Some trips are about freedom and flexibility. Walkable dinners, craft drinks and adding a resort day if the weather says “not today.” Others are about total immersion. A fly-in backcountry lodge where the outside world fades and the lodge hums with the kind of magic that just can’t be replicated anywhere else.
The good news? At CMH, you can have it either way. Both deliver the same guided mountain adventures, ability-matched groups and the snow you’ll tell everyone about for years to come.
So, how do you pick?
What “in-town heli-skiing” really means
With in-town lodges, you sleep in a proper mountain town and fly into the backcountry each morning. If you’d like, you can even drive yourself, offering even more flexibility on your powder pilgrimage. That’s the gist of CMH Revelstoke and CMH Kootenay. You get to ski and ride brag-worthy backcountry terrain by day, plus cruise restaurants, shops, and nightlife from your doorstep by night.
CMH Revelstoke: World-famous snow and walkable après
Revelstoke is famous for the trifecta of deep snow, diverse terrain, and easy town access. The town’s now globally renowned thanks to nearby Revelstoke Mountain Resort and a seemingly never-ending stream of film segments, but it still feels lived-in and local. Stay steps from dinner, music and shops, then fly to steep trees, glaciated alpine terrain, and light-density storm snow each day. It’s a smart pick for mixed crews who want big-mountain days and lively, walkable nights.
READ: Rave review from Revelstoke
CMH Kootenay: Storm cycles and small-town vibes
Make Nakusp on the shores of Upper Arrow Lake could be your home base. It’s a low-key, mountain community with a soft spot for deep snow and post-ski soaks. Evenings can be as mellow or rowdy as you like with a few local haunts and hot springs dotting the area. CMH Kootenay’s tenure straddles both the Selkirk and Monashee mountain ranges. The terrain is all about fun, featured lines and the storm cycles are consistent. There’s a reason it’s the home of our Steep Shots and Pillow Drops program. And the pace reflects a town that skis hard and laughs easy.
Who picks in-town?
- You want flexibility: Drive yourself (or take the CMH shuttle), choose your own dinner times and add resort or rest days before or after your trip.
- You like aprés with your crew: Bars, bistros and strolling along main street.
- You want the best of both worlds: Backcountry turns plus town comforts.
What a “fly-in heli-ski lodge” feels like
A fly-in lodge is a universe unto itself. It’s fully hosted and designed for connection. Disconnect from everything and unplug from daily noise. Ski and ride with kindred powder hounds while we handle all of the details, from meals and housekeeping to gear rooms, and the odd lager (or three). Evenings stretch into stories shared with strangers who become fast friends. It’s something special.
READ: What’s heli-skiing like?
And since heli-skiing was built on the concept of fly-in lodges, many of these buildings are steeped in heli-skiing history. If walls could talk, the legends they would tell. If you want to lean into the lore, you’ll want to fly into one our lodges.
Who picks fly-in?
- You want hosted ease: Arrive and exhale. Meals, logistics, and vibes? All taken care of.
- You crave immersion: No errands, no distractions, just skiing, stories and some hard-earned sleep.
- You’re chasing that legendary ‘hut magic,’ the buzz that lingers long after dessert.
In-town or fly-in
Access & logistics
- In-town: Simple travel with options to drive yourself or take the shuttle, giving you more control over your entire vacation.
- Fly-in: A short flight to a different headspace entirely, where your only decision is which boot to put on first.
Evenings & energy
- In-town: Choose your scene, whether that’s a quiet dinner, craft cocktails, live music or resting your weary legs.
- Fly-in: The deep connection of being together under one roof, sharing experiences and swapping stories.
“Plan B” options
- In-town: Add resort days, any manner of other winter activities
- Fly-in: Embrace lodge life with rooftop hot tubs, saunas, games rooms or any of our other amenities. You won’t be bored, we promise.
READ: Everything you need to plan a heli-skiing trip
Which CMH base is right for you?
If you want freedom to shape your week, love the idea of town energy after deep days and prefer to drive on your own schedule, in-town lodges fit your bill. For those looking to disconnect and reconnect under one roof, and to experience the lore of heli-skiing firsthand, you’ll love our fly-in lodges.
Either way, you win. Professionally guided days, ability-matched groups and the conditions and terrain that will make you see skiing and riding in an entirely different way. That’s hard to beat.
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