There’s no ski thrill quite like heliskiing—being dropped on a pristine ridge with untouched powder, no crowds, and only the sound of the mountains around you. In this episode of Where to Ski, we dive into the exhilarating world of backcountry skiing in two legendary destinations: the Chugach Mountains in Alaska and the San Juan Mountains in Colorado.

Join host John Morgan as he chats with two of the most experienced heliskiing guides in the industry: Jed Workman, head guide at Valdez Heli-Ski Guides, and Matt Steen, program director and lead guide at Telluride Helitrax. They share insider tips on:
🏔️ What makes these mountains the ultimate heliskiing playground
📆 The best time of year to go
🎿 Choosing the right skis and terrain for your ability
⚠️ Safety, avalanche awareness & expert guidance
🔥 Their most unforgettable ski runs

Whether you're an expert skier chasing the deepest powder or an intermediate looking to take your skiing to the next level, this episode is packed with insights to help you plan the heliskiing adventure of a lifetime.

Hit play now and get ready to send it! 🎧⛷️

Steamboat Springs, famously known as Ski Town USA, is home to legendary skiers like Buddy Werner and Deb Armstrong and boasts the best Champagne Powder skiing in the world. With 184 trails, 23 lifts, and 3,741 acres of terrain, Steamboat offers something for every skier, from groomers to the new Mahogany Ridge glades.

Rooted in its cowboy heritage, Steamboat blends world-class skiing with authentic Western charm—think ranches, rodeos, and winter events like the Cowboy Downhill and Ski Joring down Main Street.

In this episode, we chat with Corey Peterson, a 21-year Steamboat veteran who knows every secret stash on the mountain. From powder days to teaching his kids to ski, Corey shares insider tips that will make your Steamboat experience unforgettable.

Tune in and discover why Steamboat is a must-visit ski destination! ⛷️

Discover the adrenaline-pumping world of the Inferno Ski Race, the planet’s oldest, longest, largest, and arguably most grueling downhill skiing event. Starting from the breathtaking Schilthorn peak (9,744 ft) and descending over 6,500 feet of vertical across 14.9 kilometers, this epic race takes skiers from Mürren to Lauterbrunnen through some of Switzerland’s most stunning alpine landscapes in the Bernese Oberland.

In this episode of Where to Ski, host John Morgan dives into the Inferno’s unique blend of competitive edge and celebratory skier culture with two extraordinary guests: Swiss Olympic gold medalist Ryan Regez and Utah-based ski videographer Tim Jones. Both share their firsthand experiences of this legendary event and its rich heritage.

Whether you're a ski enthusiast, a thrill-seeker, or someone captivated by alpine beauty and culture, this episode offers an unmissable glimpse into one of skiing's most iconic races.

Tune in now to get inspired by the spirit of the Inferno!

The newest hot spot for skiing is Norway. This episode takes us to Narvik Norway, 1500KM north of Oslo just north of the Arctic Circle. Located on the Rombaken fjord, it is stunning. The skiing is solid enough to be chosen for the Alpine World Championships in 2029.

My guest is Norway’s Jean-Peter Østbye. An alumna of the Utah ski team, the Norwegian national team, and the Pro ski circuits. J.P. spent years traveling, racing, coaching and more recently teaching. Now he enjoys outdoor life in Norway, living near Olso.

In this bonus episode we’ve brought back one of our favorite guests Joel Gratz, Founder and CEO of OpenSnow to do a quick check in on the winter of 2024 and what it may hold for us skiers.

This is a special and fun bonus episode. We caught up with River Radamus in Beaver Creek, Colorado during the Birds of Prey World Cup races where he just skied to 8th in the Super G.

River is in his 6th season on the World Cup with 95 starts and one podium, he has a Gold in the Team Parallel in the 2023 World Championship, and a ton of Junior Championship wins.

Arriving in the Banff National Park means you’ve hit Canadas most beautiful mountains and best skiing. The ski areas of Lake Louise, Sunshine Village and Norquay have some of the most varied and expansive skiing in the world. Our guest, Ken Read, knows skiing and knows his mountains.

Banff is kind of the center of the action here – it’s a small town about 100 km. or just over an hour due west of Calgary. Keep driving and the first area you come to is Norquay (sort of the town hill of Banff) then comes Sunshine Village – a snow haven, and then you finally come to the final jewel – the town of Lake Louise with its own renown ski resort.

My guest today was one of the Crazy Canuks back in the 1980s and won some serious speed events like Kitzbuehel. Ken Read’s love and passion for the sport and for all sports Canadian has led him to serve in multiple positions to help advance skiing and sports in general. After his professional ski career, he served as the chair of the Canadian Olympic Association Athletes Council, as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Athletes' Commission, the FIS Alpine Committee Executive Board where among other things he re-organized youth development programs.

Eagle Valley - Vail

Perhaps the best known of American ski resorts, Vail is about 100 miles due west of Denver. Envisioned by Pete Siebert of the 10th Mountain Division, the mountain opened in December 1962. Today there is some of the best skiing on the planet on over 5,317 acres served by 32 lifts and 278 trails.

My guest today is a legend – literally - we are pleased to have Chris Anthony join us. His love and passion for the sport is real and he skis 5-6 days a week on this hill. Aside from working at Vail Mountain for 38 years, in 2018, Chris was inducted into the Colorado Snowsports Hall of Fame and has since been inducted into the United States Army 10th Mt. Div Warrior Legend Hall of Fame.

My Favs

Best Runs - This is a hard call and really depends on the weather and grooming - Prima, Riva and Northstar on the front. Siberia Bowl on the back

Restaurants - Pepis in Vail Village for the Austria flavor and fun. The Minturn Saloon in Minturn for the Margs and Mexican

Find Chris