The planning for my 2018 ski trip started last summer. Destinations such as Norway, Georgia or Alaska came up. The decision was finally made for Alaska. Skiing or even just travelling through Alaska has always been a big dream of mine. Now it was time to let this dream come true.
Photo: Will Wissman
If skiing in Alaska then heliskiing! And when heliskiing in Alaska then with Seaba Heli in Haines. Seaba is short for „South East Alaska Backcountry Adventures“ and was founded in 2002. Since then Haines has been at the top of the hit list as a destination for all big mountain skiers.
It’s the first time I’ve gone on an overseas ski trip by myself. During the planning I didn’t even think for a second how it would be, all alone as a woman in Alaska. It was my dream to do this, so I focused only on realizing it for myself and enjoying it to the fullest.
I must confess – the week before my departure I didn’t sleep very well. Doubts and thoughts like: Am I doing the right thing? This is insane, I don’t know anyone there and what if something happens? Why exactly should I do this on my own? All these thoughts were constantly shooting through my head – but now it was too late to question everything again – there was nothing but to do it. I started on April 6th at 7am. Off to Alaska „in to the wild!“
I flew with British Airways from Zurich via London to Seattle. From Seattle I flew with Alaskan Airlines to Juneau. Juneau is the capital of Alaska. Haines, the final destination, can only be reached by sea or air during the day in good weather conditions. Since I arrived in Juneau late in the evening, I had to spend the night there and left early next morning for Haines in a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan.
It was a long but very uncomplicated journey. None of the flights were cancelled or delayed and all luggage arrived safely at its destination.
Photo: Will Wissman / Rider: Henrik Harlaut
Nick from Seaba Heli picked me up at the Haines airport, in an oversized pick-up. It was 9 am and I was wide awake. No sign of jet lag. I got my adrenaline rushed. I was curious about everything that was coming up in the next 10 days. Simon greeted me at Seaba Base Fort Seward Lodge. He is Swiss and a guide at Seaba Heli.
Photo: Will Wissmann
Photo: Will Wissman
Yeah, good. That was the first day – in the best case 8 more such days will come haha!
The guys of Seaba Heli have a large repertoire of down-day activities and if nothing helps anymore, the bar at Fort Seward Lodge is always open. The fact that Seaba is stationed in a small village also helps. The ceiling doesn’t fall on your head that fast.
Photo: Will Wissman
The luck was on my side. Five full days with an average of 7 runs I could ski. Each day was unique in its own way. The Chillkat River region is extremely varied in terms of terrain. There have been days where we have only ridden beautiful, smooth slopes. But most of the runs are already in steep terrain and that’s what makes Alaska stand out.
Photo: Will Wissman
In Alaska it is possible to ski much steeper terrain than in the alps. This due to its geographical situation and its different structure of the snow cover.
Photo: Will Wissman / Rider: Parkin Costain
The safety of the guests is Seaba’s top priority. The whole team is incredibly well attuned to each other and works highly professionally. In case of fast changes in the weather or uncertain snow conditions, everything is immediately stopped and absolutely no risk is taken.
It has rarely been so difficult for me to write about that journey. It seemed to me almost impossible to put the emotions I experienced into words. Maybe because a dream came true. But even three months after the trip, it still feels like it was all just a dream. Haines and the Seaba crew stole my heart. All my fears and doubts I had before the trip disappeared into thin air when I landed in Haines. I felt at home from the first minute.
The combination of landscape, people, culture and shared passions made this trip one of the best of my life.
Photo: Will Wissman
If you expect a well-behaved, luxurious heli-ski vacation, then you are wrong in this place. The nights in the bar are long, the beer cold, the parties loud and the stories wild. You meet so many different characters and life stories.
But in the end, skiing and the inner urge for freedom connect – becoming one with the wilderness. And all this gives you Seaba Heli to 100%. So if you want to do heliskiing in Haines, you should do it. Open yourselves up and be ready to let a wild, magical world into your heart forever.
You are curious how a trip to Haines could look for you in detail? Write me at tina@outsideisfree.ch or Simon simon@alpinzentrum.ch and we will be happy to help you with the selection of the suitable offer or to support you with any questions you may have.
That’s a good read and we should meet for beers to have a chat about Haines – a very special place indeed!
thanks Roman! yeah sure, let’s grab a few beers and chat about Haines. Just let me know when and where 😉
Will do