Day 1 You will be picked up early in the morning from your hotel in Banff or Lake Louise and driven west, through two glorious national parks. Arrive at the heli pad for your flight to the lodge. Upon arrival, you will be kitted out with boots, day packs and rain gear before checking into your room. At noon, gather for lunch, meet the staff, and have a briefing on the next few days. After a helicopter safety talk, climb in and soar up for an afternoon of getting acquainted with the mountains. In the late afternoon, the helicopter will take you back to the lodge for hors d'oeuvres and beverages. Casual gourmet dinner, will be served family style, (save room for the pastry chef's latest inspiration). Then relax around the fireplace before retiring for a great night's sleep.

Days 2 & 3 You might want to join the morning stretch, or sleep a little longer before breakfast. The first helicopter leaves around 9:00 (each aircraft seats 11 guests and a guide), making the short but dramatic trip to the timberline. Divided into groups (8 to 11 people) according to ability, energy, and inclination, each group has its' own guide. Spend the day roaming and hiking in gorgeous, world-class landscapes. During the course of the day, the helicopter may pick up and land in three or four different areas, giving you a chance to experience a variety of settings, from meadows to timberline ridges to glaciers to a particularly winsome picnic spot. At the day's end fly back to the lodge to indulge in (depending on your mood) a massage, browse in the lodge shop, play a game of chess, climb the lodge's climbing wall, or sip a cocktail on the deck as alpen glow bathes the peaks you have been communing with. Then it's dinner, storytelling in the living room, and another great night's sleep.

Day 4 After breakfast, the first helicopter leaves about 9:30 for the Bobbie Burns helipad, where you board a private motorcoach for the drive back to Lake Louise or Banff.

How do I get to the helipad?
Transfers are provided from selected locations, depending on the heli-hiking package you have chosen. Pick-ups and drop-offs are as follows:
Cariboo Lodge – Jasper
Bugaboo Lodge – Banff
Bobbie Burns Lodge – Banff and Lake Louise
Note: A drop-off at Calgary Airport can be arranged at time of booking.

Where will I be hiking?
Each lodge has 386 square miles of remote, spectacular terrain to explore. Within each area there are glaciers, mountain lakes and streams, waterfalls, flowered meadows and awesome peaks. With the use of the helicopter, you can access all of this terrain and choose hikes that are suitable to each group's ability.

How far do I hike each day?
You can hike as much or as little as you want: from 100 ft to 10 miles and more. Groups are formed based on ability, so you can stay comfortably within your limits, or choose to go beyond. Generally groups will have no more than 11 people at any one time.

How much helicopter flying will I do?
Depending on the weather and hiking destinations, there are usually 2 to 4 flights a day lasting between 5 and 10 minutes each.

Do I need special equipment?
Not at all, because equipment is provided for your daily hikes, including: hiking boots, walking stick, an insulated hooded jacket, rain poncho, wind pants, a backpack and a water bottle.

Do you think I could do this?
Absolutely. As long as you are able to walk and have a spirit of adventure. These heli-hikes accommodate all abilities of age and fitness.