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[[File:Wikipedia heliskiihng heliboarding.jpg|thumb]]
'''Heli-skiing''' is off-trail, downhill [[skiing]] or [[snowboarding]] where the skier reaches the top of the mountain by [[helicopter]], instead of a [[ski lift]].
'''Heli-skiing''' is off-trail, downhill [[skiing]] or [[snowboarding]] reached by [[helicopter]], instead of a [[ski lift]]. In the late 1950s, helicopters were used in [[Alaska]] and [[Europe]] to access remote terrain. In 1965 [[Hans Gmoser]] commercialized the activity in Canada by combining [[lodging]], transport and guiding.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Donahue|first1=Topher|title=Bugaboo dreams : a story of skiers, helicopters and mountains|date=2008|publisher=Rocky Mountain Books|isbn=9781771600224|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qWMmlUE7ZB0C|access-date=14 July 2015}}</ref> In Switzerland there are an estimated 15,000 heliskiing flights each year, to 42 landing sites. In 2010 Switzerland's major [[environmental group]]s, including the [[Worldwide Fund for Nature]], handed a petition with over 15,000 signatures to the [[Swiss government]], demanding a ban on heliskiing.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Foulkes|first1=Imogen|title=Pressure grows on Swiss heliskiing|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8657791.stm|website=BBC|access-date=10 July 2014}}</ref> Heliskiing is banned in Germany and was banned in France in 1985.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.heliski.co.uk/is-heliskiing-illegal-in-france/|title=Is Heliskiing illegal in France?|website=www.heliski.co.uk|access-date=2019-03-13}} {{Dead link|date=October 2020}}</ref> Austria allows two landing sites.{{cn|date=July 2021}} In Turkey, heliskiing is done on the [[Kaçkar Mountains]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/sports/adrenaline-enthusiasts-head-to-turkiyes-kackar-mountains-for-heli-skiing-fun/2477119 |title=Adrenaline enthusiasts head to Turkiye's Kackar Mountains for heli-skiing fun |agency=Anadolu Agency |date=18 January 2022 |access-date=12 February 2022}}</ref>▼
 
=== History ===
In the late 1950s, helicopters were used in [[Alaska]] and [[Europe]] to access remote terrain. The first notion of the idea of heliskiing came from a Canadian geologist Art Patterson. Patterson used helicopters for his works during summer, but during winter there was no use for the helicopters. Since he was a enthusiastic skier, he thought about using the helicopters to transport skiers to the top of the mountains. He teamed up with [[Hans Gmoser]] who was a experienced mountain guide and created a business together. They charged 20$ for their first day of heliskiing, however, due to unfavorable weather conditions and a small [[Bell 47|Bell 47G-2]] helicopter, Patterson decided the business is too risky and he does not want to continue.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Heliski Beginnings |url=https://www.heliskihistory.com/heliski-beginnings |access-date=2022-04-21 |website=heliski-history |language=en}}</ref> Gmoser continued in the business idea and in 1965 commercialized the activity in Canada by founding CMH, Canadian Mountain Holidays, a heliskiing company which combined [[lodging]], transport and guiding.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Donahue|first1=Topher|title=Bugaboo dreams : a story of skiers, helicopters and mountains|date=2008|publisher=Rocky Mountain Books|isbn=9781771600224|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qWMmlUE7ZB0C|access-date=14 July 2015}}</ref>
 
=== Safety ===
OneHeliskiing ofpresents themore biggestdangers than conventional slope skiing. Major safety concernsconcern while heliskiing is the danger of an [[avalanche]]. There are several techniques that increase safety in wild terrain, such as the usage of explosives to intentionally create an avalanche or the more common techniques of avoiding dangerous ski slopes. Another common risksrisk are [[Tree well|tree wells]]. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Heli Skiing Safety {{!}} Heliski Risks |url=https://www.powderhounds.com/heli-skiing/safety.aspx |access-date=2022-04-19 |website=www.powderhounds.com}}</ref> It is standard to use different types of safety equipment, such as [[Avalanche transceiver|avalanche transceivers]], probes or [[Shovel|shovels]]. More modern safety equipment is an avalanche airbag, which can be manually triggered when a skier gets into an avalanche. The mechanism in the backpack then inflates a big airbag around the skiers body, which prevents the skier to be buried by the snow.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What equipment and kit do you need for heliskiing? |url=https://www.heliski.co.uk/what-equipment-kit-for-heliskiing/ |access-date=2022-04-19 |website=www.heliski.co.uk}}</ref>
 
[[File:Avalanche-security search and rescue equipment.jpg|thumb|Avalanche backpack, probe, shovel and a transceiver]]
=== Locations ===
Most popular heliskiing locations can be found in European [[Alps]], such as the [[Dolomites|Dolomites,]] or in [[Northern America|Northern America,]] mainly in [[British Columbia]] and [[Alaska]]. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Heli-Skiing: A Skier’s Trip of a Lifetime — Is It Extreme or Safe? |url=https://www.globalrescue.com/common/blog/detail/how-safe-is-heli-skiing/ |access-date=2022-04-21 |website=www.globalrescue.com |language=en}}</ref> In Switzerland there are an estimated 15,000 heliskiing flights each year, to 42 landing sites.<ref name=":0" />
 
=== Controversy ===
▲'''Heli-skiing''' is off-trail, downhill [[skiing]] or [[snowboarding]] reached by [[helicopter]], instead of a [[ski lift]]. In the late 1950s, helicopters were used in [[Alaska]] and [[Europe]] to access remote terrain. In 1965 [[Hans Gmoser]] commercialized the activity in Canada by combining [[lodging]], transport and guiding.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Donahue|first1=Topher|title=Bugaboo dreams : a story of skiers, helicopters and mountains|date=2008|publisher=Rocky Mountain Books|isbn=9781771600224|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qWMmlUE7ZB0C|access-date=14 July 2015}}</ref> In Switzerland there are an estimated 15,000 heliskiing flights each year, to 42 landing sites. In 2010 Switzerland's major [[environmental group]]s, including the [[Worldwide Fund for Nature]], handed a petition with over 15,000 signatures to the [[Swiss government]], demanding a ban on heliskiing.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|last1=Foulkes|first1=Imogen|title=Pressure grows on Swiss heliskiing|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8657791.stm|website=BBC|access-date=10 July 2014}}</ref> Heliskiing is banned in Germany and was banned in France in 1985.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.heliski.co.uk/is-heliskiing-illegal-in-france/|title=Is Heliskiing illegal in France?|website=www.heliski.co.uk|access-date=2019-03-13}} {{Dead link|date=October 2020}}</ref> Austria allows twoonly one landing sites.<ref>{{cnCite web |title=Heliskiing in Austria: Only possible at Ski Arlberg |url=https://www.snow-online.com/skimag/heliskiing-in-austria-only-possible-at-ski-arlberg.htm |access-date=July2022-04-21 2021|website=Snow-Online |language=en}}</ref> In Turkey, heliskiing is done on the [[Kaçkar Mountains]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/sports/adrenaline-enthusiasts-head-to-turkiyes-kackar-mountains-for-heli-skiing-fun/2477119 |title=Adrenaline enthusiasts head to Turkiye's Kackar Mountains for heli-skiing fun |agency=Anadolu Agency |date=18 January 2022 |access-date=12 February 2022}}</ref>[[File:Avalanche-security search and rescue equipment.jpg|thumb|Avalanche backpack, probe, shovel and a transceiver]]
 
==See also==
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