About H2O Guides - Alaska Helicopter Skiing

Helicopter Skiing, Summer Alaska Adventures, Film
Production, Wilderness Education, Outdoor Equipment R&D

"Commitment to Performance"

Our family-owned company is the longest running heli ski business under one owner in
Alaska and the only company based in Valdez full time. We work all year refining our
operations, expanding our scope, and staying on the cutting edge of mountain, glacier,
aircraft, and snow safety. Offering the highest quality heli-skiing experience in Alaska,
we are the best operator out there. Please contact us with any questions and we'd be
happy to help!

What Makes Us Different?

US Heli Members… The Heli Ski US Association is a professional organization
dedicated to establishing the highest quality guide and safety and operations
guidelines for helicopter skiing in the United States. H2O Guides has helped shape the
high standards for guides, aircraft, operating protocols and business practices in the
organization, and we are the only qualifying operator in Valdez. Look for the US Heli
logo when ever you go helicopter skiing in the United States.

The Most Terrain… With us, you have access to all the terrain that Valdez and the
surrounding mountains have to offer. No other operator can say this. H2O’s permits
through the BLM and the US Forest Service provide you with a gateway to over 2.6
million acres, more than any other operator in the world. With nine unique staging
locations we access good snow when other operators cannot. We earned these
permits through a competitive process because of our experience, safety record and
respect for the environment.

Guide Experience … Dean Cummings played a critical role pioneering helicopter
skiing in Alaska and has been guiding in the Chugach Range since 1990. With ski
mountaineering experience on all seven continents and in every major mountain range
on the planet, our guides bring diverse backgrounds and talents to the H2O team. Fully
certified professionals in the field, everyone at H2O is committed to providing a safe,
fun, and educational experience.

Safety… We have the best safety record in the industry hands down. We maintain this
high level of safety with recurrent guide training and strict adherence to our operating
protocols. Our policies allow us to be conservative with weather, and our snow safety
program is cutting edge with full time avalanche forecasters on staff.

Less is More… Flying only four groups per helicopter, we have streamlined our
logistics to get you to the goods with less waiting and more shredding. Our small
groups allow your personal guides to emphasize team building and increase your
understanding of the mountains.

Personalization… The key to the H2O program is ensuring that you access the best
terrain for your ability and become a team with your guide and helicopter group. The
friends and experiences you take from a week in the Chugach will stay with you for life
and make you a permanent member of the international H2O family.

Respect for the Environment… H2O is committed to protecting our natural
resources and keeping Alaska clean and wild. We use all biodegradable flagging tape
for our heli landing zones, we do wildlife surveys for the BLM and US Forest Service,
we use highly regulated fueling procedures, minimize the packaging in our client’s
lunches, and use Leave No Trace practices in the field. Our policy is leave only tracks
so this incredible land will always be as wild as we found it.

Access the Goods with
Dean Cummings and the H2O Guide Team!

About Us