With Borders Closed Powder Enthusiasts Head to Alaska for the Ultimate Backcountry Experience
OUTSIDE OF ANCHORANGE, ALASKA — The backcountry is on everyone’s minds this year as thoughts of social distancing surround conversations of the ski season. As Europe and Canada trips are off the table for the foreseeable future, avid skiers are seeking out Alaska as the top place to heli-ski in 2021.
Tordrillo Mountain Lodge offers travelers the ultimate Alaska heli-ski adventures, complemented with remote, rustic-modern lodges, private cabins, and luxury lifestyle amenities just a 40-minute flight from Anchorage, Alaska, on the banks of the Talachulitna River and their own Judd Lake. After a day of exploring the alpine surroundings, guests can take off their ski boots and enjoy an in-room spa treatment, a wine tasting from the 500-bottle wine cellar and an indulgent Alaskan gastronomical experience. You don’t have to be a seasoned skier to enjoy the thrills of heli-skiing in Alaska. It’s no secret that heli skiing is quickly becoming popular and Tordrillo Mountain Lodge offers some of the industry’s best guides to lead you on this one-in-a-lifetime mountainside adventure.
After a successful summer season at full capacity, with no Covid cases, Covid Safety Policies are being implemented. Tordrillo Mountain Lodge guests should expect the same epic skiing and riding with a few minor changes to the lodge experience. There will be BD Veritor™ Plus System on site for rapid COVID-19 testing of staff with results available in 15 minutes. This will also be available for guests if they were to experience any symptoms. In addition there will be a fogging machine that enables staff to sanitize entire rooms between guests, in addition to the increased room cleaning protocols and hand sanitizer stations.
While some of the best big mountain riders in the world like Travis Rice have rode and filmed on this epic terrain, the top guides, including Olympic gold medalist Tommy Moe, at Tordrillo Mountain Lodge want skiers of all levels to know that if you’re an intermediate skier and are considering taking yourself to the next level, you can and what better way to do it than in the backcountry of Alaska. Heli-skiing is a sport that you don’t need to be an extreme mountaineer to find yourself on top of a huge mountain in the middle of the wilderness anymore. Contrary to popular belief, heli-skiing doesn’t mean you have to jump out of a helicopter! The helicopter acts as your lift to the top of the mountain. From here, the helicopter lands, skiers exit, put on their skis, and start their thrilling descent down the powdery mountain. Heli-skiing is off-trail, downhill skiing that is accessed by a helicopter. It’s about skiing in natural environments without the effort that comes with hiking to these areas. Most heli-skiers are looking for powder snow, natural terrain features, long descents, smooth corn snow, old-growth tree glades and steep lines. Heli-ski guides and operations offer skiers the opportunity to ski with minimal risk in the backcountry.
Heli-skiing at Tordrillo Mountain Lodge is available for week long experiences from February through April with their Kings and Corn (Fishing and Skiing) experience available in June and July. Rates begin at $15,000 per week and include 7 days of heli adventures, transportation from Anchorage International Airport to Hotel Captain Cook, one double occupancy room at Hotel Captain Cook the evening prior to your reservation, round trip flight between Anchorage and Tordrillo Mountain Lodge or Winterlake Lodge, arrival Saturday, departure Saturday, 7 nights lodging at TML or Winterlake Lodge, safety equipment & ski/snowboard demos, gourmet meals and 5 Hobbs hours per group of 4 clients.
Covid Policies for Staff and Guests:
Required Testing for All Incoming Guests – Proof of a negative COVID PCR test from within 72 hours of travel to Alaska. The state of Alaska is requiring this for any incoming guests – proof must be shown at the airport upon arrival.
Remote & Isolated Location – Staff live on-property and are fully quarantined before guests arrive (60 miles due west of Anchorage). There are low guest numbers (max of 12 guests per week in the largest lodge) and no co-mingling between lodges.
Separated Dining – Spaced out dining tables and groups to limit risk.
Masks in Aircraft – Without room to social distance in the helicopters or ski planes, guests, guides and pilots are required to wear masks while in aircraft.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Olympic gold medalist Tommy Moe and heli-ski pioneer Mike Overcast co-founded Tordrillo Mountain Lodge in 2006 to share their passion for the outdoors in the stunning Alaskan wilderness. Named one of the best heli-ski resorts in the world by CNN Travel and Robb Report, the lodge owns and operates its own helicopters and hires expert guides to provide guests with world-class helicopter-based adventure experiences. The five-star resort offers an array of luxury amenities and lodging options, including gourmet cuisine prepared by private chefs and a curated wine list from a 500-bottle cellar. Triumvirate LLC, an Alaskan outfitting/operating company, operates Tordrillo Mountain Lodge. Follow Tordrillo Mountain Lodge on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @TordrilloMountainLodge. www.tordrillomountainlodge.com