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== 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. The biggest growth in heliskiing was in the 1970s and 1980s, when this type of skiing became commercialized. <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 ==
[[File:Avalanche-security search and rescue equipment.jpg|thumb|Avalanche backpack, probe, shovel and a transceiver]]Heliskiing presents more dangers than conventional slope skiing. Major safety concern 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 risk 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> Another important rule while skiing off trail is to never ski alone, but rather in a group, so in case of an avalanche or other incident there are people who can immediately help you. Avalanche safety courses are a common way on how to increase safety, as these courses teach the skier how to read the snow, how to tell which slopes are dangerous and which not, learn how to navigate in terrain, how to predict weather and other skills. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Backcountry |first=Cripple Creek |title=Safety Considerations for Skiing in the Backcountry |url=https://cripplecreekbc.com/blogs/backcountry-blog/safety-considerations-for-skiing-in-the-backcountry |access-date=2022-04-26 |website=Cripple Creek Backcountry |language=en}}</ref>
== Locations ==
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== Controversy ==
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|archive-date=2021-04-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413201619/https://www.heliski.co.uk/is-heliskiing-illegal-in-france/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Austria allows only one landing sites.<ref>{{Cite 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=2022-04-21 |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>
== Misconceptions ==
A common misconceptions is that skier has to jump of the helicopter while it is still in the air. However, in a typical heli-ski run the helicopter has a predetermined drop-off location where it lands and allows all members to safely exit the helicopter. Another misconception is that skiers jump of cliffs and ski on steep and dangerous slopes. However, in a typical heli-ski run there are small groups of skiers that have their own guides who know routes that were already chose in advance and are safe. The group can usually choose how challenging they want the run to be. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Ilya |date=2019-10-17 |title=How Heli-Skiing Became Popular |url=https://unusualplaces.org/how-heli-skiing-became-popular/ |access-date=2022-04-26 |website=Unusual Places |language=en-US}}</ref>
==See also==
*[[Environmental impact of aviation]]
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