Black Ops Valdez or Alaska Backcountry Guides: which is better?
By Richard Jasinski·Updated 10 November 2026
No score and no verdict of ours: what Black Ops Valdez and Alaska Backcountry Guides each publish on their own websites, read 10 November 2026, topic by topic, each line linked to the page it came from.
Black Ops Valdez or Alaska Backcountry Guides: which is better?
Neither is better for everyone: Black Ops Valdez and Alaska Backcountry Guides differ on terrain, group size, vertical, prices and terms, set out below from each operator's own website.
What is each operator?
Black Ops Valdez runs heli-skiing and cat-skiing, plus sled skiing, from its own Robe Lake Lodge in Valdez, Alaska, with its own guides. Source
Alaska Backcountry Guides runs heli-skiing and heli-snowboarding from Valdez, Alaska, as Alaska Backcountry Guides. Source
Where does each operator ski?
Black Ops Valdez skis the eastern Chugach Mountains around Valdez and Thompson Pass in Alaska, USA, flying from the Keystone Heli base at the base of Thompson Pass. Source
Alaska Backcountry Guides flies in the Chugach Mountains surrounding Valdez, Alaska, from a base in the town of Valdez. Source
How much terrain?
Black Ops Valdez says it has over 2,500 square miles of glaciated mountain terrain, with runs averaging between 2,500 and 6,000 feet and steep couloirs, wide open valleys and big mountain faces. Source
Alaska Backcountry Guides offers a mix of intermediate cruising runs and steeps in the Chugach Mountains, with trips catered to intermediates, experts and professionals. Source
Helicopters or snowcats?
Black Ops Valdez flies Airbus/Eurocopter A-Star B-Series 350/H-125 helicopters. Source
Alaska Backcountry Guides flies A-Star helicopters. Source
How many skiers share a guide?
Black Ops Valdez takes a maximum of 16 clients at any one time, with a 4:1 client to guide ratio. Source
Alaska Backcountry Guides skis in small groups of no more than 4 guests, with at most 2 groups per A-Star helicopter. Source
How much vertical is included?
Black Ops Valdez lists unlimited skiing with 5 hrs of flight time in its 7 night lodge package and says runs range from 2,500 to 6,000 vertical feet. Source
Alaska Backcountry Guides sells by helicopter hour: 4 Hobbs hours in the semi-private week and 10 in the private helicopter week, with Week 1 of its 2027 dates sold as Unlimited Vertical. Source
What if weather stops flying or you ski less?
Alaska Backcountry Guides says it will not offer refunds under any circumstance other than those it lists. It puts the average at about 3.5 heliski days per week. Source
Black Ops Valdez does not publish this on the pages read.
Who guides?
Black Ops Valdez employs guides who all hold US Avalanche II or III or Canadian Level II certifications and medical certifications such as WFR, OEC, WEMT or EMT and names one certified AMGA Ski Guide. Source
Alaska Backcountry Guides names AMGA and IFMGA certified guides on its team, including an AMGA Certified Ski Guide with a Heli Ski US Level 3 credential and an IFMGA Certified Mountain Guide. Source
What safety programme and gear?
Black Ops Valdez: Outfits and trains each guest to use a transceiver, a pack with probe and shovel and a harness, adds an avalanche safety briefing and a helicopter, snowcat or snowmobile safety briefing and keeps constant radio contact with the guide. Source
Alaska Backcountry Guides includes the use of an airbag pack, transceiver, shovel, probe and harness in its packages. Source
Where do you stay?
Black Ops Valdez houses guests at its own Robe Lake Lodge, a log lodge built in 2008 with 2 double rooms and 4 single rooms, a hot tub, sauna, high speed internet and satellite TV. Source
Alaska Backcountry Guides houses guests at the Chugach Naswik Suites in Valdez, in single-room or 2-bedroom condos with a private bedroom and bathroom for each guest. Source
When is the season?
Black Ops Valdez runs weekly programmes in the 2027 season from 21 February to 2 May and in the 2028 season from 20 February to 30 April. Source
Alaska Backcountry Guides runs ten weekly slots in its 2027 season, from 21 February to 1 May. Source
How long are the trips?
Black Ops Valdez's packages include a single day, an individual 7 night lodge package and a private 7 night package. Source
Alaska Backcountry Guides' packages are 7-night weeks, either semi-private or with a private helicopter, with 7 possible fly days. Source
What does a trip cost?
Black Ops Valdez and Alaska Backcountry Guides publish prices for different packages. Neither publishes a price for the same package as the other on the pages read, so this page sets no price against another. Each card gives the operator's own dated price.
What does the price include?
Black Ops Valdez includes safety gear with free BCA airbags and complimentary transport once guests are in Valdez and charges US$45 (no season given) a day for ski or snowboard rental. Source
Alaska Backcountry Guides' price includes 7 nights of lodging, all meals, personal safety equipment, professional guides, ground transport in and around Valdez and demo skis. Extra helicopter time, a charter flight from Anchorage, Global Rescue cover and a 3.5% credit card fee are extra. Source
What do solo skiers pay?
Black Ops Valdez does not guarantee a single room but does not make guests share with anyone outside their immediate party. Source
Alaska Backcountry Guides does not publish this on the pages read.
How much is the deposit?
Black Ops Valdez takes a 50% non-refundable deposit at reservation before 1 January of the season booked, with payment in full at reservation after that date and the final balance due no later than 1 January of the season booked. Source
Alaska Backcountry Guides does not publish this on the pages read.
What happens if you cancel?
Black Ops Valdez gives no refunds for cancellation for any reason and issues a 100% credit toward a future trip within two years if government travel restrictions prevent travel to Valdez. Source
Alaska Backcountry Guides does not publish this on the pages read.
What insurance do you need?
Black Ops Valdez does not require trip or travel insurance but highly recommends it to cover unforeseen events. Source
Alaska Backcountry Guides: Highly recommends travel insurance and recommends that guests enrol with Global Rescue for evacuation protection. Source
What level do you need?
Black Ops Valdez recommends being a strong or advanced intermediate skier or rider with experience in variable snow conditions. Source
Alaska Backcountry Guides asks for strong intermediates up to experts and extreme skiers and riders. At minimum it wants guests comfortable riding powder at the resort and black diamond terrain. Source
When is each not the fit?
The limits below are published by each operator on their own websites.
- Black Ops Valdez: not the fit if you have never skied powder before. Source
- Alaska Backcountry Guides: not the fit if you are not comfortable riding powder at the resort and black diamond terrain. Source
How do their reviews compare?
Their figures per platform, read 10 November 2026, from listings under the operator's own name; a whole-company listing is marked. Figures are never added together.
- Black Ops Valdez: Google: 4.4 out of 5 from 35 reviews. Read 10 November 2026.
- Alaska Backcountry Guides: Google: 5.0 out of 5 from 31 reviews. Read 10 November 2026.
The operators at a glance
One card each, as on every Uncompromised Travel heli-skiing page: what each sells, why to choose each, what to ask for and the limits each publishes.
Black Ops Valdez
- Best for
- Alaska heli, cat and yacht skiing
- What it sells
- Runs heli-skiing from the Keystone Heli base at the foot of Thompson Pass and from Robe Lake Lodge in Valdez, Alaska and also offers snowcat and sled skiing.
- Why choose them
- Covers over 2,500 square miles of glaciated mountain terrain in the Chugach Mountains around Valdez. Google: 4.4 out of 5 from 35 reviews. Read 10 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for the Individual 7 Day Heli Ski at Robe Lake Lodge, or the Private 7 Day Heli Ski for up to 8 people.
- Not the fit if
- you have never skied powder: it says this may not be for you and it recommends being a strong or advanced intermediate skier or rider.
- Published price
- $1,600 per person for an Individual Single Day Heli Ski, 2027 season, with a 1 hr flight and safety gear included; lodging and meals are not included. Read 10 November 2026.
- Enquiry
- blackopsvaldez.com/contact
Alaska Backcountry Guides
- Best for
- Four-guest groups in Valdez, Alaska
- What it sells
- Runs heli-skiing and heli-snowboarding in the Chugach Mountains around Valdez, Alaska, with guests staying at the Chugach Naswik Suites for 7-night weeks in the 2027 season (21 February to 1 May).
- Why choose them
- Runs small groups of no more than 4 guests, with at most 2 groups per A-Star helicopter. Google: 5.0 out of 5 from 31 reviews. Read 10 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for the signature semi-private week with 4 helicopter flight hours, or the Private Helicopter week for up to 7 guests.
- Not the fit if
- you are below strong intermediate level, as guests should at minimum feel comfortable riding powder at the resort and black diamond terrain.
- Published price
- USD 12,999 per person, 7 nights, 2027 season, with 4 helicopter flight hours (Hobbs), lodging, all meals, guides, safety equipment and ground transport in Valdez included. Read 10 November 2026.
Black Ops Valdez vs Alaska Backcountry Guides: the questions people ask
How many skiers share a guide with Black Ops Valdez and Alaska Backcountry Guides?
Black Ops Valdez takes a maximum of 16 clients at any one time, with a 4:1 client to guide ratio. Alaska Backcountry Guides skis in small groups of no more than 4 guests, with at most 2 groups per A-Star helicopter.
How much vertical is included with Black Ops Valdez and Alaska Backcountry Guides?
Black Ops Valdez lists unlimited skiing with 5 hrs of flight time in its 7 night lodge package and says runs range from 2,500 to 6,000 vertical feet. Alaska Backcountry Guides sells by helicopter hour: 4 Hobbs hours in the semi-private week and 10 in the private helicopter week, with Week 1 of its 2027 dates sold as Unlimited Vertical.
Do Black Ops Valdez and Alaska Backcountry Guides refund unused vertical or weather days?
Alaska Backcountry Guides says it will not offer refunds under any circumstance other than those it lists. It puts the average at about 3.5 heliski days per week. Black Ops Valdez does not publish this on the pages read.
What does the price include with Black Ops Valdez and Alaska Backcountry Guides?
Black Ops Valdez includes safety gear with free BCA airbags and complimentary transport once guests are in Valdez and charges US$45 (no season given) a day for ski or snowboard rental. Alaska Backcountry Guides' price includes 7 nights of lodging, all meals, personal safety equipment, professional guides, ground transport in and around Valdez and demo skis. Extra helicopter time, a charter flight from Anchorage, Global Rescue cover and a 3.5% credit card fee are extra.
What is the cancellation policy with Black Ops Valdez and Alaska Backcountry Guides?
Black Ops Valdez gives no refunds for cancellation for any reason and issues a 100% credit toward a future trip within two years if government travel restrictions prevent travel to Valdez. Alaska Backcountry Guides does not publish this on the pages read.
How much is the deposit with Black Ops Valdez and Alaska Backcountry Guides?
Black Ops Valdez takes a 50% non-refundable deposit at reservation before 1 January of the season booked, with payment in full at reservation after that date and the final balance due no later than 1 January of the season booked. Alaska Backcountry Guides does not publish this on the pages read.
What level do you need for Black Ops Valdez and Alaska Backcountry Guides?
Black Ops Valdez recommends being a strong or advanced intermediate skier or rider with experience in variable snow conditions. Alaska Backcountry Guides asks for strong intermediates up to experts and extreme skiers and riders. At minimum it wants guests comfortable riding powder at the resort and black diamond terrain.
Can I book directly?
Yes. Each card links the operator's own website; ask for a written quote that lists what the price includes and the cancellation terms.
Where can I check these facts myself?
Every line on this page links the page of the operator's own website it was read from, read 10 November 2026.
Is any company on this page paying to be here?
No. No company on this page is a partner of Uncompromised Travel; none paid to be on it.
Read next
Built to answer the question in the main heading. What is shown: what each operator published on its own website, read on 10 November 2026, with links to the pages read. Google and Trustpilot figures are shown where the listing carries the operator's own name, from the Uncompromised Travel heli-skiing operators table. Operators are set out in the order the question names them. No score and no verdict. No company on this page is a partner of Uncompromised Travel. How this site earns · How we work.