Frequently asked questions

From hiking and helicopters to alpine safety and more, find answers to your questions right here. Don’t see your question? Get in touch – we’re happy to help.

General

When is the summer season?

We run our summer trips from late June to late August. Specific dates very each summer, so take a look at our Trip Planner to secure your vacation.

What's a typical day like in summer?

Morning: Join the 7:30am warm-up class or sleep a little longer. Breakfast is served at 8:00am and the first helicopter leaves at 9:00am.

Each group, with its own guide, spends the day roaming and hiking in the mountains. Over the course of the day, the helicopter may move each group to three or four different areas giving you a chance to experience a variety of settings. Just as our groups vary, our mileage varies from approximately one kilometre (1/2 mile) to 15 kilometres (9 miles) - guests hike as much or as little as they desire.

Lunch: Enjoyed picnic-style with food that you pack from a great selection set out at the lodge each morning.

Afternoon: Continue to explore, hike, or climb with your guide.

Late Afternoon: Fly back to the lodge for apres-hike snacks and relaxation prior to a spectacular dinner and an evening of story-swapping.

What's included in my trip? What should I pack?

All summer trips include accommodation at one of three spectacular lodges, food and non-premium non-alcoholic beverages, certified guides and helicopter pilots, safety training and the use of hiking equipment (boots, jackets, daypacks, rain pants, walking poles, and water bottles). For further information on what's included, visit the page of the trip.

What is the minumum age for children?

Children must be a minimum of 6 years old to participate in hiking programs. Parents must hike with their children, and the pace set by the slowest member of the group.

There's a lot of people in our family - Can you accomodate all of us?

Absolutely - we can accommodate up to 44 guests on any one trip. Explore group options

What's the weather like?

Due to the high mountain environment, you can expect various conditions. While the weather can be sunny and warm, you should also be prepared for cooler temperatures, rain, wind and possibly snow.

Mountain weather can change with very little warning. Temperatures range from highs of 10 to 35 degrees C (50 - 95F) to lows of -1 to 15 degrees C (30 - 50F).

What is the hiking terrain like? Do I get dropped off at the top of a mountain and then hike down?

There’s a variety of terrain to explore - you might get dropped off:

In an alpine meadow and hike up to a summit
On a glacier to explore and hike on and around
On a mountain ridge and hike down to alpine meadows

Your group will hike based on fitness level and ability preferences, which will determine your hiking options. Compare hiking styles

Learn more about Heli-Hiking by watching our recent live event

The trip I want to book is sold out! What are my options?

You have chosen a popular trip! We recommend looking at availability for our other lodges for the same date, or contact our Sales team at 1-800-661-0252 to look at other options!

Safety

Are all your guides certified?

Most CMH guides have made a lifelong career of their passion. They are dedicated professionals, trained in the European guiding tradition, which emphasizes both respect for the mountains and concern for the well-being of guests. Our guides are fully trained and regularly re-trained in first aid, wilderness rescue, emergency procedures and prevention. Many of our hiking guides are fully certified by the International Federation of Mountain Guides Association (IFMGA) - on average, a 10 year process. The rest are Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG) - certified, also with rigorous standards. Each one of our guides is an experienced and knowledgeable interpreter of our mountains’ flora, fauna, geology and natural history, ensuring that your hiking experience is both safe and enriching.

I have a history of health issues - What medical supplies do you have on site?

You should be prepared and bring your own medications, although we do have some basic medicine that can be purchased in our retail shop. Extensive first aid kits and resuscitation kits are part of the lodge emergency supplies. Once you have booked, please make sure to discuss any health concerns or issues with our Guest Services team before arriving to the lodge to ensure that we can prepare for your trip.

Does CMH have an allergy policy?

CMH does everything possible to accommodate guests with allergies; however, as our lodges are open to the public, we cannot guarantee an allergen-free environment. Learn More Contact us

Booking

I’m ready to book! How do I confirm my trip?

To confirm your reservation, we require a deposit of 20% of the trip cost per person at time of booking. Your final payment is due 90 days before your trip departure date (Summer 2022 trips).

Are there any other fees that I need to pay?

All prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy. Not included are the applicable local, provincial and federal taxes as well as a contribution to the HeliCat Canada Wildlife & Environmental Research Fund. Please note all prices and taxes are subject to change.

What is my contribution to Helicat Canada?

As of December 1, 2019, we introduced a $5 + GST per day, per person optional contribution, with 100% of the proceeds supporting the HeliCat Canada Wildlife & Environmental Research Fund. More information on the fund can be found on the HeliCat Canada website.

What methods of payment do you accept?

Payment may be wire transfers, personal cheques or credit card: MasterCard, Visa or Amex. Wires and personal cheques must be in Canadian or US Dollars. Be sure that transfer instructions and/or cheques include your name and trip details. Please note we do not hold your credit card information on file from previous transactions without your permission. If we have tokenized your credit card information, we will not charge it unless we have your written or verbal consent to do so. USD cheques and wires are converted to Canadian Dollars at the current daily exchange rate on the date of receipt. All prices are quoted and charged in Canadian Dollars and are subject to change.

Do I need travel insurance for this trip?

For your peace of mind and to avoid any financial hardship that an unexpected cancellation, interruption or medical emergency could cause, we strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance. Contact Uniglobe Specialty Travel to receive trip insurance details and a quote.

What happens if I need to change or cancel my trip?

If you need to change or cancel a 2022 trip, we have a flexible Peace of Mind booking policy to give you continued assurance when booking during COVID-19. For more information, please visit our COVID-19 page.

For 2023 trips and beyond, should you wish to make changes to your confirmed holiday, a $75 fee will be applied. In the unfortunate circumstance that you are not able to travel, a notice of cancellation must be received by telephone at the CMH office (1-800-661-0252) and confirmed in writing. Your 20% deposit is non-refundable. If cancellation is received 60 days before the trip, any funds paid above the required deposit amount can be refunded. Less than 60 days before trip date, all monies received are non-refundable.

Do I have to pay a single supplement if I am traveling alone?

Single rooms are available by request, depending on availability, the lodge and the number of nights of your stay. As a solo traveler 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 the upgrade to single occupancy.

Will I have to sign a waiver?

Yes, everyone who attends a CMH Summer Adventure must sign a liability agreement prior to trip departure. All waivers for minors (18 years and under) require two parental signatures.

Lodging

Is there WiFi/cell service at the lodge? Do you have phones at the lodges?

Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout all of our lodges, as well as a computer area that you can use for internet browsing. Phones can be found in the computer area. Our three remote summer lodges do not have cell service.

What room types are available at the lodge?

Our lodges have Twin/Double rooms and a small number of Single rooms available. To guarantee a Single room, there is a supplement charge. Single rooms are available by request, depending on availability, the lodge and the number of nights of your stay.

Via Ferrata

What is a Via Ferrata?

It's a series of iron rungs and wire cables that are affixed to a mountainside, providing a secure climbable route through an otherwise impassable terrain. Read our blog post for more information.

Do I need to reserve the Via Ferrata ahead of time? What if I change my mind?

The via ferrata is an optional activity included in your trip. We recommend that you register your interest in doing the via ferrata at time of booking as space may be limited.

If you change your mind at the lodge and decide you don’t want to do the via ferrata, there is no problem with cancelling.

What is the minimum age to do a Via Ferrata?

The minimum age to participate in a via ferrata is 12 years old. Based on the safety guidelines of our equipment used on the via ferrata, the minimum weight limit is 100 lbs. and the maximum weight limit is 250 lbs.

A parent must participate in the via ferrata with a child. Participation in the via ferrata is at the discretion of the Area Management team.

Do I need to have climbing experience to do a Via Ferrata?

No, climbing experience is not required to do a via ferrata.

Can I do a Via Ferrata at all lodges?

Yes! We have via ferrata options at all of our lodges! The Bobbie Burns Lodge is home to the Mt. Nimbus via ferrata and the Conrad Glacier via ferrata. From the Bugaboo Lodge you can access the Skyladder via ferrata. The Cariboo Lodge offers you the experience of our new Zillmer Canyon via ferrata.

Other

Do you have deals for groups?

We are always open to discuss options for large groups in our lodges - give us a call at 1-800-661-0252. Explore group options

Can I buy an entire lodge exclusively for my group?

Yes, you certainly can! Please contact our Sales team for more information.

I am looking for a hotel before or after my trip with CMH - Can you help me with that?

Yes, absolutely! We have preferred rates with many hotel partners in Banff, Lake Louise, Golden and Jasper. We can also organize airport transfers and give suggestions for activities and tours outside of your trip with us. Contact our vacation planning team at vacationplanning@cmhheli.com for more information!