Alaska Backcountry Adventures was the first Heli-Ski operation in Valdez, and the location was chosen based on its proximity to the best terrain in the state, which is why ABA costs less for better terrain. Get ready to go deep! As always, you may still pay by the run at ABA, but there are also full day packages that take you deeper into the Chugach Mountains. The full day packages include six runs and a delicious lunch. You will share your helicopter with only four other groups. You may continue to ski past your six runs for just $85 per run. The average run length is 4000 vertical feet and can take you up to an hour to complete.
Flexibility is the key. You choose your adventure based on your experience and budget. Arrive by yourself or climb aboard with a group; the helicopters carry five clients. Arrive with five and you're ahead of the game. Fly just one run each day or go hog wild, be a powder pig, with a full day adventure.


1. LOCATION
The ABA base is at the Worthington Airstrip on Thompson Pass, 29 miles outside Valdez on the Richardson Highway. It's next to the Worthington Glacier, in the area where the World Extreme Skiing Championships and King Of The Hill - Extreme Snowboard Competition have been held each April
To get to Valdez, you must first fly to Anchorage. Valdez is then either a 45-minute flight or a picturesque 5-hour drive. We recommend that your party have a rental car while in Valdez. It will give you more flexibility for enjoying other activities in the area, particularly on the occasional "weather day ." Valdez offers world-class ice climbing, sight-seeing, glaciers, para gliding and more. You can also cat ski, snomachine, kayak, charter a boat to explore Prince William Sound, and ski "road runs".

2. ACCOMODATION
Valdez is a small town, with few hotels, not really fancy, but cozy and full of atmosphere.
Choose your perfect lodging package. Alaska Backcountry Adventures offers lodging packages for all budgets. We offer a very nice hotel on Prince William Sound at the Valdez Harbor, which is walking distance to all of the town bars and restaurants
Also, we don't provide half or full board, because Valdez is worth a try to all restaurants.
You might consider at least 30 USD per day for breakfast and dinner


3.THE SKIING AND THE WEATHER
Although we all hope for bright blue skies, frequent snowstorms keep the terrain fresh and light. On storm days when we cannot fly there is adventure galore. You may choose any of the following guided activities, and if you are booked for a full day of skiing on that day, the cost of your down day activities is included. Choose to experience guided backcountry skiing or boarding from Thompson Pass. Spend the afternoon riding the road runs utilizing the ABA van shuttle. Check out glacier exploration hikes on the Worthington Glacier. Learn to ice climb, or try advanced ice climbing in world famous Keystone Canyon. Choose to snowcat ski or board on Odyssey Mountain (This option is based on the availability of a contract snowcat and may not be available during your stay.) You will want to sea kayak in Price William Sound, exploring the Valdez Arm, and tidewater glaciers dropping into the water. Fulfill your adventuresome spirit on storm days, or relax in town, it's up to you. Alaska Backcountry Adventures offers a shuttle system for those staying in town. Every morning the van will arrive to pick you and your group up and deliver you to the ABA base for your day. The van leaves in the evening to head down the pass. The shuttle is available for special request pick-ups or airport pick-ups as well.


4. HELICOPTERS AND GUIDES
The customer/guide ratio is 1 to 5 in the helicopter
Our guide team is likely the most experienced in the Chugach. Many of our guides have been skiing in the Chugach since the beginning, over ten years. Many have skied mountains around the world. Relax; you're in the good hands of Emergency Medical Technicians, Avalanche Forecasters, and High Angle Rescue Professionals. Many of our guides are year round guides on rivers and in mountains worldwide. Many of our guides have avalanche control experience at world-class ski resorts as well as forecasting and consultation experience for avalanche prone industry worksites. Our guides have been hand selected for their skills and attitude, if they are not fun to be with they probably guide for someone else.


5. EQUIPMENT
Alaska Backcountry Adventures also houses Phatz Ski Rental, your spot for renting any of the gear recommended or required, as well as coffee, snacks, drinks, and gear for purchase at great prices.
Equipment List Required
Avalanche Beacon 457khz
Harness
Pack
Collapsible Probe
Shovel
In addition to the above items we recommend you carry extra gloves, socks, snacks, water, and any other items to ensure your comfort.

Equipment Rental & Purchase
Phatz Ski Rental is on site and has a large assortment of equipment for rent and purchase - all at great prices.

6. HELISKI/HELIBOARDING PACKAGES AND RATES

Hotel packages include shuttle service between Valdez and our Base. We have two hotel options for the same price. The nicer hotel is on Prince William Sound and is available on a first come first served basis. If there is no space we will book you in central Valdez. Both hotels are within walking distance to bars and restaurants. Hotel prices are based on double occupancy and reflect a six percent occupancy tax.

Hotel by the night: $ 95 based on double occupancy

SKI AND LODGING PACKAGES
These packages may be booked for any length of time. Please call us for a quote on your custom vacation plan.
You will get to choose from any of the weather day activities including seats on the snowcat on no fly days.

Seven Day Inclusive Package
7 day inclusive trips offer 5 full heli-ski days consisting of six runs each day; you can add more days or more runs as you wish.
Week long hotel package based on double occupancy, $3226.25 each

Ten Day Inclusive packages
10 day inclusive trips offer 7 full heli-ski days consisting of six runs each; you can add more days or more runs as you wish.
Ten Day Hotel package based on double occupancy, $4542.00 each

Two Week Inclusive Packages
2 week inclusive trips offer 10 full heli-ski days consisting of six runs each; you can add more days or more runs as you wish.
Two Week Hotel Package based on double occupancy, 6494.50 each

DAILY PACKAGES
1 Full day helicopter skiing , 6 runs, more than 20.000 feet vertical = 595$ per person
Half day = 299 $ per person

DEPOSIT
Reservation requires a deposit of 50% of the whole package rate.
This deposit is non refundable but entitles you to storm day activities in the event of a no fly day for those who book full packages.
The remainder of your payment is due 60 days prior to your arrival.
Booking less than 60 days before your vacation requires payment in full at the time of your booking.
Your flight schedule is prioritized according to the date you booked your trip.
This means that if you book earlier than another group you will fly out first.

REFUND AND CANCELLATIONS POLICIES
Cancellation must be received 60 days prior to your arrival date.
You will be refunded any funds beyond the 50% deposit.
Cancellations received less than 60 days prior to your arrival are not refundable.
However, your resrvations can be transferred to a friend or you may reschedule to another time during the same season if space is available