Points North Heli Skiing

Overall Rating

Points North Heli Skiing

Points North Heli Skiing4.9/539
Points North Heli Skiing4.9 out of 5 based on 39 reviews
http://www.powderhounds.com/site/DefaultSite/filesystem/images/USA/Heliskiing/PointsNorth/01.JPG
Points North Heliskiing, Cordova Alaska
Points North Heliskiing, Cordova Alaska
Points North Heliskiing, Cordova Alaska
Points North Heliskiing, Cordova Alaska
Points North Heliskiing, Cordova Alaska
Points North Heliskiing, Cordova Alaska
Points North Heliskiing, Cordova Alaska
Points North Heliskiing, Cordova Alaska
Points North Heliskiing, Cordova Alaska
Points North Heliskiing, Cordova Alaska
Points North Heliskiing, Cordova Alaska
Points North Heliskiing, Cordova Alaska
Points North Heliskiing, Cordova Alaska
Points North Heliskiing, Cordova Alaska
Points North Heliskiing, Cordova Alaska
Points North Heliskiing, Cordova Alaska
Points North Heliskiing, Cordova Alaska
Points North Heliskiing, Cordova Alaska
Points North Heliskiing, Cordova Alaska
Points North Heliskiing, Cordova Alaska
Points North Heliskiing, Cordova Alaska
Points North Heliskiing, Cordova Alaska
Points North Heliskiing, Cordova Alaska
Points North Heliskiing, Cordova Alaska
Points North Heliskiing, Cordova Alaska
Points North Heliskiing, Cordova Alaska
Points North Heliskiing, Cordova Alaska
Points North Heliskiing, Cordova Alaska
Points North Heliskiing, Cordova Alaska
Points North Heliskiing, Cordova Alaska
Points North Heliskiing, Cordova Alaska
Points North Heliskiing, Cordova Alaska
Points North Heliskiing, Cordova Alaska
Points North Heliskiing, Cordova Alaska
Points North Heliskiing, Cordova Alaska
Points North Heliskiing, Cordova Alaska
Points North Heliskiing, Cordova Alaska
Points North Heliskiing, Cordova Alaska
Points North Heliskiing, Cordova Alaska
Points North Heliskiing, Cordova Alaska

Points North Heli Skiing

Overall Rating

Points North Heli Skiing4.9/539
Points North Heli Skiing4.9 out of 5 based on 39 reviews

Points North Heli Skiing Alaska

The term “powder hound” refers to people who absolutely love to ski or snowboard powder, and the word originated because as hounds they are great at sniffing out and hunting down the powder. When heli skiing in Alaska however, powder hounds won’t just be sniffing the powder, they’ll be snorting powder (the snow kind!) and perhaps even inhaling it! The deep Alaska powder is one of the most addictive drugs on earth!

At Points North Heli Skiing, you can ride all the virgin powder you want. The super long runs are likely to build up plenty of lactic acid in the legs, and generate a huge smile on your dial.

Points North is a highly reputable operator with an emphasis on the safety aspects of heli skiing. Points North are proudly only one of three Alaska heli skiing operators that are members of the Heli Ski US Association, which requires high standards of safety to be reached.

If you’re a skiing or snowboarding fiend that relentlessly pursues fresh powder above all else, then Points North is for you. With over 20 metres of snowfall annually and an abundance of heliski terrain, PNH is highly likely to get an 11 out of 10 as a skiing or boarding experience.

When Does Points North Heli Skiing Operate?

The Points North season starts in mid February and goes until late April. Considering the Alaska heli skiing season is rather short, it’s very wise to book your heli trip early.

The giant weather maker of the Gulf of Alaska brings all the fabulous snow via storms. Unfortunately snow doesn’t fall from blue skies, so it’s not surprising that Alaskan heli skiing has lots of no fly days. An average week consists of 2-3 fly days, which is why the Points North pricing structure works well. If you’re lucky enough to fly every day, you can choose to pay for more heli flight hours.

Where is Points North Heli Skiing Located?

The heli skiing is within the dramatic Chugach Mountains, with Points North having exclusive access to the south-eastern side of the range.

Points North is based near the town of Cordova AK, which is 30 miles southeast of Valdez as the crow flies. Cordova is situated on the southeast corner of Prince William Sound, and accessible only by ferry or plane. Alaska Airlines flies into Cordova twice daily from Anchorage (28 minute flight) and Seattle (3 hour flight). The PNH staff provide transport between the Cordova airport and the lodge.


View Larger Map

Terrain & Snow

Points North has access to a massive 2,000 square miles of terrain and they don’t have to share this with any other heli skiing operators. The dramatically beautiful terrain is heavily glaciated and has lots of spectacular peaks. The terrain is treeless and runs span from about 3,000 to 4,000 feet of vertical on average.

The Chugach terrain has a world renowned reputation for really scary extreme faces. Just watching a Warren Miller movie is enough to make your armpits really sweaty (or get you overly excited!!). However the Chugach Mountains and Points North are not exactly as they are portrayed on Warren Miller. Sure when conditions permit, experts can tackle the super steeps, but at the other end of the spectrum, PNH also has lots of terrain for strong intermediates. So you don’t have to be a stunt skier or boarder to go heli skiing with Points North, especially if you’ve got a long board or big fat powder skis.

One aspect that sets Points North apart from other Alaska heli skiing operators is that they have 3 helicopters, so they can really group different guests according to ability. The chances are slim of being stuck with people that are way above or below your ability level or desire for speed.

And the most important facet of Points North heli skiing is the snow! Make sure you close up any zips in your jacket including the ones under your arms, because the Chugach Mountains receive over 20 metres of snow annually. That’s likely to get a powderhound’s tail wagging!

14 Years later and I still think of it every week!

Ian Tolmie
05/06/2022
  • Recommend
  • Would Revisit
  • Rider Type
    Snowboarder
  • Rider Age
    51-65
  • Rider Ability
    Advanced
  • Country
    USA
  • Month:
    April
  • Admin Rating
    3

14 Years later and I still think of it every week!

Ian Tolmie
05/06/2022
My good friend Scott and I were lucky enough to find the crew from Points North for our 40th birthday trip. Approaching mid-life crisis, we needed something to challenge us and push the envelope a bit. Well…we found it! I’m now 54, and I look back on our trip to the Chugach regularly, with the fondest of memories. It challenged us in so many ways and it is, without question, one of the best trips of my life. The Points North Team is absolutely incredible and made sure that we were safe at every turn, while experiencing some of the best terrain on earth. THANK YOU!!

Ian
See our video here

Incredible Heli & AK Experience

Mark
26/03/2022
  • Recommend
  • Would Revisit
  • Rider Type
    Snowboarder
  • Rider Age
    36-50
  • Rider Ability
    Advanced
  • Country
    USA
  • Month:
    March
  • Admin Rating
    5

Incredible Heli & AK Experience

Mark
26/03/2022
PNH is comprised of dedicated and knowledgeable guides, pilots and crew members, most of which have been there over a decade. Their credibility is obvious the second you land.

We arrived in the midst of a huge storm that put 4+ feet of new in the zone that was followed by 3 consecutive clear fly days then 3 consecutive 'down' days. Don't worry about down days, there's plenty to do. You can hit up Mt. Eyak, kayak, tour, hike, sauna, jump in the water or go into town which has a nice café, bars and a great little museum. The meals are incredible, they handle every type of dietary restriction, and it's BYOB from the nearby liquor store. The lodge is quiet, nice and clean with decent WiFi.

Three main things to know about Heli skiing that is important to know before signing up: 1) Weather and snow conditions dictate where you can go, so you may not get to the steeps 2) First timers ability will be observed to see what you can handle, so don't expect the goods right out of the gate 3) You will be on terrain suitable to the lowest ability member in your group, so the best option is to sign up with three others at your level. As a single, I really appreciated PNH putting me in an appropriate group.

Bottom line, don't wait, sign up. You will end up like the majority of people that go to PNH in that will sign up for more.
See our video here

PNH-Life long memories and friends

Ryan Mulcahy
26/02/2022
  • Recommend
  • Would Revisit
  • Rider Type
    Skier
  • Rider Age
    18-35
  • Rider Ability
    Expert
  • Country
    United States
  • Month:
    March
  • Admin Rating
    3

PNH-Life long memories and friends

Ryan Mulcahy
26/02/2022
Far and above one the best weeks of my life. Flash backs to this experience nearly daily . Kevin and Jess have build world class operation and platform on every level. Beyond the epic heli skiing I have made some life long friends, connections and networking.

I was in British Columbia and Alberta for about 10 days skiing at various resorts, side country lines, and touring off Rogers pass. I was at the bar after skiing at sunshine Village, and I just so happen to walk by and see a guy with a PNH hat on. I naturally went and talked to him, turns out it’s an old friend of Jess and Kevin.
We got to talking and turns out we have other mutual friends! We exchange contact, and then met up in Revelstoke BC for a ski touring and skied some absolutely amazing lines in cold smoke powder and stable conditions. He really knew this area well and I was grateful to link up with him and have a solid ski partner. It really made my trip in so many ways, and it all started with a connection from the PNH network! Thank you guys so much for all that you do for the skiing world in North America. Even after the heli a trip is over you’re still enabling good times!
See our video here

Every Day is the Best Day of Your Life

Sally Marcus
21/07/2021
  • Recommend
  • Would Revisit
  • Rider Type
    Mixed Group
  • Rider Age
    18-35
  • Rider Ability
    Advanced
  • Country
    USA
  • Month:
    April
  • Admin Rating
    4

Every Day is the Best Day of Your Life

Sally Marcus
21/07/2021
What we had dreamed would be a once in a lifetime trip might now need to happen every year. I am not exaggerating when I say that every day I spent at PNH was the best day of my life. They just kept getting better! My (now) husband and I decided kind of on a whim that we wanted to get married and everyone went above and beyond to make sure that we were able to run courthouse errands and town and to make our little ceremony in the zone the most amazing experience of our lives.

The skiing, the people, the guides, the sauna, the adventures, it was all so perfect. I knew that the skiing would be amazing, but I was not expecting how quickly all of the people around me would feel like family and how truly at home I would feel at the lodge. This was by far the most extravagant trip we have been on and we've been scheming since we left how we'll be able to make it work again year after year.
See our video here

BUCKET LIST - CHECK!

17/04/2021

LISA SWEENEY

Powder Puppy
Powder Puppy

LISA SWEENEY

Powder Puppy
Powder Puppy
  • Recommend
  • Would Revisit
  • Rider Type
    Skier
  • Rider Age
    51-65
  • Rider Ability
    Advanced
  • Country
    United States
  • Month:
    March
  • Admin Rating
    4

BUCKET LIST - CHECK!

17/04/2021
"The Pilots"
I had the good fortune to be a part of an 8 person party at PNH in March 2021. We were a group of mostly airline pilot friends who experienced with me one of my lifetime goals. We had blue bird weather and although we didn't expect to get more than a couple days due to weather, and although the guides seemed a little worried about scarce powder, we ended up crushing it with 4... YES 4... epic days. It just kept getting better and better culminating in THE BEST OF EVERYTHING - weather, terrain, snow and friendship. We had an experience of a lifetime and I would highly recommend PNH and it's guides to anyone looking for an eye-popping, jaw-dropping crazy gorgeous Heli experience.
See our video here

Big Mountain Slaying

01/04/2021

Julian Scott

Powder Puppy
Powder Puppy

Julian Scott

Powder Puppy
Powder Puppy
  • Recommend
  • Would Revisit
  • Rider Type
    Snowboarder
  • Rider Age
    18-35
  • Rider Ability
    Advanced
  • Country
    usa
  • Month:
    March
  • Admin Rating
    4

Big Mountain Slaying

01/04/2021
Had an incredible experience at PNH. There is a reason they are the industry leader of Alaskan Heliskiing. We arrived on 3/20/21 and for year of covid complicating all things, they did a great job of making sure that everyone was safe and provided helpful information to mange the complexities of travel.
It is a bigger operation than most with the ability to fly 3 birds, this give you the best opportunity to continually do laps without having to wait for a Heli in the field. We were partnered up with Aaron D. who was an incredible guide, not only in the filed but at the lodge as well. He ate breakfast and dinner with us every day and provided great information for weather, terrain or what to do on a down day.
We hit a dry window of weather that was great for flying, but no new snow. That didn't matter because we were able to tap into all of the stashes and get fresh lines for 3+days of riding. Aaron was incredible at communicating in the field and put us on some of the most incredible lines I have ever done. We rode everything from huge glaciated fields with blue icebergs sticking out, to incredibly steep 2000' couloirs. The best of all is that its a family run business and you feel part of the family. they are looking out for your safety and making sure that you have a great time.
I loved every minute of it and can't wait to go back.
See our video here

Epic father/son High School Graduation Trip

Craig Hunter
15/03/2021
  • Recommend
  • Would Revisit
  • Rider Type
    Skier
  • Rider Age
    36-50
  • Rider Ability
    Advanced
  • Country
    United States
  • Month:
    March
  • Admin Rating
    4

Epic father/son High School Graduation Trip

Craig Hunter
15/03/2021
Jonah skiing Lone Wolf
Daddy-o skiing Funkytown
Getting ready to drop into Bullseye
Guide Jason at the top of Coogans
Northern lights
I think I have only written 2 or 3 reviews ever for anything but Points North and the trip we had is deserving of my time to share my experience. For my son's high school graduation trip we decided to go heli-skiing. After basically having the end of his junior year and all of his senior year get canceled because of Covid we wanted to do something incredible and Points North fulfilled every dream we could imagine. We are good advanced Colorado skiers but not expert by any means. Jessica gave us great advice in preparation as this was our first heli-rodeo. From start to finish they made everything easy (pickup at the airport, gear, food, logistics, training, etc). We were paired up with our group and assigned our favorite guide ever, Jason. The week started with snow so we logged a day at Mount Eyak and had a blast. Our guide was seriously the best. An expert at what he does, Jason was an all around good guy that wanted us to experience as much as possible while we were there. We felt safe as he was experienced and took our safety and the conditions seriously. He took us on a kayak trip while we were waiting for the weather to break. We were fortunate and had blue bird days of skiing Tuesday afternoon through Friday. Unbelievable is an understatement. We skied the coolest stuff. Jason kept us safe but also pushed us as well, skiing terrain I never thought we could handle. The lodge was super clean and comfortable with amazing views. Meals were outstanding and it was just fun to hang out and eat there together in the lodge listening to glory stories of the day. The owners are awesome and genuinely want you to have a great time. We felt that our skiing options were limitless; never seeing any other operations which is a real advantage for their location as they are the only show around for that whole area of the Chugach. For a father/son senior trip we could not have picked better. Thank you PNH!
See our video here

Everything I’d dreamed of

Jacquii Alexander
04/04/2020
  • Recommend
  • Would Revisit

    Everything I’d dreamed of

    Jacquii Alexander
    04/04/2020
    Wow. I had wanted to ride in Alaska for years, after growing up watching videos of all my snow heroes dropping lines surrounded by fluffy spray. So I was expecting all of that. And PNH didn’t disappoint. What I wasn’t expecting was the beauty, tranquility and vastness. The connection I would make with my guide. Or the number of friends I would make over the week. The week was life affirming and I cannot recommend spending a week with PNH highly enough.
    See our video here

    PNH is the best!!!

    Sean H
    04/04/2020
    • Recommend
    • Would Revisit

      PNH is the best!!!

      Sean H
      04/04/2020
      I’ve come up to PNH two years and simply put, it is fantastic! Great vibe that starts at the top with Quinner and Jess; just a bunch of genuine, like-minded people who want to ride the best terrain on the planet. It’s no surprise why they have such a high client return rate and low guide turnover. Plus, the new terrain they have access to is phenomenal! If you are fortunate enough to get up to Alaska, I’d highly recommend PNH…they are the best!
      See our video here

      Points North is the real deal!

      Jeremy C
      03/04/2020
      • Recommend
      • Would Revisit

        Points North is the real deal!

        Jeremy C
        03/04/2020
        I cannot speak highly enough about the experience I had PNH. Kevin and Jessica are some of the nicest and most dedicated people I’ve ever met. Their goal is to make sure you have the best days you’ve ever experienced on your skis or snowboard, and they definitely hit that mark for me. The focus is on terrain choice and snow quality .vs powder harvesting and super posh accommodations. I really appreciate that. The staff is also extremely educated and super fun to hang out with after the heli is shut down for the day. You just want to support these people after being around them. I’ll be back every season from now on!
        See our video here

        Big lines and Huge fun in AK!!!

        Klaus
        07/05/2019
        • Recommend
        • Would Revisit
        • Rider Type
          Snowboarder
        • Rider Age
          36-50
        • Rider Ability
          Advanced
        • Country
          USA
        • Month:
          April
        • Admin Rating
          4

        Big lines and Huge fun in AK!!!

        Klaus
        07/05/2019
        I can't believe it took me this long to finally make out to ski with great folks at PNH. After riding all over the US, Europe, NZ and Japan and Heliskiing Whistler, NZ, BC and the lower 48 the holy grail for me was riding the big lines of Alaska. I've been well aware of PNH from all their appearances in Warren Miller films and upon meeting Jess and Kevin at the SF showing there was no question which operator I'd go with for my first AK heli experience. I'm glad to report that the trip exceeded all my expectations and I couldn't ask for any better staff, guides, pilots and other guests to ski, ride and hang out with.

        The EPIC lines that you see in the films and have heard about were the highlight of the experience for me and the terrain and scenery are unmatched by anything else I've ever ridden. I really have to hand it to our guide Tino and the rest of the guiding team for finding great lines and better than expected snow quality given it had not snowed for the past 8 -10 days while we were there. The pilots are fantastic and it was great to see how interactive they are with the guides in choosing the runs and landing spots. There certainly are runs that will send chills up your spine but they are only a part of what PNH and Cordova have to offer. The guides were great at assessing the skills and desires of each group and went above and beyond to find the right fit for everyone and ensure that every day in the mountains lived up to the 'best day skiing ever.'

        Huge kudos to Jess and Kevin and the entire PNH team. What you guys do is awesome and should be on every heli skiers bucket list!
        See our video here

        Points North is THE PLACE for Your HeliDreamTrip

        David Wicker
        27/04/2019
        • Recommend
        • Would Revisit
        • Rider Type
          Snowboarder
        • Rider Age
          36-50
        • Rider Ability
          Advanced
        • Country
          USA
        • Month:
          March
        • Admin Rating
          4

        Points North is THE PLACE for Your HeliDreamTrip

        David Wicker
        27/04/2019
        After being fortunate enough to visit most of the Western US to ride- After living in Tahoe and numerous trips to Canada- After watching every ski hill get so corporate and so crowded- I finally made it once again up to Ak to visit Jess and Kevin in Cordova. MAN! it sure is nice to go somewhere (last visit '05) and see the wild staying wild. The food and lodging here is so great. The lodge is a now defunct salmon cannery, so you get the new with the historic. There is no questioning the guides and the terrain - first rate. There's no questioning the Helis - AStars - first rate. There just is no questioning the hang and feel of Points North - its so unique... so special. I hope you get the chance to go spend a week in The Chugach. If you are considering a dream trip - don't go anywhere else. you WILL return to your normal life and look back wondering "did I really DO that?!??" and your pictures and memory will answer you with a resounding "HELL YEAH! I DID do that."
        See our video here

        Book it!

        Charlie
        13/04/2019
        • Recommend
        • Would Revisit
        • Rider Type
          Skier
        • Rider Age
          18-35
        • Rider Ability
          Expert
        • Month:
          March
        • Admin Rating
          4

        Book it!

        Charlie
        13/04/2019
        Going to Alaska for me was a once in a life time trip, and I chose Points North to take care of it, the best decision I ever made. This operation is mind blowing. Jumping in a heli, only 35 meters from where you sat down for breakfast, and 15 minutes later being dropped into an endless expanse of terrain, catering for anyone. From glacier cruises to 65 degree sends, its all there. Blower powder and the best turns you may ever make. But what makes Points North special is so much more than the skiing. It’s all about the team.

        The staff here are some of the most welcoming folk I have ever encountered on the freeski scene and they make your trip what it is. Owners Jess and Kevin’s charm is so integral to this operation. Kevin is totally honest about the conditions on offer and the weather incoming, (you are at mercy of the weather in the Chugach, we flew 3 days out of 6). He never shies away on the down days in embarrassment, he stands up and gets you stoked on what to come. Jess is warming and willing to help in any situation. My guide, Tino, was awesome. At no point did he make me inferior, like many guides do by stamping their authority, he involved our group in our line planning and was even kind enough to get me in his snow pits and teach me some new information on stability. Even the kitchen staff, whilst catering for over 40 every evening, were happy to trade stories and stoke the stoke. (On this subject the food is ace, good home cooking, exactly what one needs). And finally, this environment was a brilliant catalyst for making buddies with the other guests.

        It sounds cliché, but these guys really do treat you like family. I arrived as a lone skier in AK and I left feeling part of an amazing team, with friends that I will hopefully ski with forever. If you want 5 star service whilst being treated like royalty, Points North is not for you. But if you want to feel like part of a genuine freeski pilgrimag, sign yourself up. This was meant to be a once in a life time trip, but I am already planning how to get back. Life will never be the same.
        See our video here

        PHN - the best AK big mountain experience you can get

        Michael Dickson
        11/04/2019
        • Recommend
        • Would Revisit
        • Rider Type
          Skier
        • Rider Age
          36-50
        • Rider Ability
          Expert
        • Country
          Australia
        • Month:
          March
        • Admin Rating
          4

        PHN - the best AK big mountain experience you can get

        Michael Dickson
        11/04/2019
        Can't say enough good things about PNH - this is truely a home for those who want a genuine big mountain, extreme AK experience with a crew of professionals who value safety and work damn hard to get you the experience of AK that they all know and love.
        PNH crew, atmosphere and setup are geared towards skiers/boarders who are in it for the skiing/riding - value is all about heli time, with the lodging setup like the club skiing camp style we have all grown up with (if you want the champagne, caviar and hot tubs then you can get that elsewhere). That said - the Orca Lodge gets better every year, with a new coffee shop this year that is actually awesome!
        Nothing comes without risk of course - and main one is the weather gods. I have been to PNH 8 times, and only twice did I not use all of my heli time, and 3 years I have paid for extra time. I have been there in all types of conditions and have still loved it out there in the mountains even when conditions are 'variable!' and the blower pow and stable steeps are not running.
        Guides and team are super qualified and professional - I have skied with 6 different guides and all have been excellent, super safe, confident and truly stoked to get you into things that push your limits if thats what you want and smash some fun laps of pow as well.
        Tips - go with a group of 4 of similar ability who want to ski the same stuff as you, then you form your own heli group; If you can - go for 2 weeks and you get a bigger weather window; leave on the late flight from Cordova as then you can ski on Satdy if the weather is on.

        Huge thanks to Kevin & Jess and all the team - Seeya next year!
        See our video here

        World Class Operation

        Ryan Pond
        10/04/2019