Heli Skiing in Chile
While North America is thawing out, the Andes are filling in. Chile’s season runs roughly June to early October, which makes it the most practical way for a northern-hemisphere skier to get a proper powder trip in the middle of summer.
We run small-group heli and cat skiing trips in the Chilean Andes, coached by PSIA certified instructors who have skied there for years. These are not drop-and-go operations. You ski with a coach, which means you come home skiing better, not just with better photos.
What the terrain is actually like
The Andes are big, open and mostly above treeline. That gives you long, wide fall-line runs with sightlines you rarely get in North America, and vertical that goes on far longer than you expect the first time.
The flip side is that it’s high. Many Chilean zones sit well above the elevations most skiers are used to, so the first day is usually about settling in rather than chasing the biggest objective. We plan for that.
Summer powder
June through early October. The one reliable way to ski deep snow during a northern summer.
Coached, not just guided
A guide keeps you safe and finds snow. A coach does that and makes you better. Ours do both.
Small groups
Fewer people per guide means more runs and less standing around at the pickup.
Heli or cat
Heli for the big days and the remote zones. Cat skiing for more laps per dollar and better weather tolerance.
Heli or cat skiing?
People ask this constantly, so here’s the honest comparison.
| Heli skiing | Cat skiing | |
|---|---|---|
| Terrain reach | Remote, high, otherwise unreachable | Excellent, within the cat’s road network |
| Runs per day | Fewer but longer | More laps, steadier rhythm |
| Weather | Flying needs visibility, so days can be lost | Keeps running in flat light and snowfall |
| Cost | Higher | Notably better value |
| Best for | A bucket-list trip, strong skiers | Maximum days on snow, mixed ability groups |
Plenty of guests do both across a week. If you’re deciding between them and it’s your first Andes trip, cat skiing usually delivers more actual skiing.
What you need to be able to ski
Comfortable and confident off-piste. You don’t need to be an expert, and you don’t need to have skied powder in the Andes before, but you should be able to link turns in ungroomed snow without it being a survival exercise. If you’re not sure, tell us honestly what you ski at home and we’ll give you a straight answer about whether the trip fits.
If you want to build up to it, a season of coaching days at Tahoe is exactly how a lot of our guests get ready.
Is skiing in Chile expensive?
Less than people assume. Lift tickets, food and lodging in Chile generally cost well below equivalent North American resorts, so the main expense is the flight and the heli or cat time itself. A cat trip in particular can work out comparable to a week at a major US resort once you account for how much skiing you actually get.
We publish full pricing on each trip page rather than making you ask.
Our Andes trips
Andes Heliski
Helicopter access to remote high-alpine terrain, with a certified coach on snow with you rather than just a guide out front.
Andes Cat Skiing
More laps, steadier rhythm and far better weather tolerance. Usually the better value and the smarter first Andes trip.
Valle Nevado Performance Camp
A full coached week at one of South America’s largest ski areas, high above Santiago.
Portillo Performance Camp
The famous yellow hotel on Laguna del Inca, where national teams train through the northern summer.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Chilean ski season?
Roughly mid June to early October, with the most reliable snow generally in August and early September. We schedule trips around that window.
Do I need my own powder skis?
No. Suitable skis are available to rent, and for most people renting wide skis there is easier than flying with them.
How fit do I need to be?
Reasonably. Deep snow at altitude is tiring in a way that groomed skiing isn’t. If you can ski a full day at home without falling apart, you’ll be fine, and the coaching helps you ski more efficiently.
What happens if the helicopter can’t fly?
It’s a real possibility and every honest operator will tell you so. Trips build in contingency, usually resort skiing or a cat day, and each trip page spells out exactly how weather days are handled.
Is avalanche gear provided?
Yes. Transceiver, shovel and probe are provided and you’ll get a briefing before skiing. Guides carry full rescue equipment.
Can beginners come along?
Not for the heli and cat skiing itself. If you’re travelling with someone who’s still learning, talk to us about a custom hosted trip where they ski the resort while you’re out.
We also run performance camps at Valle Nevado and Portillo. See everything on the experiences page.