Himalayan Powder Heli touring

Hello again from Manali, India. Heli-touring reached a whole new level this week, as we were finally acclimatized and able to access the goods. On Wednesday, we flew to Monkey Business at 4,600 meters, skied 3,000 feet of steep powder, then cheated and grabbed the heli for a lift to 5,000 meters on Durga (about 16,600ft). The swiss pilots and Lama choppers really spoil us rotten! Durga delivered the best snow yet of the trip, about 4,500 feet of Alaska style bliss, and we whooped and hollered all the way down. My new orange Casio camera captured some sweet videos – I was even able to hold the camera along with my ski pole and film helmet cam style while skiing. We then toured for three hours back up to 4400meters to end the day with one more long run. The chopper awaited us at the base of 20,000 foot Deo Tibba.

On Friday, we headed west instead of east, into the Talipat drainage. Landing at 4,800 meters or about 16,000 feet, we were able to see across the Manali valley and Beas River to all the runs we had skied and toured earlier in the week. We divided into two groups – one for a big circuit tour and another for a short tour to a long descent. Altitude was taking its toll on a few folks with headaches and nausea. We skied 4,000 feet of corn while the sporty group toured into the Kalihan valley and then to Happy Landings while we flew the heli back to the posh Span Resort. Our pilot Jerry, happily accommodated our request for some hammerheads – pegging the chopper vertically until it falls from the sky, along with your stomach. Landing at 5,000 feet on our grassy lawn amist the tulips, daffodils and crocuses can’t help but make anyone smile. Nirvana is then obtained with fresh limade brought on a silver tray, while your boots are whisked away to be dried and your skis to be waxed.