What questions have you always had about heli-skiing trips, but never felt comfortable enough to ask?
We get it. Heli-skiing can seem like an intimidating endeavour. And in the age of AI, asking an automated bot to demystify this sport involving helicopters and skis and guides and mountains might not be the move. So, what are you to do?
We sat down with one of our trip experts, Gar Ng, to tackle the most common questions first-timers fear asking out loud.
Gar spends his days matching guests with the trip of their dreams, factoring in the right lodge, terrain, dates and program for every skier and rider. It’s both an art and a science, underlined by years of experience.
And a few powder turns of his own, naturally.
1. “Do I have to jump out of a helicopter when I go heli-skiing?”
Gar: Fortunately, there is no need to jump out of the helicopter! The helicopter lands in predetermined locations so everyone can exit safely. No one exits the helicopter until it has fully landed and the pilot and guide determine it’s safe to do so. You crouch down and wait while your guide unloads all of your gear from the basket before the heli takes off again.
2. “How much do I get to ski/ride in a day when I go heli-skiing?”
Gar: We have vertical guarantees that vary by program and trip, which means we guarantee you’ll get to ski or ride at least ‘X’ amount. You’ll typically be out all day—roughly 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.—with the goal of skiing as much as conditions and the group’s ability allow, for as long as you feel comfortable.
All CMH trips also have Unlimited Vertical, so if you happen to exceed your vertical guarantee, you won’t be charged more!
3. “Where do you sleep when you go heli-skiing?”
Gar: We have comfortable beds in our purpose-built lodges where you’ll return to each afternoon after heli-skiing. These aren’t basic lodges; think chef-prepared meals, feather duvets, spa services and a bartender. We have 10 unique overnight lodges, which range from cozy modern to extra luxurious. You can either stay at a lodge based in a town, or at a remote, fly-in lodge. Even our remote lodges in the backcountry feature the all of the finer things you might need after a day skiing and riding. Rooftop hot tub? Massage? We got you.
LEARN MORE: Compare destinations
4. “Do I have to bring food heli-skiing? What will I eat?”
Gar: No, you will not have to bring any food along with you. We’ve got a talented culinary team on hand to provide breakfast, lunch during your day out skiing or riding and a little Tea Goodie après snack when you return to the lodge each day. Of course, the evening includes a three-course dinner.
If you have any dietary requirements, our team can cater to your needs. There’ll be no need to forage for trail mix out here.
LEARN MORE: What’s included with a trip
More questions?
Those are but a few of the most common queries our team fields about heli-skiing. But you might have more. What about gear lists? Or which lodge would be the best fit for your group’s skiing ability? Heck, how does one even go about booking a heli-skiing trip?
That’s exactly what our trip experts are here for. No scripts. No pressure. Just a real human conversation that turns “Could I do this?” into “Here’s how we’ll do this.”
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