Gear and Equipment for heli-skiing in Alaska

At Chugach Powder Guides we are very fortunate to have relationships that allow us to have our choice of gear to use in the mountains. Below, check out some of the gear we've chosen for our 2008 season.

SKIS

The Salomon Rocker

Wow. Every once in a while, we run into a ski that changes how we view what is possible on the mountain. This is one of those skis. Last season we had an opportunity to get an advance feel for the new Salomon Rocker. These things make skiing in deep and variable conditions so easy, it's ridiculous. We are VERY excited to be implementing a fleet of these as our primary guide ski for 2008.

Here are the basics that really turn us on about this ski:
Rocker dimensions:

Length: 192cm (one size)

Sidecut: 147/127/137

Design/performance notes:

Rockered tip for early planing

Non-rockered tail, with a little sidecut and camber for versatility and stability.

Incredible floatation, power, stability at speed, versatility, and solid landings (no wheelie effect compared with other reverse-cambered skis).

The Salomon STH16 Binding

We've always loved Salomon bindings. They are versitile, fairly bullet proof (We definitely put our skis and bindings through a significant beating in a seaso, so this is important.), and are easy to get into in deep snow and on steep pitches. This year, we'll be outfitting our Rockers with the Salomon STH16 binding. They've got the durable security and performance that we've come to expect from Salomon without the extra weight of a race binding. They have a DIN range of 9 - 16, making them an appropriate choice for most of our guides.

The Salomon X-Wing Sandstorm

We put the majority of our guides on these skis last season. These things have the width and ease of use that we've become accostmed to with the Gun and Gun Lab, but have a bit more beef in the structure to help blast through firmer snow and crud. As a guide carrying a pretty heavy pack, the ability to stay on top ofthe snow and ski with efficient, effortless turns is crucial and these skis definitely stood up to the task.

JACKETS
The Salomon Gun S-Lab Jacket

This jacket has proven to be exceptionally tough and water proof. One of the problems we tend to run into with jackets is that our packs rub through the water protective barriers pretty quickly. Not wit hthis one. We've put these things through quite a bit of punishment and are ready to go another season with them.

HELMETS

The SMITH Variant Brim Helmet

The New Variant Brim showcases Smith's helmettechnology in its finest form. A full performance helmet veiled under our new Hybrid construction and equipped with a slim, sleek brim. Technical performance with tons of style.

BEACONS

The Pulse Barryvox from Mammut

We recently switched our entire fleet of beacons to the Pulse Barryvox from Mammut. We really like this beacon because of it's rich features, ease of use, accuracy and dependability.

Check one out

GOGGLES

The Smith Optics I/O Spherical and Turbo Fan Goggles We really like these things. The spherical lenses are crystal clear with sharp optics that don't distort. The Turbo Fans are key for keeping things clear while repeatedly going from the cold outdoors to the warmth of a helicopter and back again. The Smith Optics Prodigy Turbo Fan

The I/O is the latest addition to the Smith Arsenal. We really like this because the lesnses swap REALLY easily. full interchangeability and a sleek, rimless design aesthetic to the
Spherical series, the I/O is technology and style at their finest.

Check out the I/O Spherical
Check out the Prodigy Turbo Fan

GLOVES

These guys are taking the glove world by storm. We started using Hestra Guide Gloves and Hestra Heli-Ski gloves for our guides last year and have been very impressed. They have proven to be warm, flexible and super commfortable. With extra reinforcement at the pinch points and quick drying liner, this is the first glove we've had that stands up to the beating we dish out. Check 'em out.

Click here to download a brochure! (8 MB)