Heli-skiing: waiting for Godot

Ancient history:
For years greed fought with desire and finally, the desire won. A year ago, my two friends, my girlfriend and I bought a heli-ski package in Valdez. Of course, it had to be the single worst year since 1960's in Alaska. Snow absolutische nicht. So, we transferred the trip to this year.

Less ancient history:
Clearly, somebody upstairs still didn't want us to go. My girlfriend's broken collarbone refused to heal with a zeal worthy of a better cause. Then, one my friends came down with some infection or other and the guys bailed out. Somehow, I managed to persuade Misha to join me at the last moment. He just got back to NYC from Moscow on Wednesday night. We hang out on Thursday and he didn't even drink that much.... And voila, my powers of persuasion, he bought an airplane ticket to Anchorage on Friday morning, packed his stuff in an hour and met me at JFK. How easy it is to persuade people to do what they want!

Day 1.
1am: we land in Anchorage.
2:15am: we finally get a car from a gentleman whose spotless work ethic is surpassed only by his towering intelligence.
3am: snoring
10:30am: skiing Alyeska (welcome to Alaska schedule - the mountain works 10:30-5:30). 6" of fresh snow pleasantly cover hard crust and moguls. The views of glaciers and half-frozen sea add the charm. The North Face right under the tram starts at 45 deg. As promised, I train Misha how to ski heavy snow and steeps - good prep for next week.
5pm: back into the car - Val-disease (local nickname for Valdez) beckons.

Day 2.
1am: snoring in Valdez
8am: we arrive at Alaska Backcountry Adventures. A few 3'x4' brown wooden houses on wheels hang out in a small parking lot and a 6-person helicopter is growing roots next to them. The Chugach mountains nestle comfortably in the clouds and a light snow is drizzling - welcome to Alaska weather.
9am: We learn 101 ways to burn time when not heli-skiing. We fill out forms, dig out avalanche beacons, hang out with the folks, stretch, do tai-chi, meet our guide with an appropriate name Sunny, hang out with her. Accordingly to her name, Sunny shines but even her light can't break through Chugach clouds.
4pm: In the local slang, we don't pop. Instead, we go back to town. Just 30 miles away from the heavy fog of Thompson Pass, the pink snow on Chugach mountains dazzles in the evening light over Valdez. Too bad, our car can't fly.
9pm: snoring again and having wet dreams of heli-skiing.