If you think heli-hiking is for extreme adventurers only, think again. The adventure begins with where it takes you.
Just beyond the Canadian Rockies, the Purcell Mountains rise across southeastern British Columbia, stretching north into Bugaboo Provincial Park, a spectacular wilderness renowned for its soaring granite spires, glaciers and vast alpine landscapes. There are no roads leading into much of this backcountry, no tour buses, and few signs of civilization. To reach these extraordinary places, you have to fly.
That’s where the helicopter comes in. Rather than being simply part of the thrill, it’s your way into a mountain world otherwise difficult to reach, lifting you over rugged terrain and setting you down amid alpine meadows, glacier-carved valleys and dramatic peaks far from the usual hiking trails.
And once you’re there, heli-hiking isn’t about pushing yourself to the extreme. It’s about experiencing this remarkable wilderness your way, with hikes tailored to your pace, fitness and comfort level. The helicopter gets you to the extraordinary. How you explore it is up to you.
Want to take it slowly, stopping to photograph wildflowers? You can. Prefer to cover more ground and work up a sweat? You can do that, too.
That’s one of the most important things to know about heli-hiking: you have choices.
Here’s what else you need to know.
Instead of spending hours climbing up from a trailhead to reach the high country, you fly there, touching down amid glaciers, alpine meadows, mountain ridges and valleys that would otherwise take considerable time and effort to reach.
And the flight is part of the adventure. You’ll soar over rugged peaks and glaciers before landing in the heart of the mountains. From there, you explore on foot with experienced mountain guides.
Access and ease, above all.
Traditional hiking often requires hours of climbing just to reach the alpine landscapes you came to see. A helicopter changes the equation. Within minutes, you can travel from the lodge into a world of glaciers, wildflower-filled meadows, mountain ridges and remote valleys.
You still get to lace up your boots, breathe the mountain air, and explore on foot. You simply spend less time getting there and more time enjoying where you are.
That’s largely up to you.
Rather than expecting everyone to complete the same hike at the same pace, heli-hiking is designed around personal choice, with highly experienced mountain guides there to help you find the group that’s right for you. You don’t even need to know exactly what that means before you arrive. Your guides will talk with you about your fitness, interests and comfort level, then help match you with a group whose pace and hiking style suit you best.
Depending on the group and the day, you might hike approximately ½ mile or as many as 9 miles. You may want to wander through alpine meadows, stopping often to photograph wildflowers and take in the views. Or you might prefer to cover more ground, tackle elevation and enjoy a more challenging workout. And if your first group doesn’t feel like quite the right fit, you can always make a switch.
With expertly trained and experience guides who are right at home in the wilderness helping you every step of the way, there’s no pressure to keep up or push beyond your comfort zone. You simply experience the mountains at the pace that feels right for you.
You can take the opportunity to cover more ground, hike longer distances and tackle different terrain, indulging the explorer in you. Or, you can experience more of an adventurous workout, challenging yourself to go higher, faster, and farther. Heli-hiking is all about giving everyone different ways to experience the same extraordinary wilderness.
Check out the Choice Chart in the FAQs below for detailed explanations.
You don’t have to hike at the same pace.
A helicopter can carry groups of up to 11 guests with two guides, and hiking groups can be divided as needed so everyone can stay within their comfort levels. If you start out with one group and decide the pace isn’t right for you, you can change groups during your stay.
That flexibility works both ways. Fit, experienced hikers can find plenty to challenge them, while guests who prefer a slower pace can spend more time enjoying the scenery, taking photographs and exploring the alpine environment.
You choose how you want to experience the mountains.
Your day starts with a hearty breakfast at the lodge before boarding a helicopter for the morning flight into the mountains.
Where you land depends on the weather, conditions and the kind of hiking your group wants to do that day. From there, you’ll set out with your guides, perhaps walking through an alpine meadow, along a mountain ridge or near a glacier.
Lunch is picnic-style, enjoyed right in the mountains, where you can feast on a truly memorable view.
After lunch, there’s more time to hike and explore. The helicopter may move your group to another location, giving you the chance to experience different terrain and scenery in a single day.
Later, you’ll fly back to the lodge, where food, drinks, relaxation, dinner and camaraderie await.
You will stay at the Bugaboo Lodge, a rustic-luxury backcountry lodge where the wilderness comes with warm hospitality.
The lodge puts you right in the heart of the Bugaboo Mountains, surrounded by the pristine landscapes you’ve come to explore. After a day of exploring your way, you return to comfortable accommodations, chef-prepared meals, drinks, spa and massage options, and plenty of time to relax and share stories of your day.
Is heli-hiking difficult?
It can be as relaxed or as challenging as you want it to be. Groups are organized by experienced guides according to pace, fitness and comfort level, so you’re not expected to keep up with hikers looking for a different experience.
Do I need hiking experience?
You should be comfortable walking outdoors on natural terrain, but you don’t need to be an expert hiker. Guides help match the experience to your abilities and comfort level.
Here’s how the guides explain the choices you have when out in the wilderness:
| Something for everyone |
|---|
| WANDER Wanderers want to see beautiful terrain in a very relaxed manner. They prefer to meander slowly and enjoy the scenery with shorter walks over easy ground. Long, relaxing breaks along the way offer opportunities to reflect, slow down, and take in the stunning vistas. |
| ROAM Roamers are seeking a full day of hiking, but at a more relaxed pace. They will experience simpler but stunning terrain with minor amounts of elevation gain and loss. Longer breaks along the way allow for plenty of photo opportunities and time to pause. |
| EXPLORE Explorers want to be somewhat challenged on their trip, hiking full days in varied terrain. They can maintain a steady, moderate pace over reasonable distances, and likely already exercise multiple times per week. This group will typically navigate terrain with some elevation gain and loss, stopping for regular breaks along the way. |
| ADVENTURE Adventurers enjoy strenuous, fast-paced activities. They are already very physically active and want to hike full days, covering a lot of ground on their trip. This group will typically navigate more challenging terrain with lots of elevation gain and loss, stopping for shorter breaks along the way. |
Do I need to be a mountain climber to heli-hike?
No. Heli-hiking is hiking, not mountaineering. You don’t need technical climbing skills to enjoy the experience.
How far will I hike?
You may hike anywhere from approximately ½ mile to 9 miles in a day, depending on the group, terrain and what you want to do.
What if I want an easier day?
The choice is always yours. You can stay and relax at the lodge or you can join a group that moves at a more relaxed pace so you can spend more time taking in the scenery, photographing wildflowers, or simply enjoying being in the mountains.
What if I want more of a challenge?
There are options for that, too. More experienced and fit hikers can cover greater distances, tackle more elevation and turn the day into a real workout.
How often will we use the helicopter?
The helicopter is your transportation into and out of the mountains and, depending on the day, may also move your group from one hiking area to another. That means you can explore more than one landscape without having to hike the distance between them.
What is it like getting into and out of the helicopter?
You’ll be shown exactly what to do. Guides provide instructions on safely approaching, boarding and exiting the helicopter, so you don’t need previous helicopter experience.
What should I wear?
Think layers and good footwear. Sturdy hiking shoes or boots with traction are important, along with comfortable clothing you can add or remove as temperatures change. You’ll receive specific information about what to bring and what equipment is provided before your trip.
What happens if the weather changes?
Mountain weather can change quickly, so flexibility is part of the experience. Guides and pilots monitor conditions and adjust where and when you hike and fly accordingly.
So, is heli-hiking really for everyone?
It can be.
Riding in a helicopter flies you to the high country. Experienced mountain guides help you explore it. And you choose how you want to experience it, whether that means staying at the lodge to simply enjoy the setting, or heading off by helicopter to wander through wildflowers with your camera, comfortably walking on alpine terrain or setting out for a challenging day on your feet.
You don’t have to conquer the mountains to experience them.
You just have to get up there. And a heli-hiking adventure makes it possible.
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