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Chugach Powder Guides invites you to experience the excitement
and sheer magnitude of the Western Chugach Mountain Range!
Our exclusive-use permit area covers over 750 sq. miles
(1,206 sq. km) of mountainous terrain with gentle bowls,
giant mountain faces, massive glaciers and sheltered tree
skiing. Based at the Alyeska Prince Hotel at Alyeska Resort
in the friendly ski village of Girdwood, we are only a 40-minute
drive from Anchorage International Airport. Our mountain
guides are highly-trained and professional with extensive
Alaskan experience. At Chugach Powder Guides, our goal is
to make your backcountry adventure as exciting, safe and
memorable as possible. We invite you to join us and see
why Alaska's mountains are recognized for having some of
the best heli-skiing and snowboarding in the world!
1.
LOCATION
Located 40 miles (64 km) southeast of Anchorage via the
Seward Highway along scenic Turnagain Arm is the small alpine
ski village of Girdwood. Nestled amidst the Chugach mountains
and surrounded by hanging glaciers, Girdwood was once a
gold mining outpost. Now you'll find a bustling community
of 2,000 with a luxury hotel and ski resort, ski shops,
excellent restaurants, unique Alaskan gift shops and watering
holes full of local color.
2.
ACCOMODATION
Chugach
Powder Guides is proud to be affiliated with Alyeska Resort
and The Alyeska Prince Hotel. Located adjacent to the ski
slopes, The Alyeska Prince Hotel serves as home base for
our guests. Each guest stays in a deluxe room with beautiful
views of the surrounding mountains.
Amenities include room service, in-room coffee makers, safes,
refrigerators, robes and slippers. The Alyeska Prince offers
a state-of-the-art fitness center, indoor pool, sauna and
whirlpool. There are retail shops offering everything from
unique Alaskan gift items to quality ski apparel and accessories.
Our ski week packages include a ski-lift pass for no-fly
days. Alyeska's tram, high-speed quad and other chairlifts
ensure you will rarely see a lift line.
3.
THE
TERRAIN
Chugach Powder Guides' exclusive-use permit area covers
a large expanse of the Western Chugach Mountains which extends
from the Girdwood area east toward Prince William Sound
and south onto the Kenai Peninsula. With no pressure from
other operators, it is nearly impossible to exhaust all
the powder between snowfalls.
We ski from sea level to approximately 6,500 feet (1,981
m) of elevation. Timberline is at approximately 2,200 feet
(670 m), offering up to 2,000 feet (609 m) of tree skiing
when conditions permit. Ski runs on glaciers and in the
alpine zones are endless and pioneering a new line is always
a possibility. Daily ski locations vary, based on selections
by the lead guides after careful analysis of weather and
snowpack stability as well as the strength of the groups.
4.
WEATHER AND SNOW CONDITIONS
The Western Chugach Mountain Range benefits from the combined
influences of warm Pacific Ocean air mixing with cold Arctic
air from the Alaskan Interior. This produces the high-quality
dry powder skiing this coastal mountain range has become
famous for. Chugach Powder Guides' helicopter and snowcat
skiing areas average approximately 600+ inches (1,524 cm)
of snowfall each winter.
Our season starts with snowcat skiing in mid-December as
snow conditions allow. Helicopter skiing begins in late
January to early February and ends in mid-April. Each month
offers its own unique characteristics. Our guides' favorite
for the best powder snow on all mountain aspects is from
February to early March when the sun angle is lower and
the temperatures are cooler.
Daylight starts at 8 hours in late January and rapidly gains
to 11 hours by the end of February, so there is no difficulty
achieving maximum vertical due to daylight. The average
temperature from February to mid-March is 20F (-7C). Occasionally,
Arctic air can cause cold conditions but even in mid-winter,
temperatures are rarely below zero (-17C). In March, there
is a gain of nearly 6 minutes per day and as the days progress,
daytime highs are typically in the 20's and 30's (-7C to
-1C).
By early April, daylight rapidly progresses to over 14 hours.
During this period our guests ski the higher elevations
for powder and on southerly aspects when corn snow conditions
allow.
No matter when you come to heli ski with us, you'll find
lots of fun and the never-ending quest for powder!
5. SAFETY
At Chugach Powder Guides, your safety is our number one
priority. Our philosophy is to take a conservative, progressive
approach in all aspects of our operation.
Prior to skiing, guides conduct a mandatory orientation
which includes safety policies, procedures, a helicopter
safety briefing and an avalanche search practice with state-of-the-art
avalanche rescue transceivers. A heli-skiing ratio of no
more than 5 guests per guide assures a personalized experience.
As with all backcountry ski operations there are inherent
dangers and risks. Our safety program is designed to identify
those risks and attempts to reduce them as much as possible.
The staff at Chugach Powder Guides has a deep respect for
our mountain environment and wishes to impress that respect
upon our guests.
Chugach Powder Guides is proud of our highly-trained, professional
guides and pilots. Their goal is to make your skiing experience
as exciting, safe and memorable as possible.
Collectively, our guides have years of experience in avalanche
forecasting, first-aid and mountain rescue. The core guide
staff spends the entire winter season in Girdwood and watches
the snow pack develop from the first major snowfall to the
final days of spring skiing. Or lead guides have participated
in or pioneered the development of formal avalanche safety
programs for ski areas, highways and private industry as
well as teaching avalanche safety. Many of our guides spend
the summer months guiding in the mountains and rivers of
Alaska.
6.
EQUIPMENT
Chugach Powder Guides offers quality fat ski rentals exclusively
from Atomic.
Atomic Powder Rides fat skis are available for rent.
7.
RESERVATIONS,
CANCELLATIONS, REFUND POLICIES
Ski Week Packages
Chugach Powder Guides requires a 50% deposit at time of
reservation with the remaining balance due 90 days prior
to the skiing date. If a reservation is made within 90 days
prior to ski date, payment is due in full. A deposit as
well as a signed tour participant contract is required to
confirm your reservation. There are no exceptions. The tour
participant contract is a written acknowledgement of CPG’s
vertical, refund and cancellation policies. Failure to pay
final balance by the due date will result in the cancellation
of your reservation.
Daily Snowcat and Heli-Skiing
Reservations for a day of helicopter or snowcat skiing require
100% payment at the time of reservation. Daily reservations
are taken up to 30 days in advance of date only.
Once we receive your reservation form and deposit, you will
receive a confirmation letter in the mail. In addition,
all guests are required to sign a Waiver of Liability before
skiing.
Payments can be made by Visa, MasterCard, traveler's checks,
bank wire, or cash (U.S.).
Heli-Ski Packages are based on vertical achievement. If
you should achieve your vertical maximum prior to the end
of your package week, you have the option of not flying.
If you choose to do this, you must notify the reservation
desk before the next fly day or you will be charged the
vertical footage skied by your group for that day. If you
haven't achieved your maximum vertical footage and you choose
to miss any skiing for any reason, you will be charged the
vertical achieved by your group for that day.
The charge for exceeding the package vertical footage is
$22 per 1,000 vertical feet (300 m). If we don't achieve
the guaranteed package footage, the refund is $22 per 1,000
vertical feet (300 m).
Cancellations
If it becomes necessary for you to cancel your reservation,
Chugach Powder Guides requires written notice of cancellation
via certified mail. If we receive cancellation notice more
than six months prior to your skiing date, all monies on
account will be refunded less a $300 cancellation fee per
seat. If cancellation notice is received less than six months
prior to ski date, the deposit is non-refundable. If cancellation
notice is received less than 90 days prior to ski date,
all monies on account are non-refundable. All money on account
is good for the current season only. Any change to a reservation
date, if available, will be subject to a $150 per person
administrative charge.
These policies do not apply to money carried forward from
a past reservation.
Insurance
Chugach Powder Guides strongly recommends that all guests
carry Trip Cancellation Insurance, Trip Interruption Insurance,
Medical Insurance, and Emergency Evacuation Insurance. These
insurance types safeguard you against unforeseen mishaps
that can occur before or during your heli vacation with
us. Contact your travel agent for assistance in acquiring
travel insurances.
Refunds
Heli-Ski Packages are based on vertical achievement. If
you should achieve your vertical maximum prior to the end
of your package week, you have the option of not flying.
If you choose to do this, you must notify the reservation
desk before the next fly day or you will be CHARGED the
vertical footage skied by your group for that day.
If you haven_t achieved your maximum vertical footage and
you choose to miss any skiing for any reason, you will be
charged the vertical achieved by your group for that day.
No refunds are issued in part or in whole for unused days
due to late arrival, early departure or any other reason.
No refunds are issued for down days.
No refunds are issued for missed skiing due to skiing ability,
fitness, equipment failure, or personal choice. If a skier
becomes injured, ill, or requests to leave the field prematurely
for any reason, no refund will be made. Additional costs
resulting from an evacuation or early departure from the
field will be charged to the guest.
If Chugach Powder Guides is unable to deliver a reserved
day of snowcat or helicopter skiing due to the inability
to meet minimum group requirements, weather cancellation,
snow conditions, or other cause subject to CPG’s discretion,
we will reschedule your day, or a refund will be given.
Chugach Powder Guides reserves the right to cancel any ski
week package or ski week at any time.
8. HELISKI
PACKAGES
Heli-ski week packages 1 & 2 include:
 Deluxe
lodging at The Alyeska Prince Hotel
Round-trip
transportation from Anchorage International Airport
Unlimited
lift serviced skiing at Alyeska Resort
Option
to purchase guaranteed seat on snowcat for no-fly days
Use of
Tracker© avalanche transceiver
Airfare, meals, and alcohol not included
HELI-SKI WEEK PACKAGE 1
Arrive
Saturday, ski Sunday - Saturday, depart Sunday
8 night
accommodations at The Alyeska Prince Hotel
100,000
vertical ft of helicopter skiing (80,000 vertical ft guaranteed)
HELI-SKI WEEK PACKAGE 2
Arrive
Sunday, ski Monday - Friday, depart Saturday
6 night
accommodations at The Alyeska Prince Hotel
60,000
vertical ft of helicopter skiing (50,000 vertical ft guaranteed).
FULL
DAY HELI SKIING
Look forward to skiing pristine peaks with astounding views
of the Chugach. This package, which includes lunch, offers
6 - 7 runs with vertical of 16,000 - 20,000 vertical feet
(4,800 - 6,000 m). When conditions allow, we may operate
as a traveling tour, traversing 20-30 miles of the Chugach
Range.
Rate (US$)
$675.00 per person per day
FULL DAY SNOWCAT SKIING
Enjoy a full day of backcountry adventure on our exclusive
Chugach snowcat terrain up-valley from Alyeska Resort. Price
includes lunch.
Rates
$195.00 advanced reservation
$145.00 standby
9.
SNOWCAT BACKUP
Applies to Heli-Ski Week Package clients only.
A guaranteed seat on the snowcat for no-fly days is an additional
$250.00 per person, per package. On no-fly days, you can
expect a full day of snowcat adventure and your vertical
account will only be charged 8,000 feet for each day used.
If you opt for the snowcat back-up option, you are then
committed to the seats reserved for you.
If you choose not to use your guaranteed seat, you will
still be charged the 8,000 vertical charge.
OUR SNOWCAT OPERATIONS
In 1998, Chugach Powder Guides supplemented their heli operation
with the addition of a 11-seat Bombardier Snowcat. The snowcat
is a versatile and less expensive alternative to heli-skiing
as well as a welcome addition to our Heli-Ski Week Packages.
Our exclusive snowcat terrain located in the upper Girdwood
Valley adjacent to Alyeska Resort, offers a true backcountry
experience. If we cannot fly due to weather, a guaranteed
seat on the snowcat can be reserved for your Heli-Ski Week
at a nominal cost. Whether you are snowcat skiing for a
day or using the snowcat as back up for no-fly days, our
1,000-acre (404 hectares) of alpine bowls, and extensive
tree skiing will give you a backcountry experience worth
remembering!
Resort map.
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