Trail Running

A group of people with a helicopter above and mountains in the background

Alpine Trail Running

Remote landscapes

Guided alpine trail running at its peak

Astounding landscapes, no crowds and some of the best trails anywhere. CMH Bugaboos features the most enviable alpine trail running trips in the world. Offering flexibility for a variety of abilities, each 3-day trip is filled with adventure, accomplishment and exceptional post-run relaxation. With daily heli-accessed trail running excursions led by professional guides, you’ve never experienced a runner’s high quite like this. We recently held a live event about our specialty summer experiences.

Trip Dates:

4 day trip
July & August 2022 at Bugaboos

Dates & Prices

Activity level:

All levels - beginner to advanced

Watch: Alpine Trail Running

Watch: Specialty summer experiences

Itinerary

Arrival Day

6:30 am

Depart Banff to helipad

9:30 am

Arrive at helipad for heli-transfer to the lodge

10:30-11 am

Upon arrival, you’ll get acquainted with the lodge

11:30 am

Lunch

1:00 pm

After a helicopter safety briefing, enjoy your first afternoon of trail running in the mountains. You can expect to run approximately 5-8 km in your first afternoon.

4-5 pm

Return back to the lodge where you can enjoy après-adventure refreshments, a soak in the hot tub or a massage. If you haven’t had your fill, there are a number of trails that you can access directly from the lodge.

7:00 pm

Enjoy your first CMH gourmet family-style dinner – staff will join you for the meal each evening

Days 2 & 3

7:30 am

Wake up with a dynamic warm-up class

8:00 am

Fuel up with a hearty breakfast to start your day right. Pack your lunch for the day and get ready for your day of adventure.

9:00 am

First group will fly into the mountains. On Day 2 you can expect to run up to 10 km with approximately 400-600 m ascent, Day 3 you may run up to 20 km with approximately 500-1000 m ascent.

4:00-6:00 pm

Return to the lodge, where you can enjoy après-adventure refreshments, a soak in the hot tub or a massage or explore the trails around the lodge.

7:00 pm

Swap stories of your incredible adventures in the mountains as you savour a family-style dinner with your guides and lodge staff

Departure Day

8:00 am

Enjoy a hearty lodge breakfast before departing the lodge with your final heli-transfer

11:00 am

Private coach transfer from helipad to Banff, Lake Louise and Calgary International Airport

2:00 pm

Estimated arrival time in Banff

3:30 pm

Anticipated arrival at Calgary International Airport (YYC). We recommend guests do not book flights until after 6pm MT.

*Please note: Hiking schedule and lunch times may vary

Questions?

If you have questions, our team is happy to assist.

Call us at 1-800-650-0252

Message Us

Extend Your Stay

Arrive early or leave later by extending your CMH stay with additional adventures in Banff and surrounding area. Our CMH Vacation Planning team can help you with the details.

Learn more

What's Included

What's included with your trip

Accommodations
A double occupancy room in the hotel-style CMH Bugaboo Lodge for the duration of your stay, featuring a full range of inviting onsite amenities.

Food & Beverage
Three meals per day – a chef-prepared breakfast and dinner plus packed lunches, après-hiking snacks and non-premium non-alcoholic refreshments.

Heli-Assisted Guided Adventure
Professionally accredited guides will accompany you on your adventure, featuring heli flights up and down the mountains plus return flights to your lodge. Learn more about Heli-Hiking

Ground Transportation
From Banff, Lake Louise or Golden to the CMH Bugaboos helipad, and return to Golden, Lake Louise, Banff or the Calgary International Airport (YYC).

Equipment
Use of CMH hiking equipment, including boots, rain jackets, wind pants, day packs and hiking poles. Some of our guests opt to use their own equipment – the choice is yours.

What to pack

What's not included

Alcoholic beverages
Premium non-alcoholic beverages
Massages
Retail goods available for purchase
Airfare to and from your city of origin
Travel from airports to coach pick-up locations

Questions?

If you have questions, our team is happy to assist.

Call us at 1-800-650-0252

Message us

Trip Information

If you’re thinking of a trip or have already booked and are looking for additional information, check out our Trip Information.

Trip Information

The Lodge

Bugaboo lodge

A Classic CMH Icon

Welcome to your historical headquarters in the famed Bugaboos. Perched at 1,490m (4,888 ft), our 32-room log-hewn lodge at the base of Bugaboo Glacier is enshrined as the birthplace of the heli-skiing industry. With mind-blowing scenery that’s captivated mountaineers for over a century, history abounds here – and so do modern comforts.

Inspired cuisine, deluxe accommodations, full-service amenities and one of the best hot tub views on the planet make Bugaboo Lodge the perfect alpine escape. Soar into an incredible summer adventure at CMH Bugaboo Lodge.

Amenities

Rooftop hot tub
Stunning mountain views
CMH Museum
Gear & gift shop
Games room
Music room
Steam room and dry sauna
Massage
Indoor climbing wall
Swiming pool
Chef-prepared meals & snacks
Pastry chef
Full-service bar with extensive wine cellar
Wi-Fi
Complimentary laundry facilities

Each room includes

Hand & body wash
Bathrobe
Shampoo / conditioner
Hair dryer

Additional details

Single supplement is available by request on a space-available basis, depending on the lodge and the number of nights in your stay. As a solo traveller you may book on a twin-share basis, and we will attempt to match you with a same-gender roommate. If we are unable to do so, you will not be charged for the upgrade to single occupancy.

All prices are $CAD ($USD prices shown are based on currency rates available from www.bankofcanada.ca and are subject to change).

Group travel options

Book an entire lodge or bring your group and mingle with other guests. Plan a corporate retreat, a family reunion or a special celebration, and let us help customize the details.
Learn more

Getting Here

Journey to the Bugaboos

There are a number of ways to travel to our lodges: you can ride in one of the private CMH coaches (from designated pick-up/drop-off locations) or drive yourself to the helipad. We also offer additional transport options if you’re looking for something more specialized – call us for details.

Please note that a Parks Canada pass is required to park in Banff or drive to our helipads. If you’re self-driving and require a pass, you can avoid lineups at the park gate by buying a pass online.

Parking at the helipad is available at your own risk. CMH assumes no liability for vehicles parked at the helipad.

Arrival/departure schedule

Self-Driving Directions (via Banff)

CMH Area Map

Purchase a Parks Canada Pass

Map route from Calgary to CMH Bugaboos Lodge

Banff to Bugaboos helipad

408km / 253.5 mi (5 hrs)

Our private coach from Banff takes you along the spectacularly scenic Trans-Canada Highway then winds along a corridor lined with Rocky Mountains and epic forests toward Golden, BC. From there, we'll travel southwest until arriving at the Bugaboos helipad.

Bugaboos helipad to CMH Bugaboos lodge

10 mins

It’s time to lift off on your first CMH heli flight. After watching a safety video, you’ll disembark your coach for your short, scenic flight up to the fabled Bugaboo Lodge.

Custom Travel Options

Customize your travel details by contacting us

1-800-661-0252

Message us

FAQ

What Trail Running Experience do I need?

You do not need specific trail running experience to take part in this program as our guides will provide coaching in mountain terrain. We do recommend that you at least run on roads or trails 3-4 times per week to participate in this program and are confident that you can run 5-6 km distances non-stop for 3 days in a row.

How far will I run each day?

We have designed the trail running program so that your distance increases each day. Typically on Day 1, you will run between 5-8 km with approximately 200-400 m ascent. Day 2, you will run up to 10 km with approximately 400-600 m ascent. On Day 3, you will run up to 20 km with approximately 500-1000 m ascent. These distances are subject to change depending on ability and experience.

What happens if I can’t keep up with the group?

There are two guides for the group allowing us to cater to any splits required for speed and ability. If you still find yourself struggling, we would recommend that you switch to the equally inspiring daily heli-hiking. You will still be able to explore the mountains with us!

Are running shoes acceptable or should I have specific trail running shoes?

Participants MUST have trail running shoes. We recommend mid or low ankle trail runners.

Will there be the opportunity to take photos?

Absolutely! We will make stops during the day where you will have the chance to take photos.

Your Trip Highlights

From your headquarters at CMH Bugaboos Lodge, you’ll fly out to conquer ridgelines, forest trails and mountaintops under ethereal skies.

While the scenery is breathtaking, your trip is sure to be in your comfort zone, with each day offering a new trail running adventure of up to 25km (15.5 mi), based on your preferences.

At the end of each day’s run, fuel up and recharge with casually gourmet dining, a rooftop hot tub, a relaxing massage and marvelous mountain hospitality.

Pricing and Dates

Reserve your trail running vacation today

Questions?

Call us at 1-800-661-0252

Questions about this trip?

We're here to chat

Message an expert

Give us a call

1-800-661-0252

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