MASSIVE VALDEZ, ALASKA, PHOTO GALLERY
Shots From Valdez of Chris Benchetler and Atomic/Valdez Heli Camps Giveaway Contest
Words and Photos: John Stifter
It felt wrong boarding the plane to leave Valdez on a blue sunny day. Kinda like calling in sick to work or skipping school for a powder day. But after quick reflection, it didn't matter that we left when it was another cloudless Chamber of Commerce day.
Due to four straight days of uninterrupted sun with little to no wind and stable snowpack conditions, we burned through our heli time in three days. The "Super Sweet AK Experience" Atomic Contest Giveaway winner Chris Hendrickson and his brother Tim are proof that the "luckiest man in the world" phrase does actually exist in real life. The two winners skied hard for three straight days with Atomic pro Chris Benchetler courtesy of Valdez Heli Camps and walked away un-fatigued from the adrenaline high.
Their lives, as well as Benchetler's, will never be the same after shredding dreamy Alaska descents in dreamy Alaska conditions. They hope to return someday, but while boarding that plane on that sunny day, they also realized they're already beyond content. Dreams come true, indeed!
