It's wintertime at Grand Canyon National Park. The temperatures have cooled down to the low 40s, there is occasional snow, and the air is crystal clear. The conditions are perfect for taking a helicopter tour over this amazing national landmark.
Where To Start Your Tour
There are two locations for taking a helicopter tour, and one of them is in Vegas, while the other is in Arizona. Helicopters that depart from Vegas fly to the West Rim and the choppers that depart from Tusayan fly to the South Rim of the Canyon. Just so you know, there are no flights between the two rims. Vegas travelers who want the South Rim are advised to take fly by airplane and then transfer to a helicopter.
Another thing to know is that the temperatures are colder at the South Rim. That's because the South Rim sits at an elevation of 6700 feet. The West Rim, on the other hand, has an elevation of only 4700 feet. Thus, from December to March, the South Rim's temps will range from 40 to 50 degrees during the day and 18 to 25 degrees at night. The West Rim has warmer daytime temperatures that reach into the 60s and 70s, but the nights are a little chilly with 40 degree temps.
It's not even unusual to see know at the Canyon in the winter. The snowstorms usually pass through the Canyon quickly, so it's rare that a tour will be canceled because of bad weather. The snow is mainly confined to the South Rim, but occasionally you'll see light snow at the West Rim too.
Refunds
In the rare event your helicopter tour is canceled because of bad weather, your tour operator should give you a 100 percent refund of your money. I can't vouch for tour consolidators as in many cases you will be booking a flight that is stripped of a refund policy because it's in the hands of a liquidators trying to fill seats as they become available. So, to be safe, buy your tour directly from the tour operator and avoid sites like Priceline, HotWire, and Expedia.
Another thing to think about is what you will wear on your tour. It's best to dress in layers. Start with a base layer. This might be a t-shirt or a polyester shirt that wicks moisture and keeps you warm. These tops are easy to find and inexpensive. Top your shirt with a sweater and then a parka or other jacket. Accessories you'll need include gloves, wool socks, long pants, and sturdy shoes.
If you plan to land at the Canyon, you definitely want to dress for the weather. The only place you can take a landing tour is from Vegas to the West Rim, since the helicopters at the South Rim can't land at the Canyon. When you take a landing tour, you can add on tickets to the Skywalk, enjoy a Champagne picnic, or take a boat ride on the Colorado River. Landing tours are very popular, so you want to book your seats in advance.
Book Soon
So when should you book your tour? Well, during the winter, there are fewer helicopters in operation, and each chopper only holds six passengers, so to be safe, try to get your seats at least a week ahead of time. Don't forget to buy your seats from the tour operator over the Internet. The lowest rate available is the Internet rate, but you only qualify if you complete your purchase online, if you buy in person or over the phone, you'll have to pay more for your tour.
Where To Start Your Tour
There are two locations for taking a helicopter tour, and one of them is in Vegas, while the other is in Arizona. Helicopters that depart from Vegas fly to the West Rim and the choppers that depart from Tusayan fly to the South Rim of the Canyon. Just so you know, there are no flights between the two rims. Vegas travelers who want the South Rim are advised to take fly by airplane and then transfer to a helicopter.
Another thing to know is that the temperatures are colder at the South Rim. That's because the South Rim sits at an elevation of 6700 feet. The West Rim, on the other hand, has an elevation of only 4700 feet. Thus, from December to March, the South Rim's temps will range from 40 to 50 degrees during the day and 18 to 25 degrees at night. The West Rim has warmer daytime temperatures that reach into the 60s and 70s, but the nights are a little chilly with 40 degree temps.
It's not even unusual to see know at the Canyon in the winter. The snowstorms usually pass through the Canyon quickly, so it's rare that a tour will be canceled because of bad weather. The snow is mainly confined to the South Rim, but occasionally you'll see light snow at the West Rim too.
Refunds
In the rare event your helicopter tour is canceled because of bad weather, your tour operator should give you a 100 percent refund of your money. I can't vouch for tour consolidators as in many cases you will be booking a flight that is stripped of a refund policy because it's in the hands of a liquidators trying to fill seats as they become available. So, to be safe, buy your tour directly from the tour operator and avoid sites like Priceline, HotWire, and Expedia.
Another thing to think about is what you will wear on your tour. It's best to dress in layers. Start with a base layer. This might be a t-shirt or a polyester shirt that wicks moisture and keeps you warm. These tops are easy to find and inexpensive. Top your shirt with a sweater and then a parka or other jacket. Accessories you'll need include gloves, wool socks, long pants, and sturdy shoes.
If you plan to land at the Canyon, you definitely want to dress for the weather. The only place you can take a landing tour is from Vegas to the West Rim, since the helicopters at the South Rim can't land at the Canyon. When you take a landing tour, you can add on tickets to the Skywalk, enjoy a Champagne picnic, or take a boat ride on the Colorado River. Landing tours are very popular, so you want to book your seats in advance.
Book Soon
So when should you book your tour? Well, during the winter, there are fewer helicopters in operation, and each chopper only holds six passengers, so to be safe, try to get your seats at least a week ahead of time. Don't forget to buy your seats from the tour operator over the Internet. The lowest rate available is the Internet rate, but you only qualify if you complete your purchase online, if you buy in person or over the phone, you'll have to pay more for your tour.
About the Author:
Grand Canyon National Park authority Kate Reingold recommends these hot Canyon helicopters. She also recommends going here for discounts that make these flights more affordable: http://www.grandcanyonhelicopter.org/grand-canyon-helicopter-tour-coupons.html
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