may want to enjoy an extra night of fun alongside Anchorage's gay community. You'll need to make your own hotel reservation, but we recommend the Millennium Alaskan Hotel or the Anchorage Marriott Downtown.
We're finishing our trip with a visit to the famous Fur Rendezvous Festival in downtown Anchorage. Also known as the Fur Rondy (or simply Rondy), this is the largest winter carnival in North America. Held annually since 1946, it was selected as the number one winter carnival in the world by the National Geographic Traveler in 2012. With numerous events including reindeer races, snow sculpture competitions, hockey tournaments, native art shows, snow machine parades and the launch of the Iditarod Great Sled Dog Race, it's a rare opportunity to take in the sights and sounds of homegrown Alaskan culture, and it's an added bonus for our final day in Alaska.
The Fur Rondy's grand finale festivities (including the running of the reindeer) take place on March 1st and 2nd. To learn more and plan ahead, visit the Rondy website >
The Fur Rondy's grand finale festivities (including the running of the reindeer) take place on March 1st and 2nd. To learn more and plan ahead, visit the Rondy website >
Buy travel insurance. We cannot stress this enough.
A travel insurer can provide a refund even when SKI BUMS cannot. Just in case you need to cancel your trip because of work or health reasons, you should purchase travel insurance within 30 days of your initial trip deposit.
There are many travel insurers. We especially recommend travelinsured.com.
A travel insurer can provide a refund even when SKI BUMS cannot. Just in case you need to cancel your trip because of work or health reasons, you should purchase travel insurance within 30 days of your initial trip deposit.
There are many travel insurers. We especially recommend travelinsured.com.
SKI BUMS requires a minimum of at least 4 participants for this trip. If fewer than 4 participants sign up, all those who have submitted payments will receive a full refund.
Special thanks to Chugach Powder Guides for their gorgeous photos. All rights reserved.
We want to make it easy to connect with other SKI BUMS members who have signed up for trips -- or are thinking about coming. New this season, we've got specific Facebook groups dedicated to each major trip, and they're open to anyone.
If you're curious about this trip -- or want to see who's coming, simply sign up here >
If you're curious about this trip -- or want to see who's coming, simply sign up here >