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Wintertime will soon be upon us. Thus if you plan to take a Grand Canyon helicopter tour anytime soon, make sure you bundle up. For the most part, days are clear and crisp, but at times it can be downright cold. Of course, 'cold' is relative. Out here in Arizona and Nevada, we're talking comfortable daytime highs that hit the 60's. Sometimes it freezes at dawn, but it's more the exception than the rule. Although 60 degrees may sound warm for the winter, don't assume you'll stay nice and warm without the right clothing. If you plan to head out of Vegas for the South Rim, leave your shorts and sandals at your hotel. I've seen people arrive like that and all it's going to do is cut into the "enjoyablity" of your trip. Listen To The Weather Forecasts The best thing to do is listen to or read the weather forecast for the day of your tour so you know how to dress. Even though Grand Canyon helicopters offer complete climate control that will keep you toasty, you want to be dressed appropriately when you are out of the chopper, so be prepared. How prepared is dependent on the rim you visit. The West Rim, which is closest to Las Vegas, is warmer than the South Rim, which is furthest from Las Vegas (it sits at an average elevation of 7,000 feet and can be subject to snow). In addition to dressing to stay warm, you want to dress for comfort. You can follow my lead and dress in layers. That means a t-shirt, a sweater and a light or middleweight jacket depending on the rim I'm going to visit that day. I like to bring gloves too and you might want to bring sunglasses, a hat, and some lip balm. You can bring along a scarf too if you like. Chilly On The Ground Earlier I mentioned sandals. That might work for you in Las Vegas (barely), but you just might rue the day when you check in and make the trek to the helicopter that will fly you to the National Park. The real moment, however, comes when you land and exit the aircraft, which will be either the bottom or top of the West Rim. It is important to know that Grand Canyon helicopters that depart from Las Vegas do not fly to the South Rim. It is too far away. That doesn't have to stop you from going to the South Rim though because you can go by bus or plane. The bus ride there lasts 5 ? hours. The plane ride takes just 60 minutes. I think you can probably tell which option I'm going with (the airplane). You will enjoy climate control on airplanes too. You will be comfortable during your flight. It's when you deplane at Tusayan, home of Grand Canyon National Park Airport, that you suck it up and enter a climate that's nothing like Vegas'. And it's here where I recommend you consider packing a nice, tidy pair of pull-on ice cleats, as there could be ice at some of the major lookouts. Mather Point I visited Mather Point at the South Rim just last year. There was ice entering the lookout and actually on it. The National Park Service folks put salt on the ice and it works but for peace of mind, well, let me tell you, I was happy as a clam that I had my cleats with me. Cleats give such great traction, you'll walk as easily as if you were on the beach. Maybe that's not the best comparison, but you know what I mean! I hope I gave you some idea of what to expect when taking a helicopter tour to the Grand Canyon. Remember the West Rim and South Rim have much different weather. The former is cold and windier (bring a windbreaker) and the later is much cooler and there's always a possibility that there might be some snow on the ground. As for taking a heli, good decision. These aircraft are an excellent way to get up close and personal with the canyon, and I'm confident you'll feel as enthusiastic about them as I do after you are back on terra firma. Tips from the Author This writer is an expert on Grand Canyon trips. She recommends these air tour companies before clicking this link for the lowest rates on the very best flights: http://grandcanyoncheap.com/helicopter-deals.html
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