HIMACHAL Helicopter Skiing - hELI SKIING in tHE hYMALAYAS - MANALI, INDIA
"During the last thirty years of ski instruction I have been skiing over a hundred days a year. Today's heli skiing was the best day I have ever had." (Nestor Fellay, Ski Instructor from Verbier)
Why Heli ski Here?
- Adventure! - You are in the mighty Himalayas surrounded by 5,000 - 6,500 metre peaks.
- Lowest client to guide ratio in the world (3 or 4 per group).
- Long runs through exciting and varied terrain
- Fascinating local culture. Many interesting things to do and see when not skiing.
Location
The small Indian town of Manali is the base for Himachal Heli skiing. Manali is situated 500 kilometres from Delhi in the peaceful Indian state of Himachal Pradesh at the northern end of the Kullu Valley ("the Valley of the Gods").
The Heli skiing / Heli boarding
With groups of only 3 or 4 heli skiers / heli boarders and the mighty Himalayas as your personal playground, this is one of the most exclusive heli skiing experiences available.
If there is something in particular that distinguishes heli skiing in the Himalayas, it is the length, variety and sheer quality of the runs. Starting high in the alpine with views of 6,500m peaks, down steep cirque bowls, long rolling ridge lines, through glades of perfectly spaced birch and oak trees and finishing in towering forests of cedar. This is heli skiing of the highest calibre.
The majority of heli skiing takes place at altitudes between 2,700m and 4,300m with an impressive average run length between 900 and 1,200 metres. On occasions, it may be possible to heli ski at elevations of over 5,000m! Most people have no problem with the altitude because you never linger long at the higher elevations.
Accommodation & Facilities
Heli skiers stay at the beautiful and very well-appointed Ambassador Hotel perched on the hillside at 2,000 m on the opposite side of the valley to Manali. It is a four star hotel, comfortable, well equipped and modern. Rooms are spacious and have private bathrooms. There is a restaurant and bar, and the food alternates around Indian and European. Hotel facilities include: sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi, massage therapist and weights/workout room.
Helicopters & Safety
HThe safety standards adhered to at Himachal Heliskiing both from a guiding and aviation perspective, are excellent. Bell 407 and A-Star B3 Helicopters are leased from Pinnacle Air in New Delhi and are flown and maintained by Swiss pilots from Air Zermatt.
Weather and snowpack data is gathered throughout the season in an effort to balance exciting and safe skiing.
All guests are equipped with an avalanche airbag and the client to guide ratio is kept at three or four to one. Fulltime heli ski guides all have a great deal of heli skiing experience and are members of the U.I.A.G.M. (International Association of Mountain Guides). This means they are seasoned professionals who have passed a series of comprehensive exams.
HIMACHAL HELI SKIING PRICES AND PACKAGES - 2011
Seven day packages run from Saturday to Saturday. Departure from your home country is on the day before your heli ski package starts.
Rates per person in € (Euros).
(Click here for up to date exchange rates and other currencies.)
STANDARD HELI SKIING PACKAGES| 7 Day Packages: Saturday to Saturday |
Himachal Powder Week |
| Week 01: 22 Jan - 29 Jan | €6,850 |
| Week 02: 29 Jan - 05 Feb | €6,850 |
| Week 03: 05 Feb - 12 Feb | €6,850 |
| Week 04: 12 Feb - 19 Feb | €6,850 |
| Week 05: 19 Feb - 26 Feb | €6,850 |
| Week 06: 26 Feb - 05 Mar | €6,850 |
| Week 07: 05 Mar - 12 Mar | €6,850 |
| Week 08: 12 Mar - 19 Mar | €6,850 |
| Week 09: 19 Mar - 26 Mar | €6,850 |
| Week 10: 26 Mar - 02 Apr | €6,850 |
Four skiers per guide max.
For single occupancy, please add €290 for seven nights in Manali.
Included:
- Six possible days heli skiing.
- 30,500 vertical metres of skiing (20,000 vertical metres guaranteed).
- Six days guide service.
- Seven nights accommodation in Manali on a twin share basis including all meals.
- Air and ground transfers: Delhi - Manali - Delhi.
- Airport transfer and local taxes.
- Use of safety equipment including: avalanche transceiver and avalanche airbag.
Not Included:
- Anything not mentioned above.
- Heli skiing in excess of the included vertical (charged at €100 per 1,000 vertical metres).
- Helicopter replacement transfer between Pinjore near Chandigarh and Manali (€3,500 per load of up to five guests).
- International flights to Delhi.
- Accommodation and board in Delhi.
- Himachal State Government Heliski Tax (US $300 / week / person).
- Insurance. This MUST cover you specifically for heli skiing. Please ask us for advice if you are unsure of your options.
- Departure taxes and gratuities.
- Taxis.
- Visas.
- Drinks.
PRIVATE HELI SKIING PACKAGES
The private heli skiing package operates in more distant terrain with fewer groups per helicopter. It is designed for guests who want to ski in excess of the standard package vertical, and who want the possibility of skiing first descents.
| 7 Day Packages: Saturday to Saturday |
Price per person |
| 3 skiers | €16,600 |
| 4 skiers | €17,325 |
| 5 skiers | €13,860 |
| 6 skiers | €11,550 |
| 7 skiers | €9,900 |
Private groups of up to three heli skiers have exclusive use of their own helicopter and ski as one rotation.
Private groups of four to seven heli skiers have exclusive use of their own helicopter and ski as two rotations.
Larger groups of up to 12 heli skiers can be catered for upon request.
Included in this package:
- Nine helicopter hours per week for groups of one to three skiers
- Twelve helicopter hours per week for groups of four to seven skiers
- Six possible days heli skiing.
- Six days guide service.
- Seven nights accommodation in Manali on a twin share basis including all meals.
- Air and ground transfers: Delhi - Manali - Delhi.
- Airport transfer and local taxes.
- Use of safety equipment including: avalanche transceiver and avalanche airbag.
Not included:
- Anything not mentioned above.
- Heli skiing in excess of the included flying time (charged at €2,100 per hour per helicopter).
- Helicopter replacement transfer between Pinjore near Chandigarh and Manali (€3,500 per load of up to five guests).
- International flights to Delhi.
- Accommodation and board in Delhi.
- Himachal State Government Heliski Tax (US $300 / week / person).
- Insurance. This MUST cover you specifically for heli skiing. Please ask us for advice if you are unsure of your options.
- Departure taxes and gratuities.
- Taxis.
- Visas.
- Drinks.
Typical Itinerary
| Friday | International flight to Delhi. Overnight in Delhi in the Imperial or Hyatt Regency Hotel. |
| Saturday | Transfer from Delhi to heli skiing base in Manali (air & ground). |
| Sunday to Friday | Six days heli skiing. |
| Saturday | Return to Delhi. Overnight in Delhi. |
| Sunday | International flight. |
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