Costco Wholesale Joins Forces with Alaska Heli Skiing Operator Valdez Heli-Camps to Provide Breaks for Cost-Conscious Ski and Snowboard Devotees

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Jan 10, 2011, 03:41 ET

VALDEZ, Alaska, Jan. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Skiers and snowboarders ready to enter the elite league of big mountain Alaska heli skiing have a unique opportunity through Costco Wholesale and Valdez Heli-Camps. Costco has formed a strategic alliance with Valdez Heli-Camps (VHC) creating a gateway for admission to world-famous heli skiing slopes surrounding Valdez, Alaska through its Costco.com web portal.

Jay Nierstheimer of Costco.com said, "After buyer introductions at a Seattle market event, Matt [Matt White of Valdez Heli-Camps] was inspired to produce some unique and exciting options for our membership that fit well within our mission of providing high-quality products at low cost to our members through our online outlet and tickets and gifts program."

While rates continue to soar well over $1000 per day at heli ski operations throughout North America, qualified skiers and snowboarders formerly deterred by the high price of the sport now have opportunities with Valdez Heli-Camps through Costco.com. The introductory package offers three (3) nights lodging, airport transfers, local transportation, and 25,000 vertical feet of heli skiing for just $999. A second package modestly priced at $1,999 (taxes included) upgrades guests to five (5) nights of lodging and 50,000 vertical feet.

Valdez, Alaska is world-renowned for the hair-raising descents first seen in the World Extreme Skiing Competition during the early 90's and has become a rite of passage for ski and snowboard professionals and enthusiasts alike. "Last year the Costco program was a huge success. We saw many guests enjoy these trips that thought Alaska heli skiing was a dream out of reach," says White.

Brad Harmon of California said, "Life-Long Goal Accomplished!!! This is truly a trip of a lifetime. There are two 'Cons' however: One, you will never want to use a ski lift to get up a mountain again. Two, you will most likely become addicted to heli skiing and end up chasing the high over and over again."

White continued, "We're really fortunate that Costco found and encouraged us to provide opportunities to snow riders who likely may not have considered heli skiing in Alaska an option at all. It's a great feeling knowing we can still make heli skiing dreams come true in an economic climate almost as challenging as our Alaskan big mountain skiing terrain."

Founded by Matt White, Valdez Heli-Camps has provided adventure skiing and snowboarding packages by helicopter and snowcat in Alaska's Chugach Mountains since 1995.

Costco is headquartered in Issaquah, Washington. Costco has 572 locations in 8 countries including the United States, Australia, Canada, Mexico, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, and the United Kingdom. Online, Costco.com attracted at least 58 million visitors in 2008.

PHOTO IMAGES: http://valdezhelicamps.com/hi-res-press-img/index.html

PRODUCT LINK: http://www.costco.com/Common/Search.aspx?whse=BC&topnav=&search=heliskiing&N=0&Ntt=heliskiing&cm_re=1_en-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&lang=en-US