Sweetwater Heli Adventures (SHA) is set to significantly expand its heli-skiing terrain after signing a long-term, multi-year agreement to operate on Mount Grant, an 11,285-foot peak located within Nevada’s Hawthorne Army Depot. The agreement represents the first time the U.S. Department of Defense has authorized heli-skiing operations on an active military installation, creating a unique partnership and opening a vast new zone for future ski access.
The expansion represents a major milestone for SHA, which launched California’s first heli-skiing just earlier this year in January. Based in Bridgeport, California, the company currently offers guided heli-skiing adventures across more than 180,000 acres of terrain in the Sweetwater Mountains along the California-Nevada border.
Mount Grant rises prominently above Nevada’s Walker Lake and the surrounding high desert, reaching 11,285 feet. The mountain is part of the Wassuk Range and is known for its steep alpine terrain, dramatic relief, and expansive views across western Nevada. While much of the mountain has remained largely inaccessible to the public due to its location within the Hawthorne Army Depot, the new agreement will provide Sweetwater Heli Adventures with access to terrain that few skiers have ever experienced.
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The announcement comes less than a year after SHA launched what was already a groundbreaking operation for California skiers. The company became the first to offer commercial heli-skiing in the state, giving guests access to remote peaks and powder-filled bowls in the Sweetwater Mountains near Mammoth Lakes and Lake Tahoe.
- Related: The 7 States Where You Can Heli-Ski
Details are limited regarding the timeline for operational expansion, terrain boundaries, or when guests may begin skiing the new zone. However, the long-term nature of the agreement suggests SHA is positioning itself for continued growth as it establishes heli-skiing in a region traditionally known for ski resorts and backcountry touring rather than helicopter-accessed skiing.
The addition of Mount Grant for SHA signals that the company’s ambitions extend beyond simply bringing heli-skiing to California. Less than a year after launching operations, it is already expanding into new terrain, creating opportunities to access mountains that have remained off-limits to the public, and establishing itself as one of the most innovative new players in heli-skiing.
