Bill Jennings: Helicopter skiing comes to the Selkirks

The decision to start a helicopter skiing operation from scratch is a weighty one. First of all, you need a playground – and a permit. Then you need a bird. An experienced pilot has to be familiar with the terrain and mountain microclimate quirks. Professional guides need to be recruited with mountaineering certification and preferably first responder training. That’s just the beginning.

After two years of exploration and preparation to control every possible variable, Selkirk Powder Co. was ready to launch their helicopter skiing operation on its maiden flight last Friday.

There’s been a lot of anticipation about having access to helicopter skiing and riding in the inland northwest this side of the Canadian border. But this time the helicopter was grounded by weather, underscoring the precarious commitment humans must be willing to make as they go all in with fickle Mother Nature to provide an adventure.

“There is no manual for heli-skiing in the Selkirks,” said Alf Cromwell, marketing director at Selkirk Powder Co. “This is the first time out. That’s exciting – but it’s a big responsibility. We’re taking it very seriously.”

It takes a disciplined approach to fly people into alpine wilderness and bring them back so they can tell their tales. Cromwell has a narrow window to make that happen. Helicopter operations from Sandpoint Airport into the Selkirks north of Schweitzer are planned from March 3-19.

The late-season schedule intended to take advantage of more favorable weather and snow conditions expected this time of year. But this winter has been heavy on the unexpected. Cromwell has spent a lot of time in the backcountry lately, evaluating the safety of the snowpack.

“Technically our season has begun, but we didn’t get out and fly because the weather didn’t permit it,” he said. “All the snow we’ve gotten, about 15 inches in a week, is wonderful. But now you have a very real avalanche hazard. You mix all those variables together and it becomes a very interesting brew.”

When the brew is ready for consumption, one helicopter will take groups of four skiers and two guides to nearly 200,000 acres of untracked terrain on state land in the Idaho Panhandle along the Selkirk Crest. Depending on what $2,000 dollars means to you, an individual seat could still be available. A private charter runs $7,900.

For that kind of money the bird is yours for an entire day. There’s no vertical limit which could add value if you’re in a strong group, especially with lengthening daylight as we approach the equinox. The cost is about on par with helicopter skiing operations flying into the central interior of British Columbia.

“While heli-ski operations in places like BC are world class, you’re committed to a four-, five- or seven-day experience,” Cromwell said. “What sets us apart with this new venture is a one-off type of capability that is very attractive.

“You can go out your door in Spokane in the morning, have an otherworldly ski experience and then get back home to have dinner with your family.”

According to the National Weather Service, there’s lots of snow predicted through the weekend in the mountains where Selkirk Powder Co. flies. Skiing is always great in a snowstorm, but not if it requires a helicopter. Cromwell said that if excellent snow conditions persist with good flying weather, his company may consider pushing beyond March 19. But he emphasized that Selkirk Powder is taking the long view.

“We don’t want to overreach. Our five year permit speaks volumes about the confidence the state has in our ability to be responsible about what we’ve been entrusted with,” he said.

“This season we’re doing everything that needs to be done to set the stage. If everything lines up, we have a good, safe time. Then we debrief and talk about what has worked, and what can be done differently next season.”