Many heli-skiing runs start on the high alpine glaciers
and end well below tree line, deep in the valley bottoms.
The glaciers and alpine bowls of our heliskiing tenure seem
to go on forever. Rip turns through deep blankets of powder
surrounded by jagged and awe inspiring peaks. For many skiers,
tree skiing is the essence of heliskiing. The treed-terrain
is challenging and the deep snow lies protected from the
elements amongst the spectacular old growth forests.
Vertical Footage
Our packages guarantee a certain amount of vertical footage
depending on the length of your heliski tour. The average
footage skied per week is approximately 130,000 vertical
feet (39,600 vertical meters). Well over 200,000 vertical
feet (61,000 vertical meters) have been skied in a week,
while on some occasions, only 70,000 vertical feet (21,300
vertical meters) have been accomplished.
Here is what you can expect given the length of your heliski
tour:
Vertical Feet
Tour Length
Average
Guarantee
If you're lucky!
2 day
37,000
29,000
50,000
3 day
56,000
43,000
75,000
4 day
75,000
57,500
84,000
5 day
93,000
72,000
90,000
7 day
130,000
100,000
170,000
Vertical Meters
Tour Length
Average
Guarantee
If you're lucky!
2 day
11,278
8,800
15,240
3 day
17,069
13,100
22,860
4 day
22,860
17,500
25,603
5 day
24,689
22,000
28,346
7 day
39,624
30,500
51,816
The amount of skiing is determined by several factors:
the skiing ability of our guests and the amount they desire
to ski
weather and snow conditions
available daylight hours
Please Note:
Our heliski program generally ends at noon on Fridays. We
will do our best to meet guests desires to ski more if possible,
however, most Fridays we will finish at noon.
Is Unlimited Vertical Footage really a better deal?
We think not.
While we acknowledge that the standard method of charging
customers for vertical footage in the heliski sector may
not appear to be the most straightforward, we firmly believe
that it is not only the best deal for the customer but also
the fairest.
The base concept for operating on a 'guaranteed vertical
system' is in fact a simple one. The operator charges the
customer a certain amount for a specific product / package
which includes a number of pre-defined items. Both parties
entering into the agreement are aware of what they are signing
up for. The operator offers a 100% guarantee that should
the customer not be able to ski / board the amount of vertical
which is included in their trip, they are to be refunded.
Should the customer choose to ski more, additional vertical
charges will be made. The rate for extra vertical is the
same as the rate for refunded vertical.
While weather and snow conditions are generally good for
heliskiing, they can vary significantly. A guaranteed vertical
footage system allows for those variables to be accounted
for in an unbiased way. If the decision is made by the client
to ski / board above the guarantee because they want to
enjoy fantastic conditions, then the operator is compensated
for the additional costs associated with the extra skiing
/ boarding. In short, both parties are happy with the scenario.
If conditions are average and the client chooses not to
ski more than what is included in the trip then again both
parties have met their obligations. If conditions or weather
are poor and the guaranteed amount of skiing is not reached,
you'll generally find everyone disappointed...guides like
to ski as well! BUT at least the customer receives some
compensation for the lack of good conditions.
Any deviation from the principal of having an agreed guarantee
of vertical footage is risky for the customer. Looking at
basic economics it is not in the interests of the operator
to give clients lots and lots of skiing unless they are
remunerated for it. There is no incentive for the operators
to offer the client longer days, shortened lunch breaks,
etc when the conditions are good. Most heliskiers want to
take advantage of those dreamy days when they happen and
a system of unlimited vertical footage as part of an operation's
'regular' program, in our opinion, does not allow for that.
Vertical
Guarantee System
Scenario
Operator
Client
Comment
Poor
conditions
Operator loses income by giving
refund. Customer disappointed for not having skied
but happy to receive some compensation.
Average
conditions
Customer received what they paid
for. Operator delivered what they were paid to deliver.
Good
Conditions
Customer has option to ski more
and take advantage of good conditions. Operator happy
to oblige and earn additional income and cover costs
as a result of customer desire to ski more.
Amazing
Conditions
Customer
very happy to be able to extend days, shorten lunches
etc in order to take advantage of amazing conditions.
Operator happy to oblige and generate more income and
cover additional costs as a result of customer desire
to ski even more.
Unlimited
System
Scenario
Operator
Client
Comment
Poor
conditions
neutral
Operator has to refund. Operator
is receiving premium income for the additional footage
over the guarantee, even though customers are not
skiing it. Clients refunded up to guarantee but they
have paid the premium unlimited price and have received
nothing for it.
Average
conditions
Operator receives premium income
and while only providing guaranteed amount of vertical.
Customer has paid premium price but only receives
guaranteed minimum.
Good
Conditions
Operator provides what their premium
price represents. Customer receives what they have
paid for with premium price.
Amazing
Conditions
Operator has higher costs with no income generated because
customer is demanding to ski. Customer can ski more
and doesn’t have to pay, but customer runs risk that
they will have to persuade the operator to ski this
large amount.
Conclusion
1. For unlimited vertical packages the odds for the client
having their expectations met or exceeded are reduced.
2. The client pays a premium price for unlimited vertical
footage taking a risk, when their alternative is to pay
a cheaper price and choose to ski.
TLH Heliskiing LTD
P.O. Box 1118 Vernon, BC V1T 6N4 Canada
Tel: (250) 558-5379 Fax: (250) 558-5389
North America Toll-Free: 1-800-667-4854
w: tlhheli.com e: sales [at] tlhheli.com
Heli-Skiing
Many heli-skiing runs start on the high alpine glaciers and end well below
tree line, deep in the valley bottoms. The glaciers and alpine bowls of
our heliskiing tenure seem to go on forever. Rip turns through deep blankets
of powder surrounded by jagged and awe inspiring peaks. For many skiers,
tree skiing is the essence of heliskiing. The treed-terrain is challenging
and the deep snow lies protected from the elements amongst the spectacular
old growth forests.
Vertical Footage
Our packages guarantee a certain amount of vertical footage depending
on the length of your heliski tour. The average footage skied per week
is approximately 130,000 vertical feet (39,600 vertical meters). Well
over 200,000 vertical feet (61,000 vertical meters) have been skied in
a week, while on some occasions, only 70,000 vertical feet (21,300 vertical
meters) have been accomplished.
Here is what you can expect given the length of your heliski tour:
Vertical Feet
Tour Length
Average
Guarantee
If you're lucky!
2 day
37,000
29,000
50,000
3 day
56,000
43,000
75,000
4 day
75,000
57,500
84,000
5 day
93,000
72,000
90,000
7 day
130,000
100,000
170,000
Vertical Meters
Tour Length
Average
Guarantee
If you're lucky!
2 day
11,278
8,800
15,240
3 day
17,069
13,100
22,860
4 day
22,860
17,500
25,603
5 day
24,689
22,000
28,346
7 day
39,624
30,500
51,816
The amount of skiing is determined by several factors:
the skiing ability of our guests and the amount they desire to ski
weather and snow conditions
available daylight hours
Please Note: Our heliski
program generally ends at noon on Fridays. We will do our best to meet guests
desires to ski more if possible, however, most Fridays we will finish at
noon.