| It's Jen Murphy, Bloomberg Pursuits' sporty field reporter covering all things adventure. (Hello from Madagascar!) Last week, I was in Boulder, Colorado, for the world premiere of Warren Miller's latest film, 75. Watching scenes of athletes like snowboarder Jeremy Jones and free-skier Lexi DuPont dancing with gravity on snowy peaks around the globe, from Finland to Japan, got me stoked for winter. Let me be clear, at the age of 44, I have no ambitions of a cameo in the next Miller film. But I do like to challenge myself on my snowboard. And I'll let you in on a little secret: There's more to backcountry terrain than the cliff faces and couloirs spotlighted in the media. You owe it to yourself to try heli-skiing at least once. Being immersed in the wilderness, surrounded by snowy peaks and fluffy snow—not a chair lift in sight—is fully worth the investment. And now's the time to book.  No, this is not me. It's Max Hitzig in 75. Photographer: Moritz Ablinger A few seasons ago, I received a dream assignment to go heli-skiing in Alaska's Chugach Mountains with Valdez Heli Ski Guides, a storied operation located in what many consider the birthplace of the Alaskan free-skiing scene. I'll admit, I was more than intimidated. To prepare, I signed up for a four-day Steep and Deep Camp at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in Wyoming to hone my skills on technical terrain. I also hired a personal trainer to ensure my core and legs would be strong enough to withstand up to 30,000 vertical feet in a day. (For you non-skiers out there, that's like zipping down to sea level from the peak of Mount Everest.)  Another great assignment: I got the exclusive scoop on Shaun White's plans to give snowboarding the Formula One treatment. Photographer: Michael Dawson I arrived to discover that while there are many gravity-defying faces in the Chugach, there are also plenty of gentle glacier runs and playful powder bowls. You don't jump out of the chopper, despite what you've seen in James Bond movies, or in Warren Miller's films, for that matter. The pilot carefully lands the helicopter—sometimes on a knife-thin ridge, other times on a roomy mountaintop—so there's no leap of faith required. Heli-skiing can be as extreme as you want it to be.  Don't have time for a clinic? The newest skis this season can also almost instantly improve technique. Photographer: Syo Van Vliet I also arrived to discover heli-skiing is very male-heavy; I was the only female client out of around 20-some guests. Valdez paired me with two badass female guides, Kirsten Kremer and Brooke Edwards, who told me to ignore the men who were bragging about their big mountain accomplishments and to focus on having fun. (To my surprise, many of those male egos didn't have strong enough legs to handle three laps in the heli!) This season Valdez is making it even more welcoming, debuting a weeklong women's introduction to heli-skiing package led by Kremer and Edwards (March 2025; $15,000) that promises to provide a coaching environment designed to build a progression.  Meanwhile, as the ritzy Deer Valley Ski Resort doubles in size, one hotel aims to democratize access. Photographer: Ryan Tishken More operations are swapping their experts-only adage for experiences that help solid skiers progress. The Lodge at Blue Sky in Utah offers intermediate heli-skiing and -snowboarding (from $25,000 for up to eight people) in the Wasatch Range. The package is geared toward anyone who can confidently navigate a blue or double blue at the resort. In Canada, Bella Coola Heli Sports runs small group vertical programs for strong intermediates new to heli-skiing (5 days from $7,075 per person), and CMH Heli has designed powder intro trips that take guests new to heli to low-stress terrain (7 days from $11,292 per person).  Who knows, maybe you could one day compete in Natural Selection, Travis Rice's growing sports league which is betting big on thrilling viral videos. Photographer: Daniel Stewart//Natural Selection Finally, US Ski Hall of Famer Mike Hattrup recently joined the luxury experience brand Eleven to develop skier progression programs that start on long, rolly-polly runs and work up to short steeps at its alpine properties, including their new heli-lodge in Revelstoke, British Columbia (from $36,547 for three people for 3 nights, room included), which I intend to visit this March. I'll let you know how it goes. Until then, here's some more inspiration from some of my most memorable, off-the-beaten-path adventures over the years I've written for Bloomberg and elsewhere. Skiing's Final Frontier Is in a Vast Sound in Alaska, Accessible Only by Boat
One of my all-time favorite snowboard adventures wasn't in a helicopter—it was on a boat exploring the virgin slopes around Prince William Sound. The Latest Way to Ski in Powder? Snowcat Skiing
If you haven't ridden in a snowcat, you're missing out. You can blast music and sip hot cocoa as the cat drives you to untracked powder. How Two Skis Chalets Are Redefining Luxury Travel in Alaska
Snowboarding beneath the peak of Denali will forever top my list of epic winter adventures. At Its Soul, Aspen Is Still a Throwback Mountain Town … If You Know Where to Look
I always tell people, when you look past the glitz, you'll discover Aspen offers some wild winter escapades, from cat skiing to uphill full-moon dinners. At This New Arctic Adventure Base, You Can Ski Under the Midnight Sun
The wine cellar and sensational food at this remote ski lodge are worth the trip alone.  Not your typical slope-side amenity: pod of porpoises pass the backcountry Sea and Sky boat trip in Alaska. Photographer: Nick D'Alessio I love the off-grid feeling of being deep in the backcountry. But I also love a perfectly groomed slope and a great après ski bar. When I ski in-bounds, these are my top resort choices. Five Ski Destinations That Are Cheaper than Classics—and Just as Posh
One of the easiest ways to escape the crowds (and save a few dollars) is to explore lesser-known resorts. Montana's Big Sky Ski Resort Finally Gets Its Moment in the Sun
One & Only Moonlight Basin won't be ready for ski season, but its restaurant and bar will be open for dining and après Thursday through Sunday. And there's runs to challenge anyone from the beginner to the thrill seeker. The Secret to Your Next Great Ski Vacation Might Be … Club Med
My editor, Nikki Ekstein, convinced me that Club Med isn't only for beach vacations. The all-inclusive brand's ski properties offer some of the best value out there. These Three Independent Resorts Are Bucking the Big Ski Giants
In an age of ski conglomerates, there are miraculously still some awesome indie mountains to shred. Skiers Head North to Snow-Sure Scandinavia as the Alps Heat Up
Speaking of lesser-known, have you considered Stöten resort? Its location in the Nordics makes it a safe bet for snow. | 
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