Alpine Helicopters
Our partners at Alpine Helicopters provide us with a fleet of helicopters and highly-specialized, dedicated crew to ensure our hiking program runs smoothly.
The primary helicopters we use are twin-engine, 11-passenger, jet-powered Bell 212s. For backup Alpine keeps machines in the towns of Golden and Kelowna, BC.
Alpine's pilots are specially trained in our mountain environment. As active participants in our safety network, they monitor our guests’ compliance and give a comprehensive safety talk around the helicopter just before the groups lift off for their first hike. Pilots have a minimum of 2,500 helicopter hours, with at least 250 spent in the mountains, and re-train rigorously throughout the year. As well, our crew rotation exceeds industry standard.
Ongoing maintenance is provided by a full-time engineer based in each area. All helicopters are equipped with emergency and medical gear and radios to ensure continuous communication between pilot, guides, the base lodge, other CMH areas, and outside resources.
Want to know more about the skill of our pilots?
Take a look at the following articles, featuring Michael Wagstaff and Don McTighe, both long-time pilots for Alpine and CMH:
• 3-year-old found alive after plane crash kills two (PDF)
• Firefighters' screams led to heroic rescue (PDF)
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Extend Your Vacation
Want to spend more time in the spectacular Canadian Rockies?
We can help plan your vacation.
Canadian Mountain Holidays is one of Canada’s oldest adventure travel companies and the world’s largest operator of helicopter-assisted hiking and helicopter-assisted skiing. Over the past 40 years, CMH has developed 12 Heli-Ski operations throughout the Columbia Mountains of British Columbia. Five of these operate Heli-Hiking programs as well. Approximately 7000 skiers and 2500 hikers come to CMH every year from all over the world. Find out what they are saying about the CMH experience.