Mil Mi-8
The extremely powerful, Russian built Mi-8 helicopter is often referred to as the “beast”in the heli skiing world. The Mi-8 is the most widely produced helicopter in service today and is used in more than 50 countries worldwide. The MI8 primarily in Russia where it transports up to 12 skiers and four guides per load plus two pilots and engineer.
- Passengers: 2 pilots, 22 passengers - It’s a Party!
- Fast Cruising speed: 125 knts
- Max Speed: 135 knts
- Max Range: 259 nm *Range can be extended 510 nm with additional fuel tanks.
Where used: Russia (Kamchatka, Krasnaya Polyana), Pakistan, Tibet
BELL 212 (not a 412, our bad)
The Bell 412 reliably performs in the most extreme climates on the planet every day. This powerful helicopter is the most common machine used for heli-skiing in Canada. Although it can carry 14 passengers in it’s spacious 7.7 ft. large 220 ft³ cabin, all heliski operations limit the load to 12 passengers – Usually ten or eleven skiers plus one or two guides.
- Passengers: 1 pilot, 14 passengers
- Fast Cruising speed: 107 knts
- Max Speed: 120 knts
- Max Range: 238 nm
Where used: Canada, Chile
BELL 407
The American made Bell 407 has a Rolls Royce 250-C47B turbine FADEC engine that delivers exceptional hot & high performance with the ability to cruise at 140 knots (259 km/hr). The 407′s spacious cabin seats up to five passengers in wide-open club-passenger seating and can be reconfigured to accommodate any number of tasks and payloads. For added passenger comfort, the Bell 407 also provides a very quiet and smooth ride in virtually all weather conditions. In addition to offering outstanding product features, the 407 is backed by Bell’s renowned in-service support, voted #1 by our customers for seventeen years running. The Bell 407 is proof that you don’t have to sacrifice comfort for performance.
- Passengers: 1 pilot, 5 passengers
- Cruising speed: 135 knts FAST!
- Max Speed: 155 knts FAST!
- Max Range: 336 nm
Where used: Chile, Himalayas
Eurocopter AS350 B2
The AS350 B2or A-Star B2 is a single engine, lightweight 6 seat helicopter equipped with an Arriel 1B turbine engine. The B2’s speed and range and quiet cabin make it particularly suitable for heli skiing.
- Passengers: 1 pilot, 5 passengers
- Fast Cruising speed: 133 knts
- Max Speed: 155 knts
- Max Range: 350 nm
Where used: Iceland, Switzerland, Alaska
EurocopterAS350 B3
The AS350 AStar is a single-engine workhorse with the best performance in its category. Built and certified in the United States, this cost-effective helicopter accommodates five to six passengers in all forward-facing seats. High performance, enhanced maneuverability and reduced pilot workload make American Eurocopter’s AS350 the preferred rotary-wing aircraft for heli-ski operations.
- Passengers: 1 pilot, 5 passengers
- Fast Cruising speed: 140 knts
- Max Speed: 155 knts
- Range: 350 nm
Where used: Switzerland, Greenland, Morocco, Alaska
The MI-8 is definitely a beast! Short range, inefficient, and impossible for narrow ridgeline drop offs, but it has given life to heli skiing industries in many of the ex-Soviet states. Add Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan to your list!
So what do we use in the lower 48?
Wasatch Powderturds use A Stars.
Right! Also know as AS 350, but the article states that Alaska uses them. Did the author forget about CA, WA, WY, ID, MT, UT & CO? Maybe he just copied and pasted it.
Not e who uses a 412 in Canada for skiing.. But there are alot of 212′s skiing… Typo maybe?
Your right…. It’s a 212 not a 412. Our bad!
Pretty cool article. A lot better than more boring South America POV edits. Way to get creative with the content.
Haha, nice try. It’s not even close to correct. I love how the writers here hype their own BS just to hype the incorrect article.
1. AS 350 B1,2 or the latest b3 should not be different.
2. Bell 212 not 412 as less then 900 were made.
3 Bell 407
4 MD 500 aka Hughes 500
5 Bell 206L
You have no fuck clue what you are talking about.
There are over 12 heli-ski opts using Mi-8′s. Name 12 heli ski opts that use a Bell 212?
Haha, obviously I do or the article would still read Bell 412.
Question for you. How can you tell that the heli in second pic is a 212 and not a 204/205? I know the answer, but do you?
12 Heli Locations that use a Bell 212:
Bobby Burns Lodge
Bugaboos
CMH Cariboos
CMH Galena
CMH Gothics
CMH Kooteneys
CMH McBride
CMH Monashees
CMH Revelstoke
CMH Valemount
Wiegele Heliskiing
TLH
Selkirk Tangiers
Purcell Heliskiing
RK Heliskiing
Pantheon Heliskiing
Whistler Heliskiing
Coast Range Heliskiing
Chatter Creek Catskiing (who use a 212 for several weeks of Heliskiing in their tenure)
The 212 is the mother of all Heliskiing Helicopters.
Put that in your pipe and smoke it!
There is one or two heli opts in New Zealand that use a MD500. Name another smart guy.
Heli ops, oh I’m sorry. We would just contact and hire one of hundreds of sheep herders who own 500s to give us lifts.
I just love how both your post bag on me for nothing I said in my post, yet I have a correct answer for your half witted question.
You keep putting out Bullshit articles and I’ll keep on call you out on them.
Whats a knot and nm mean in non air craft lingo
http://www.onlineconversion.com/faq_07.htm
what about the ecochopper used in chile? that ship can cruise at high altitudes and really maneveur. Heckler, you know anything about that ship?
AS350 B3
Tebet?
Tebet to you, good sir!
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