The Sierra Nevadas, the closest mountains to San Francisco, are a several hour drive east. But if money is no object, hop a quick 20-minute f light to the RenofTahoe Airport and then a 30-minute ($800 per person) helicopter ride from the airport to the resorts. From there, $650 per person ($750 on Fridays and Saturdays) will get you helicopter rides all day up to the mountain peaks around Noble Canyon, Pinenut Range and private lands in Tahoe. Heli-drops are a perfect way to access pristine deep powder-you'll go through 30,000 vertical feet in a day and chances are there won't be many other skiers beat- ing you to the punch . To go on a heli-drop, you should be at least an interme- diate skierlsnowboarder. High Sierra Heli-skiing, 775-586-1190, www.high- sierrahelisk iing.com, and All Mountain Ski Pros, 888-SKI-2201, www.all- mountainskipros.com provide instruction and helicopter drop-off.
