With no takers in previous weeks and the heli leaving in a few days to return to its home in Bariloche, I was lucky to run into Colby and Morgan skiing Sans Nom. There was no hesitation; they had one week left of vacation time before heading back to university in Oregon. We ran over to the Aries Hotel and signed up.






Two days later, after adding Nathan the needed forth to our group, we headed over to the Aries Hotel, threw down US$350 a piece, loaded into the Aries Hummer and arrived at the Heliport. Our pilot Fredi reviewed the usual flying protocol as Hannes our Austrian guide loaded up our gear, keen to get us in the air and skiing fresh lines.

The next three runs that followed are definitely in my top ten of all time. A storm four days prior had left dry snow at the high elevation in which we landed (4,000 meters/13,000 feet). The first was a low grade pow warm up run which only got us more stoked to ski steeper lines. Next came Couloir #1, a long steep run full of waist deep blower pow. Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, we had to toe-in on our third landing and jump out of the heli for Couloir #2. Crouched down on a patch of snow no more than 4 meters/13 feet wide, I watched the heli fly away. I then had a closer understanding of what Jeremy Jones must feel like perched on peaks in Alaska and it only made me want it more…






Though our guide Hannes skis pow from a heli everyday, his enthusiasm was like it was his first time. In my case it was and no complaints just burning legs. After 3 runs, 2 being first descents down couloirs of 2000 meter vertical each (6,500 feet), our heli time was up. Colby, Nathan, Morgan and I headed back to the Gringo Ghetto with big grins across our faces and celebrated with a bottle of Malbec wine.






Thanks to both guide Hannes and our pilot Fredi for an awesome day and to the Aries Hotel and Las Leñas Ski Resort.






MORE INFORMATION:

The A-Star B3 heli was loaned from Burco Adventure out of Bariloche and had come to Las Leñas after being requested by a wealthy American who wished to heliski north of Las Leñas on the Chilean border. With no accommodation to be found in the area, the heli made a home for itself at the Aries Hotel and an operation began. Between July 10 to September 22, Hannes (Head of Operations/Guide), Fredi (Pilot) and Gabriel (Guide), worked as a team to bring clients into new terrain, skiing first descents daily and accident free. Due to this year’s success, the operation should be up and running again for the 2007 season.

Groups of 4 / Prices are per person
US$150 – 1 run
US$350 – 3 runs
US$600 – Half day
US$1000 – Full day

Useful Websites:
www.hotelaries.com – Home of Heliport
www.beyondboundaries.at – Heli Guides
www.burcoadventure.com – Heli Owners
www.laslenas.com – Official Resort Website
www.laslenasski.com – Vacation Planners