A second Queenstown heliski company may be involved with Gulmarg Heliski's first year of operations in Kashmir, India.
On October 14, Tim O'Leary, operations manager at Queenstown's Alpine Heliski, announced members of his Queenstown guiding team would be guides for Gulmarg Heliski's first winter season.
Co-director of Gulmarg Heliski Martin Jones has announced Jason Laing, a pilot at Queenstown's Heliworks, is set to be contracted as a pilot for the project's first winter.
Mr Laing is an experienced helicopter pilot with more than 4100 hours in the air.
"Things are still in the early stages at the moment. It's not concrete," Mr Laing said.
Mr Jones said Mr Laing had been chosen to pilot the French B3 Squirrel helicopter for the first two months of operations next January and February.
"We chose Jason because he's an experienced pilot and he knows how to operate safely with multiple groups."
The B3 Squirrel was chosen for its ability to operate at high altitudes while carrying six passengers and their ski gear.
Mr Laing has been flying the same model of helicopter in Queenstown this past winter.
"What we are trying to do is mirror the heliski operations in Queenstown," said Mr Jones.
Depending on the success of the first season, a second helicopter would be added to operations in 2012.
Eight instructors from the New Zealand Ski Club have also been involved with Mr Jones' operations in Kashmir.
A total of 120 Kashmiri young people aged between 6 and 19 were taught to ski during two months last year and the programme will continue this winter.
Mr Jones said the instructing increased community involvement and gave young Kashmiri farmers an alternative career.
"A lot of the kids are now hoping to be guides and instructors."
He said Gulmarg Heliski had had "huge interest" from European markets.
A single flight to 4500m will cost 300 ($NZ557) and each additional flight on "Freeride days" will cost 75.
Complete packages, including accommodation and unlimited flights, will cost 7000.
