What is heli-hiking

This isn’t hiking as you know it

CMH didn’t just invent Heli-Hiking – we perfected it. Every CMH trip promises amazing mountain adventures and alpine hospitality to match. Whether you choose to escape to the Cariboos, Bugaboos or Bobbie Burns, you’ll enjoy gourmet meals, incredible daily heli-access excursions, inviting accommodations, all the equipment you need and more. Explore our three trip locations for additional information and select your ideal adventure.

How it works

A group of people walking underneath a helicopter with a mountain range in the background

What is heli-hiking?

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.

looking out a helicopter window at a mountain

a group of people walking towards a helicopter with a glacier in the background

two people walking on a ridge with a glacier in the background

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.

From dramatic glaciers to route-finding across open terrain framed by wildflowers, the experience of heli-hiking at CMH is defined by wonder, education and awe around every corner.

standing at the edge of a glacial lake withe the glacier in the background

Pace

Your trip, your pace

Do you prefer to amble at a leisurely pace? Do you want to see a variety of terrain, but stop occasionally to take photos along the way? Or are you longing to conquer multiple peaks and break a sweat?

When you join us on a mountain adventure, 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.

Looking up at two people scrambling up some rocks

A person laying down on their backpack with one leg over the other and a red cap on their knee

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.

looking up at a group of people hiking up a grassy trail with trees in the background

Terrain

two people walking with a glacier in the background

Exclusive access

Our guides are equally skilled at choosing terrain for a couple in their 90's who want a dreamy stroll along an easy ridge overlooking an alpine wonderland, to leading a team of hard-charging adventurers safely across a glacier.

Each day offers the chance to heli somewhere different – with exclusive access.

two people hiking in the distance with a wavy rock formation in the foreground

a child jumping across a stream with an adult following

A man running into a glacial lake in shorts

Guided groups might get dropped off in an alpine meadow and hike up to a summit, on a glacier to explore and hike, on a mountain ridge to hike down to alpine meadows or at the beginning of an exhilarating via ferrata.

a group of people getting off a helicopter with mountains in the background

Two women sitting in a field of wild flowers with a lake in the background

Distance

two people hiking with mountains in the background

These boots were made for walkin’

We have an enormous selection of terrain for our guides choose from, which means endless distance options.

The amount of horizontal distance you’ll cover each day will be customized by our guides to your group and your desires. Wander for a short distance, push across longer distances, or somewhere in between.

a group of people walking in the background and their reflection in a stream in the foreground

two kids running on a trail with two adult trailing behind them

A woman with a red backpack on a ridge looking at a glacier

You’ll stand in awe at where your two feet will take you.

looking down at a set of hiking boots on rocks

Elevation

woman smiling as a helicopter takes off above her

Going up!

Unlike regular hiking, you won’t have to slog for hours through the trees to gain much of your elevation. Instead, you’ll be lifted by helicopter to a starting point where the most scenic sections are still ahead of you.

From there, the amount of elevation you'll gain and lose (go up and down) on your heli-hiking adventure is tailored to each group.

two people looking out from a ridge at a glacier, one of the men has his arm around the other and is pointing to the glacier

two people walking on a ridge with cameras and mountain in the background

two women sliding in snow with a mountain in the background

If you want a strenuous challenge, expect to cover lots of varied terrain with a high level of elevation gain and loss. Or, if you are more sure-footed when less elevation change occurs, you’ll cover easier terrain with minimal to moderate elevation gain and loss.

Breathtaking views, or breathtaking views that also take your breath away? You choose!

a group of people hiking onto a wavy rock formation

a woman in a blue jacket sitting on a rock looking down at the foliage

Something for everyone

We tailor our hiking groups based on individual wants and needs to create the ultimate trip experience, where the only requirement is a thirst for adventure. Here’s how we typically create hiking groups:

Green blurred background with one hiking boot icon

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 horizontal distance

Elevation: Minimal gain and loss

Green blurred background with two hiking boot icons

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 horizontal distance

Elevation: Minimal gain and loss

Green blurred background with three hiking boot icons

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, and likely already exercise multiple times per week. This group will typically navigate terrain with some elevation gain and loss, stopping for regular breaks along the way.

Pace: Moderate with regular breaks

Terrain: Varied terrain

Distance: Moderate horizontal distance

Elevation: Moderate gain and loss

Green blurred background with four hiking boot icons

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 horizontal distance

Elevation: High gain and loss

Heli-hiking FAQs

Am I fit enough? (Yes!)

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.

What if the group I’m in isn’t what I expected?

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.

What if I want to return to the lodge at lunch time or only want to hike for half the day?

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.

How much time will be spent in a helicopter?

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.

FEELS A BITLIKE CHEATING

woman in a red backpack looking out at a glacier

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.

Tina Lassen, Go Escape

CMH Stories

Choose from three inspiring locations

Our iconic mountain lodges are your basecamp for adventure. Choose a single destination or a lodge-to-lodge experience.

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Bugaboos

Discover the legendary CMH original.

Explore

Bobbie Burns

Experience the ultimate alpine playground.

Explore

Cariboos

Explore the rugged and remote high country.

Explore