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For booking please e-mail info@cmhinc.com or call 1-800-661-0252. Canadian Mountain Holidays Phone: (403) 762-7100 
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For booking please e-mail info@cmhinc.com or call 1-800-661-0252. Canadian Mountain Holidays Phone: (403) 762-7100
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 The dreams of a young Austrian in wild Canadian high country Early in the1950's, a young Austrian named Hans Gmoser immigrated to Canada with very little money and big dreams of living in the mountains. The 1950's were the glory years of mountaineering when the highest, most challenging peaks all over the world were being climbed and conquered - including the treacherous ascent to the summit of Mount Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary, a New Zealand beekeeper, in 1953! Many of Gmoser's own Austrian countrymen were being photographed standing proud atop the highest peaks in the Himalayas. The heady, news-making accounts of these accomplishments spread like fire through the hearts of mountaineering and skiing enthusiasts all over the globe. And the young Hans Gmoser, too, was eager to put himself to the test. Not discouraged by the flat prairie landscape of Edmonton and Calgary where he first lived and worked at odd jobs, Hans counted pennies and looked longingly west to the Canadian Rockies and the glorious Columbia Mountain ranges. From mountain guide to mountain business By 1953 Hans had saved enough money to move to Banff and began his career as a guide in the spectacular wilderness surrounding 12,000-foot high Mount Assiniboine, "Canada's Matterhorn." During his first years as a guide, he gained an intimate knowledge of the physical as well as the spiritual aspects of the mountain. As Hans recalls of those early days, "I longed to share the natural beauty of the majestic mountains in Western Canada with everyone I could." Inspired now by a new dream, and building on his years of backcountry experience as a guide, Hans formed a small company in 1959, named Canadian Mountain Holidays (CMH). Over the next several years, his business prospered as he led thousands of skiers and climbers on thrilling mountain treks. The birth of Heli-Skiing. . . In April 1965, Hans Gmoser was intrigued by an idea that, although fanciful, seemed practical - an idea that had never been tried by any resort in the world. Hans began using helicopters to transport enthusiastic skiers high into the thin air of the otherwise-inaccessible Bugaboo Mountains in the Rockies. Heli-Skiing, as it became known, was born and became an instant success in this remote area. CMH soon began providing new mountain adventures to hundreds of skiers each year, and also began building comfortable mountain lodges to accommodate them. . . . and Heli-Hiking! Although Heli-Skiing was tremendously successful for CMH, Hans was not as quick to consider the idea of offering Helicopter-assisted hiking because, "We had many misadventures trying to create a profitable program for the summer months," he remembers, " and I was a bit skeptical to begin with. In fact, I had to be pushed a little." The person who gave Hans the push was the world-renowned American tour operator, Arthur Tauck. Having just enjoyed an incredible week of Heli-Skiing, Tauck wanted to take a group of his guests to one of Gmoser's now-famous mountain lodges for a summertime walking and hiking adventure. The first group was thrilled by the high-mountain hiking experience set against the wild and magical backdrop of the Cariboo Mountains. And another new sport, Heli-Hiking, had arrived. The largest Heli-Skiing and Heli-Hiking company in the world From the dreams of a young Austrian immigrant, through modest beginnings as a struggling mountain guiding business, Canadian Mountain Holidays has evolved into the world's largest Heli-Skiing and Heli-Hiking company. Today, Canadian Mountain Holidays' summer season extends from June through September, hosting over 2,500 outdoor enthusiasts from Europe, Japan, Canada, and across the United States. CMH operates five lodges each summer for Heli-Hiking, walking, mountaineering, and climbing - plus specialty family adventures and cooking workshops. Mountain holidays and adventures for all ages CMH vacations are designed to include everyone, from the novice hiker to the seasoned climber. Helicopters transport hikers to places way off the beaten path, far from crowds and into spectacular, unspoiled country. From the starting point, high in the mountains, CMH guests explore the dramatic landscapes of sheer alpine ridges, hillsides carpeted with wildflowers, slow-moving glaciers, and deep turquoise mountain lakes -- unique vistas the guides have discovered over the years. At day's end, guests return home to their comfortable mountain lodges for a relaxing whirlpool, sauna, and a hearty meal prepared by world-class chefs and pastry specialists. The team at CMH works hard to create a relaxing family atmosphere and encourages everyone to make the lodge their home during their stay. The Canadian Mountain Holiday mission is simply to offer every person, of any age and any ability, the incredible opportunity to experience a mountain adventure in style and comfort. To accomplish this over the long-term, CMH is committed to the highest international standards of eco-tourism. Through its programs, partnerships, and sponsorships, CMH is dedicated to maintaining the wildlife and rugged beauty of the mountains in pristine condition for visitors to enjoy for decades to come. |