Valdez Heli Camps - Customer Testimonials

LANCE OHLSSON

"Every single run was the best run of my life"

TIM BYRD

"I have discovered my true purpose in life. How can I go back to my real job after this?"

JEREMY SMYTH

The skiing that we did do was great and so nice to actually go to the Chugach after so long looking forward to it!

Please pass my sincere thanks to all the guys especially Matt, for making the very best of conditions.

MATT SUBITCH

What a let down being back home in Anchorage.  I wish I was in Valdez with da boys.  What does a person do after you've been to the greatest mountains on earth?  It's like coming back from the Apollo 14 mission,
now what do you do to top that? Dave and I are both going through withdrawals.

...Valdez Heli-Camps, It's more fun than going to Disneyland with a hooker.

Tom "Mr. Extreme" Gustafson

The "Boston Boys" had an unbelievable time at "Man Camp".  The skiing was sensational and we were treated like kings.  Special thanks to John and Robert for all the clams during apre and the musical tapes that John taped for us, and especially that second (bonus) night of crab legs that Robert was able to scrounge up; Hope for keeping those hot tubs clean (especially after many relaxing hours of "Man Stew"); and Evan, Chip, and Cooks for fantastic face shots, (special thanks to Evan for taking us to places that made us [nervous]! ).

The pictures attached were taken, approximately April 7 and 8.  (The skiing shots kicking up all the powder, were: Yours Truly (Tom),  Gary Siy (smiling), and Evan, all taken on Mr. Pink Arm in the Sheep's Creek area on the last day (bonus day - Sunday, Apr. 8) on 3 hours of sleep after a hard night at the Glacier Bar.

Burn the Candle at Both Ends (BCBE)

Love Ya, Tom "Mr. Extreme" Gustafson

KEVIN DEVEAU (TGR WINNER OF 3 DAY/3 NIGHT)

My name is Kevin Deveau,

I recently won a heli-skiing trip on Teton Gravity Research's website. The trip was for 3 days heli-skiing, including food and accommodations. Not to mention the hot tub.

I have never been to Alaska before but I have been heli-skiing before, so I kind-of new what to expect. Or so I thought.

I arrived in Anchorage the afternoon of April 3rd, that was my first glimpse of what was to come. As I darted from one side of the plane to the other, checking out the incredible mountains all around me, all completely white, all full of immense glaciers flowing to the ocean, I knew I was in for something big. That's about the best way to describe Alaska, "BIG".
I arrived at the B&B in Valdez, and I was greeted by my gracious and  beautiful hostess Lori, and four half naked guys who were enjoying a hot tub. I soon found out these guys having such a good time were not guests as I had assumed, but they were to be my guides for the days to come. At this point I knew I was going to have fun. I went and put my shorts on and jumped right-on-in. Hi I'm Kevin. What's it like out there?

I felt very welcome, right away. At dinner later that evening I met the owner of the operation, Matt.  A smiling young guy about, mid thirties. He welcomed me, told me how lucky I was, as if I didn't  already know. He also told me that I was in for some epic skiing the next day. "You see the weather is clear tonight, its going to dry out the snowpack. We're going to have fun."

There are no words to describe the level of fun I had the next day. You'd have to see a picture of the smile on my face to understand.

That day, the first day, our group consisted of four clients, our guide Scott, and the main man Matt. Who said, "its only my second or third time out this year.

It was a blue-bird day, not a cloud in the sky, I knew this was special. ... I was a happy little man.

We flew into the valley we were going to ski that day, I couldn't believe my peepers. I saw a hundred different lines and we were just getting started into the valley. The mountains kept getting bigger and the lines longer. I was starting to shake with excitement, then our guide Scott pointed up to that peak, and the pilot headed there. Now I'm at the top, the top of the Chugach, saying to myself, it's all yours, man look at this you are going to rip this up, skinny skis and all.
That was just the beginning. As the day progressed we skied more and more challenging runs. Scott would say there's a nice little drop down here for anyone who likes to huck, I thought, well I'm certainly all for a little air. What's really cool is that he would even point stuff like that out.

That day we got in 25,000 vertical feet, seven runs all between three and four thousand feet. It was the best skiing experience of my life! I thought nothing could compare with the tree skiing we have around here in North Vancouver, B.C.

The next day I awoke with a great big fat pounding headache, probably a direct result of some ambitious beer consumption at one of the local watering holes. As I walked outside, I could see the sun trying to burn through the thin layer of fog that prevailed from the previous days storm, I knew it was going to be another great day.

I didn't think that things could get any better than the first day but they can. You see it snowed about two-and-a-half feet during that storm and the skies were blue again.
I spent the entire day under the snow, a constant 3,000  vertical foot face-shot, literally needed a snorkel. On top of all that I was laughing myself breathless with joy. That day our client to guide ratio was 1-1, three clients and three guide, pretty darn dope if you ask me.

For me this was a trip of a lifetime, a dream come true. I never thought that I'd be the guy I always  see in those ski flicks. I like to thank everyone, Matt and Lori, our lead guide Scott, Bob our pilot, and everyone else at Valdez Heli-Camps, also Chris Owens from TGR, the man who first informed me I had won this amazing trip. If your wondering if you should go heli skiing in Alaska, I'm here to tell you your skiing or snowboarding life won't be complete until you do. Its that good.

Yours most gratefully,
Kevin Deveau

Chief Creative Guy, Senan Gorman

One of the finer days in my life began with a phone call from POWDER Magazine informing me that I had just won their Valdez Heli-Camps Giveaway Design Contest.

They had chosen one of my designs as their official new web logo, which translates into an entire week of heli-skiing in Alaska's Chugach Range. FREE!!

I went in late April and it was one of the most incredible experiences one could imagine. The pure adrenalin of heli-accessed peak skiing in the Alaskan backcountry was simply out of this world.

Our pilot, Bob, would land on a 15,000 ft. postage stamp of a peak and say, "OK, GET OUT!". One of the quietest things I've ever heard, happens when that chopper fly's away.

The skiing was sick, the mountains outrageous, the guides, food and unpredictable fun at Valdez Heli-Camps is a true phenomena.

We at North Pole Design would like to Thank Powder Magazine and Valdez Heli-Camps for a lifetime of memories, experiences and new friends.

Here are photo's from "The Big Trip" - enjoy!

Bill Robinson

I send you this letter because I know that, like me, you love to ski. Last year I, and four others, decided to take the ultimate in ski vacations to Valdez, Alaska to experience the endless powder offered by the vast Chugach Mountain range. My "once in a lifetime experience" with Valdez Heli-Camps was so exceptional that "once"  in this relatively short lifetime didn't seem enough.  I needed to do it again.

We are now planning the "Twice in a lifetime" ski trip ...

.... I think you will find that no other helicopter skiing vacation offers equal value. When this company experiences the inevitable "No Fly" days due to weather, Valdez Heli-Camps provides excellent snow-cat skiing until the weather clears. The snow-cat option provides better skiing than the best resort skiing and you don't spend agonizing :down days" stuck in a lodge. No, I don't own stock in Valdez Heli-camps, so if you do come across a better ski value please let me know.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Bill

ROGER SHANE

Dear One and All,
The more I think about my time skiing with all of you the more I realize what a great time I had. I always felt that all of you really loved what you do. I felt welcomed from the moment I got off the plane until the moment I departed. I wish I could give you some negitive imput, but the harder I think about my trip the more I appreciate all the work that went into making sure everything went smoothly. I'm excited for all of you and the great product you offer. You have alot going, your young, smart, and on the ground floor. With a little luck and lots of hard work your dreams will come true.
As Ever,
Roger Shane

Dennis Jenson, Senior Vice President.
Burton Snowboards

Just wanted to drop a quick note to say thanks for an outstanding visit to Valdez.   I was thoroughly impressed by your staff and your operation.  I can't say enough about the quality of your people and the overall level of excellence within the operation -- from pilot Bob down through the cat skiing guides.  I would feel absolutely comfortable recommending your program to anyone looking to ride/ski Valdez without the "extreme hype" normally associated with this area.

Thanks for a great trip.  Hope to see you again in coming years

MIKE CALDERON

I can say these few words about my trip to Matt's camp.
1. It's better than the commercials
2. I can't believe I waited this long to go
3. If you don't come and a meteor hits the planet before you do get there, your really going to be pissed off.  This experience is definitely one of those " If I had one more wish" kinda things.

... My trip was the single most powerful experience I have ever had in my 42 years of living (yes they let us older skiers have fun too).  Matt runs a fine place where you don't have to be a 19 year old adrenalin junkie to have fun.  Matt's guides made all of us feel right at home with our abilities in both the cat and heli trips, no matter what your level of ability is!!
...Matt's people will not endanger you for a bird ride and believe me I really appreciated that and so does my 4 year old.  Believe Matt's folks know what there are doing and all you need to worry about is having fun.

...My recommendation is come now while you have the money and health because you really can have the  time of life.  Do not waste your time and energy on whimpy heli or cat ski experiences somewhere in North America, only the AK, specifically Valdez can offer what it does and when you come and stand on the top on that mountain overlooking the glacier you will know exactly what I mean.  There is nothing like it in Colo, CA, WA, Utah, Mt, Wy or Canada.

...A million thank to you, Matt, Alan, Harlen, Brad, Vince, Scott, Grant, Dan, Jeff and Robert.

...Once again Lori, I indeed had the time of my life and we will be booking a private ride for next year, last  week in March.  You all and the AK are living proof that dreams do come true.  Watch out we're going shredding with the folks of the AK.  Tell Matt we are going north, way north of our border, the rush is on!!!  Mush-Mush-Mush

...Well it was the time of my life, only to be rivaled by a return visit.  A million thanks you and Matt from the depths of my soul.-MC

STEFANO VILLA

I've been in heaven for a week and now I'm back in the dungeon. And that's kind of pointing out a Truth: money CAN buy you happiness!!  It took me two days to recovery from this depression-post-heliski, and it's not over yet.  I was very pleased as well of meeting you and all of you guys, I've really enjoyed staying there. If I could rewrite my life all over again I'd have probably gone to the ski-instructors-school, you've got a beautiful "office" up there.

PHIL FRANKLIN

Hey Matt and Lori!(and the whole VHC gang)!

... The skiing was fun, the scenery awesome, and your alls company was great. A special thanks to your whole crew - Scott, Alan, Harlen, Brad, Vince, Jeff, Danny, Bob, Grant & Robert. They all did a great job and made our stay all the more enjoyable.

... I have also found another great place to write off business trips to and spend my money! I can't think of a better way to spend it!

... I'm already planning nexts year trip - I'm hooked!

BILL FRANKLIN 

... Sure had a kick ass time skiing with you guys.  Phil and I have skied in a couple places in our day but the immensity and scope of the Chugach in the AK is difficult to describe to those who haven't been there.  What a place.

... Thanx for the good times and we are talking already about next year coming out with a group.