CPG by the numbers: 750,000 acres of skiable terrain in one of the most pristine heli-skiing destinations in the world, 700 average inches of powder snowfall each year, 4 helicopters, 2 snowcats, and one outstanding Alyeska Resort equals an unforgettable heli-skiing trip in Alaska’s Chugach Mountains. CPG's unique mix of ski terrain, guiding, accommodation, and accessibility cannot be beat.
Our vast heli-skiing zones offer our guests more terrain options than any other heli-skiing operation in the world. Within minutes of arriving at Alyeska in our Girdwood, Alaska location, you can scope out the perfect line on the North Face; soak the flight away at the hotel's spa, or dine at a number of fine restaurants; but be sure to prepare to drop in on ramps, couloirs, steep spines, and moderate powder fields and every kind of terrain in between.
Ideal Conditions Bring Memorable Ski Days with Chugach Powder Guides
The Chugach Mountains enjoy a range of weather patterns that create ideal conditions for helicopter skiing. The Western Range of the Chugach Mountains is uniquely situated between the warm, moist air currents of the Pacific Ocean and the artic winds that blow in from Alaska’s vast interior, resulting in high quality powder snow that adheres well to steep terrain. The Chugach is famous for steep powder skiing.
From February to mid-March, the average daytime temperature hovers around 20°F, or -7°C, and by the time March rolls around, added minutes of daylight mean temperatures can warm up to 30°F. Even as the mercury climbs, you’ll still find plenty of dry powder on all but southern-facing slopes. Late in the season, spring conditions offer fun corn snow and warm blue bird days.
Expansive Heli Terrain
The Chugach Range has a reputation for iconic big lines, and it's well deserved. CPG offers some of the absolute best and most accessible steep powder skiing and snowboarding in the world, and we've still got first descents waiting for our dedicated guests.
Out here, every day in the mountains feels like one-in-a-million. In order to ski big Alaska lines, the weather, snowpack stability, and your skiing or riding ability all have come together. Our first objective is to ensure that your backcountry heli skiing experience is safe. We work with you to ensure that you’re comfortable and ready to tackle Chugach’s terrain. Then, as soon as the conditions permit, skilled guests will be transitioned from moderate to steeper and bigger terrain – the kind that Warren Miller, MSP, and TGR love to film.
Big Lines are plentiful in the Chugach Mountains, and we pursue them when and where we can without risking the safety of our guests. Our CPG staff has a deep respect for our mountain environment, and knows when to proceed as planned or call it for the day. We impress this ethos upon our guests.
At CPG, we only operate the best helicopter: the newest and most powerful "A-Star" - the B3e
CPG is committed to providing the best ski and snowboard experiences in the world which is why we fly our guests and guides exclusively in the state-of-the-art, Eurocopter AS350 ("A-Star") B3e. Because of it's unbeatable combination of power and agility, the "A-Star" has long been the aircraft of choice for Alaskan helicopter skiing. And the top-of-the-line B3e is the newest and most powerful version. This high-performance aircraft was designed to carry out the most demanding missions in the most extreme weather and geographical conditions. Its exceptional lifting capability, high endurance, extended range, and fast cruise speed make the AS350 B3e the leader in its class and the preferred aircraft for Chugach Powder Guides. For heli-skiers, that translates into flying further, higher, faster and more reliably than in other aircraft. In short, that means more, safer skiing and riding.
The B3e typically carries four guests, one guide, and the pilot. Many of our guests find that flying in the helicopter is almost as fun as our skiing.
Operating Season: Come in, We’re Open
Our season kicks off with snowcat skiing in mid-December as soon as conditions allow. Helicopter skiing typically begins in late January to early February and lasts through the end of April. Each month offers unique possibilities and snow characteristics, and our guides will tell anyone they favor the skiing in February and March. Early and mid-season is when the powder is at its best, with the sun angled just a bit lower, creating cooler temperatures ideal for heli skiing on all terrain aspects.
In late January, expect the hours of daylight to rapidly increase from 8 to 11 by the end of February – maximizing the amount of vertical our guests can tackle. Usually, we experience dry powder conditions on all but the south-facing slopes, where good corn skiing can be found. By early April, we enjoy a full 14 hours of daylight, when our guests ski powder at higher elevations and corn snow on southerly aspects as conditions allow.
The CPG experience is unlike any other heli skiing operation, and we can’t wait to help you plan your perfect trip.
