The Heli-Ski U.S. Association, Inc. (HSUS) is a Utah nonprofit corporation whose members represent the very best helicopter skiing operators in the United States. Our members work cooperatively to help establish the highest safety and operating standards in the helicopter skiing industry.
OUR MISSION: To promote and sustain helicopter skiing in the United States while developing and upholding the highest safety and operating standards.
Each member is an independent corporation.
Please note, each member is an independent corporation, solely responsible to its customers and employees.
Marketing
- Promoting the sport of Helicopter skiing in the United States through cooperative marketing, advertising and public relations.
Safety
- Establishing (the highest) operations, guide and safety guidelines for Helicopter Skiing in the United States.
Influence
- Building a membership base with positive credibility and political influence.
Education
- Creating a resource to educate Helicopter Ski Operators, government, public, and private agencies.
Our History
Canadian Mountain Holidays
In 1953, Hans Gmoser had saved enough to move to Banff, Canada and begin his career as a guide. Inspired by a new dream, and building on years of backcountry guiding experience, in 1959 Hans Gmoser formed a small company named Canadian Mountain Holidays (CMH). His business prospered as he led thousands of skiers and climbers on many mountain treks. In April 1965, Hans was intrigued by an idea that some thought crazy but also seemed very practical. He began using helicopters to transport skiers high into the Mountains and Helicopter assisted skiing was born.
Helicopter Skiing History in the United States
The mountains surrounding the town of Ketchum were discovered in 1935 to be the ideal surroundings for a ski resort and the opening of the Sun Valley Resort followed just one year later. The same spectacular terrain and pioneering spirit of the region led to the founding of Sun Valley Heli-Ski Guides in 1966 by Bill Janss, the owner of Sun Valley Resort.
Developing Standards & Protocols.
HSUS is Founded
In the early 1980’s a group of US Heli Ski operators started meeting annually on a very informal basis. The purpose of these meetings was to exchange various ideas, thoughts and information that would help each operator. At this time there were no standards for operation. It was through these meetings that the Heli-Ski US Association was eventually formalized as a 501C corporation and thus began a more formal approach to the development of standards and protocols for helicopter skiing activities within the US. Many of the standards where already in place from the reputable Canadian operators and now HSUS is also an affiliate member of HeliCat Canada sharing many of the very same standards.
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins
Error: No feed found.
Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to create a feed.
