Major Winter Storms Pounds the San Juans

Wow! A major winter storm has covered our heliskiing terrain with 2 to 5 feet of heavy and wet base-building snow. This is the perfect storm snow to fill in our heliski terrain. Before this storm the snowpack in our helicopter skiing terrain was below average, but now we are in good shape as the 2008 heliskiing season approaches. Discounted seats are still available for our opening day of January 10th, 2008.

Our Best,
The Crew at Helitrax

The 2008 Heliskiing Season

November 24th, 2008
Telluride received 11 inches of snow yesterday to jump start the 2008 heliskiing ski season. Prior to this last storm it had been dry in the San Juans since mid-October. A large storm is on the radar for the end of next week.

In preparation for up and coming helicopter skiing season we have been taking reservations from many first time heli-skiing clients. It is always a honor to take skiers into the backcountry for the first time.

Telluride Helitrax's Bureau of Land Management heliskiing permit is up for review. The heliski terrain in question is north and east of the town of Silverton. The terrain is diverse and important for the future growth and success of Helitrax.

We encourage all of Helitrax's supporters to contact the BLM at Richard_Speegle@BLM.gov and tell them to accept Helitrax's proposal of 600 user days, the terrain in question, and a 10 year permit length. Commets are due by December 3rd.

In addition to be a heliskiing company Helitrax offers guided backcountry skiing. Join us in 2008 for a guided day in the backcountry with a helicopter assisted lift to the high peaks.

More posts to follow as the snow continues to fall.

Best,
John

Spring Skiing

25 Seasons ...
May 10th, 2007

18 inches of powder snow fell on May 5th and 6th. Backcountry skiers in the San Juan Mountains are now enjoying spring sking from the highest peaks in the range. Winter powder conditions exist on the high north facing terrain of the San Juans a of May 10th.

Go to WildSnow.Com for the latest updates on spring skiing in Colorado. View our backcountry and heliskiing blog as well for more info:http://coloradoheliskiing.blogspot.com/ T

Telluride Helitrax completed its 25th season of helicopter skiing on April 14th. It was one of the very best days of the season, 12 to 16 inches of fabulous mid-winter powder!Although conditions in the month of April in the San Juans are once again the best of the season, we are forced to close due to a lack of business. Most skiers are no longer thinking about skiing, only the die-hards remain.

Keep Skiing... Life is Short...Winter is Even Shorter!

Cold powder, deep and stable snowpack: Join us in April 2008 for Powder skiing! The San Juan Mountains offer high elevation heliskiing which makes late March and April superb months for powder skiing in the San Juans. Due to increased stability it is also the best time period to ski the widest variety of terrain from the 13,000 foot summits that make up our 350 square mile permit area.. Speaking of terrain, Helitrax's terrain represents the highest elevation helicopter ski terrain in North America. What this means is that even when it is 55 degrees and spring in the valleys far below there is cold powder skiing to be found on the high north facing slopes far above.

JH

March 28th, 2007

Don't Give Up----Give In!

Can you picture this?
"No, no dessert for me. I filled up on all that cabbage and squash, and I hate to spoil the meal with chocolate cake"
Or this?
"A goodnight kiss? Oh, no thank you. I so enjoyed buying you dinner and paying for the show that I'm quite satisfied without one."
If these scenarios don't make sense, then how do you explain the average skier's attitude toward spring skiing?
"Uh, I'm your average Joe skier. I put up with freezing cold and a shallow snowpack in December, artic blasts and exposed rocks is January and frozen fingers in Febraury. But now that there is some warmth in the air and it's still light at five o'clock I'm putting my boots in the attic and hanging up my skis till next December."

Most ski areas are not any better in their reasoning.
"Uh, you see we open and lose money when it is cold, dark, and shallow in November to meet the requirements of the skiing public and industry and then when the snow is at its deepest and the skiing at its very best each season, we close."

Friends, friends. This isn't smart. Spring skiing is the dessert of the ski season, with powder one day and effortless corn skiing the next. Spring skiing is the goodnight kiss of winter. Spring skiing is skiing at its most alluring, most senuous. Spring skiing is sexy.
Taking to the slopes in March and April is the fun you've earned by skiing so diligengly through all those dark, cold, and shallow snow days. Don't give up---give in! Pleasure yourself with a run in the sun.
Look. There's no snow on the roads and the temperature climbs a little higher each day. In March and well into April every world class ski area in Europe and North America are still up and running. Get out and enjoy the bounty!
Oh, that's not all. You can throw away that by-now disgusting facemask, and replace it with sunblock. Find a deck chair, grab a cervesa, remove your clothes, and listen to the sweet music of spring. Love is in the air!
As if all this were not enough, as the sun stays up, prices go down. Lift tickets and helicopter skiing seats are cheaper. Hotel rooms are cheaper. Skis and sweaters and boots and poles in the baselodge are much, much cheaper.

What more do you want?
When the warm apple pie is put in front of you, when your date is puckered up, when the sun is shining and your juices are flowing and the snow is waiting--why on earth would you walk away?
My advice is to get down the boots, pull out the skis, slap on the wax and continue having fun.

After all, who deserves it more then you?

by Jules Older and JH


March 28th, 2007
Powder Skiing Report!It may have seemed like spring in the lower elevations of Colorado the past two weeks, but in the high San Juans we have been enjoying the best powder skiing of the season on the high north facing slopes that make up our terrain. Even Colorado locals find it hard to believe that powder can still exist when the ski areas offer only wet corn snow, but skiing is believing. Helitrax's terrain ranges from 13,700 feet to 11,000 feet and winter at these elevations lasts well into April.Currently colder winter temperatures have returned and 8 to 12 inches of snow are forecasted through Friday. Make plans to join us this weekend for powder skiing on our high, dry, north facing terrain.There will be plenty of time to cut your grass this summer, now is the time to ski the high peaks!!!!We are open through the 15th of April Seats are available this weekend.
JH

March 22nd, 2007 New Snow!..... Six to eight inches has fallen by 8:30am this morning. Another six inches is expected in the San Juans today. Now is the time to join us for the best powder skiing of the season. All of our terrain is open: the widest bowls, the steeper lines, and our far eastern Silverton terrain. Warm springlike temperatures do not effect our high north facing terrain above 13,000 feet. There will be plenty of time to cut your grass, now is the time to ski the high peaks!!!!We are open through the 15th of April Seats are available this weekend.
JH

Latest News

February 12th, 2007 Big Storm.....14 to 18 inches (40 to 45 cm) of new snow has fallen as of 8:00am on Monday. We have been unable to fly since the storm began and are awaiting a break to begin heliski operations. The forecast calls for additional snow on Tuesday and Wednesday. Seats are available this week.
JH

February 10th, 2007 More New Snow....7 inches (18cm) of new snow has fallen as of 8:30am this morning. The forecast calls for additional snow over the next 48 hours. Seats are available this week and next.
This past week of Febraury 4th thru the 9th offered fantastic skiing in the San Juans after the previous Friday's 16 inches of snow. The skies cleared and with low avalanche hazard we were able to ski rippled powder on a wide variety of our steeper terrain. Our multi-day heliskiing groups skied each day of their package as we moved across our terrain from north to south.
JH

January 31st, 2007Snowing in the San Juans....Sunday the 28th was among the best skiing I have done in my six years with the company. The skiing was 8 inches of silky snow on steeper terrain in the Silverton terrain area. Currently it is snowing with 6 to 11 inches expected by Thursday morning. Seats are available.
An El Nino weather system is continuing to build in the Pacific. This El Nino could bode well for additional big snows throughout the winter and "not to be missed" spring powder skiing season to come (see below).
JH

January 20th, 2007Current skiing conditions are soft and untracked across the San Juans. 2 to 4 inches of new snow has fallen today with another 2 to 4 expected tomorrow. The snow quality and skiing experience is very good at this time. Guests are enjoying untracked skiing.

December 24th, 2006 27 inches buried the San Juan Mountains in storms this week. Two feet fell the week prior and conditions are stellar. Our high elevation heliski terrain is in good condition for the winter season ahead and a strong El Nino weather system is building in the Pacific that could bode well for additional big snows through out the winter and spring to come
The Bear Creek Descent: To celebrate our 25th season Helitrax is offering a guided 4,300 foot descent from the upper reaches of the Bear Creek drainage to the streets of Telluride. A minimum group size of three expert skiers or riders is needed. Skiers must in excellent physical condition. The cost is $285- per person for groups of three or four and includes guide service, helicopter access, avalanche beacon, shovel pack, and powder ski rental. Tours will take place when the snowpack is at its deepest and most stable state (generally in the months of March and April). This is a good way to access the backcountry of Telluride with a professional guide service.

December 12th, 2006 Deep New Snow...The forecast called for 4 to 7 inches and we received 12 to 18 inches!

November 29th, 2006 Hot Dog ...A strong winter storm has deposited two feet of snow in our heliski terrain, more snowfall is expected today. September and October brought over 60 inches (90 centmetres) to the high peaks of the San Juan Mountains. We are hopeful for a fabulous winter as an El Nino weather system is building in the Pacific.

November 13th, 2006 A snowy fall...Approximately 10 to 12 inches of snow fell over the weekend in the high country. The forecast calls for 8 to 16 inches additional today and tomorrow. Make plans to ride the San Juans this winter. Early storms have covered the mountains with snow and the weather pattern looks to continue as an El Nino is building in the Pacific. Skiers and snowboarders began making tracks in Septmeber on the backcountry peaks.

October 12th, 2006 Over three feet of snow has fallen in September and October.

September 16th, 2006 Second Snow of the Season!Up to ten inches of snow fell yesterday in the San Juans. This is our 2nd snowfall in as many weeks. The high peaks are coated with a layer of the white stuff while the trees in the valleys are ablaze in yellow and orange.

September 8th, 2006 First Snow of the Season!It has been snowing above 13,000 feet since yesterday afternoon. The high peaks are coated with a wet layer of the white stuff. Winter is on its way.

NEWS:September 2006:Telluride Helitrax is celebrating its 25th season anniversary in 2007. Discounted pricing is available. The weather forecasters are talking about the possibility of a "Super El Nino" this coming winter. An El Nino is a warming of the Pacific waters which could bring fabulous amounts of snow to the southwest. It is impossible to say what will happen, excitement is growing none the less.

The Bear Creek Descent

To celebrate our 25th season Helitrax is offering a guided 4,300 foot descent from the upper reaches of the Bear Creek drainage to the streets of Telluride. A minimum group size of three expert skiers or riders is needed. Skiers must in excellent physical condition. The cost is $285- per person for groups of three or four and includes guide service, helicopter access, avalanche beacon, shovel pack, and powder ski rental. Tours will take place when the snowpack is at its deepest and most stable state (generally in the months of March and April). This is a good way to access the backcountry of Telluride with a professional guide service.

December 24th, 2006

27 inches buried the San Juan Mountains in storms this week. Two feet fell the week prior and conditions are stellar. Our high elevation heliski terrain is in good condition for the winter season ahead and a strong El Nino weather system is building in the Pacific that could bode well for additional big snows through out the winter and spring to come.