NOTE: Also see General FAQs for more information.


WHAT IS THE TERRAIN LIKE?

The twelve different CMH areas offer a far greater variety of skiing terrain and exposure than all other Heli-Skiing operations combined. Each area encompasses more than 1,000 square kilometres and offers over 125 runs for the exclusive use of 50 skiers (maximum). Runs vary in length from 500 to 2,100 vertical metres and are in the most beautiful mountain country imaginable. Skiing is done on open snowfields, glaciers and in the trees. On marginal weather days we can only ski in the trees.


WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO COME?

Our ski season begins in December. By this time, most regular ski areas have already been open for a few weeks. The reasons we wait this late to open are: we know we will have more than a sufficient amount of snow, and the opportunity for good skiing is the same as at any other time of the year. Our winter begins earlier and lasts longer than that of our U.S. neighbours.

Spring skiing offers a variety of snow conditions ranging from corn snow on south facing slopes to powder on north facing slopes. At this time of the year, we ski primarily on high open slopes.

To experienced Heli-Skiers, corn snow is a precious commodity that offers its own set of attractions. Unlike “spring slush,” it is the most effortless of the various conditions we encounter at other times of the year.

Spring skiing often provides a variety of ski conditions including powder snow. In springtime, the days are longer and the temperatures are warmer, generally allowing for more skiing than at other times during the season.


WHICH AREA SHOULD I CHOOSE?

Each area offers a similar selection of terrain, runs and snow conditions. If you skied each area under similar weather and snow conditions, you would have difficulty distinguishing between them. Only Bobbie Burns, Galena, Kootenay and Monashees differ and should not be considered by first time Heli-Skiers.

The differences in prices between the areas on any given week reflect the costs of operating each of the areas.

If accessibility and ease of communication with the outside world are important, then you should consider the Gothics, Kootenay, Monashees, Revelstoke, Valemount or McBride.

If accessibility and communications are not important, you should consider the Adamants, Bobbie Burns, Bugaboos, Cariboos, Galena or Silvertip. Whichever CMH area you choose, you will find the same dedication by our staff to give you a unique mountain experience.


WEATHER AND SNOW CONDITIONS.

Unfortunately, there are no guarantees when it comes to the weather. The week you choose could be the best week of your life or it could turn out to be a frustrating experience that does not live up to your high expectations. Temperatures can drop to a bitter –40 degrees or you could encounter rain. These are risks you have to share with us.

It's not always powder skiing and boarding. It is remote mountain skiing in untracked snow. The snow is good 70 percent of the time but it can also be very poor. The guides are mountaineers and ski instructors who will do their best to find good snow and will offer you help/instruction in all conditions.


WHAT IS YOUR AVERAGE SNOWFALL?

It varies greatly from year to year, but, in the actual ski areas, seasonal snowfall averages range from 1,200 centimetres (470 inches) to 2,000 centimetres (790 inches, or a hefty 65 feet). This generally makes for a settled snowpack of anywhere from 2.5 metres (8 feet) to 5 metres (16 feet). (So, to get 1 metre, or 3 feet, of settled snow on the ground, approximately 4 metres, or 13 feet of snow has to fall!) Since our 12 areas cover that nearly half-of-Switzerlandsized 15,765 square kilometres, snow amounts and conditions can vary from one area to the next.


AT WHAT ALTITUDE DO YOU SKI?

Most of our ski terrain is between 1,800 metres (5,900 feet) and 2,800 metres (9,200 feet). In some cases, we can land as high as 3,500 metres (11,500 feet) and ski down to 600 metres (1,960 feet). The altitude at which we actually ski will be determined each day by the guides and pilots, depending on weather and flying conditions, snow stability, and snow quality.


WHAT IS TREE SKIING LIKE?

Canadian tree skiing is a unique experience. We ski in natural, mature forests where the wide spacing between very large trees makes for very pleasant skiing. Over the past four decades we’ve developed many runs with good tree-spacing even in dense forests. Our experience and knowledge of the forests allow us to ski enjoyably during periods of poor visibility and when the avalanche risk is high on the open slopes. Since a portion of your Heli- Skiing trip will be spent tree skiing, you should keep in mind that, exhilarating as it is, tree skiing is also difficult and strenuous.


WHICH SKIS, BINDINGS, AND POLES DOES CMH PROVIDE?

CMH supplies all our skiers with skis and poles, so there is no need to bring your skis from home, and no charge for CMH-supplied skis and poles. We ask guests to bring their own boots, snowboards, or telemark skis.

One of the biggest breakthroughs in the Heli-Skiing industry has been the evolution of “fat skis.” Wider and shorter than conventional skis, they turn with ease in all conditions, and make skiing in the trees more enjoyable. (Though we should note that while fat skis have made Heli-Skiing more accessible to some intermediate skiers, they have given a false sense of ability to others.)

The Atomic Heli-Daddy has now become our main ski for powder skiing. They offer increased floatation and lighter swing weight (due to their foam-core construction) and initiate turns significantly easier. This excellent ski offers versatile performance in all the different deep snow and terrain conditions for a wide cross section of skier.

The Heli-Daddy is very forgiving in all snow conditions and is the number one choice among guides and guests. It comes in 150, 160, 170, 180 and 190 centimetre lengths.

We also supply all our skiers with light and durable poles from Scott and Goode. And as for bindings we use Salomons exclusively; we’ve found them to be the most durable and well-designed bindings on the market.


WHAT ABOUT BOOTS?

If you have a good pair of boots, you don’t need any advice. But here are some guidelines based on our Heli-Skiing experience: boots should avoid pressure points on the toes, ankles, and lower part of the shin. You want enough hinging action so you can push your knees forward easily without having to release your top buckle. And don’t forget that we provide skis and poles, but we don’t supply boots.


HOW ABOUT HELMETS?

Helmets that offer a low profile or ¾ coverage shell and a removable neoprene ear cover are the way to go for Heli-Skiing, as the ear covers can be removed easily depending on the temperature. Helmets that fully cover the ear (e.g. race helmets) may be a safety hazard if they prevent you from hearing the guide’s instructions.


OUTERWEAR?

CMH proudly introduces our new outerwear supplier, Arc’Teryx, a Vancouver company whose core mission happily dovetails with ours: state-of-the-art, cutting-edge excellence in all things.

After working with our design team and intensive field-testing with our guides, Arc’Teryx has created what we think is the ultimate Heli-Ski jacket and pant, the Neos AR, now a CMH exclusive. Crafted with unique technologies (including magnificent new fabrics) and paradigm-shifting design, the Neos AR has raised the bar for the entire industry.

Leapfrogging conventional construction, the Neos AR Gore-Tex and Tweave jacket and pant are built with finely tuned, waterproof/breathable membrane technology and careful anatomical shaping. They incorporate crucial, sometimes overlooked elements like minimized taping, waterproof zippers, and storm-sealing hoods.

To measure up to the challenges of Heli-Skiing, the Neos AR jacket features a high collar with internal hood, four easily accessible outer pockets (one designed for a radio), an internal pocket, and an adjustable powder skirt. The Neos AR pant is anatomically, ergonomically, and brilliantly designed, with a low-cut bib with fly front; adjustable suspenders; reinforced lower leg, seat, and knee; a stretch rear bib panel; hand and thigh cargo pockets; knee pads; and laminated powder cuffs.

The Neos line will be featured in our Lodge Collection, our Million Foot Awards Program, and will be our guides’ standard uniform.


GOGGLES?

Our goggles of choice are Smith Sport Optics. Featuring an impact-resistant thermal double lens with UVR protection and effective anti-fog coating, they also provide wide peripheral vision and superior clarity. The Turbo model has a silent battery-powered fan to eliminate fogging and is compatible with an optical insert for prescription lens wearers.


GLOVES?

CMH designed the original gauntlet glove more than 30 years ago. Our Gordini powder gloves feature a cordura gauntlet to keep snow out, with a removable fleece liner which enables the gloves to be used in varying temperatures. We use Clarino, a synthetic leather, in the palm for durability, and stretch fabric for flexibility in the fingers. The gloves’ lining is made of fleece and lava wool for their wicking and thermal properties, and a breathable membrane for waterproofing. We also offer a mitt version from Powder Pipeline, featuring the same incomparable value and function.


HOW FIT SHOULD I BE?

Fitness is often more important than ability. The more fit you are, the more fun you’ll have Heli-Skiing and the less likely you’ll be to injure yourself. If you aren’t already quite active, we strongly recommend that you start an exercise and stretching program at least eight weeks prior to your trip. And while you’re in the mountains with us we suggest you take part in the lodge’s daily stretching/warm-up sessions.


WHAT IF I'M NOT GOOD ENOUGH?

If you have dramatically overrated your fitness, overall ability, or skill in difficult terrain and snow conditions, we reserve the right to have you return to the lodge after a couple of runs. Our decision depends on the snow conditions and the terrain hazards in the areas we’re skiing. Your safety and the safety of the other skiers is our overriding priority. If you can’t keep up with your group, you may be asked to stay at the lodge or leave the area before your trip ends. If you have reservations about your ability, take a look at our Specialty Programs.


DO YOU ONLY OFFER WEEK-LONG TRIPS?

No. We are offering more and more variations on our classic 7-day trips, along with more 3-, 4-, 5- and 10-day trips. We also offer Powder Introduction, Powder Masters, Private Groups, and other specialty trips. See our website for the latest information. So: many variations on the grand theme.


ARE THERE MANY NON-SKIING DAYS?

Because we ski in such a variety of terrain and at such varying altitudes, we can usually find a good skiable area. On average, we can’t ski at all only about half a day each week. But should you encounter a difficult week, you have the assurance of the best refund policy in the Heli-Skiing business.


HOW ARE THE GROUPS SET UP?

After your arrival at the lodge, we’ll ask you at what pace you want to ski, and our guides will form groups of compatible ability. In the interest of making the skiing as enjoyable as possible for everybody, it’s entirely at the discretion of the guides to decide which group you will ski with and to make changes throughout the week if necessary.

Skiers frequently arrive as part of a group which intends to ski together. If the group is evenly matched in ability, this may be possible. However, in forming the groups, we have to balance the abilities of all the skiers at the area and we also need, for helicopter safety reasons, to balance the weights of the flight groups. Pre-formed groups arriving at the area may say they don’t mind if their group isn’t evenly matched. But when one group is mismatched it often causes the other groups to be mismatched as well, seriously affecting everyone’s safety and quality of experience. So even if you come as part of a group expecting to ski together, for the safety and enjoyment of all our guests, we must reserve the right to form the groups as we see fit, optimizing the compatibility of skiing abilities and balancing the weights of all the groups.


DO I HAVE TO SIGN A WAIVER?

Yes. Our first and foremost priority is to provide you with a safe, enjoyable skiing experience and our guides and pilots are rigorously trained to optimize the program’s safety and quality. The safety briefings and training you’ll receive on arrival are designed to explain Heli-Skiing’s risks and to bring you into partnership with us in managing them to the fullest extent possible. But while some elements of risk are manageable, others are not, and Heli-Skiing’s inherent risks—which exceed the normal risks of everyday living and recreational skiing — can’t be completely eliminated. We ask you to understand and accept this fact in writing prior to your trip by signing the CMH Heli-Skiing waiver. Unless we have received your properly completed and witnessed waiver including full contact information, we can’t accept your booking.