Heli Bumps in Haines, Alaska

March 2016  |  Alaska

The glaciated and snow smothered Takhinsha Mountains near Haines, Alaska are amongst the most impressive mountains on Earth in the eyes of a skiier or snowboarder. In March 2016 I joined three friends for a week-long trip to Haines to go heli snowboarding in this legendary big mountain riding mecca.  With perfect powder and stable avalanche conditions, we scored 4 days of good weather and a total of 18 lines -- each line between about 3,000 to 4,500 vertical feet.  The trip was a lifelong dream for me, and a pinnacle in my 20+ years of snowboarding!

Without further ado, enjoy some photos from our time in Haines:

Unknown skier skis a spine in Haines, Alaska.

Unknown skier skis a spine in Haines, Alaska.

The Takhinsha Mountains smothered in snow and glaciers.

The Takhinsha Mountains smothered in snow and glaciers.

Snowboarder: Takuzo Shibamura.

Snowboarder: Takuzo Shibamura.

Alaska, Haines, Takhinsha Mountains, March, Takhinsha, winter, 2016
Alaska, Haines, helicopter, Takhinsha Mountains, March, Takhinsha, winter, 2016, heli
Alaska, Haines, helicopter, Takhinsha Mountains, skiing, March, Takhinsha, winter, active, 2016, heli
Snowboarder: Mikel Goicoechea.

Snowboarder: Mikel Goicoechea.

Snowboarder: Bert Shultes.

Snowboarder: Bert Shultes.

Skier: David Katz.

Skier: David Katz.

Alaska, Haines, Takhinsha Mountains, March, Takhinsha, winter, 2016
Alaska, Haines, Takhinsha Mountains, March, Takhinsha, winter, 2016
Alaska, Haines, helicopter, Takhinsha Mountains, March, Takhinsha, winter, 2016, heli
Snowboarder: Bert Shultes.

Snowboarder: Bert Shultes.

Bernie from Austria skies a spine on "Hangover".

Bernie from Austria skies a spine on "Hangover".

Alaska, Haines, helicopter, Takhinsha Mountains, March, Takhinsha, winter, 2016, heli
Skier: Matt Davis.

Skier: Matt Davis.

Alaska, Haines, Takhinsha Mountains, March, Takhinsha, winter, 2016
Alaska, Haines, Takhinsha Mountains, March, Takhinsha, winter, 2016
Snowboarder: Mikel Goicoechea.

Snowboarder: Mikel Goicoechea.

Skier: Matt Davis.

Skier: Matt Davis.

Alaska, Haines, Takhinsha Mountains, March, Takhinsha, winter, 2016
Alaska, Haines, Takhinsha Mountains, March, Takhinsha, winter, 2016
Alaska, Haines, Takhinsha Mountains, March, Takhinsha, winter, 2016
Alaska, Haines, helicopter, Takhinsha Mountains, March, Takhinsha, winter, 2016, heli
Snowboarder: D from Stevens Pass.

Snowboarder: D from Stevens Pass.

Snowboarder: Bert Shultes.

Snowboarder: Bert Shultes.

Alaska, Haines, Takhinsha Mountains, March, Takhinsha, winter, 2016
Alaska, Haines, Takhinsha Mountains, March, Takhinsha, winter, 2016
Alaska, Haines, Takhinsha Mountains, March, Takhinsha, winter, 2016
Alaska, Haines, Takhinsha Mountains, snowboarding, March, Takhinsha, winter, active, 2016
Alaska Heliskiing temporary heli base.

Alaska Heliskiing temporary heli base.

Aurora sighting at the Funny Farm in Haines, Alaska.

Aurora sighting at the Funny Farm in Haines, Alaska.

Here's a quick cut of some of my GoPro headcam footage from Haines. The terrain oftentimes rolls off over knolls and you can't always see what lies ahead. Sometimes the guide would be below on the walkie-talkie guiding us to the correct drop in zones; but mostly you just take it as it comes, making split decisions along the way. So much fun!


Posted in Skiing & Snowboarding and tagged Alaska, March.