I have been sitting on this one for quite a while now. Back in 2013 my friend Rok from Vertical Adventures invited me and my photo buddy Blaž to come on one of the more exotic things you can do in our beautiful little country. Heliski. Yes you can Heliski in Slovenia too 🙂 So before the season starts here a good appetizer for your tingling powder senses.
It was a chilly Saturday morning. The sun was starting to get up at a small airfield in Lesce. A group of freeriders was arriving one by one. Most of them strangers. Our local guide Rok Zalokar, one of the few Slovenian IFMGA guides, was already waiting in the briefing room to give us a detailed introduction to Heliskiing. He covered everything from signaling a helicopter to how to actually get on one. After a good hour we were set to go.
Outside our pilot, the legendary Franci and the crew of Flycom were busy preparing the Eurocopter EC-120B for flight. It would take us form Lesce to the top of the mountain Stol at 2236m in a meer 8 minutes. The chopper would make multiple rounds to get all of us to the top. The weather was pure perfection.
From the top we descended towards the north. Our trip would take us from the peak of Stol all the way down to Bärental in Austrian Corinthian. The descent would take a good hour with a bit of tracking and a brake along the way. This route is also mostly in the shade an guarantees good poweder even when it is very late in the season. For us it was late march.
If you have never tried heliskiing and do not have the means for Canada or one of the more expensive shuttle services at Cervino or in Switzerland this little Slovenian operation might be worth checking out. With prices of around 150 bucks it won`t blow your bank and the really professional staff gives you a good intro for your future canada/alaska dreams. If the winter turns good go give it a try 😉 You can contact Rok directly at info@vertical-adventures.si.