45 years of ruby
Some of the best skiing in the world, right in your backyard
Imagine a mountain range that fuels your soul makes you feel alive. With 15 peaks above 11,000 feet of elevation the jaw dropping Rubies are an off-the-beaten path gem offering more than 200,000 acres of skiable terrain. With wide open glaciated bowls, limber and white bark pines, aspen forests, there is terrain for everyone and our mission is to find the best skiing available for your trip. Something that sets Ruby apart from other places is how remote this place truly feels.There is no mountain ski town, there is no ski area, there are very few backcountry users. It is rare for our guests to see any other person during their time with us who is not associated with our operation. Ruby is a destination helicopter skiing operation and with 16 people maximum for each tour, the attention to detail, guest experience and private atmosphere while on the mountain or at the lodge is something we strive for.
incredible terrain for all abilities
Over 400 named runs
The Ruby Mountains are a high desert climate, which generally translates to very dry snow quality. Our best storms come from the Pacific Northwest and follow the northwest flow weather pattern. With average snowpack of 300 inches of snow each season, the Ruby Mountains offer endless terrain for skiers and boarders. Something that people mention that sticks with them during and after their time at Ruby is how quiet these mountains are. Guests truly escape the world and indulge in the beauty this range offers.
our guides
World-class guides for a world-class trip
We operate with a 4:1 guide to client ratio which allows for small groups and more attention to detail. All of our guides are required to have a Level 3/Pro 1 or 2 Avalanche certification from either the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE) or the American Avalanche Institute (AAI). These courses are the highest avalanche qualification taught in the United States. All of our guides have extensive medical training, with a Wilderness First Responder, EMT, or Outdoor Emergency Care required to guide at Ruby. Client care and group management are also very important to Ruby Guides.
Years with Ruby: 45
"I was working at Snowbird in the early 70's and would travel to Marin, CA in the off season. I-80 was a two lane road and always an adventure, a relief to make it to the next town. The Ruby Mountains were a stand out, and had to have some skiing. The exploring came in the mid 1970's and we are still exploring today. Seems like we are always learning something new. Some way to ski new terrain, or some way to make the experice better for our guests. The business continues to be a work in progress."
Years with Ruby: 18
"I met Joe through Snowbird Ski Resort. I had been mountaineering up on Mt. Rainier in Washington and really hit it off with the crew here. Probably one of my favorite parts of being here is working with this crew, that and how quiet it is in these mountains."
Years with Ruby: 12
"Back in 2000 I was standing on top of a peak in Northern Utah with a former guide Chuck Rose and he pointed West and started talking about the Ruby Mountains. I was then motivated to look up Joe and check out the Ruby Mountains for myself. After some great days ski touring and meeting the crew I was sold. Every year I come back, I feel inspired and lucky to share the experience with our guests."
Years with Ruby: Born into it
"This is home. The mountains, the staff, the guests, the food, the lodge, the snow, I have grown up in this business and love seeing returning guests and meeting first timers at Ruby each season. The business is built on the soul and passion of my two parents and I am glad to be apart of such a unique operation in such an incredible place."
Years with Ruby: 3
"Growing up in Tahoe, I had heard about the skiing in the Ruby Mountains. In the Falls, I spent a lot of time in Nevada and a good amount in the Rubies. Since then, I very much wanted to ski here. After meeting various people with connections to Ruby Mountain Heli Ski I got on board and couldn't be more excited."
Years with Ruby: 3
"For more than a decade, I’ve heard a buzz about Ruby Mt. Heli Ski. My backcountry skiing started in Nevada ranges, so I had a suspicion that Ruby could be special. My curiosity was satisfied when I visited. The terrain was incredible. The team was very professional in all regards and so energetic about the overall experience. It’s important for me to align with a place like this - where customer service is unified and genuine."
Years with Ruby: 3
"I was working in the Wasatch mountains for a couple years until I started hearing rumors about the Rubys. I came out and spent the weekend skiing early season powder with the Royers and got a sense of the years of experience in the unique and remote range just a couple hours to the west. I'm excited to have the opportunity to to be able share this place with others and ski some of the most spectacular terrain in the country. The high level of safety, service, and hospitality here at Ruby is very noticeable and very enjoyable to be a part of.In the off season I live in Park City, Utah and work with a Forest Service operated helicopter wildfire crew serving the Great Basin area. On any time off I am either paragliding, whitewater kayaking, biking, or climbing."
Years with Ruby: 3
Bailey spent the last 20+ years Kayaking on the Payette River during the Summer and Skiing around McCall, Idaho during the winter. After 16 years of raft guiding, he retired and decided to get a more real-ish job.
Combining the risk management skills and medical knowledge he learned from the river, he started working as a wildland firefighter working on a heli-tack crew in Garden Valley, Idaho. The last 5 Summers were spent responding to initial attack wildfires with a helicopter and working in the aviation segment of the Forest Service on incidents across the country. He still finds plenty of time to kayak between ski and fire season. Bailey previously guided 2 seasons in the Rubys and will be returning for 2021.
Years with Ruby: 3
"I was introduced to Joe at a guide training in LCC, Utah close to two decades ago. After getting to know Joe and more about Ruby Mtn Heli. I was very fortunate to be offered a guide position at Ruby Mtn. Heli..Coming from UT.... the powder addiction started early. Early 90's landed a job with the Alta ski patrol, still holding a spot on that roster today. 2005 made my way up to Valdez Alaska for a Heli guide position in the Chugach Mtns. Eventually moving to the Alaska range where I currently guide for Tordrillo Mtn Lodge.Now I spend my winter ski patrolling in UT. Ski guiding in Nevada and Alaska. Residing in UT with my wife Shauan and yellow lab Tread. We enjoy fly fishing, hiking, hunting, bicycling and of course skiing! Life is good......"
Years with Ruby: 1
"I was a competitive snowboarder, going to school in Utah and competing across the 42 latitude. I had driven by the Ruby’s countless times, gazing out the window at the relatively desolate range of white in the middle of the desert, longing for uninterrupted face shots. I learned over time that Ruby Mountain Heli set the standard for Heli ops and has one of the most competent guide crews in the industry. Having spent the past 7 season guiding and instructing Avy classes in Tahoe, I knew The Ruby’s and their crew was my next objective. I’m stoked to be working with the best!"
Years with Ruby: 1
"I learned to snowboard at Mount Baker at a young age and have been chasing good snow and fun lines ever since. I have spent time riding and guiding all over the country and am honored to spend some time in the Ruby Mountains because it is such a special range. I have dedicated my time to understanding snow science, pushing myself in the mountains, and finding the best snow for the day. I enjoy sharing my experience and passion for the mountains and snow with other powder aficionados. I am stoked to be a part of the Ruby Mountain Heli Guide Team because the team and operation are of the highest standards and these standards align with my values. "
Years with Ruby: 2
"The family element, wonderful surroundings, state-of-the-art facilities, and the incredible staff of dedicated team members attracted me to this locale from my post on the Snowbird Ski Patrol. I am continuously challenged to perform at the highest level as a guide and the Ruby Mountains will forever hold a special place in my soul.”
Years with Ruby: 2
“As a fly fishing guide in Montana and Alaska as well as a ski patroller at Utah’s Alta Ski Area, I have always sought unique, authentic operations to be my outdoor office. The skilled crew, amazing terrain, Great Basin location, and family atmosphere provide a special guest experience and it is a pleasure being a part of the Ruby team.”
Years with Ruby: 2
“I enjoy the mountains, winter and snow. The level of professionalism Ruby offers is unlike anything I have ever seen. I enjoy the business, the guests and the staff. Everyone feels like family here. In the summer I enjoy carpentry skills, fishing , hunting and spending time with my wife and our new little boy Nilo."
guaranteed to get out
No down days with our snowcat skiing option
Weather won’t get you down at Ruby. It will get you in the back of one of our Pisten Bully snowcats and to the top of our snowcat skiing terrain in Conrad Creek starting at 10,000 feet. The cats are based at the lodge, during heavy storms we can depart with guests out of the ski room door and head for the mountains. There is no need to “drink it blue” at Ruby. Ruby is the only lower 48 Helicopter US Association to offer snowcat skiing as a daily weather backup for our helicopter skiing guests. We often have lunch at our high alpine yurt during cat days which is located on a knife edge ridge on the top of Conrad Creek. The skiing in the cats offers a variety of open glades, tree skiing through white bark and limber pine trees and aspen tree skiing.
gear
The latest equipment included with your stay
All guests are provided access to some of the best powder skis and poles currently on the market, along with airbag backpacks from Scott, transceivers from Mammut, and all required avalanche equipment.
packages
Something for everyone.
single-day heli
- Breakfast and lunch
- Double occupancy lodging on arrival night
- Guide service
- 6 runs
- Optional arrival night dinner
three-day heli
- All your meals (arrival night dinner optional upgrade)
- Three nights lodging, double occupancy
- Guide service
- Ski rental
- 15-18 ski run guarantee
heli-assist touring
- Get a lift in and out of the Rubies
- Highly qualified guide service
- Potential for 4000+ feet of vert in a day
- Up to 4 people