Ride, eat, sleep, repeat in Alaska next March with Mint and CMG
Alaska heli-skiing is the final frontier for every snowboarder and next March we’ve teamed up with Crowne Mountain Guides (CMG) to deliver the ultimate AK heli week limited to only seven advanced riders.
CMG has access to three major mountain ranges – The Chugach, Tordrillo and Talkeetna that all offer a mix of steep alpine lines, glacier runs, and untracked powder. CMG guides are some of the best in the industry with top-tier certifications and years of experience reading snowpack, weather and avalanche conditions in Alaska.
This tour is an end-to-end premium program including airport transfers, private cabins, chef-led dining, and fully customised flight plans to find us the best riding conditions for our group each day.
DATES
March 20-27, 2027
Price
USD $13,000 – Single cabin
Ability Level
Advanced – Expert
Why Travel With Mint
In a rapidly changing travel industry, it’s important to know your travel provider is accredited, accountable, and responsible. We are a registered member of AFTA and IATA, and operate in line with the ATAS Charter and Code of Conduct. When you travel with Mint, you can have confidence you’re booking with a qualified and established operator with over 20 years of experience.
Alaska Heli Tour
Get in touch for a detailed tour itinerary and more info
ABILITY & PACE
This trip is suited to advanced riders only. You should be confident riding steep terrain in variable snow conditions and able to keep pace with the group across a full day in the mountains. Previous experience riding backcountry terrain is required. This is not a trip to learn or build fundamentals, and all riders should be comfortable moving through technical terrain with consistency.
TOUR STYLE
This trip is focused on heli-snowboarding, with 6 potential days in the heli riding across a range of backcountry zones. Each day is guided by experienced local heli guides, with terrain selection based on conditions. The 7-night format gives you time around the heli program, with the option to add an extra Hobbs hours if timing and budget allows.
ACCOMMODATION
You’ll stay 7 nights at the CMG home base in a private cabin with ensuite. Daily breakfast and 3-course dinners featuring locally sourced produce are included, along with lunch on heli days. The lodge includes an in-house bar and sits directly across from the Knik Glacier Valley making it an easy place to unwind after a full day in the mountains.
SNOW & CONDITIONS
This trip is scheduled during one of the most reliable periods of the Alaska heli season, when colder temperatures help preserve snow quality across the ranges but days are longer meaning more time in the mountains.
FULLY HOSTED
This trip is fully hosted by Mint Tours, with support from experienced local heli guides on each flying day. The local guides bring detailed knowledge of the terrain and conditions, while your Mint host manages the flow of the trip and looks after the group throughout.
GROUP SIZE & EXPERIENCE
This is a small group tour of 7 people, allowing for a consistent crew of advanced riders across the week and an efficient experience in the heli.
ESSENTIAL INFO
Inclusions:
+. 7 nights private cabin and chef with lodge access/amenities
+. Airport transportation to/from Anchorage
+. High performance demo ski and snowboard gear
+. All avalanche and backcountry equipment provided
+. Double Guided (Lead and Tail)
+. Hobbs time of minimum 1.5 flight hours per day (see below)
+. Mint Tours host
+. Mint Tours merch
Up to 7 guests – Double Load
Exclusions:
+. Extra Hobbs hours (see below)
+. Down Day Activities – Ice climbing, Glacier biking, Alyeska, Dog Sledding, etc.
+. Alcoholic Beverages
+. Massage Therapy
+. Gratuities
Note – additional pre / post tour lodging in Anchorage maybe required depending on weather conditions and possible down days.
DATES
March 20–27, 2027
ROOM OPTIONS AND PRICES
Single Room – USD $13,000 per person
Private room with a queen bed for one guest.
PAYMENT TERMS
A 50% deposit is payable to secure your booking. The balance is due 90 days prior to tour departure.
Places are limited and bookings are confirmed on receipt of deposit.
View our terms and conditions HERE
Trip Insurance
Mint Tours and C.M.G. strongly recommends that all guests carry trip cancellation insurance, trip interruption insurance, medical insurance, and emergency evacuation insurance. These insurance types safeguard you against unforeseen mishaps that can occur before or during your adventure. We suggest a travel insurance policy with a “Cancel for Any Reason” clause. This may allow you to cancel your trip and receive reimbursement for any reason until you are within 48 hours of the date of your trip. Depending on the carrier and the policy, such insurance is usually a small fraction of the overall package price and may reimburse the entire cost of your trip in the event of your cancellation. Mint and C.M.G. encourages trip insurance because our cancellation policy is specific and firmly set due to the numerous commitments it takes us to deliver this type of product for our clients.
If you’re traveling from the United States, we recommend Spot Insurance:
https://www.getspot.com/trip-affiliates/mint-tours
Weather
All guests and clients accept and recognize that the weather and snow quality are factors out of C.M.G.’s control. C.M.G. will do everything (reasonably) possible to shift zones to access “the goods” but climatic conditions are not completely within C.M.G.’s complete control. In the event the 1.5 Flight Hours per day in your package are not reached in the cumulative sense (for example: if you are here for 5 days you should accumulate/use 7.5 Flight Hours) due to weather, the value of 50% of the unused Flight Hours will be available to be credited to a future booking in the 2028 season. The full value of one Hobbs hour is $4,500 USD. There are no refunds or credits for unused helicopter time if you arrive late in the package week or leave the field or lodge early due to illness, injury, equipment failure, ability, fitness level, or personal choice. There is no cash value for credited Flight Hours
Individuals or groups who leave early in the week will forfeit their unused hours if conditions allow for skiing in their absence. Again, these are some of the reasons that we recommend trip insurance.
Hobbs meter
The helicopter cost of a private heli-ski charter is based on actual flying time as measured on the Hobbs Meter (“Hobbs time” or “Hobbs hours”) which is defined as the amount of time the helicopter actually flies. Hobbs time does not include those periods where the helicopter is idling or sitting on the ground in the field. Billed Hobbs time is based on a Daily Flight Report by the pilot and is calculated to the 1/10th of an hour. Any estimated Hobbs totals provided to the customer by C.M.G. staff are not guaranteed.
Hobbs and Helicopter Hours for Your Package
Your quote is created using the daily helicopter minimum of 1.5 Flight Hours per day. A basic rule of thumb to understand how much heli-time you might use is: On average 2.0 hours of heli-time is 20,000 – 23,000 vertical feet. Depending on how aggressive you want to be, fitness, skill, how far afield we fly from our base and/or how many runs you make each day etc., the number of hours burned changes. Our clients typically fly from 2 – 4 hours per day. Please ask your guide to keep you updated on your helicopter hour use. The hours are cumulative. What this should also tell you is that, even if there is a weather day, you may well have the opportunity to get all your hours in when the weather clears. Please ask if you do not understand this!
Cumulative Example: On a seven-day package with 2.0 hour daily minimums, if the first three days are weather days, and you fly four of the seven days remaining in your reservation, you have the full 14.0 hours to burn on your four fly days.
THE HELICOPTER MINIMUM IS 1.5 HOURS PER DAY (Hobbs Time).
There are no refunds for no-fly days. If the day is deemed a ‘fly day’ by our guides, and you choose not to ski for any reason (illness, rest day, etc.) 1.5 HOBBS hours of helicopter time will be charged in addition to guide wages.
By the same token, if you should achieve the total 1.5 hours per day of Hobbs time prior to the end of your package week, you have the option of not flying. Additional flying once you have achieved your cumulative total will involve additional cost, but you aren’t forced into helicopter overage. If you do choose to stop, you must notify your guide before the next fly day.
Hobbs Overages
If you exceed the minimum number of Flight Hours included in your reservation the group is charged an overage rate of $4,500 USD per Flight Hour divided equally among members of the group, even if individual group members chose to sit out.
Weights
A primary limitation of helicopters is the weight they can carry in flight. At the time of booking, we request accurate weights from our guests. Upon arrival, all guests will be weighed in their ski gear. After tallying weights, we reserve the right to split groups to configure allowable heli weights appropriately.
Other possible costs
You may incur incidental charges during your trip, i.e. retail items, alcohol, massage, helicopter overage, things from town, etc. Individual charges will be billed directly to the individual making the purchase. Group decision changes (IE – extra Hobbs time) will be billed as an equal split between clients in that group. If your group wants a different resolution of the group charges (IE – someone is not interested in an overage but others are or a group member feels like treating the whole group to more Hobbs time), simply let us know and we can accommodate changes. These ‘Other Possible Costs’ items will be added to your final bill and presented to you for payment before you depart on your final day.
Fuel Surcharge
Due to the volatile nature of the fuel market, it may be necessary to implement a fuel surcharge. A fuel surcharge will be added for increases in the base fuel prices as of Dec. 31st of the previous year. A $50 per Hobbs hour charge will be added for each $1.00 increase above C.M.G.’s base rate.
QUESTIONS OR READY TO BOOK?
We’re here to help. If you’ve got questions or need more info, just get in touch and we’ll talk you through the details. Ready to lock in your spot? Give us a call or send us an email.
EMAIL [email protected]
PHONE +1 503 994 1919
DEPOSITS AND PAYMENTS
A 50% deposit is required to secure your spot. The remaining balance is due 90 days before your tour begins.
TERMS & CONDITIONS
Click HERE to view our full terms and conditions.