NZ Heli Ski Resources

A bit of forum necromancy here (sorry!), but as a long-time J2Ski lurker I was surprised at the limited Heli Ski info/coverage/ideas and thought I'd throw together a post myself. Hopefully if anyone is looking for this kind of info in the future this post proves useful. And saves you a few hours of searching!... *sigh*

So, for those interested. Here are some resources and recommendations I found re: heli skiing in New Zealand.

Heli Ski Providers
I've only included those I've personally used/can vouch for. Can update this with more in the future if anyone has personal suggestions of their own!

Southern Lakes Heliski | http://heliskinz.com/
Loved my time with Southern Lakes. Were professional, friendly, and managed to pick out a package that was perfect for my - then relatively non-existent - ski skillz. Have been back a few times since and am planning to return next season. Great stuff.

Heli Ski Resources & Guides
Guides, resources and information on Heli Skiing in New Zealand, as well as general guides to Heli Skiing in general. Including gear and safety guides.

Powder Hounds Guide To New Zealand Heli Skiing | http://www.powderhounds.com/NewZealand/Heli-skiing.aspx

Trip Advisor's Guide To NZ Skiing & Snowboarding (Including Heli Skiing) | https://www.tripadvisor.co.nz/Travel-g255104-c105498/New-Zealand:Skiing.And.Snowboarding.html

NewZealand.Com's Guide To Skiing In New Zealand | http://www.newzealand.com/in/article/where-to-ski-in-new-zealand/

On The Snow's Guide To Skiing In The Southern Hemisphere | http://www.onthesnow.co.nz/news/a/584766/the-best-of-the-southern-hemisphere

[/list]Gear Guide's Heli Ski Gear Must-Haves | http://gearpatrol.com/2015/05/13/essential-gear-for-heli-skiing/

[list]Last Frontier Heli's Safety Guide | http://www.lastfrontierheli.com/safety-gear.html

General New Zealand Ski Information
General tourism resources for the region. Sure, you're going to be Heli Skiing, but you'll need a place to stay, eat, and other sights to see in the meantime!

Queenstown Tourism | http://www.queenstownnz.co.nz/

Wanaka Tourism | http://www.lakewanaka.co.nz/

As mentioned, happy to add any suggestions to this list. Will likely build this out more in the future. Hopefully this proves useful!

SnowBigDeal wrote:I was surprised at the limited Heli Ski info/coverage/ideas

It's coming... early in the New Year; watch this space... but thanks for posting up those resources for now. 8)

I have helicoptered in NZ, out of Taupo. Many years back though.

Have never really considered heli skiing in NZ, but having done a few weeks in the resorts it is the only thing that would tempt me back. In my mind it seems to offer something very similar to that available in Europe. You are above the tree line on big slopes, which must make it hit and miss on terrain availability depending on snow pack. I would imagine it compares to say getting a getting a drop in Courmayeur or Monterosa but I doubt it can match the vertical of Europe where ~2500m.

Heli skiing in Canada was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed the challenge of tree skiing in Canada which was far superior to anything I have experienced in Europe. The vertical did frustrate me though as we seemed to spend more time in helicopter than skiing as avalanche risk was too high to get out of trees. Yes it was just a bad week but still.

Personally for me the best experience would be some heli assisted skiing. Get dropped off somewhere remote, where some nice person had already made a fire and put up tent. Spend weekend with perhaps one or two drops and rest of time skinning (which is by far the most satisfying skiing you can do).