The HDH Story
High Desert Heli was founded on a vision of access to the best snow and the most unique terrain in our region.
The High Desert of Central and Eastern Oregon is the stunning landscape where mountains touch the sky.
For over a decade, our team of local guides has been creating unforgettable experiences here.
We work in small groups. With a ratio of at least 1 Guide for every 4 guests. This is typical of most heli-skiing operations in North America. Something unique to High Desert Heli is our total group size for any given day is no more the 8 skiers and riders. This allows for a tailored pace, attention to detail, and quality time spent in the wild places we visit.
Our Guides are career professionals. Working in the mountains throughout the year. All carry a Level 3/Pro 2 Avalanche certification from an American Avalanche Association accredited provider. All have completed the AMGA Ski Guides Course and work within their scope of practice in our terrain. A detail unique to our operation. Finally, all of our guides maintain a standard medical training of Wilderness First Responder, Wilderness-EMT, or higher. .
The team at HDH is excited is excited to have you along. Let's rip it!
Adam Snyder
Owner / Guide
I began High Desert Heli with the dream of delivering world class skiing and snowboarding trips in the mountains of Oregon. Since moving from the great state of Pennsylvania in 2013, I have been fortunate enough to experience just how special this place is. Over my time here I have grown and evolved as a professional ski patroller with Mt. Bachelor, ski guide with Oregon Ski Guides, and mountain guide with the Timberline Mountain Guides. With HDH I hope to share my experience with others. I am excited and grateful for the exceptional team here at HDH and this opportunity to help write the next chapter in Oregon skiing.
Aaron Hartz
Lead Guide
Aaron was born and raised in Western Oregon and started skiing as a kid. After being introduced to backcountry skiing, he started climbing and skiing the Cascade Volcanoes to prolong the ski season. He has climbed and skied all of the major Cascade volcanoes from Mt. Baker to Mt. Lassen. Aaron is a certified Ski Guide and over a decades long forecaster for the Central Oregon Avalanche Center (COAC).
High Desert Heli is Currently an applicant for special use authorizations on the Umpqua, Willamette, Ochoco, and Wallowa Whitman National Forest