Day Heli-Skiing

Use of day lodge

There is no overnight accommodation at CMH Purcell, but there is a cozy day lodge to use before and after your day in the mountains.

Lunch + light morning & après snacks

Weather permitting, you’ll eat a hearty CMH lunch out in the field. We’ll also fuel you with a selection of light snacks and beverages the morning of your trip, plus light apres-ski nibbles after your day skiing and riding.

Certified guides

Safety comes first at CMH, which includes world-renowned guiding from professionals who know the mountains best. Our guides are certified by the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG) and/or the International Federation of Mountain Guides Association (IFMGA).

Vertical

Every trip at CMH includes a certain amount of metres/feet of heli-skiing. The included amount is based on the length of your trip, the CMH area in which you’re skiing, and/or the program you’ve chosen.

Exclusive to CMH Purcell, you get UNLIMITED runs at no extra cost! Contact us for more details 

Safety training

All guests receive snow safety training upon arrival at CMH. No matter how many times you’ve heli-skied with us or the number of vertical feet you’ve notched, our guides will take you through the use of avalanche transceivers and general helicopter safety before heading out into the field.

CMH Safety Pack

Alongside your training, we provide you with all the necessary snow safety equipment. In your pack, you’ll find an avalanche transceiver, radio, shovel and probe.

Learn more about the CMH Safety Pack
 

Skis & poles

CMH Purcell is stocked with tried-and-tested powder skis and poles. We know this equipment performs well in our backcountry terrain, and we highly recommend leaving your skis at home and using ours instead. However, make sure to bring your own ski boots.

Take a look at our skis  

Snowboards

We have a select number of high-quality boards available to use. These brands are ideal for the deep, light snow found at our lodges. Please note that you must reserve a snowboard before your trip. Alternatively, riders may bring their own board to use. All riders must bring their own snowboard boots.

Take a look at our boards  

What’s not included

• Airfare
• Transportation
• Accommodation

Ski & snowboard boots

All guests must bring their own boots. Tip: we highly recommend flying with your boots as your carry-on item!

Avalanche airbag/floatation device

If you wish to ski or ride with an airbag/floatation device, they are available to rent. Please indicate your interest when booking.

A typical ski day at CMH Purcell*:

7:15 - 7:30 am
Arrive at the day lodge. Meet your hosts and guides, enjoy a selection of light snacks and beverages.

7:45 am
Receive your equipment and participate in safety training. 

9:30 am
Ski program starts 

LUNCH
Weather permitting, lunch will be served in the field 

Post-lunch
Continue skiing 

3-4 pm
Return to the lodge to enjoy après-ski snacks and refreshments. 

*Times may vary based on weather, time of year and helicopter resources

Arrival/Departure Airport

Purcell guests typically fly into Calgary International Airport (YYC)
Recommended hotel: Marriott Calgary Airport In-Terminal Hotel 

Flight planning

Arrival: The day before your trip starts
Departure: The day after your trip ends 

Self-drive
CMH Purcell is a self-driving destination; guests are responsible for their own transportation to and from the day lodge and staging area, located at 438 Lafontaine Road, Golden, BC.
Self-Driving directions 

Google Maps directions 

If you are flying into Calgary International Airport, rental vehicles are available at the airport; pre-booking a vehicle well in advance is strongly recommended. 

Approximate driving times to CMH Purcell: 

• Calgary International Airport 3.5 hours
• Banff, AB 2 hours
• Kelowna, BC 4.5 hours (+1 hr due to time zone change)
• Revelstoke, BC 2 hours (+1 hr due to time zone change)
• Kicking Horse Mountain Resort* 30 minutes

* If you are staying at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, we highly recommend you depart no later than 6:45 am. A train crossing along the driving route frequently causes delays. 

Meeting time

Please arrive at the day lodge (438 Lafontaine Road, Golden, BC) between 7:15 and 7:30 am Mountain Time on the morning of your trip.

The amount you heli-ski each day depends on a variety of factors (see more, below). We guarantee that you will ski at least 3,000 m (9,843 ft) per day, which is approximately 5 full runs. If conditions and other factors mean you get to ski or ride more than that, the extra vertical is free. You will not be charged extra. 

The decision to stop skiing/riding is always at the discretion of your guides and pilot. However, your guides will certainly include your goals for the day as part of their decision-making process. We want you to have a good time! Your desired amount of skiing will be considered alongside all other factors like safety, weather, conditions, daylight hours, group dynamics and abilities, etc. 

No. We welcome anyone from those seeking a mellower pace to hard chargers. Having two guides per group, plus a lot of different terrain options to choose from, gives us more flexibility to accommodate varying levels of skiers/riders at the same time.

Our goal with removing the cost for extra vertical at CMH Purcell is not to necessarily hammer as many runs as physically possible just for the sake of it, but instead to provide an exceptional experience with few constraints. The atmosphere that’s created by only having two groups of eight guests, a high guide-to-guest ratio, a plethora of available terrain, plus no extra charges, is one that allows you to fully enjoy an incredible day out.

However, if you do have a full group of strong skiers/riders and everyone in the group explicitly desires to move quickly, we will certainly do so if other safety considerations allow for it. 

If you don’t bring your own group, you will be matched with others who meet or exceed the minimum ability level. With two guides in each group of eight skiers, we have the flexibility to manage if pace and skiing abilities differ. 

The helicopter will aim todepart between 9:30-10 am MT and will return by 4-4:30 pm MT. The available amount of skiing/riding is within that window. If your group wishes to return sooner or if your guides and pilot determine it is unsafe to keep skiing, you may return sooner than 4-4:30 pm. 

No. Nope. Never. That’s not how we roll. The guides and the helicopter will move at a pace that is safe for the day’s weather, conditions, daylight hours, group dynamics and abilities, etc. If, all factors considered, the day allows for extra runs, we will make sure you get them. 

If you're ready to stop or need a break, tell your guides. They will help coordinate your next move. Depending on where you’re skiing and what’s happening that day, they may have a handful of available solutions. 

If you ski or ride for a portion of the day but operational constraints such as weather or mechanical issues prevent you from reaching our guaranteed amount of vertical (3,000 m/9,843 ft per day), we will refund you $450 CAD per every 1,000 m (3,281 ft) not skied. If you choose to stop skiing before you’ve reached the guaranteed amount for reasons relating to endurance or fitness, the refund does not apply.
If the helicopter never leaves the ground due to weather, mechanical issues or other unforeseen circumstances (AKA you don’t get to ski or ride at all), you will receive a full refund for your trip. 

Questions? Ask a trip expert  

CMH Purcell does not have a lodge that accommodates overnight guests; instead, CMH Purcell guests are free to self-book accommodation in the beautiful mountain town of Golden, BC, which is where CMH Purcell is located. Our vacation planning team is happy to connect you with our accommodation partners. There is a day lodge at the heli-pad where guests will meet, gear up, and enjoy a snack before and after skiing.