heliskiing
new zealand intro

Heliski - You're standing on the edge of big, snow covered country, you click in, take a deep breath of pure mountain air and contemplate the majesty of your surroundings. Then you let go, glide into exhilaration, adrenaline and the reality checking perspective of being tiny and inconsequential in an immense, silent mountain world - Heliski........

Your guide will lead you to the day's best heliski snow conditions. An ongoing sense of achievement and excitement is guaranteed. This is heli-skiing, a most perfect escape from the everyday.

You may be a first time heli-skier or a max vert regular, it doesn't matter, Extreme Sports Cafe and it's Heli-Ski partners in New Zealand and Canada will take you into the vast terrains of the Southern Alps and Whistler at precisely the level which best suits your ability.

If you can ski, you can Heli-ski..

Ideally you are a strong intermediate skier/boarder or better, with a sense of adventure. Extreme Sports Cafe has exclusive access to extensive terrain above and beyond Queenstown, Wanaka and New Zealand’s highest mountain, Mount Cook as well as some of the best Heliski areas just beyond the ski lifts of Whistler and Blackcomb in Canada.
There's a lot of choice and thousands of vertical metres offering easy rolling terrain for powder first timers or challenging chutes and steep valleys for the more experienced. You'll be part of a group of four led by a guide who is committed to your safety and enjoyment of this alpine environment.

Heli-Skiing works like this...
Early in the morning we check the weather and then we contact you. If it's on, we'll pick you up and take you to the staging area where you're introduced to your pilot, and group and given a safety brief covering avalanche transceivers, helicopter and mountain safety. Then you fly off to the first run. Each run takes up to an hour. All groups meet for a gourmet buffet lunch and a relax before the afternoon's heli-skiing.
If weather conditions preclude flying you can reschedule to the next day. Reservations must be reconfirmed by 6.00pm the day prior to flying. It is wise to book well in advance especially during our peak season.

Heliski areas and Daily Heliskiing - New Zealand.

Prices quoted are effective for 2004 season, in New Zealand Dollars and include Goods and Services Tax (GST).

Extreme Sports Cafe's heli-skiing terrain in New Zealand is vast. We ski over 400 runs from 200+ peaks in 7 separate mountain ranges covering over 3000 square kilometres. Runs vary between 2000 to 4000 vertical feet of treeless skiing in sheltered basins, bowls and wide rolling mountain flanks through to steep and gnarly chutes. Extreme Sports Cafe's operations include the famous Harris Mountains and Buchanans Range, and Mount Cook, New Zealand's highest mountain.

The Southern Hemisphere's finest four season alpine and lake resort. World renowned Queenstown is at once breathtakingly beautiful and intensely exciting. Established and sophisticated the range of activities and adventures here is unsurpassed.

Translating from Maori as 'renewal of the soul', Wanaka is an exquisite piece of real New Zealand. The mountains surrounding this laid back town offer high back country terrain and stunning scenery. Apres ski is alive and well in the many bars and cafes of the town centre.

New Zealand's highest peak is the majestic focal point of the Southern Alps. The alps feature twenty-two other peaks higher than 3,050 metres. ESC has exclusive access to some of New Zealand’s best heli-ski terrain in this extraordinary region.

Queenstown Experience 3 Run Day    $725.00
For everyone who thought heli-skiing was beyond them. Your guide will lead you to terrain suited to your ability for an unforgettable experience.

Queenstown Classic 4 Run Day    $775.00
The classic day of New Zealand heli-skiing, exploring a variety of awesome terrain. Conditions conducive, you’re feeling strong, upgrade by taking an extra run or two.

Queenstown Maximum Vertical 7 Run Day    $975.00
'Max Vert' for advanced skiers/boarders who know they'll push the limits! After 7 runs the choice is yours, go home or go for more runs. Some of our Max Vert groups ski 10-15 runs a day.

Queenstown Fly/Fly Option    $165.00
Add this to any of the heli-ski options if you'd like to fly to and from a remote staging area. An exciting and scenic option.

Mount Cook Heli-Skiing from Queenstown 5 Run Day    $1125.00
An awe inspiring scenic flight from Queenstown to the Mount Cook region starts the day. Mount Cook is New Zealand's highest mountain and the area offers high altitude heli-skiing/boarding. After 5 or 7 runs in this magnificent environment, an alpine lunch, your group may upgrade for extra runs before your flight back to Queenstown. (Includes fixed wing transfers).

Mount Cook Heli-Skiing from Queenstown 7 Run Maximum Vertical    $1275.00
'Max Vert' for advanced skiers/boarders who know they'll push the limits! After 7 runs the choice is yours, go home or go for more runs. Some of our Max Vert groups ski 10-15 runs a day.
Extra Runs    $90.00
Extra runs are available subject to conditions and agreement from a minimum of three clients per group.

Wanaka Experience 3 Run Day    $725.00
For everyone who thought heli-skiing was beyond them. Your guide will lead you to terrain suited to your ability for an unforgettable experience.

Wanaka Classic 4 Run Day    $775.00
The classic day of New Zealand heli-skiing, exploring a variety of awesome terrain. Conditions conducive, you’re feeling strong, upgrade by taking an extra run or two.

Wanaka Maximum Vertical 7 Run Day    $975.00
'Max Vert' for advanced skiers/boarders who know they’ll push the limits! After 7 runs the choice is yours, go home or go for more runs. Some of our Max Vert groups ski 10-15 runs a day.

Mount Cook Heli-Skiing from Wanaka 5 Run Day    $1125.00
An awe inspiring scenic flight from Wanaka to the Mount Cook region starts the day. Mount Cook is New Zealand's highest mountain and the area offers high altitude heli-skiing/boarding. After 5 or 7 runs in this magnificent environment, an alpine lunch, your group may upgrade for extra runs before your flight back to Wanaka. (Includes fixed wing transfers).

Mount Cook Heli-Skiing from Wanaka 7 Run Maximum Vertical    $1275.00
'Max Vert' for advanced skiers/boarders who know they'll push the limits! After 7 runs the choice is yours, go home or go for more runs. Some of our Max Vert groups ski 10-15 runs a day.
Extra Runs    $90.00
Extra runs are available subject to conditions and agreement from a minimum of three clients per group.

Mount Cook is New Zealand's highest mountain and set amongst some of New Zealand’s best heli-ski terrain. The area offers high altitude heli-skiing/boarding.

Mount Cook Heli-Skiing from Mount Cook 5 Run Day    $775.00
After 5 or 7 runs in this magnificent environment, an alpine lunch, your group may upgrade for extra runs before your flight back to base. (Includes fixed wing transfers).

Mount Cook Maximum Vertical 7 Run Day    $825.00
'Max Vert' for advanced skiers/boarders who know they'll push the limits! After 7 runs the choice is yours, go home or go for more runs. Some of our Max Vert groups ski 10-15 runs a day.
Extra Runs    $90.00
Extra runs are available subject to conditions and agreement from a minimum of three clients

Included in all options:
• Our famous Alpine Buffet lunch
• Fully Qualified Guiding Service
• All transfers from accommodation to heli-skiing staging areas and return
• "Capture the Experience" video service available upon request

Prices quoted are effective for 2005/2006 season, in New Zealand Dollars and include Goods and Services Tax (GST).

Odyssey - New Zealand

The ultimate South Pacific helicopter skiing/boarding adventure. Only ESC can take you into this terrain. Experience the majestic Southern Alps – untracked powder fields, massive peaks, stunning valleys and challenging chutes.
Your ESC Odyssey Programme is tailored for you:
• Multi day heli-skiing/boarding designed around your programme and ability
• Fully qualified guiding service
• Premium accommodation in Queenstown or Wanaka
• All transfers
• Our famous alpine buffet lunch on heli-ski/board days
• Time out to visit local ski areas, take in local sights and activities or just relax.
ESC will tailor your Odyssey ski week to suit your programme and skiing ability. Odyssey weeks are available in July, August and September. Cost is dependant on your programme and inclusions. As a guide, an Odyssey week based on share twin accommodation and 4 days heli-skiing is priced at approximately NZ$3500.
Contact us for more Odyssey Programme information and prices.

Our guides are the best in the business. Twenty-three years of operation has honed the skills of our professional and dedicated team, many of whom have been with us since we started. They are UIAGM/NZMGA certified and/or specialists in mountain safety.
Our guides attend an annual refresher course covering avalanche hazard evaluation and control, route selection, weather analysis, emergency first aid, mountain survival, rescue and ski instruction techniques.
Snowpack and weather are analysed daily and forecasts made accordingly, with slope assessment conducted prior to skiing.

Alpine skis, telemark skis, mono boards or snowboards are all OK. Slide on whatever you are most comfortable with. The new wide body powder skis are great for all abilities. Many of our guides use these and they’re wonderful for those wanting to go longer and harder in more advanced terrain. All equipment can be hired locally.
What to bring
Warm clothing, good eyewear, sunscreen and camera. A day-pack is recommended as gear cannot be left in the helicopter.

Heli-skiing/boarding takes place in an alpine environment, above the tree line and is weather dependent. We fly an average of 4 – 5 days per week during the 'windows' of fine weather.
When booking we suggest you register with us for daily heli-skiing as soon as you arrive in the area and allow some flexibility in your schedule.

Snow in the back country can vary from fine powder to crud to beautiful spring corn. 75% of the time conditions are very good. We usually enjoy light dry powder from July through to September and spring corn from late September through to October.

Booking Conditions - New Zealand

Simply complete and submit the on-line web form. Fill out your dates and specific requests in the NOTES area of the form and we will contact you to confirm your booking details.

It is advisable to reserve space for heli-skiing well in advance, especially during high season - 20 July to 14 September.

We will contact you with regards to payment also... As a rough guide deposits are as follows...
• Daily Heli-skiing: $NZ330
• ESC Odyssey Programme: $NZ1000

Balance of Payment
Confirms your booking and is due:
• Daily Heli-skiing: by 6 p.m. the day before.
• ESC Odyssey Programme: 21 days before arrival.
Bad weather can prevent flying, reconfirmation must be made by 6.00pm the day prior to flying.

• Daily Heli-skiing: Full refund can only be guaranteed if cancellation received 24 hours prior to skiing. Inside 24 hours deposit is retained.
• ESC Odyssey Programme: Full refund given if cancellation received 21 days before arrival.

If adverse weather prevents flying, your money will be fully refunded. If some heli-skiing has been possible but less than the runs booked, you will be refunded at NZ$75 per run not skied.
Refunds are not given due to injury, lack of ability or fitness.
Prices are in New Zealand Dollars. Inclusive of 12.5% Goods and Services Tax.

Reservations must be reconfirmed by 6.00pm the day prior to flying. Early morning the weather is checked regarding daily operation. If weather conditions preclude flying you can reschedule to the next day. It is wise to book well in advance especially during our peak season.

Ground transfer pick ups are provided to the staging areas. Here you are introduced to your guide and group of similar ability and given a safety brief on avalanche transceivers, helicopter and mountain safety. Now board the helicopter and fly off to the first run ... each run taking up to an hour. Early afternoon all groups meet for an alpine buffet lunch to recharge before the afternoon's heli-skiing.