Ability & grouping

Heli-skiing is backcountry skiing – there are no marked runs, signage, manicured slopes or boundary ropes here. It’s what makes it so addicting and incredible to experience, but it’s also what warrants a little extra know-how. 

We try our best to only take you to areas that suit your on-snow abilities, but the realities of skiing in the wilderness means some terrain features are unavoidable. So, even if you’re visiting one of our destinations known for more moderate terrain, expect to still encounter pockets of steep incline and more rugged landscape changes while you’re skiing. 

Unlike a well-groomed resort run, a single heli-skiing run might include sections of terrain and snow conditions that alternate between blue, black and double-black resort ratings. For example, a run may begin on a ridge with a short section of wind-crusted snow, then transition to the wide-open alpine with a moderate incline and perfect powder snow. Further down, that same run might funnel through steeper trees, tracked or crusty snow, bumps, or a gulley on the way to the helicopter pick-up location. 

Don’t be nervous – knowing exactly what to expect is powerful. When you know, you can feel better prepared, and you won’t be surprised when you’re out there. And trust us, navigating the more challenging turns is worth every single blissful moment of the perfectly floaty powder turns! 

Think about the types of runs you ski or ride during a typical day at your home resort. Ask yourself: what percentage of time do I spend on ‘blue’ rated runs versus ‘black diamond’ or ‘double-black diamond?’ How much time do I spend on groomers versus moguls, trees and glades? How do crud, crust, tracked powder, moguls and rugged terrain affect and change my skiing? 

With that in mind, read the following descriptions and decide which one rings truest for you. 

Relaxed

Experience
I have good to strong technique on groomed runs but little-to-no experience skiing/riding powder snow, off-piste at a resort or backcountry (ie: touring, heli-skiing or cat skiing). 

Terrain
I ski/ride at a moderate to fast pace in easy and open terrain and on groomed runs. I slow down significantly in challenging or treed terrain and in tough snow conditions, often relying on traverses or slow, cautious turns to get down the slope. 

Mindset
I have some fear and apprehension of treed terrain and challenging conditions but can get down the run at my own pace with multiple stops. 

Breaks & flow
I like to ski shorter pitches at a relaxed pace with lots of breaks to rest. 

Snowboarders
As a snowboarder, I am challenged by traverses and maintaining my speed in flat sections. 

Good

Experience
I have good technique and I frequently ski/ride off-piste at a resort or backcountry (ie: touring, heli-skiing or cat skiing). 

Terrain & pace
I ski/ride at a fast pace in easy to moderate terrain and on groomed runs. I slow down in challenging or treed terrain and in tough snow conditions, sometimes relying on slow, cautious turns or traverses, but still maintain a continuous pace without prolonged stops. 

Mindset
I can feel a bit hesitant in treed terrain and challenging conditions but not enough to significantly interrupt my skiing or riding. 

Breaks & flow
I like moderately long pitches with occasional breaks to rest. 

Snowboarders
As a snowboarder, I find traverses and flat sections challenging but am still able to maintain a continuous pace. 

Strong

Experience
I have strong technique and I frequently ski/ride off-piste at a resort or backcountry (ie: touring, heli-skiing or cat skiing). 

Terrain & pace
I ski/ride at a fast pace and can navigate any alpine and treed terrain. I slow down slightly when snow conditions are challenging, but I’m able to maintain a continuous rhythm and pace. 

Mindset
I approach challenging snow conditions with some caution, but I know I can manage them well. 

Breaks & flow
I like long pitches with occasional breaks to rest. 

Snowboarders
As a snowboarder, I don’t find traverses and flat sections that tough. I’m able to maintain a continuous pace. 

Expert to pro

Experience
I have expert to outstanding technique and extensive off-piste or backcountry experience (ie: touring, heli-skiing or cat skiing). 

Terrain & pace
I ski/ride at a fast, aggressive pace and can confidently navigate any alpine and treed terrain. On my worst day, I may slow down a bit in the most challenging snow conditions but mostly maintain a strong and fluid pace. 

Mindset
I thrive and shine in challenging terrain and snow conditions. In fact, I often seek out tree skiing – the steeper the better! 

Breaks & flow
I like non-stop runs all day long with minimal breaks to rest. 

Not quite ready

You might not yet be ready to try heli-skiing if the following statements resonate with you. If that’s the case, don’t dismiss the possibility of one day experiencing the best powder turns of your life! Talk with our team and we can make recommendations for how to work towards a trip..  

Experience
I have good technique on easy groomed runs but no experience skiing/riding powder snow, off-piste or backcountry (ie: touring, heli-skiing or cat skiing). 

Terrain
When faced with treed or challenging terrain, I find it difficult to link consecutive turns down the fall line. At a resort, I might occasionally try a black diamond run, but I definitely don’t venture down double-black runs. 

Mindset
I feel intimidated by the thought of treed terrain and challenging conditions. I try to avoid this type of terrain in my day-to-day skiing/riding. 

Breaks & flow
I need a very relaxed pace with plenty of breaks. 

Snowboarders
As a snowboarder, I'm not yet able to do traverses or maintain my speed in flat sections. 

Why do you need to know this?

When you book your heli-skiing trip with CMH, we’ll ask you to self-evaluate what type of a skier/rider you are. This will help us book you at the best destination, on the best trip, and in the best group possible. The more accurately you’re able to self-assess your on-snow abilities, the more you (and others in your group) will be able to relax and enjoy. It is a vacation, after all! 

If you predominantly ski or ride black to double-black diamond rated terrain – on and off-piste – seeking and enjoying moguls and any challenge the terrain offers, and you can do so at a faster pace, fluidly and without hesitation, you are ready to heli-ski at most of our 12 destinations. 

If you have respect for, but often shy away from this type of terrain or variable conditions, we recommend one of our more relaxed-paced areas or a Powder Intro program. 

If you’re somewhere inbetween, we can find an experience at one of our 12 destinations that best suits your abilities and powder dreams. 

Take our quiz to find the trip and destination that’s best for you 

Browse each of our destinations to learn who would love it there 

We decide the group you’ll ski or ride in based on a complex handful of factors — it’s part math, part safety, and part ability and fitness. 

Know that we always have your best interests in mind when creating your group! 

As much as possible, we strive to place you in a group with other skiers/riders who have similar on-snow abilities and pace. We will also make every effort for friends and family to ski together, but we can never guarantee it. Why? Even if your on-snow abilities are rated similarly, there are other factors that influence grouping decisions, including total group weight for safe helicopter performance. If you do end up in a different group than your family or friends, that just means double the stories to regale each other with over après bevvies. 

If you have concerns about your group while you’re on your trip, please chat about it with your guide or the area manager at the earliest opportunity. If we’re able to adjust we will try to do so, and if we’re not, we’d love the opportunity to explain why. We want you to have the best trip possible. 

Whether you’re a heli-skiing veteran or have just booked your first trip, the best thing you can do to get the most out of your CMH experience is to start a fitness regime today. 

We’re not looking for you to be an Olympic athlete, but you do need some fitness endurance. Most CMH trips are 3-7 days long, so you should be physically fit enough to comfortably ski/ride for consecutive days. Your muscles should be up to this task, and your cardio fitness means you can sustain a consistent pace – whether it’s more relaxed or fast – with some breaks. 

The best way to experience heli-skiing is to avoid going couch-to-heli with no prep. No need to stress, though. We have a fitness program to help you get ready in the lead-up to your powder premiere. 

pre-trip heli-skiing fitness 

Fitness FAQ

How often should I be working out in preparation for my heli-skiing trip?

You should be working out 3x per week, elevating your heart rate to 150 bpm for at least 60 minutes during your sessions. Having a strong core and solid leg muscles will allow you to get the most out of your trip.

When should I start working out for my heli-skiing trip?

We recommend you start your fitness routine at least 12 weeks before your trip. But really, the sooner the better!