Canadian Mountain Holidays Heli-Hiking

Canadian Mountain Holidays Heli-Hiking Itinerary:

Show more for all days

• Day 1 Begin your adventure with a motorcoach transfer to your helipad where you'll get your first taste of heli-hiking.

  7:30 - 8:00 am - Land transfers from Banff to helipad. Snacks and beverages will be provided on board.
  
  8:15 - 8:45 am - Pick-ups at Castle Junction. Our route takes us west toward Golden, BC, through the fabulous scenery of Banff and Yoho National Parks. We travel over Kicking Horse Pass, site of the famous Spiral Tunnels, which minimized the steep grade for the rail lines of Canada’s National Dream, the transcontinental railway, when it was heroically built in the late 1800s. From Golden, we head south through the Rocky Mountain Trench, with the Rockies to the east and the front ranges of the Columbia Mountains to the west. The Rocky Mountain Trench, down which flows the great Columbia River, is the boundary between the Columbias and the Rockies. One of earth’s most dramatic landmarks, it’s clearly visible from orbital space.
  
  10:00 - 10:30 am (MDT) - We arrive at the helipad for the quick, exhilarating flight to Bobbie Burns Lodge. After settling into our rooms, we’ll be outfitted with all the necessary hiking gear, get acquainted with helicopter safety procedures, then fly up for an afternoon of hiking in some of the world’s most stunning mountains. We fly back to the lodge in the afternoon for snacks, beverages, and relaxation before dinner.
  
  7:00 pm - Dinner with wine is served family style, with guests and staff eating together, topped off with dessert prepared by Bobbie Burns’ resident pastry chef. Before retiring we can enjoy the company of fellow guests by the fire, or relax in the whirlpool and sauna. Lunch and dinner included.

• Days 2 & 3 Join a group hiking just half a mile or 9 miles today. Either way, spectacular vistas and brilliant alpine lakes await you today.

  7:30 am - The morning stretch class is an option, but then again, so is sleeping in.
  
  8:00 am - Breakfast buffet. After breakfast, choose from a variety of sandwiches and snacks for picnic lunch in the mountains.
  
  9:00 am - The first helicopter leaves the lodge. Each group of hikers, accompanied by a guide, spends the day exploring the immense variety of landscapes in the Bobbie Burns, a winsome sub-range of the Columbias. The Bobbie Burns abounds with personality-rich glaciers, turquoise lakes, and airy mountain ridges. And everywhere, from every vantage point, vast, heart-stirring views. We’ll enjoy a picnic lunch (or, on special days, a grand high mountain barbecue) amidst stunning, utterly unspoiled scenery (the chances of us seeing any other hikers up here are almost nil). After a memorable day, we fly back to the lodge, where snacks, beverages, a good book, or the sauna and restful outdoor whirlpool await.
  
  7:00 pm - One of the charms of family-style dining is getting to know our fellow guests as we savor the chef’s creation of the evening. After dessert and coffee, we may share stories and experiences of the day with new friends and staff, visit the lodge’s cheery and excellently stocked retail shop, set up an appointment with the masseuse (not included, but well worth the extra charge), or enjoy peace and quiet on the deck as the alpenglow settles on the mountain peaks above. All meals included.

• Day 4 Say good-bye to new friends and transfer to Calgary by way of Banff. After just three nights, you'll be tempted to stay longer!

  8:00 am - Breakfast buffet, then prepare for departure.
  
  9:30 am - First flight out of the lodge.
  
  11:00 am - We depart the Bobbie Burns Helipad by motorcoach and retrace the journey through Western Canada’s national parks to Lake Louise, Banff, and Calgary International Airport. A boxed lunch is provided for the return trip.
  
  1:30 pm - Arrive in Banff at the Brewster Transportation Centre (Banff Bus Depot).
  
  4:00 pm - Arrive at the Calgary Airport. Breakfast and lunch included.

Although we do our best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control.

Weather and other conditions may, on occasion, necessitate a change to the itinerary. Your expert guide has extensive knowledge of the area and will choose alternate trails or activities if necessary.

Please check with us before purchasing your airline tickets to ensure your trip has the necessary minimum number of participants required to operate.

If you are traveling alone and are willing to share accommodations, we will assign a roommate if one is available. If we are unable to assign a roommate, you will not be required to pay an additional fee. If you are traveling alone and specifically request single accommodations, you will be asked to pay the full single supplement that applies to your trip itinerary. Please be advised that there are a limited number of single rooms available.

Accommodations for the specified number of nights in a full-service alpine lodge (all lodges feature outdoor sundecks, whirlpool, sauna, and massage service); transportation from Banff to the helipad and return to Banff or Calgary Airport; 3 meals each day from lunch on the first day to a box lunch on the last day; helicopter transfers to and from the lodge; helicopter flights for each hiking day at all lodges; daily hiking and/or walking with professionally certified mountain guides; the use of top quality equipment (see gear list).

Airfare to Calgary; transfer to Banff; extra hotel nights (if needed) in Banff, Jasper or Calgary; excess baggage charges; airport taxes; trip cancellation insurance; tips to local guides; massage services; and Harmonized Sales Tax (HST).

A non-refundable deposit of $400 per person is required at time of booking to secure space. Full payment is required 90 days before fixed departure date. For cancellations made within 90 days, 100% of the trip cost is non-refundable. REI Adventures standard deposit policy does not apply to this trip.

CMH lodges blend harmoniously into their mountain surroundings. Guests enjoy the finest quality living space and amenities, such as rooms with private bath and a relaxation massage service, while the camaraderie of both staff and guests contribute to the family atmosphere of the lodges.

As long as you enjoy walking and have a spirit of adventure, you can enjoy any one of Canadian Mountain Holidays' trips. One of the greatest advantages of these vacations is that we can accommodate all abilities! Hikes can range from 1-10 miles on any given day depending on your preference and ability level.

Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Compared to the US Rockies and the Alps, the Columbia Mountain range of British Columbia is at a relatively low altitude. Because tree line is at 7,000' and the highest peak is 11,000', we don't have to go to the rarefied air of higher altitudes to get spectacular views. Hiking generally takes place between 6,000'-9,000', which is very comfortable for most people.

Generally, the weather is sunny and pleasant. Due to the high mountain environment, this adventure can also bring adventurous weather. You need to be prepared for cooler temperatures, rain, windy conditions and possibly snow. As long as it is safe to fly, we do hike in the rain. The temperatures range from highs of 50-85°F during the day to lows of 30-60°F at night.

This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and pre-departure information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased at the time of your initial reservation, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

The key to staying comfortable while on an active trip is layering. To get maximum comfort with minimum weight, you need versatile layers that mix and match to create the right amount of insulation, ventilation and weather protection. Try to bring only what is necessary—this will help you and the field staff.

Weather

Daytime temperatures usually range between 50-85° F, with evening temperatures dropping to 30-60° F. Due to high mountain environment, this adventure can also bring adventurous weather.

Gear Checklist

Things to Consider

• Please remember to always pack essential items such as appropriate identification, money, eyewear, a change of clothing, hiking boots and medications in your carry-on baggage, in case your luggage is delayed.
• Wind chill can be a significant feature of this trip. Air temperatures are not very cold, but when the wind is constant, and when you combine this with the stress that altitude puts on your body, you can be robbed of body heat quickly. Wind or rain gear is very important.
• Cotton is wonderful in warm weather. However, once it becomes wet, it will drain your body heat. Bring wool or synthetics such as Capilene®, MTS® and Thermax®.
• Always test your layers before a trip. Your outer layer should fit easily over the inside ones without binding and bunching up.
• Make sure boots are broken-in. Bring moleskin for foot treatment. Thin liner socks worn under regular hiking socks may minimize the risk of blisters. The liner sock should be synthetic, not cotton. Test your sock combination before you go on the trip.
• Stuff sacks are great for sorting gear. Use different sizes/colors to differentiate contents.