CMH Heli Skiing: The Industry Giant
Within the heli skiing industry, no operator is more well-known and respected than Canadian Mountain Holidays (CMH). The literal founders of the niche sport, CMH Heli Skiing has a reputation that precedes it. Regarded as the oldest and largest heli skiing company in North America by The Washington Post, CMH first spread its wings back in 1965. Since then, the company has only grown, and now offers an extensive selection of heli skiing locations and experiences in British Columbia.
Catered to both first-time heli skiers and veterans alike, CMH Heli-Skiing continues to be the sought-after operator by adrenaline junkies around the globe. Featuring world-class, highly trained guides and luxurious amenities at their lodges, CMH is undoubtedly the top dog. How exactly did this company earn its legendary status and what are they doing today to maintain it?
CMH Heli Skiing Locations
As one of the most expansive operators around the world, CMH Heli-Skiing boasts 12 different destinations within their tenure range. All locations are in British Columbia, Canada, deep within the Columbia wilderness on the western edges of the Canadian Rockies. Here, the terrain is highlighted by densely packed alpine glades and below treeline steeps. Towards the top of the runs, the standard open glaciers and bowls can be found as well.
CMH’s tenure sits in the prime snow belt of British Columbia. As Ski Magazine stated, it’s “snow like you’ve never experienced before.” B.C.’s proximity to the Pacific coastline results in a propensity of storms that drop inhumane amounts of powder here. CMH Heli Skiing’s massive 3,000,000-acre region ensures that all its guests have access to the best snow-drenched lines imaginable.
While consistent terrain and snowfall can be expected at each of CMH’s destinations, they all offer a different experience geared towards different types of skiers and ability levels. These locations are as follows:
- Adamants This location specializes in smaller groups, which can be perfect for both amateur and veteran heli skiers. With a 4:1 skier-to-guide ratio, you can get a semi-private experience for the same CMH heli skiing cost as a larger group at other destinations.
- Bobbie Burns Bobbie Burns means big terrain. This destination features insane vertical and lengthy, uninterrupted runs. The breakneck speeds experienced on these runs demand experience. As such, this location is mainly for expert-level skiers with good physical fitness.
- Bugaboos Bugaboos is the birthplace of heli skiing and the first North American backcountry lodge. Gentle, moderately pitched runs are ideal for beginner heli skiers, and the luxurious yet rustic lodge is there for skiers’ every need off the mountain.
- Cariboos The oldest geological terrain in CMH Heli Skiing’s tenure, Cariboos is highlighted by glaciers. Ideal for skiers that enjoy long lines and challenging drop-ins, this destination also comes equipped with a cozy, but modern 27-room lodge.
- Galena Galena is undoubtedly the most difficult terrain found in CMH Heli Skiing’s range. With slopes angles of up to 50 degrees and 80% of the runs being glades, it takes an accomplished, prepared skier to tackle this destination. In 2017, the freeride snowboarder Travis Rice filmed Quick Silver's Depth Perception movie while staying at the Galena lodge.
- Gothics Well-known for the sociable crowd it attracts, CMH Gothics is a sought-after destination for people from all over the world. It also experiences some of the heaviest storms in B.C. due to its proximity to the storm track.
- Kootenay As one of CMH Heli-Skiing’s in-town lodges, Kootenay is the place to go for skiers seeking a local, cultural experience on top of their adventures.
- Monashees Having the highest percentage of tree runs out of any of CMH’s destinations, the Monashees feature miles and miles of tightly packed spruces. In addition, this location has the most modern CMH lodge, fully equipped with a hot tub, sauna, and indoor climbing wall.
- Nomads Nomads is designed for private groups seeking a more intimate heli skiing experience. Personal terrain selection is available every morning, and private accommodations are organized near Revelstoke.
- Purcell CMH Heli Skiing’s Purcell destination is the most accessible on the list. Only 2 hours from Banff and with single-day packages available, it’s the perfect location for skiers after a quick fix.
- Revelstoke: This destination combines the benefits of resort and backcountry skiing. If any day is negatively affected by weather, CMH will bring its guests to the Revelstoke Mountain Resort – one of the most traveled to ski spots in the world.
- Valemount Valemount is the most prestigious CMH Heli Skiing location and is the northernmost region in their tenure, as well as featuring the highest number of runs. It’s also the most luxurious lodge, complete with customizable amenities for the desires of private groups.
Facts & FAQ
Hans Gmoser emigrated to British Columbia from Austria in the early 1950s in search of a better, more adventurous life. Taking the knowledge gained from being a mountain guide in his home country, Gmoser opened a small backcountry service in B.C. in 1957. Over the course of a few years, he took thousands of aspiring skiers into the wilderness, guiding them to the steepest, deepest lines he had come to know.
In the early 1960s, Hans began filming multiple backcountry ski movies with terrain accessed via plane and helicopter. It wasn’t until 1965 that he began considering the possibility of using a helicopter for his commercial tours. In April of ’65, he brought 18 guests up into the Bugaboo Mountains over the course of two weeks, all with the assistance of a helicopter. Given only a drop-off and pickup location scouted by the pilot, Hans was given free rein to bring his skiers on the lines he thought were best. CMH Heli Skiing was born.
The first lodge was constructed in 1968, three years after that first CMH Heli Skiing tour. Over the ensuing decades, CMH expanded to include the diverse selection of terrain that it has available today. As Gmoser scouted and acquired permits for new areas, lodges were built to accommodate them.
Hans Gmoser passed away at 73 years old due to a cycling accident, but the legacy he created with CMH Heli Skiing lives on. Today, the company is owned and operated by Alterra Mountain Company, a large corporate holdings company that operates the majority of resorts found on the Ikon Pass. According to BusinessWire, Alterra Mountain acquired Purcell Heli Skiing in 2021, adding it to CMH Heli Skiing’s ever-expanding terrain.
In addition to CMH heli skiing, the company operates in the summer as a guided hiking excursion company. The “heli hiking” experience is the first of its kind, providing hikers with easy access to some of the most breathtaking and astonishing views in British Columbia. CMH Heli Skiing’s helicopters bring hikers directly to the base of the most picturesque alpine ascents, allowing them to skip the lengthy arduous build-up at the bottom.
Despite this direct transportation, the hiking can still be treacherous and require the leadership of guides. Along the way, these guides will provide expert knowledge about the surrounding environment, geological history, and natural wildlife and fauna. In 2012, the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) awarded CMH Summer Adventures with the Traveler Experience Award for its success and leadership in the industry.
CMH Heli Skiing and Summer Adventures has four distinct adventure types that are catered to all different types of people:
- Wander: With a slow hiking pace, frequent breaks, and very minimal elevation changes, the Wander heli hiking option is designed for people that want to take their time enjoying the scenery. This package is perfect for the elderly and families with smaller children.
- Roam: A slight step up but still very doable for most individuals, the Roam package features a full day of hiking while still maintaining a slower pace and breaks at frequent intervals.
- Explore: The Explore package is ideal for hikers in good physical condition that want a strenuous challenge, but don’t want to be utterly exhausted and in over their heads. There will be significant elevation change with multiple breathtaking viewpoints.
- Adventure: The most difficult adventure offered by CMH Heli Skiing and Summer Adventures, this package is fast-paced and is geared towards physically active people that are looking to cover as much distance as possible.
CMH employs over 100 experienced guides, providing guests with absolute security up in the alpine. Every guide is certified by either the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG) or the International Federation of Mountain Guides Association (IFMGA). CMH Heli-Skiing has over 1500 years of combined experience between all their guides, proving themselves to be one of the top mountain expedition companies. As Freeskier.com explained about their guides, “Their high level of awareness practically makes them a different species, some crazy hybrid between human, goat, and gazelle.” They’re able to instinctively read a mountain and know the exact spots where danger lies, or where an avalanche could possibly break. This knowledge and professional expertise keep all of the guests at CMH Heli-Skiing safe.
Becoming a guide is not easy and requires years of commitment to achieve. Safety and mountaineering certifications are an absolute requirement, along with a history of guiding. There’s a reason it’s hard. After all, if it was easy everybody would be doing it. However, an admirable part of CMH Heli-Skiing is that they often hire and promote from within. Many of their current guides started out in the company as managers or maintenance staff and worked their way to becoming a guide.
With Twelve Locations at CHM Heli Skiing...Find One! And Book Your Trip Today!
When it comes to heli skiing, there is truly no operator more iconic than CMH. Their diverse terrain portfolio provides unabridged access to British Columbia’s alpine mountain ranges. Experienced by both amateur skiers on vacation and accomplished pro athletes, CMH Heli-Skiing continuously charts a legacy of exceptional guiding services. Competent, skilled mountaineering guides find the most picturesque lines and hikes, and the company’s dedication to absolute safety is a trait that no skier can undervalue.
Although CMH is the grandfather of heli skiing, the company persists into modernity with its world-class lodges and ever-growing operation. No matter what you’re looking for when heli skiing in British Columbia, they’ll help you find it.
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Please share a comment or review, if you have skied here! This REALLY helps the heliskiing community! Thank You!
BRADY
06/14/23
Brady is an avid skiing & backcountry enthusiast, aging "big wave" surfer and is totally addicted to heli skiing!
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