Points North Heli-Adventures

What Points North Heli-Adventures does

Points North Heli-Adventures is a privately held, family-owned heli-skiing operator founded in 1997 by Kevin and Jessica Quinn and headquartered in Cordova, Alaska. The company is the only heli-ski operation based in Cordova and holds USFS special permits providing exclusive access to over one million acres of terrain in the southeastern Chugach Mountains, including 500,000 acres only reachable from Cordova. It operates two principal all-inclusive products—a 7-day Heli-Ski Week package and a Private A-Star Helicopter experience—anchored at the historic Orca Adventure Lodge, plus a ski-touring program called Tour Camp and women's free-skiing camps. The customer base consists of high-net-worth adventure travelers ranging from intermediate powder skiers to Olympic athletes, with named references including Lindsey Jacobellis and Seth Wescott.

The company's underlying technology stack centers on a customized GIS-based mapping system built on ESRI ArcGIS, paired with Garmin GPS and radio communication, which enables real-time sharing of terrain, snow conditions, and safety information among guides in the field. Helicopters are sourced through a 23+ year partnership with Northstar Trekking, which provides a fleet of 2-4 A-Star aircraft per season. Guides hold IFMGA, AMGA, CMGA, AIRE, and Wilderness First Responder certifications, and the company is one of only five HSUS-certified operations in Alaska. Founder Kevin Quinn oversaw 28 peak-season employees as Director of all operations and served 7 years as President of the US Heli-Ski Association.

The business model is direct-to-consumer with no third-party resellers; bookings are taken via website contact forms, email, and phone. Pricing is all-inclusive at $9,250 per person for the 2027 Heli-Ski Week and $9,545 per person for the 2028 season, with a 50% deposit, final payment due 120 days prior arrival, and additional heli-hours at $1,350 each. The ~9-week operating season has sold out every year for over two decades, supported by long-tenured media partnerships with Warren Miller Entertainment (16 years/16 film segments), Teton Gravity Research, and Matchstick Productions. Equipment rentals (Volkl skis, Nitro/Jones snowboards) at $50/day contribute ancillary revenue, and a single-occupancy upgrade is priced at $300 per week.

Name

Points North Heli-Adventures

Legal name

Points North Heli-Adventures, Inc.

Website

https://alaskaheliski.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Points North Heli-Adventures is a family-owned, Cordova, Alaska-based heli-skiing operator founded in 1997 that sells all-inclusive 7-day packages to high-net-worth adventure travelers using exclusive USFS-permitted Chugach Mountain terrain.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Heli-Skiing Adventure Tourism

NAICS

Skiing Facilities (713920), Tour Operators (56152), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation (487)

SIC

Air Transportation, Nonscheduled (4522), Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)

akta.pro primary industry

Guided Backcountry & Off-Piste Services (Ski Touring, Splitboarding, Heli/Cat Skiing) (THAAAJAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Winter & Mountain Guides (Ski, Snowshoe, Avalanche, Ice Climbing) (THAAALAF), Mountain & Ski Luxury Resorts (THAGACAB)

Keywords

• Heli-skiing services
• Adventure tourism
• Backcountry skiing
• Alaskan wilderness tours
• Ski touring packages

Headquarters

HQ city

Cordova

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Heli-Ski Week Packages: All-inclusive 7-night packages at $9,250/person (2027) or $9,545/person (2028) including 4 heli-hours, unlimited vertical/runs, lodging, all meals, airport shuttle, ground transportation, and safety equipment.
2. Additional Heli-Hours: Guests can purchase additional heli-hours at $1,350 per hour beyond the included 4 hours. Priority given to guests wanting more flying time.
3. Ski and Snowboard Rentals: Volkl ski rentals at $50/day, Nitro and Jones snowboard rentals at $50/day for guests who don't bring their own equipment.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Points North Heli-Adventures operates all-inclusive, multi-day heli-skiing trips in the southeastern Chugach Mountains of Alaska, providing helicopter-accessed backcountry skiing, lodging at the company-owned Orca Adventure Lodge in Cordova, meals, certified AIARE-trained mountain guides, avalanche-safe terrain selection via a customized ESRI ArcGIS terrain mapping system, and support logistics for individual adventure travelers.

Product overview

Points North Heli-Adventures is a provider of Alaskan heli-skiing and wilderness adventure experiences. The company operates a modular service portfolio centered on helicopter-accessed backcountry skiing, comprising four main offerings: the Heli-Ski Week (7-day all-inclusive package), Private A-Star Helicopter adventures (private/semi-private flights), Orca Adventure Lodge (on-site accommodations), and Tour Camp (ski touring program). These services are designed to work together as an integrated adventure travel experience, with lodging at Orca Adventure Lodge serving as the base for day trips via helicopter or ski touring excursions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Heli-Ski Week Seven-day all-inclusive heli-skiing package providing helicopter transport, lodging at Orca Adventure Lodge, meals, certified AIARE-trained guides, avalanche-managed terrain access, and use of ski/splitboard equipment for individual adventure travelers and small private groups.
• Private A-Star Helicopter Charter Premium private or semi-private helicopter option providing an exclusive A-Star helicopter and dedicated guide for guests seeking higher group ratios, flexible ski terrain selection, or customized daily itineraries within the Chugach program.
• Tour Camp Multi-day ski-touring program for guests who want a smaller-scale, lodge-based backcountry touring experience in the Cordova-area mountains instead of the full heli-skiing package.
• Orca Adventure Lodge Accommodation Lodging at Points North's Orca Adventure Lodge in Cordova, Alaska, provided as part of all-inclusive packages and serving as the base of operations for heli-skiing and Tour Camp guests.
• Additional Heli-Hours À-la-carte additional helicopter flight hours that guests can purchase to extend their ski day or add extra runs beyond the heli-time included in their chosen package.
• Ski and Snowboard Rentals Per-unit rental of Volkl skis and Jones snowboards and Nitro splitboards, the latter custom-shaped exclusively for Points North Heli-Adventures, available to guests who do not bring their own equipment.

Quantifiable outcome

• 20,000 to 40,000 feet of vertical skiing per average day
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Heli-Ski US AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional organization dedicated to establishing highest quality guide and safety operations guidelines for helicopter skiing in the US. PNH is one of only five Alaska members meeting rigorous standards.
• United States Forest Service (USFS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-holder of SE Chugach National Forest special permit for heli-skiing operations. PNH is a steward of the Chugach National Forest and co-pioneered information sharing with other permit holders for safety.
• Northstar TrekkingcoreOthersProvides A-Star helicopters for PNH operations. Over 23 years of partnership providing aircraft fleet of 2-4 helicopters.
• Warren Miller EntertainmentflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPNH has proudly hosted Warren Miller Entertainment for 16 years, appearing in 16 Warren Miller film segments.
• Teton Gravity ResearchflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerFilm production company that has created multiple segments at PNH locations, including 'Magic Hour' (2022).
• Matchstick ProductionsflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerFilm production company with multiple segments filmed at PNH locations.
• VolklminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSki sponsor providing rental equipment and promotional support. Volkl ski rentals available at $50/day.
• Helly HansenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTechnical apparel sponsor for guides and staff.
• Prince William Sound Economic Development District (PWSEDD)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit partnered with PNH and USFS for Sheridan Glacier Road Fund to maintain year-round access.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Eleven Experience: Luxury adventure-travel brand operating lodges in Iceland, the Alps, and elsewhere with heli-ski and backcountry offerings. Comparable on the premium all-inclusive adventure travel structure and customer overlap.
• Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing: Major Canadian heli-ski operator with deep capacity and a comparable all-inclusive lodge-based model. A key reference point for PNH's pricing structure and a substitute destination for the same affluent guest demographic.
• CMH Heli-Skiing: Largest heli-ski operator globally, with multiple lodges across British Columbia. Not a direct Alaska competitor but the global benchmark for premium heli-ski pricing, terrain, and guide certification — and a destination for high-net-worth guests who may substitute PNH in shoulder seasons.

Direct peers

• Tordrillo Mountain Lodge: Luxury heli-ski and heli-adventure lodge in Alaska offering all-inclusive packages combined with a high-end lodge. Closest peer on the 'premium lodge + helicopter adventure' integrated model in Alaska.
• Chugach Powder Guides: Alaska-based backcountry and heli-access ski guiding operation focused on the Chugach region. Competes for the same Cordova-area terrain and guest base, with comparable mixed heli/touring trip offerings.
• Last Frontier Heliskiing: British Columbia heli-ski operator offering small-group, lodge-based packages in the Bell-Irving region. Comparable on package structure, target guest, and premium pricing tier.
• Northern Escape Heli-Skiing: BC-based heli-ski operator offering single-day and multi-day packages with comparable guide quality and lodge integration. Competes for the international high-end heli-ski guest outside of Alaska.
• Alaska Rendezvous Guides: Valdez-based heli-ski operator offering similar 7-day packages in the Chugach. Direct competitor with overlap in guide staff (referenced in PNH team profiles) and overlapping guest demographics.
• Valdez Heli-Camps: Alaska-based heli-ski operator out of Valdez competing for the same high-end clientele. Both companies share guide bench overlap (mentioned in PNH team profiles) and compete on Chugach terrain access, pricing, and weekly all-inclusive packages.

Emerging players

• Selkirk Wilderness Skiing: BC cat-ski operator with a small, lodge-based, all-inclusive package model. While operating via cat rather than helicopter, it is a close substitute for guests choosing between heli and cat skiing in the same premium tier.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Alaskaheliski
• Facebookfacebook.com/PointsNorthHeli
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kevin-quinn

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Points North Heli-Adventures