40 Years of Heliskiing Adventures—A Personal Journey Through Four Decades of Powder
By Kenny Prevost
Was heliskiing really better back in the day?
Maybe. Or maybe not. I’m asked time and again whether everything was better back then. My answer surprises many: No, it wasn’t better—but it was different. When my first heliskiing trip took me to Canada in 1986, heliskiing was still a real insider’s secret. I was full of anticipation—and, to be honest, full of awe as well. Back then, heliskiing felt like a much bigger adventure than it does today. In Europe at that time, very few people had even heard of it. There was no internet, no GPS trackers, no drone footage, and no social media posts. You didn’t know exactly what to expect. That’s exactly what made it so appealing. Today, some 40 years and over 150 personal heliskiing trips later, I look back on that time with a smile. Not because everything was better back then, but because I had the privilege of witnessing the development of this fascinating sport from the very beginning.
The Pioneering Days Back then, heliskiing was a small world. The lodges were more rustic, the gear heavier, the skis longer and narrower, and safety standards were nowhere near today’s level. Airbags? Digital weather models? Much of that either didn’t exist yet or was still in its infancy. We sometimes skied on skis over two meters long and genuinely believed we were perfectly equipped. Anyone who skis on a modern 115-millimeter-wide powder ski—or even a wider one—today can hardly imagine how challenging deep snow was back then. Every run was a little adventure—but also a huge sense of satisfaction once you’d managed to master it to some extent.
Less comfort. More adventure. Just the trip to the heliski lodge in Canada was a little adventure in itself. There were no smartphones. Back home, practically no one knew where we were at any given moment. We proudly showed the few photos we took to family and friends weeks later. Today, videos often end up on social media even during the trip—some people post their hero shots as soon as they have internet access again at the lodge after the last run of the day. Back then, memories weren’t captured in hours-long videos and thousands of photos; they were etched forever into our memories. That’s why these memories are still so vivid for us today. Comfort and private rooms played a secondary role—adventure, on the other hand, played a much bigger one!
The Magic of the Unknown What I sometimes miss is that sense of discovery. There weren’t a thousand videos on YouTube or Instagram Reels that had already shown every line. Many areas were practically unknown to us. We’d fly out knowing only this: incredible terrain was waiting for us out there. That sense of anticipation was unique.
Equipment Has Revolutionized the Sport One thing that has improved enormously is the equipment. There’s no question about that in my mind. Today, heliskiing is better—and safer. Modern bindings, functional clothing, helmets, digital avalanche transceivers, avalanche airbags, and—above all—wide skis have transformed the sport. For my first heliskiing trip, I packed my own 203-centimeter-long alpine skis, which are known today as “spaghetti skis.” Today, that seems almost absurd. Back then, it was completely normal. Our ski bags were almost longer than the rental car, and we were convinced we were perfectly equipped. Back then, nobody talked about rocker, carbon, or playful float. Deep snow meant hard work—and that’s exactly what made it special in a way. Skiing in deep snow was significantly more exhausting than it is today. And in the early days of this discipline, only a few eccentrics even talked about snowboards.
How the “Fat Boys” revolutionized heliskiing The “Fat Boys” made history. I still remember the year 1991 very well. That’s when Atomic launched the legendary Fat Boy—a ski that was far ahead of its time. We had exactly three pairs available at our lodge. Since the snow conditions were challenging, we gave them to our partners. It didn’t take long for the comments to start: The “Fat Boys” were quickly dubbed “Fat Mamas.” Today, people probably wouldn’t even laugh at that. The next morning, however, the laughter had died down. Those who had been making fun of them the day before were suddenly scrambling for the “Fat Boys.” Everyone quickly realized how much easier deep-snow skiing became with them. Of course, we let our wives go first—and thus enjoy the “Fat Boys.” It was immediately clear to me back then: The “Fat Boys” were the beginning of a revolution in heliskiing. These days, the average skier can ski in deep snow with greater technical ease and control than many very good skiers could 40 years ago. Not because we were worse back then, but because the equipment has improved incredibly and you don’t get tired as quickly.
Safety First—Then and Now
What surprises many people is that avalanche transceivers (LVS), avalanche probes, and shovels were already part of the mandatory safety equipment back then. The big difference wasn’t in the safety philosophy, but in the technology. The equipment was significantly heavier, simpler, and nowhere near as comfortable as it is today. But professional heliski operators knew even back then: Safety is the foundation of our sport. That’s why they’ve continuously improved all safety aspects. The Bell 212 helicopter is still the same even after 40 years, but safety standards have been continuously updated. Communication is also better today, weather forecasts are more accurate, and the guides have even more experience and even better training.
What Has Never Changed But there are also things that have remained the same for decades—here are the most important ones: • The magical moment when the helicopter flies away. • The absolute silence on a secluded summit. • The first glimpse of an untouched slope. • Eye contact with the guide. • The first turn. • The “big smile” at the end of the run. • It’s not about covering a lot of vertical, but about unforgettable experiences. • Memories last longer than photos. • The exhilarating feeling of weightless gliding through deep snow. • Once you’ve experienced heliskiing, you’ll always want to come back.
What Heliskiing Means to Me When I look back on more than four decades of heliskiing, my first thoughts aren’t about snowfall amounts or records. I think of:
• The wonderful people I’ve had the privilege of meeting. • Guests who have been traveling with me for decades now. • Guides who have become friends. • Stories you can’t plan for. • Evenings by the fireplace. • To “bluebird days” on the glacier. • To days with nearly a meter of fresh snow. • And yes—even those days when fog or storms kept us stuck at the lodge. That’s often when the best conversations and fondest memories were made.
What I sometimes miss There was something back then that you hardly ever find anymore: • The feeling of the unknown. • No drone videos. • No GoPros or cell phones. • No Instagram Reels.
So has heliskiing gotten better? In many ways, definitely yes! Even if some of the original wildness and that pioneering spirit have been lost. In return, heliskiing today is safer, more accessible, and of higher quality than ever before. And the most important thing hasn’t changed: When the helicopter disappears behind the ridge, absolute silence suddenly descends, and I take my first turn in untracked powder snow, my heart still beats just as fast as it did in 1986. Maybe that’s exactly the secret of heliskiing. Technology evolves. Equipment changes. Safety standards keep improving. But the feeling, the passion, and the fascination remain. And that’s exactly why, even after more than 150 heliskiing trips, I’ll never stop inspiring people to fall in love with this extraordinary sport.
About the Author Kenny Prevost has been involved in heliskiing for more than 40 years. Since his first trip in 1986, he has personally experienced more than 150 heliskiing adventures and covered over 20 million vertical feet (6.1 million meters) in deep snow on every continent in the world. His philosophy remains unchanged to this day: Together with his TRAVELZONE team, Kenny recommends only heliskiing experiences that he knows firsthand and can wholeheartedly endorse.
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