Costco heli-skiing?

[El Chupacabra]

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product...askaHeliskiing

Hmm. Seems cheap enough per day, but only 25,000 vertical feet?

[summit]

So apparently you pay $1000 for STANDBY placement. If the heli is full, you don't fly. I'm guessing that means you will need to go during the slower season meaning less chance of good weather or less chance of good snow. Also, as the lowest paying folks on the heli, you probably have less say in where you ski.

[nickwm21]

check out the punchcards on their site, its for grabbing the extra seat in the heli, not for an organized trip

http://www.valdezalaskaheliskiing.co...l_punch_cards/

[El Chupacabra]

That sucks. You'd think Costco would put some of that fine print on its own website.

[LCConMyMind]

For an extra $250 it says that you can upgrade to semi-private with snowcat alternative. Is that a good value?

[summit]

For an extra $250 it says that you can upgrade to semi-private with snowcat alternative. Is that a good value?

No, you apply your $999 + the $250 credit against the cost of an inclusive pacakge (in the $4200-$4500 range)

[Hugh Conway]

That sucks. You'd think Costco would put some of that fine print on its own website.

So, can you return the Heliski package if it doesn't work out?

[summit]

So, can you return the Heliski package if it doesn't work out?

No, but you can go back to Alaska and try again for up to 24 months

[stalefish3169]

That would be a good deal except for the fact that 25K is only +/- 7 AK runs.

[garyfromterrace]

Too much fine print, too hard to get to, 20,000 is an OK amt of vert for a heliday but nothing crazy, sounds like you're on standby. I don't think this is a great deal at all. When I read the ad at first glance I thought it was a 3 day package, then read the 25k thing and thought that was per day. Nope, I ain't biting.

[splat]

One day of runs spread out over three days?
One punchcard gaper ruining the terrain preferences for how many chopper loads of rippers?

[quienes?]

the Silverton doods were delivering that much vert PER DAY in the north Chugachs last spring for about the same price (25k = $1g).

[Danno]

but, but, but, you are SAVING $600!!!!

[ski_rick]

I totally agree this isn't the type of package one would want to plan an entire trip around, but as someone who is planning to head up to Alaska this spring to do some ski mountaineering and hopefully get a heli day or two in while I'm there, I'm not so sure this isn't a descent deal. The downside I see is that you have to commit to it ahead of time, but they say call ahead to check availability and if I could buy it a day or two out, it could save some money in comparison to normal daily ski rates plus lodging. I'll share some research I've done below. Daily heli-skiing runs around $900-$1000+ anyways (no lodging/food), and doesn't typically include a full 25k (in many cases there doesn't seem to be any guarantee of vertical, just number of runs). In this package you're not only getting a solid days worth of vertical for heli skiing, but three days of lodging and food too. All you need is one fly day in your three to get your skiing in, which while never a guarantee seems like a reasonable bet.

Totally agree this deal isn't for everyone, and I kinda think I'm going to play it more by ear myself, but I can at least see their thinking......

H20 Guides: $1200
6 Runs (Average 20k)
http://alaskahelicopterskiing.com/packages.html

Valdez Heli Camps: $1099
6-9 Runs 18-20k (only a 50% refund for down day)
http://www.valdezalaskaheliskiing.co...y_heli_skiing/

CPG: $1075
6-7 Runs 16-20k
http://www.chugachpowderguides.com/rates.html

Valdez Heli Ski Guides: $925
6 Runs
http://www.valdezheliskiguides.com/packages.html

Alaska Rendezvous Lodge: $870
6 Runs
http://www.arlinc.com/planning_pricing.html

Alaska Heli Skiing: ~$600-$800 for 8-12 runs
charge by flight time
http://www.alaskaheliskiing.com/rates.html

Alaska Powder Descents: $875
8 Runs
http://www.alaskapowder.com/pricing.html

Alaska Backcountry Adventures: $725
6 Runs
http://www.alaskabackcountry.com/rates.html

[splat]

Wow. Seems like I recall a time when you could catch <$50 runs with Tom Thibideaux and Doug Brewer.

[bossass]

^Chalk another one up on the "list of reasons I'm jealous of Splat"

[gforce]

Splat - you are talking about mid 90's prices and both those guys are long gone...good times though.