What is heli-hiking
CMH didn’t just invent heli-hiking – we perfected it. Every CMH trip promises amazing mountain adventures and alpine hospitality to match.
How does heli-hiking work?
Our heli-accessed hiking program takes guests and our professional guides directly into the high country with endless alpine vistas extending to the horizon.
From there, your guide will lead you along ridgelines, through alpine meadows, and to stunning viewpoints.
Matched to group dynamic, our adventures are led by guides with a wealth of knowledge about Canadian mountain flora, fauna, geology and history—as well as stories to share from lifetimes lived in the mountains.
Something for everyone
With groups of up to 11 guests and 2 guides in a Bell 212 helicopter, each day is tailored to all levels of desires, experience, level of fitness and agility. We split the groups as necessary so everyone can stay within their comfort level.
We want you to see everything you want to see, at the pace you enjoy exploring. Our guides meet every morning and evening to create a plan for each guest. Here’s how we typically create hiking groups:
Wander
Wanderers want to see beautiful terrain in a very relaxed manner. They prefer to meander slowly and enjoy the scenery with shorter walks over easy ground. Long, relaxed breaks along the way offer opportunities to reflect, slow down, and take in the stunning vistas.
Pace: Slow with extended breaks
Terrain: Easy ground
Distance: Short distance
Elevation: Minimal gain and loss
Roam
Roamers are seeking a full day of hiking, but at a more relaxed pace. They will experience simpler but stunning terrain with minor amounts of elevation gain and loss. Longer breaks along the way allow for plenty of photo opportunities and time to pause.
Pace: Slow with regular breaks
Terrain: Easy and moderate
Distance: Moderate distance
Elevation: Minimal gain and loss
Explore
Explorers want to be somewhat challenged on their trip, hiking full days in varied terrain. They can maintain a steady, moderate pace over reasonable distances. They can maintain a steady, moderate pace over reasonable distances, and likely already exercise multiple times per week.
Pace: Moderate with regular breaks
Terrain: Varied terrain
Distance: Moderate distance
Elevation: Moderate gain and loss
Adventure
Adventurers enjoy strenuous, fast-paced activities. They are already very physically active and want to hike full days, covering a lot of ground on their trip. This group will typically navigate more challenging terrain with lots of elevation gain and loss, stopping for shorter breaks along the way.
Pace: Fast pace with short breaks
Terrain: Varied terrain
Distance: Long distance
Elevation: High gain and loss
FEELS A BITLIKE CHEATING
On a typical "multi-drop day" you'll hike from point A to an awaiting helicopter at point B, then repeat again, depending on the group's preferences. It all feels a bit like cheating - until you've hiked for hours, logging several thousand vertical feet.
Heli-hiking FAQs
While even the fittest alpine athletes will find challenge in our terrain, our guides are experts at matching group objectives to fitness levels and preferred pace. Whether you aim to log long distances and vertical gain or focus on a slower appreciation of the alpine—we match the pace and objective to your preference.
No problem. There is a lot of flexibility to change groups during your trip if your first day wasn’t what you expected. Chat with your guide if you’d like to adjust anything.
Our guides are constantly checking in with our guests to make sure they are comfortable and will make the necessary arrangements to fly them back to the lodge at the earliest opportunity. There are plenty of things to do back at the lodge; rejuvenating muscles with a massage, soaking up the scenery from the hot tub, relaxing on the deck with a good book or even a dip in the nearby pond.
At CMH, the heli will be a daily part of your experience. In the morning, the helicopter will lift your group and your guide to an alpine starting point from which you’ll hike. It might later transfer you into new terrain or move you into the best weather, then return you to the lodge at the end of the day.
