Ruby Mountains Heli-Ski Spots

Ruby Mountain Heli-Skiing Experience

There’s a myth that you have to escape the lower 48 in order to experience the thrill of heli-skiing. Elko’s Ruby Mountains and the Ruby Mountain Heli-Experience are here to change that false notion.

From the top of 11,387 foot Ruby Dome to the valley floor, Nevada heli-skiing is on par with the top skiing hotspots in Alaska and Western Canada. With more than 90 miles of varied terrain, the Ruby Mountains offer 50 peaks that soar over 10,000 feet, with 14 others topping 11,000 and 3,500 feet of straight-up vertical challenges.

The best news? It’s all found a mere 30 minutes south of Elko, meaning you can stay and play in style at night and rip up the fresh powder by day. Located at the halfway point between Salt Lake City and Reno, Elko has its own airport, meaning flying in for a weekend of shredding is a snap. Spend less time traveling and more time creating epic memories on your next Nevada heli-skiing trip.

Ruby Mountain Heli-Experience

There’s not a more pulse-pounding adventure than hailing your own chopper and riding it to some of the highest peaks in the West before strapping on your best alpine skis and tearing up freshly-fallen snow under the bluest skies you’ve ever seen.

That’s the philosophy espoused by the Royer family who own and operate Ruby Mountain Heli-Experience. Flying with an A-Star 350 B3 high-altitude helicopter (the same model that was the first to land on the summit of Mount Everest), the Ruby Mountain Heli-Experience team provides a true first-class mountain skiing experience with multiple guides, small groups and snowcats for times when the wind is too gusty to fly safely into the mountains.

Once atop the mountain, skiers will enjoy glaciated bowls and 400 named runs across 200,000 skiable acres. The Rubies typically see an impressive 300 inches of snow each year.

The Royers also run a 10-room mountain lodge at the base of the Rubies, giving guests an unforgettable dining and lodging experience. For skiers looking for more rugged accommodations, the company offers a pair of mountain yurts complete with solar power, kitchens and fireplaces for a cozy night’s stay.

RMHE’s guides all have deep experience skiing and guiding in Nevada, and all have level 3 avalanche certifications along with EMT or other medical training.

Get package pricing, availability and more at Ruby Mountain Helicopter Experience.

Visit Elko for Your Next Heli-Skiing Adventure

Whether you stay at the main lodge or branch out on your own, there’s plenty to do in Elko on your next heli-skiing trip to the Ruby Mountains. Here’s a quick guide to getting around town and enjoying the small-town charm of one of Nevada’s hidden gems.