photo: Jay BeyerValdez, Alaska

If you've seen a ski movie in the past 20 years, you've probably seen Alaska's Chugach Mountains. That's what you'll get at Valdez Heli-Ski Guides: ski-movie skiing—jagged peaks with sustained 38- to 45-degree pitches that run thousands of feet. Not surprisingly, you need to have your game dialed in before heading here. The outfit caters to expert skiers. It's not uncommon for guests to spend their entire winter training for their spring trip to Valdez Heli (they only operate for eight weeks in March and April). "We don't teach you how to ski," says owner and lead guide Scott Raynor. "It'd be like hitting Oahu's North Shore without knowing how to surf." Expect to go through a screening process before they let you in.

$7,831 for 36 runs and seven nights lodging; valdezheliskiguides.com