Equipment
EQUIPMENT
GEAR YOU CAN TRUST.
Handpicked Equipment for Safety, Performance, and Deep Powder.
At Valdez Heli-Ski Guides, our focus is on safety and performance. We don’t accept equipment manufacturer sponsorships. We prefer the freedom to choose the best equipment available for our conditions. We provide our guests with carefully selected items that we personally trust for helicopter skiing in Valdez.
The skis and snowboards we provide our guests are the same as those our guides, staff, and owners choose to use. This is what we have found to be the best for the steep and deep powder Valdez is famous for. All of our gear is meticulously maintained by ski technicians at each of our lodges.
We supply our guests with industry-leading safety gear, the best we’ve found for the Alaskan backcountry. Our choices are based on extensive experience and rigorous testing in the field, as well as on what we personally prefer to use.
WHAT TO BRING.
Essential items for your heli-ski trip.
Your trip booked with Valdez Heli-Ski Guides includes the skis or snowboard we recommend for our terrain and snow, an avalanche transceiver, an avalanche airbag backpack, a shovel, a probe, a climbing harness, and a radio. This comprises the base kit you’ll need to heli-ski the Chugach. Other personal items you should bring include:
Ski/Snowboard Boots
You should bring the ski or snowboard boots you want to wear for the best ski days of your life.
Goggles
We like Glade, Shred, Smith, and Anon because they have easy-to-change magnetic lenses with photochromic technology. Bring multiple lenses for different light conditions, as they will fog up from face shots. Remember: two is one, and one is none.
Helmet
Please bring a helmet. We wear them because it’s an OSHA requirement, and you are worth it.
Ski Jacket & Pants
A high-quality ski jacket and pants. We use Arc’teryx because it has outperformed and outlasted all other brands.
Lightweight Jacket
A warm but lightweight down or similar high-quality jacket to stuff in your pack and hopefully never take out. Sometimes, it gets very cold at the top of these big Alaskan peaks while you wait for your turn on a 4,000+ vertical-foot run. Putting a big puffy jacket over your ski jacket keeps you warm and comfortable.
Mid-Layer Clothing
Mid-layer clothing similar to what you would use for resort skiing. You won’t be hiking.
Base Layer
A Merino wool or other high-quality base layer. If you are male, bottoms with a fly are more functional when wearing a climbing harness.
Gloves
Warm gloves, or mittens, are a personal choice. Choose a model that fits ergonomically, is supple, and is waterproof. We like Hestra but use everything from Kincos with Snow-Seal to electric gloves. Gloves with liners allow you to dry out the components more effectively overnight.
Ski Socks
Merino or other high-quality ski socks. Lenz-brand electric socks* or heated boots are useful early in the season.
Water Bottle
Staying hydrated is essential during an intense day of heli-skiing. We will supply the food and snacks.
Outdoor Boots
Bring comfortable, waterproof boots suitable for walking around the lodge and surrounding snowy areas.
Bring anything else that makes you comfortable while skiing. You are welcome to bring your own safety gear instead of using ours. We limit avalanche airbag packs to 15L or less and will suggest our equipment if yours does not meet our standards.
The helicopter is equipped with everything necessary for an expedition. If you have any questions about what to bring, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
* Avalanche transceiver manufacturers have issued statements regarding signal interference caused by phones, electronic clothing, smartwatches, rings, satellite equipment, etc. We recommend wearing your avalanche transceiver as far away from other electronic devices as possible and minimizing their use when possible.
THE GEAR WE LOVE.
This equipment is included in your trip.
K2 - Pon2oon
Sizes: 159, 169, 179, 189cm
Dimensions: 157, 132, 122mm
www.k2snow.com
Moment - Comi
Sizes: 182cm
Dimensions: 160, 135, 145mm
www.momentskis.com
Salomon - Warden 13 MN
Adjustable toe height and sliding AFD is compatible with both touring and alpine boot sole standards.
www.salomon.com
Jones - Flagship
Sizes: 158, 159W, 161, 164, 165W, 167cm
Dimensions: 29.9, 25.4, 28.6cm
www.jonessnowboards.com
Jones - Stratos
Sizes: 162, 164Wcm
Dimensions: 30.7, 25.8, 29.7cm
www.jonessnowboards.com
Jones - Mind Expander
Sizes: 162, 166cm
Dimensions: 31.1, 26.4, 29.1cm
www.jonessnowboards.com
Winterstick - Swallowtail
Sizes: 163, 173cm
Dimensions: 33.3, 26.4m
www.winterstick.com
Jones - Meteorite
Sizes: S, M, L
www.jonessnowboards.com
Mammut - Removable Airbag 3.0
The Removable Airbag System 3.0 is an avalanche airbag system based on a square, brightly-colored airbag that deploys behind the wearer’s head within seconds. The new system is safe, easy to use, lighter, smaller, and can be attached to all Removable 3.0-compatible backpacks.
www.mammut.com
Mammut - Barryvox
Intuitive shock-proof transceiver.
www.mammut.com
Mammut - Alugator
Lightweight UIAA-certified shovel.
www.mammut.com
Mammut - 240 Speed Lock
Fast-assembling, easy-to-use, UIAA-certified probe.
www.mammut.com
Blue Ice - Choucas
VHSG provides each guest with a harnesses and carabiner for riding in glaciated terrain. Your guide will ensure proper sizing and fit during the initial safety briefing.
www.blueice.com
RECOMMENDED GEAR.
This equipment is not included.
Glade Optics - Photochromic Lenses
We recommend Glade Optics photocromic lenses which change according to the light conditions. These have been thoroughly tested by our guides. Choose the blue tint lens for optimum performance: Reveal Photochromic Blue.
www.shopglade.com
Atomic - Redster CS 130
Light years ahead of the rest for AK steep skiing. The stiffness of boots should be matched to your weight and ski aggressiveness. The Redster comes in various stiffnesses and last widths giving the customer more options for a better fit and function calibrated to their person, ability, and fit..
www.shopglade.com
Upper Body Clothing
The ideal layering system combines several light-weight, synthetic or wool, moisture-wicking, base layers, with one puffy insulating jacket, and one waterproof breathable shell jacket, such as Gore-Tex. We’ve found that Arc’teryx has consistently delivered superior durability and performance over the years.
www.arcteryx.com
Lower Body Clothing
One silk weight and one medium weight base layer provides two options for warm and cold days. These layers can be combined on a very cold day. On top of this should be a waterproof breathable shell, such as Gore-Tex.
XTRATUF - Men's 6 Ankle Deck Boot
The Men’s 6 Ankle Deck Boot from XTRATUF is a great choice for staying dry and comfortable around our lodges. Waterproof and easy to slip on, it can be used any time of the season.
THE GEAR WE LOVE.
This equipment is included in your trip.
Included Equipment & Safety Gear
Skis
K2 - Pon2oon
Sizes: 159, 169, 179, 189cm
Dimensions: 157, 132, 122mm
www.k2snow.com
Moment - Comi
Sizes: 182cm
Dimensions: 160, 135, 145mm
www.momentskis.com
Salomon - Warden 13 MNC
Adjustable toe height and sliding AFD is compatible with both touring and alpine boot sole standards.
www.salomon.com
Snowboards
Jones - Flagship
Sizes: 158, 159W, 161, 164, 165W, 167cm
Dimensions: 29.9, 25.4, 28.6cm
www.jonessnowboards.com
Jones - Stratos
Sizes: 162, 164Wcm
Dimensions: 30.7, 25.8, 29.7cm
www.jonessnowboards.com
Jones - Mind Expander
Sizes: 162, 166cm
Dimensions: 31.1, 26.4, 29.1cm
www.jonessnowboards.com
Winterstick - Swallowtail
Sizes: 163, 173cm
Dimensions: 33.3, 26.4m
www.winterstick.com
Jones - Meteorite
Sizes: S, M, L
www.jonessnowboards.com
Safety Gear
Mammut - Removable Airbag 3.0
The Removable Airbag System 3.0 is an avalanche airbag system based on a square, brightly-colored airbag that deploys behind the wearer’s head within seconds. The new system is safe, easy to use, lighter, smaller, and can be attached to all Removable 3.0-compatible backpacks.
www.mammut.com
Mammut - Barryvox
Intuitive shock-proof transceiver.
www.mammut.com
Mammut - Alugator
Lightweight UIAA-certified shovel.
www.mammut.com
Mammut - 240 Speed Lock
Fast-assembling, easy-to-use, UIAA-certified probe.
www.mammut.com
Blue Ice - Choucas
VHSG provides each guest with a harnesses and carabiner for riding in glaciated terrain. Your guide will ensure proper sizing and fit during the initial safety briefing.
Sizes: S, M, L, XL
www.blueice.com
Recommended Gear – Not Included
Glade Optics - Photochromic Lenses
We recommend Glade Optics photocromic lenses which change according to the light conditions. These have been thoroughly tested by our guides.
Choose the blue tint lens for optimum performance: Reveal Photochromic Blue.
www.shopglade.com
Atomic - Redster CS 130
Light years ahead of the rest for AK steep skiing. The stiffness of boots should be matched to your weight and ski aggressiveness.
The Redster comes in various stiffnesses and last widths giving the customer more options for a better fit and function calibrated to their person, ability, and fit.
www.atomic.com
Upper Body Clothing
The ideal layering system combines several light-weight, synthetic or wool, moisture-wicking, base layers, with one puffy insulating jacket, and one waterproof breathable shell jacket, such as Gore-Tex. We’ve found that Arc’teryx has consistently delivered superior durability and performance over the years.
www.arcteryx.com
Lower Body Clothing
One silk weight and one medium weight base layer provides two options for warm and cold days. These layers can be combined on a very cold day.
On top of this should be a waterproof breathable shell, such as Gore-Tex.
XTRATUF - Men's 6 in Ankle Deck Boot
The Men’s 6 Ankle Deck Boot from XTRATUF is a great choice for staying dry and comfortable around our lodges. Waterproof and easy to slip on, it can be used any time of the season.
www.xtratuf.com
