Silverton Mountain Cuts Heli-ski Price to $99

Nothing says luxury quite like heli-skiing, but one Colorado mountain is making it easier than ever to access the extreme sport.

Located in the southwestern part of Colorado, the notoriously no-frills ski area of Silverton Mountain has cut the price of a single heli-ski drop in half, reducing the once-$199 experience to just $99. And the decision feels perfectly on brand.

In a statement shared with Travel + Leisure, the mountain said the move was “a way to lower the barrier to something we think every skier here should experience at least once, and to say thank you to our most dedicated guests.”

Silverton Mountain has long been the only heli-ski operator in the continental United States that offers single runs in addition to all-day heli-skiing options. The mountain operates somewhere between a traditional ski resort and a backcountry ski experience with more than 1,800 acres of avalanche-mitigated terrain but only one chairlift. Once at the top, skiers typically sling their skis over their shoulders and hike up the mountain ridges in search of the best line. Avalanche gear is always required to ride the lift there.

Silverton Mountain is also known as the highest and steepest ski area in North America with a peak elevation of 13,487 feet with lots of raw black diamond terrain to explore.

Most visitors to the mountain need a guide. In fact, guided skiing is the norm at Silverton and is available all season long. It includes small groups and an experienced on-mountain guide who knows the terrain inside and out and is charged with keeping you safe and your plate full of powder.

Unguided skiing is only available in the spring and is reserved for skiers who already know the mountain and are comfortable skiing in backcountry conditions.

Guided skiing for the day costs $199 in the early or late season (typically December, early January, and April) and starts at $249 during peak season. There are usually eight people per group. Unguided skiing starts at $99.

The single, $99 heli-ski runs can be added to either a guided or unguided day at Silverton. A full day of heli-skiing, which includes six drops, ranges in cost from $999 to $1,599, depending on the day.

Beyond Silverton Mountain, travelers can sign up for heli-skiing at mountains across North America from Canada’s CMH Heli-Skiing & Summer Adventures to tours from Alaska’s Alyeska Resort, Idaho’s Sun Valley, and beyond.