Heliskiing for Beginners

Can a beginner really go heliskiing?

This is the question almost every first-timer asks, and the honest answer depends on what you mean by “beginner”. If you have never skied or snowboarded before, or you are still finding your feet on gentle blue runs, then heliskiing is not the place to start — and no reputable operator would put you in that position. The mountains you fly into have no lifts, no pisted runs and no easy way out, so the snow you ski is whatever nature left behind.

But if by “beginner” you mean you have never heliskied before, that is a completely different story. Plenty of confident resort skiers arrive in Iceland having never stepped out of a helicopter, and they have the time of their lives. “Beginner” here means new to heliskiing, not new to skiing. The skill you are learning is off-piste movement and helicopter routine, not how to ski from scratch.

The ability you actually need

Let us be precise, because it matters. Heliskiing suits strong intermediate to expert skiers and snowboarders. In practical terms, that means you should be:

• Comfortable and in control on any groomed run, including reds and blacks, without stopping every few turns.
• Able to link parallel turns confidently at a steady pace.
• Ready to handle variable off-piste snow — soft powder one moment, wind-affected or heavier snow the next.
• Reasonably fit and happy to ski for a full day.

What you do not need is to be a professional or an extreme skier hurling yourself off cliffs. That is a myth the films have created. Guides tailor terrain to the group: nervous or less experienced guests are taken down wide, forgiving faces, while stronger skiers can be led onto steeper, more committing lines. Everyone in the group is looked after individually. If you are still weighing up whether you qualify, our full breakdown of who can heliski is the best place to sense-check yourself honestly.

Getting fit before you go

Off-piste snow works your legs harder than groomed pistes ever will, and a heliski day is longer and more sustained than most resort days. A typical day with Viking Heliskiing covers 15,000 to 25,000 vertical feet across 7 to 14 runs, so a little preparation pays off enormously in how much you enjoy it.

You do not need a gym membership or a training plan built by a coach. In the weeks before you travel, focus on:

• Leg strength — squats, lunges and step-ups build the muscles that soak up powder turns.
• Cardio — cycling, running or brisk hill walking so you are not gasping at altitude.
• Core and balance — planks and single-leg work help you stay centred in soft snow.

Even four to six weeks of consistent effort transforms your first day. The fitter you are, the more of those runs you will genuinely savour rather than survive.

Your first helicopter load, step by step

For many people, the helicopter itself is the most nerve-racking part — and almost always the part they end up loving most. In Iceland you fly in an AS-350 B3 (H125) flown by experienced SENNAIR pilots, one of the most trusted mountain helicopters in the world.

Your guide manages every load. You will be shown exactly how to approach the machine (always from the front, in the pilot’s sight, never uphill), how to hold your skis, where to sit and how to buckle in. The flights between runs are short, scenic and genuinely thrilling — ridgelines, glaciers and the Greenland Sea unfolding beneath you. When you land, you stay put until the guide signals, collect your kit from the basket and regroup a safe distance away. Within a run or two the whole routine feels natural.

Your first run in real powder

Skiing untracked snow feels different from a piste, and that is precisely the joy of it. It is softer, quieter and more forgiving underfoot than many people expect. The main adjustment is to stay balanced over both skis rather than leaning back, and to let your turns flow at a slightly more patient rhythm.

Your guide skis first, choosing a clean line, then brings the group down section by section so nobody is ever out of sight. Nobody is timing you and there is no queue behind you. If the first pitch feels like a lot, say so — the guide will pick an easier line next time. Most first-timers find that by their third or fourth run something clicks, and the powder starts to feel like the best skiing they have ever done.

The safety briefing and your kit

Safety is the backbone of a good heliski operation, and it is handled thoroughly before you ski a single metre. Viking Heliskiing provides your full BCA avalanche safety kit — transceiver, shovel, probe and airbag — along with K2 skis or a snowboard. You bring your own boots and helmet.

Before your first flight, your IFMGA/UIAGM-certified guides run a full safety briefing that includes a hands-on transceiver search exercise, so you understand exactly how the equipment works and what to do in the unlikely event of an emergency. This is not a formality to rush through — it is genuinely reassuring, and it is the same briefing every guest completes, whatever their experience. For the detail on how the mountain risk is managed day to day, see our guide to heliskiing safety and guides.

What to pack for your first trip

Because skis, boards and the full safety kit are provided, your packing list is shorter than you might fear. The essentials to bring are:

• Your own ski or snowboard boots — well fitted and broken in.
• A helmet — your own, correctly fitted.
• Layered ski clothing, waterproof outer shell, gloves and goggles.
• Sunglasses, high-factor sun cream and lip balm for the spring sun.
• A small backpack, water and any personal medication.

For a complete, considered list covering everything from base layers to spare goggles, our heliski gear and packing guide has you covered so nothing is forgotten.

Nerves are normal — how guides help

If you feel a flutter of nerves before your first flight, you are in excellent company — nearly everyone does, and the guides genuinely expect it. Their entire craft is reading a group and setting each person up to succeed. They watch how you ski the first pitch, gauge your confidence, and shape the day around what they see.

The single most useful thing you can do is be honest. Tell your guide if you are anxious, if a slope looks intimidating, or if you would prefer to build up gently. Far from judging you, a good guide welcomes it — it lets them choose the right terrain and pace so your first day is a success rather than a scramble. You are skiing with some of the most qualified mountain professionals in the world, and their job is to make sure you finish the day grinning.

Choosing the right first trip

For a first heliski experience, a shared group trip is usually ideal. You ski with a small group of like-minded guests, share the flights and the cost, and benefit from a guide who is expert at balancing the terrain across a mixed-ability party. It is sociable, well-paced and the most accessible way in.

Our classic heliskiing option is built exactly for this, and you can compare dates, inclusions and pricing across our packages. As an authorised booking agent for Viking Heliskiing, Heliski Travel books you at exactly the same price as going direct — there is no premium for the extra guidance — and we reply to enquiries within 12 hours. If you have questions about which trip suits your level, just ask; that is what we are here for.

Why Iceland is a great first heli destination

Iceland is one of the most welcoming places in the world to try heliskiing for the first time. The runs on the Troll Peninsula rise straight from the sea, so you are skiing from summit to shoreline with the Arctic Ocean glittering below — scenery that is hard to match anywhere. You are based in the charming fishing town of Siglufjörður, staying at the comfortable Sigló Hótel, with the helicopter close at hand.

The March to mid-June season brings long daylight hours and a stable spring snowpack, and Viking Heliskiing offers guaranteed vertical feet, so you know what you are getting. Under-18s are welcome with signed parental consent, making it a genuine option for families with strong young skiers. To picture the whole experience — the town, the mountains and the flying — explore our full guide to heliskiing in Iceland.

Frequently asked questions