Chile - Heliski Adventure

Getting there

The connections to Santiago de Chile with Air France are currently the best, fastest and most attractive in terms of price.

Our Base

For our warm-up days we are staying in a cozy hotel in Nevados de Chillan. We spend the heliski week in the exclusive Puma Lodge. We really enjoy ourselves with the finest delicacies from Chilean cuisine and a selection of the best Chilean wines.

Safety and Quality

The safety and quality of the trip is very important to us. Even though we always try to get the best skiing experience for you, this never happens at the expense of safety. However, with every type of activity in alpine terrain there are risks over which we have no influence. You should be aware that you have to share these risks with us when you travel with us in the mountains of the world. In the Andes we are far away from rescue services and mountain rescue services, so we always have to behave defensively. In the event of an accident, we are on our own. As a rule, we travel with 2 helicopters and 2 small groups of 4 guests each. In an emergency, constant communication via radio would quickly trigger a rescue chain of the remaining 3 mountain guides.

Runs and Terrain

All runs are above the tree line; we only ski in alpine terrain at altitudes between 4,300 and 2,000 meters. Many of the runs have height differences of almost 2000 meters.

Helicopter and Pilots

In Chile we also use an Airbus H125 helicopter, which is the most suitable helicopter in the world for heli-skiing in exclusive small groups. All pilots have many years of experience flying at high altitudes in the Andes.

Requirements for Guests

To really enjoy a heliski/heliboard week in the Andes, you should have solid skiing technique on any terrain and in any type of snow. Stamina and endurance are also basic requirements on the very long descents and at altitudes above 4,000 meters. This destination is clearly only reserved for advanced deep snow skiers with appropriate experience. Flory Kern – Ski Mountain Adventure – is entitled not to take participants on the tours or to fly them back to the base during the day if they delay the group, endanger themselves or have poor physical fitness.

Skiing Equipment

Freeride ski equipment (at least 100 mm below the bindings) and safety equipment consisting of a shovel, probe, avalanche transceiver and a Scott Alpride system are mandatory. We are happy to provide the safety package (shovel, probe, avalanche transceiver, airbag backpacks). Wearing helmets is recommended. You will receive a detailed packing list from us 30 days before the start of your trip. Every participant is obliged to ensure that their material is in perfect condition. It is hardly possible to buy or rent replacement material on site. However, we always have some spare skis on site to help out in the event of loss or damage.

Weather

Of course, we also prefer to ski in deep powder when the sun is shining. But in order to achieve this we also need favorable precipitation rates. As in all mountains in the world, days with snowfall are just as much a part of winter as sunny days in the Andes. On average, for every 7 sunny days there are at least 2 days with snowfall.

Conditions

August is definitely the best month for a heliski week in the Andes.

Despite many favorable circumstances, heli-skiing in the Andes also depends largely on weather, snow and avalanche conditions. Forces of nature over which we have no influence and about which reliable statements are sometimes hardly possible shape the situation on the mountain. Therefore, this sport is not always perfect and you should prepare accordingly. Nobody can say in advance what weather and conditions await you during your week. It can be the most fulfilling ski week of your life, but it can also become a disappointment if the weather or snow conditions are not optimal.

Downdays

On days when the weather does not allow safe heli-skiing, we can use all of the lodge's amenities such as the swimming pool and hot tub. A trip to natural hot springs is also possible. A visit to a winery with a wine tasting is always a welcome change.

Our Lodge

The Puma Lodge is a 5 star lodge with all amenities: spa, sauna, hot tub, fitness room, climbing wall and a very fine restaurant. The cuisine is typically South American and somewhat meat-heavy, but vegetarians will also find a wide selection of freshly prepared vegetables.

The location of the lodge is unique in the Rio del Cypreses National Park, surrounded by the wild mountain region of the High Andes.

Flying Time and Vertical Meters

Alslo in the Andes we don't calculate in meters of altitude, but in helicopter flight time. Our package includes 11 flight hours for 2 rotations. Once the flight time has been used up, we can continue flying at 3600 US dollars per flight hour. The price is then divided by the guests traveling with you.

Mountain Guides

Flory himself will accompany you on this journey. You can find all information about him here.