Canadian Mountain Holidays Family Heli-Hiking

Canadian Mountain Holidays Family Heli-Hiking Itinerary:

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

  7:00am Pick-up from your hotel in Banff for the transfer by motorcoach to the heli-pad. Snacks and beverages available on-board.
  
  7:30am Depart Banff—CMH Office.
  
  8:20am Depart Lake Louise—Post Hotel.
  
  10:00am Arrival at the heli-pad for your first helicopter ride to the Bobbie Burns Lodge. At the lodge, you are outfitted with hiking gear if needed and then enjoy a hearty lunch in the dining room.
  
  After a helicopter safety talk, set off to breathtaking mountain scenery for your first heli-hiking experience. Return by helicopter to the lodge where snacks await you. There is free time to relax on the deck, read in the lounge or take a dip in the whirlpool before dinner.
  
  5:30pm Children have the option of enjoying their own menu and sitting at their own table with our childcare professionals, followed by supervised activities in the game room. Of course, they can also eat with their parents and order from the adult menu, as well.
  
  7:00pm Dinner is served by your hosts, followed with delectable desserts prepared by our own pastry chef. The evening is yours to get to know your fellow guests or to spend as you like, before retiring to the comforts of your room. Overnight at the Bobbie Burns Lodge. (Lunch and dinner included.)

• Days 2-3 Kids go one way and parents go another. Fun activities for the young ones all day long. Catch up on the day's outing at dinner.

  7:30am The daily optional stretch class begins. Warm up your muscles for a full day of heli-hiking!
  
  8:00am Breakfast buffet.
  
  9:00am Children are organized by age and offered an incredible variety of opportunities to learn about the mountains in a flexible, dynamic and fun environment. You'll spend the day exploring massive glaciers, turquoise lakes and high mountain ridges with magnificent views. Enjoy a picnic or barbecue style lunch surrounded by spectacular untouched scenery. Return by helicopter to the lodge later in the afternoon where snacks and beverages await you. Take advantage of the amenities at the lodge before dinner is served at 5:30 pm and 7:00 pm. The evenings are yours to spend as you wish before retiring for the night. (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!

  8:00am Breakfast buffet begins.
  
  9:00am First flight out of the lodge.
  
  11:00am Departure from the Bobbie Burns Heli-pad by motorcoach. Boxed lunch provided for return trip.
  
  12:30pm Arrive in Lake Louise—Post Hotel.
  
  1:30pm Arrive in Banff—CMH Office.
  
  4:00pm Arrive at the Calgary Airport or Delta Calgary Airport Hotel. (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.

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; extra hotel nights (if needed) in Banff, Jasper or Calgary; excess baggage charges; airport taxes; trip cancellation insurance; alcoholic beverages; 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.

The children are divided into 3 main age groups: 5-7, 8-10 and 11-14. However, adjustments will be made depending on the total make-up of ages. While out hiking, there is one caregiver and one guide to a maximum of eight children. The children's program for the Family Adventure is designed for ages 5-14. Although they are welcome, children under 5 years must be accompanied by a parent during the hikes for safety reasons. Children over 14 are also welcome to join the adult groups. Fun activities are always available back at the lodge in the dedicated activity/craft room.

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.