Heliski Seaba Haines

In 2006 SEABA was awarded a State of Alaska Land Use permit to operate snowcat skiing on 3400 acres in the Old Faithful on Porcupine Peak, one of our most reliable runs in Haines. From this 4,700 foot point on Porcupine Massif, SEABA’s clients can dive into deep powder on a variety of terrain, skiing endless vertical feet and accessing beautiful old growth hemlock forests and perfect alpine bowls.

Located in the heart of the SEABA operating area along the Tahkin River, Fox Landing boasts some of the most rugged and beautiful wilderness in the Tahkinsha Mountains. Set up as a headquarters by hunting guides in the late 1940’s, Fox Landing has served as an airfield and base for bush pilots for many years and now serves as a forward operations area and future lodge development site for SEABA just 11 miles west of the Nugget Creek property.

SEABA’s first remote property acquisition is located 40 miles from Haines, deep in the Chilkat River wilderness. This property, unlike the Nugget Creek and Fox Landing properties, is developed with six rustic cabins. The area provides plenty of adventure with excellent fishing and wilderness exploration by jet boat for our summer guests, base of snowmobile rental operations. and endless first descents in winter.

This 160 acre future lodge site is situated deep in the Chilkat mountains along the Tsirku River amidst some of the wildest adventure terrain in the world. A little known and forgotten mining patent, Nugget Creek dates back to the turn of the century during the peak of the Alaska Gold Rush. Surrounded by huge glaciers and massive peaks this potential heli-lodge area will put our clients at the center of some of the best skiing and snowboarding Haines has to offer…

Terrain

• How many acres do you have practical access to?  400,000
• What percentage of your ski terrain/runs is/are steeper than 50 degrees?  10
• What % of your ski terrain/runs is/are between 45 and 50 degrees? 15
• What % of your ski terrain/runs is/are between 40 and 45 degrees?  25
• What % of your ski terrain/runs is/are between 35 and 40 degrees?  30
• What % of your ski terrain/runs is/are less steep than 35 degrees?  20
• How many total runs do you utilize  over 250
• How many ski run unloading (drop) pads/areas do you have?  200
• How many ski run loading (pickup) pads/areas do you have? 300
• What percentage of your ski terrain/runs is/are within trees?  10
• Are the typical runs consistent in pitch or do they have long run-outs?  Our runs typically have consistent pitch, earlier in the season the runs have some runout to get to the next descent, totaling over 5,000 vertical feet in one run.
• What is the elevation drop of min/avg/max run? mini 1000 / average 3,000 / max over 5,000  ft
• Is your heli-base operation in the middle of the terrain or at one end?  We have three bases of operation all accessible by road. Each area accessed by the different heliports are approximately 12-14 miles apart, and make the terrain accessible with diminished flight times. At any given point we should not be flying more than 4-6 minutes to the first run and less than 4-6 minutes for each change in terrain venue. Haines is very efficient in its terrain layout.
• How far is it from your lodging (or recommended lodging) to the heli-base? The main heli base is 3 miles from the Fort Seward Lodge, the farthest base in 33 miles from the Lodge, but we have optional accommodations closer to the heliports to the west.
• Do you have fuel caches or does your helicopter have to come back to base to refuel? If yes, how many fuel caches? Yes, we have two fuel caches, however because of layout of our terrain,these caches are not used until mid to late April.
• Can you send me a map or digital map of your terrain that shows the heli-base, snowcat base, lodging, mountains, ski runs, heli drop/pickup zones, and/or fuel caches? If yes, please include with responses to questions.   Yes, it will be on our website soon.
• What are the min/max altitudes of your ski-able terrain? Minimum 5 feet maximum 8,000 feet
• How diverse is your terrain? Do you have bowls, chutes, couloirs, trees, and skiing aspects facing all directions? All the above, the difference that separates us from other AK operators is we have about 50% of our ski-able terrain is not on glacier, and another 10% is cover with Spruce and Hemlock forest.

HELISKI

Our 2011 season begins on February 6th and ends May 3rd.

We offer two types of rate packages – the full package with food/lodging and the “just skiing” package. The “just skiing” package is geared for our local, and Yukon/Northern B.C. clientèle and hold second priority to full package holders.The full packagerates are for people who generally travel great distance to Haines or desire the first priority status on bluebird days.

We want to express that when you book a full package with SEABA you get much more than simply outfitted for heliskiing, a comfortable room at the Fort Seward Lodge, and gourmet food. We make sure that your experience is everything you hoped it would be! Our return clients generally book a full package because they know the prime heliskiing, customer service, guiding, and the extracurricular action will be of the highest quality and second to none.

Daily Skiing

Daily skiing includes $20,000 vertical feet or 6 runs, these seats are based on availability. If you wan to guarantee availability please choose some of our other offerings below.

100,000 Heli Vertical Feet Card

We also offer a 100,000 vertical foot card to use when heli-seats are available. Vertical foot cards have a two-year lifespan. This card is for the skier who can reach Haines in a few hours and doesn’t mind pacing a little on a bluebird day while we build you a group. Vertical Foot card holders are second priority behind packaged clientèle . Bluebird days generally offer a lot of skiing opportunity for Just Skiing and Vertical card holders.

February 6th to March 5th

Full Package

The full package includes all transfers, 90,000 vertical feet of guided heliskiing with cat ski back up, ABS pack with avalanche equipment, all meals, and 7 night double occupancy lodging.

“Just skiing”

Just skiing includes two transfers, 90,000 vertical feet of guided heliskiing with cat ski back up. Just skiing package holders are second priority behind packaged clientèle  Bluebird days generally offer a lot of skiing opportunity for Just Skiing and Vertical card holders…

March 6th to April 17th

Full Package

Packages include all transfers, 90,000 vertical feet of guided heliskiing with cat ski back up, ABS pack with avalanche equipment, all meals, and 7 night double occupancy lodging.

“Just Skiing” $5000

Just skiing includes two transfers, 90,000 vertical feet of guided heliskiing, ABS pack with avalanche equipment.

CATSKIING

January 28th – April 24th

All of January, February, and March dates will be $250 per day which includes transportation, 12,000 vertical feet of skiing, and avalanche gear if needed.

Casting Daily Punch Pass

Daily punch pass for Local Alaskan or Canadians will be $500 for 30,000 vertical feet of skiing … pre-purchase necessary and no reservations required.

SKI PLANE PACKAGES

Option 1:

SEABA is offering guiding ski touring with www.FlyDrake.com for $575/ flight hour.

These fantastic flights into the mountains surrounding Haines will take you beyond the heliski terrain. With multiple landings and areas to choose from this is a great way to ski and explore Haines jewels that are not accessible by helicopter. Space is limited by weight, so expect to have you and a friend with a certified & knowledgeable guide at your service.

Option 2:

SEABA can also provide overnight and multi-day support and guiding via ski plane. We would love to provide you a customized quote on your desired trip. As a general rule of thumb expect to pay $410 a flight hour (min 2 people) plus food supplies and guide.

HELISKI

Dates 

February 6th and ends May 3rd

Prices

Daily Skiing $800

100,000 Heli Vertical Feet Card $4500

Dates

February 6th to March 5th

Prices

Full Package (7 nights) $6200

“Just skiing” $4200

Dates

March 6th to April 17th

Prices

Full Package (7 nights) $7200

 “Just Skiing” $5000

CATSKIING

Dates

January 28th – April 24th

Prices

$250 per day

Prices

Casting Daily Punch Pass

Local Alaskan or Canadians will be $500

SKI PLANE PACKAGES

Prices

Option 1: $575/ flight hour

Option 2 overnight & multi-day:  expect to pay $410 a flight hour 

Snowmobile Rental

Price $300 per day/ with credit card deposit

• Which meals are included in the trip and/or lodging prices listed above? Breakfast ,sack lunch, make your own from lunch bar, and prepared three course dinner.
• If they are not all included, are the non-included meals available at the lodge and what are the min/avg/max prices (or include a menu)? If you would like to eat off the menu the costs are from $10.00 lodge burger, $20 pasta dish, to $32.00 crab dinner or a $50 surf and turf.
• Are there other available dining choices nearby? Please list with distances from lodge. Yes, nearby after March 1st there is organic pizza and pasta specialty restaurant. a good quality Mexican establishment, and an assortment of local dining establishments.
• Are drinks/alcoholic drinks included with the meals? No alcoholic beverages are included, however, they are available for purchase at the bar.
• Can we eat our own food and drink our own alcoholic beverages in public areas of the lodge?  We insist that patrons enjoy their own food and drink in their rooms.
• List your draught beers available and their prices: Local brewery includes fresh pale ale,amber, stout, as well as the famous Alaskan Brewery beers. All draught beers are $4.75/pint.
• List your bottle beers available and their prices: All domestics are $3.25 in can or bottle – most are available. Imports  and micro brews are $4.50 per beer

SEABA was founded around 12 years ago by Scott Sundberg and Shawn “Jobe” McNamara. Both are accomplished heli-guides, avalanche forecasters and life-long students of snowscience. SEABA evolved from a desire to provide the best heli-skiing guide service in Southeast Alaska utilizing the outrageous terrain courtesy of the Chilkat and Fairweather Mountain ranges. Both Scott and Jobe call Haines their home. Cofounder Shawn McNamara, plied the Wasatch Range while attending the University of Utah in the early nineties. After years of ski touring, gaining experience as a member of the Snowbird ski patrol, and undergoing backcountry guide training in Utah, Colorado, Nevada, and British Columbia he moved to Girdwood, Alaska in Spring 1994 where he met cofounder Scott Sundberg Scott, also know in the ski industry as Sunny, has spent 24 years in Alaska, 10 of which he has dedicated to the development of a winter ski based economy in Haines, Alaska. Scott’s big mountainguiding experience developed over the last 25 years. In Girdwood, he ski raced for Glacier Creek Academy along with fellow student Tommy Moe. Scott eventually took racing to the US development team and ended up choosing collegiate skiing over U.S. Ski Team pursuits. It was here that he decided his love for the sport really happened in Alaska and he decided to return to his home town of Girdwood to reunite with the soul of skiing in “93. It was at this point that Scott and Shawn met in Girdwood at Alyeska, skiing touring Turnigan and Girdwood backcountry routes in the Western Chugach. They soon realized that beyond Girdwood and Valdez, Southeast Alaska held more unequivocal tales of first descents that couldn’t be ignored. Heading south for Haines in ’95 they had lofty thoughts of Heliskiing  the multiple ranges of Southeast. Skagway and Haines would provide to be the areas of  most concentration. After 15 years of ski guiding and snow science education Scott and Shawn would end up being some of the first people into these fabulous mountain ranges, both as individuals and guides.

They soon realized that beyond Girdwood and Valdez, Southeast Alaska held more unequivocal tales of first descents that couldn’t be ignored. Heading south for Haines in ’95 they had lofty thoughts of Heliskiing  the multiple ranges of Southeast. Skagway and Haines would provide to be the areas of  most concentration. After 15 years of ski guiding and snow science education Scott and Shawn would end up being some of the first people into these fabulous mountain ranges, both as individuals and guides.They have continued to  elevate ski guiding  in Haines since the beginning and have persistently fought politics and Alaska’s  Rural economy to make the soul of skiing come to life. In fall of 2005, after years of discussion and planning , Scott and Shawn entered into partnership with long time snow cat ski operator Nick Trimble. With years of operational experience in Colorado and Montana, Nick possessed the unique skill set to make snow cat skiing operations in the untamed wilderness of southeast Alaska a reality. With the best Heliskiing in Alaska and world class snow cat skiing to back them up, SEABA is now delivering the some of the finest skiing experiences in the world today.

Heli-Ski Questions

General

• How many years has your company been operating? 8 Years
• What percentage of your paying guests have returned for at least one additional trip?  85%
• What percentage of your paying guests have returned for more than one additional trip?  75%
• How many guest visit ski days did you have last year?  604
• How many guest visit ski days do you expect to have this year? 800
• How many days were you in ski operation last year?  80
• How many days do you expect to be in ski operation this year?  80
• How many helicopters do you have and how many are used each day? 2 A-Star model B2
• Do you have access to other helicopters if one breaks down? If so, how quickly?  Yes, within a day if the weather is cooperating.
• How much of my overall ski trip experience do you handle? SEABA provide services from arrival to departure in Haines. Those services include transportation to all skiing and extracurricular activities,equipment rental, avalanche awareness and response training, and dedicated staff to help you enjoy the SEABA experience. The fort Seward Lodge will be responsible for food and accommodations during our time with SEABA if you have purchased a package.
• Why should I book with your company versus your competitors? SEABA’s primary competitor in Haines does not offer inclusive packaged trips. They are more of a high volume operator, up to 8 groups per helicopter. We pride ourselves on a semi private experience, 4 groups to a heli, 15 minute or less wait times on pickup, high vertical foot averages with four groups per bird, (27,500 feet), and a solid return clientele. We also have experienced local guides, snow cat back up, and over 35 incredible tree skiing runs that are bigger than 1500 vertical feet. SEABA has also averaged 75% flyable days in our season because of this unique terrain and the knowledge it takes from our guides to operate in these torested areas.
• Do you have multiple means to get to and from a major airport if we get weathered in arriving or departing your location? If you cannot fly out of the Haines airport, you can ride a Alaska State Ferry  (www.ferryalaska.com) to Juneau, or drive to Whitehorse Yukon Territory to fly out internationally.
• What is the list price of this trip this year and what was it last year? Please refer to our Price and Info page at http://skiseaba.com/?page_id=246.
• What other additional costs will I incur getting to your location once I book a trip? (local airport transport/rental cars/shuttle fees)? On SEABA’s package trips there are no extra fees once you get to Haines. The only thing you should be expecting to pay for is beverages, your personal snacks, etc. ABS, ski, or board rentals, or and any other fun activities outside skiing.

Costs/Guarantees

• Do you charge by vertical feet, by run, by heli time, or some other method? Please refer to our Price and Info page at http://skiseaba.com/?page_id=246.
• What was the minimum/average/maximum price a guest paid to your operation for this trip last year including all extra charges? $5000/$6500 /$12,000
• Do you guarantee any amount of vertical feet? If so, what happens (credits/charges) if we ski less or more feet? Yes  we offer options – please refer to our Price and Info page at http://skiseaba.com/?page_id=246.
• Are guide tips included in the cost? If not, what is an average tipping percentage or amount per full ski day? No tipping is not included, and the average is 10-15% , generally $65-100 per day.
• Are there any other additional or hidden costs to ski? (e.g. ferry fees to get to farther terrain, fuel surcharges, taxes, avalanche beacons/probes/shovels, backpacks, etc) Outside our general skiing circuits we have extra charges for certain runs and deeper circuits. Basically you would be looking at paying the cost of 3000 vertical feet to do a “big game” type run , of course if weather and snow conditions allow the group to land and ski the targeted run.This might even be a first descent. It generally takes more energy and time to open up new runs. This type of run would be one that the landing has to be prepped, a toe in is necessary, etc. Also considering ferry fees,everyone in the group (s) would be charged ferry fee depending on the distance of the shuttles to the new area, the formula is 1000 vertical feet per minute of extra fly time, this averages between 2 and 3 minutes to a new circuit one way. After explaining our extra charges, these are not often used because of the nature of our circuit prep practices. Our guides and pilots are constantly working on the circuits and the landings to make sure we are able to access all the runs in our terrain.
• Can and will you take me to the type of heli ski terrain I am most interested in? We can and we will Explain: However, one must know that we are the best judge of the terrain thatyou can handle, we are the pro’s. If there is a situation in which you feel that the group you are in is not matched correctly, and we have not picked up on this already, then we can generally adjust groups so that everyone is accommodated to the extent we can. Also the client must realize that he/she is in an open contract with us to make us aware that this terrain is not to their liking or that the terrain is too much and they cannot handle it. (happens) WE at SEABA are not mind readers and open communication is key to having the best possible experience.
• Do you use any other methods of transportation other than helicopter to get skiers to/from unloading and loading zones and from/to base?  We have options (i.e. ski plane, snowcat), but rarely do we have to rely on these resources. We generally have less than 3-6 minute shuttles to the first run
• What was the min/average/max vertical skied by guests on this trip last year? min 28,000 / avg 90,000 / max 140,000 (ft)
• What was the min/average/max runs skied by guests on this trip last year? min 15 / average 30 / max 68
• What is the min/average/max unique runs skied by guests on this trip last year? min 2 / average 8 / max 14
• Do you have any backup skiing options (such as snow-cat) if the helicopter can’t fly? If so, what are they and how do these contribute to any guarantees and what are the extra charges? Yes. The snowcat acts as a back up to the heli vertical, however space is limited so you must reserve a seat in the cat if you would like to ski. Reservation fee is $100 per day (non refundable) to insure you have a seat. This typically is not the case as we can generally access great tree terrain on marginal days when ceilings are high. The probability in a season of needing the cat is about 10%.
• Do we have guaranteed helicopter seats on flight days with this trip?  Yes
• What other heli down day activities do you have? How am I charged for these or are they included? SEABA offers a variety of down days activities. Typically a guest will only get to do one or two of these on a trip and the activity is based around to dates of the guest booked time frame, i.e. you wont’ be fishing in February. Activities Include: salt water charter, whale and sea mammal watching ($100pp), fresh water fishing($85pp), snowmobile rental ($250-300per day), skeet shooting and firearms adventure($50-65 pp), air boating($100pp), gymnasium rental for indoor sports($40/hr), indoor pool for water polo and lap swim($40/hr), yoga($8), NIA($8), and in house massage($60/hr). All of the charges are due a the time offered, most activities are relatively affordable.
• Do you require us to have any particular equipment during our ski day?  If so, please list. Yes, we generally  like to have Motorola Talk about radio communication. If you are an avid heliskier we suggest that you invest in a pair of these, ($65) min 5 mile range, so that you can always have communication with your guide, or another person in your group. This also lets you get more beta on specifics on a certain descent so you can be safe and enjoy it. we obvoiusly need you to have all avalanche rescue gear as well, backpack, tranciever, probe and shovel. In your pack you should be carrying 16 oz of water, extra layer, highenergy snacks, and an extra pair of goggles/glasses.
• If we break a ski/pole/binding during our trip, do you have equipment we can rent? How much does that cost? Yes we do. Our equipment rental rates are: Poles,$5.00, Fat Skis, $40/day, Snowboard $35/day

Groups

• What is the maximum number of skier guests per group?  4
• How many guides per group? 1
• What is the maximum number of groups per heli? 4
• What is the maximum number of guests allowed to be serviced per day?  32
• If there are only 2 or 3 skiers in our group, how do you fill out the rest of our group? What happens if they don’t like the same type of terrain as us?
• Usually we fill groups with owners, or apprentice guides. Occasional we will fill groups with acceptable clients based on groups information. If it does not work we adjust.
• What type of terrain does your typical guest want to ski?
• Most guest are looking at skiing terrain that is between 35 and 50 degrees, but they are also interested in features, and long vertical descent runs.
• What is the average length of time to ski a run? The average run is dependent on our clients’ skill and fitness level.
• What it the min/average/max wait times from the end of a run until pickup? Hurry up your lagging…5 minutes / 20 minutes (fuel runs) or a client leaves the field. Such instances occur less than 2% of the time.
• If one group within the same helicopter is significantly slower than the rest, how does that affect the other groups? Our Pickups and priority is based on who is ready, and where clients are in their vertical program. If they are behind then they are first out in the morning as well as preference on pick up in the field. Also these groups tend to be the slower of the majority, so we are sensitive to their needs._However, we will not let these groups hamper other clients rotation or wait times. Careful coordination and efficiency of group geospacial proximity is worked on thoroughly with the guide staff.

Safety

• How many pilots do you have?  3
• How many hours/years of flying experience do each of your pilots have?
• If you have question regarding pilots you can inquire with Dave King at Last Frontier Air Ventures www.lfav.com or (907) 745 5701
• How many hours/years of heli-skiing flying experience do each of your pilots have?  see above
• How many guides do you have?  12
• How many years of heli-skiing guiding experience do each of your guides have?  All of our lead guides have over ten years mechanized ski guiding/mountain guiding experience. They all have extensive credentials included A.M.G.A., I.A.M.G.A, A.A.A., A.I.A.R.E, C.M.G.A. Our guides also have Medical Wilderness Emergency medical Technician (W.E.M.T.)and Wilderness First Responder (W.F.R.) certifications. These certifications give you the best chance of one avoiding life threatening situations, and the best chance of you surviving an injury in the backcountry until we can get you to the next level of care. Our tail guides are less experienced, under ten years ski guiding, but very capable of keeping you safe in the mountains. We take pride in structuring our safety and guide services to keep you safe in the mountains.
• What special training do your guides have?  Our guides practice specific scenario training every season to keep their skills and procedures sharp in the rare chance that we have a major accident.
• How many accidents have you had? How many people injured? How many people died?  In 8 years we have had 6 injuries, mostly knee, or other joint related, and no deaths.
• Do you have a medical doctor on staff? If not, is one easily accessible?
• We have a physician that we work with closely and a medical facility that can treat most minor injuries that are not life threatening. If there is a chance that the injury or the mechanism of injury and symptoms of the injury are life threatening then the individual with be flown via medivac to either Seattle, or Anchorage via Juneau, Alaska.

Weather/Snow

• How much snow did your terrain receive last winter at low/mid/high altitudes?  240 /  770 / 625  (inches)
• How much snow does your terrain receive on avg at low/mid/high altitudes? 240 /  750 / 850  (in, ft, m, cm)
• What is the average snowfall by month at low/mid/high altitudes?  Jan:  75 / 150 / 110-125 (inches) - Feb:   100 / 200 / 120  - Mar: 75 / 250 / 150  - Apr:  10 / 150 / 250
• What are the average high and low temperatures by month at low/mid/high altitudes? Jan: -10 to20 / 0-10to20 /15 to20 (F) - Feb: -5 to 30 / -5 to25 / -10 to 20 (F) - Mar:  20 to 35 / 5 to 30 / -5 to 30 (F) - Apr:  32-45 /25 to40 / 20 to 40 (F).
• How many heli down days and partial down days did you have last year?  Jan: We did not operate heliskiing – just the snowcat – Feb:  10 down or partial days - Mar:  12 down or partial days  - Apr:  8 down or partial days.
• How many heli down days and partial down days do you have on average (please list by month)?  Feb:  8 down 3 partial - Mar:  8 down 4 partial – Apr: 6 down  10 partial
• How many sunny days on average (please list by month)?  Jan:  22 – Feb:  20 – Mar:  21 – Apr: 20.

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