Heli Hiking in the Canadian Rockies
I was lucky enough to have the opportunity a couple of years ago to experience the wonderful adventure of Heli Hiking in the Canadian Rockies. We arrived in Calgary, stayed overnight in the city so that we were refreshed and ready to start our adventure the following day. We drove to the Helipad located just outside of Banff and waited for our transport to arrive. The first thing you hear is the sound of the powerful blades spinning through the air and then it comes into view, our transport for the next couple of days. Our luggage had already been taken from us and would be transferred by road to our accommodation. It was so exciting boarding the helicopter, buckling up and then being transported way up into the mountains. We travelled at the start of the season so there was still a lot of snow on the side of the mountains. We stayed at the Bugaboo Lodge, this lodge was very luxurious, the beds were incredibly comfortable (very important after all the mountain air) the standard of food was just amazing.
At the beginning of your stay you can decide what sort of hiking, exploring you want to do depending on your level of fitness and personal ability. If you want to go off and hike all day from peak to peak you can do this or if you just want to go and appreciate the stunning scenery, wildlife and flowers at a slower pace this is fine as well. Whatever you decide to do you will be away from the crowd and the dreaded ring of the mobile phone. You are completely off grid a real get away from everything experience. Your day starts with a very hearty breakfast and then you are off. You board your helicopter which will take you to your starting point with your own qualified guide. You then have all morning to explore the area. The helicopter will then return at lunch time to bring you back to the lodge for lunch or you can decide to stay on the mountain and have a packed lunch. If you choose to return to lodge you can then relax be that in the gardens or maybe in the sauna or hot tub for the rest of the afternoon or perhaps you fancy a massage. On our last day at lunchtime we were transported to a central place right at the top of the mountain ridges where we met everyone else. Lunch which was a barbeque that had been brought to us (they also transported a portaloo!) Simply amazing. That afternoon I have an outstanding memory of bum sliding down part of the mountain such fun on our final day.
I mentioned that the food was amazing, the food served at the lodge is as good as any 5* hotel if not better.
If you want to get away from it all and experience a holiday that is so close to nature but with luxury accommodation this is the holiday for you. This experience can be enjoyed as part of your Canadian Rockies holiday especially if you are travelling from Calgary to Vancouver. This experience can be experienced by everyone. I’m happy to help answer any questions that you may have about this experience.
