Pure Powder's Ski Blog

Call +44 (0)20 7736 8191


Pure Powder’s Top 4 Mountain Hikes

As off piste skiing and heli skiing specialists, we have a keen sense of adventure and love our outdoor pursuits, even if they don’t always involve snow, skis and après ski ‘activities’!  Therefore it seemed only fitting to put together a list of the best hikes for those of us who aren’t heading down to the Southern Hemisphere chasing the snow for summer skiing.

Haute Route in France & Switzerland

The Haute Route that runs from Chamonix to Zermatt is one of the most famous mountain trails in Europe. It can be completed in the spring as an off piste skiing adventure, on skis with skins and long powdery runs, or in summer as a flower-ridden, 125 mile long hiking route. The hiking is not too demanding, and most of the trail is doable without a guide. Hikers cross glaciers, high cliff paths and witness one of the most stunning areas in the Alps at a quieter and more intimate time of year. Nights are spent in rustic, mountain-top cabins where amazing meals and delicious wines are served upon your arrival.

(If the summer version is not your cup of tea, here’s a bit more info about the skiing version in winter for keen off piste skiers)

Pure Powder's Top 4 Mountain Hikes

Everest Base Camp in Nepal

Contrary to popular belief, going hiking in Nepal doesn’t necessitate climbing Mt Everest (although you can if you really want to). Hiking in Nepal can in fact be as laid back as you desire. There are boundless combinations of where to go and what routes to follow, and you can hike from cabin to cabin, some of which are relatively comfortable and some that are more rustic. Though the Everest Base Camp Trek is surely one of the most popular adventures, there is a huge expanse of Himalayan terrain to discover and you will never be short on scenery. Staying at the local places also allows travellers to soak up some of the amazing Nepalese mountain culture.

Pure Powder's Top 4 Mountain Hikes

The Three Lochs Way, Scotland

With all these exotic and faraway places to choose from and travel to, it can be easy to forget the beautiful areas just a train-ride away up in Scotland. The Scottish countryside and Highlands have a huge variety on offer for all different kinds of hiking style, from climbing and hiking to far off peaks, to leisurely walks through gentle, rolling hills. The Three Lochs Way is one such trail, that goes through various small towns bordering Scotland’s first national park. It benefits from the stunning scenery of Loch Lomond, the Gareloch and Loch Long for the duration of the 3 to 4 day hike. It can be broken up further for shorter day hikes or done in less time, and doesn’t get higher than 250 metres so is perfect for a relaxed, meandering trek. There is lots of accommodation on offer, including B & B’s, hotels and full cottages to rent.

Pure Powder's Top 4 Mountain Hikes

CMH’s Via Ferrata(s) in British Columbia, Canada

Guests who heli hike with CMH have the opportunity of a lifetime to try out North America’s longest via ferrata route. Starting from the Bobbie Burns lodge, the climb takes you up Mt. Nimbus and along a trail where you climb up rock faces with set rungs in them, hike along ridges and cross the high, swaying suspension bridge (all while harnessed in of course). As of 2011, there is now a via ferrata at the Bugaboos as well. Via ferrata’s aside, CMH offers hiking, walking and activities for all ages and abilities. Walks near the lodge, children’s nature adventures and via ferrata scalers are all looked after and entertained by the CMH guides.

Pure Powder's Top 4 Mountain Hikes

Do let us know about your favorite hikes in the comments box below.  And if you are keen to experience CMH’s heli hiking Summer Adventures, contact the off piste and heli skiing experts at Pure Powder!

Posted by: Claire Matheson

Off-Piste Skiing: Your Questions Answered

  If taking on challenging terrain sounds like a thrilling adventure, then off-piste skiing may just be the ideal outdoor sport for you. Venturing outside the boundaries of standard ski resorts can be a rewarding experience, allowing you to leave behind the groomed slopes and instead make tracks across the fresh snow of the backcountry. […]

Posted by: Samantha

Heli Skiing: Everything You Need To Know

  Heli skiing is an invigorating outdoor sport involving breathtaking views from remote backcountry slopes. Whether you are an excited first-time/beginner skier or a seasoned skier looking for a new challenge, heli skiing has something to offer. In this quick read, we will be covering everything you need to know about heli skiing.   If […]

Posted by: Samantha

Pure Powder’s Skiing Resort Guide: Whistler/Blackcomb

Location: Most famously known as just Whistler, Whistler and Blackcomb are two mountains that sit side by side and make up Canada’s biggest resort. Together they make up a whopping 8,171 acres of terrain, split between pisted runs, Alpine bowls and glaciers. Whistler Village is at the base of Whistler, the hub of the village […]

Posted by: Georgie Knox

Pure Powder’s Skiing Resort Guide: Silver Star

Location: Located in the stunning Okanagan Valley, Silver Star is British Colombia’s fourth largest ski resort where you can expect the famous champagne powder we all know and love due to being further west. The varied terrain spreads over 3,282 acres and attracts every kind of skier. Getting there: Silver Star is extremely easy to get […]

Posted by: Zillah Bell

Pure Powder’s Skiing Resort Guide: Sun Peaks

Location: Sun Peaks is the second biggest ski area in Canada, behind Whistler. It is the perfect warm up destination for anyone who is heli skiing at CMH’s Cariboos Lodge. Getting there: Sun Peaks is located in the heart of British Columbia, only a 45 minute drive from Kamloops and less than an hour by […]

Posted by: Zillah Bell

Tree Skiing in BC, Canada

The tree skiing in the interior ranges of British Columbia is very unique.  The trees protect the snow from wind and sun damage; so not only is it where you would expect the deepest snow to be, it is also where the powder remains perfect for longer which makes tree skiing a very enjoyable experience! […]

Posted by: Zillah Bell

CMH Private Heli Skiing Trips

Heli skiing is the ultimate skiing experience – we don’t know a skier out there who doesn’t have heli skiing on their bucket list.  What’s not to want – deep, untracked powder in every direction, fresh tracks at every turn, no lift queues and a helicopter at your service!  Now, imagine it all to yourself […]

Posted by: Georgie Knox

Where Can I Go Small Group Heli Skiing?

Smaller heli ski groups mean greater opportunities for deep snow and more epic lines; and  heli skiing in groups made up of 4- or 5- guests can mean that your mountain experience is as intimate as possible.  You can either fill a helicopter with your buddies or join a ready made small group.  It’s best […]

Posted by: Zillah Bell

Pure Powder’s Resort Guide: Revelstoke

Location: Revelstoke Mountain Resort is located in North America’s ‘deep snow capital’ in the heart of British Columbia. It was voted Canada’s Best Ski Resort in 2020, which is most likely due to its 3,120 acres of skiable terrain that includes the longest vertical ski hill in North America, trumping Whistler in 2008 when their […]

Posted by: Suzy Small

Where Can I Heli Ski In Chile? 

What a better way to spend the summer than heli skiing in the Andes…Powder South, offers an excellent heli skiing programme which is be based out of four different locations.     The Heli Skiing Programme:   Heli Skiing in Chile is based out of the Chilean Andes Mountains and it has access to over 1 million acres of terrain – where to heli ski here is endless. Most of the skiing is on open Alpine […]

Posted by: Georgie Knox

The Top 5 Heli Ski Lodges in the World

We’re all about the best powder skiing experiences in the world, and as your heli ski experts it is only right that will pull together our top five ultimate heli ski lodges in the world. We couldn’t think of any where else we would prefer to be right now. Each lodge is sumptuous, with impeccable […]

Posted by: Zillah Bell

Pure Powder’s Christmas Gift Guide for Skiers & Boarders

Stuck for Christmas gifts for the skier or snowboarder in the family or for friends…then check out our ultimate gift list for this upcoming Christmas Go Pro Hero9 A Go Pro has to be the ultimate gift for any skier or snowboarder and the Go Pro Hero9 is the one to go for. As the […]

Posted by: Georgie Knox

In the Press: Forbes

In The Press: Forbes Photo from Tordrillo Mountain Lodge Alaska has to be one of the most desired places to heli ski in the world, and we aren’t the only ones that think so. Forbes have recently written an article saying that “avid skiers are seeking out Alaska as the top place to heli-ski” Alaska […]

Posted by: Georgie Knox

Plan B. Where Can I Heli Ski During A Covid-19 Winter?

We’re massive fans of the interior ranges of British Columbia in Canada and in our humble opinion it’s as close as heli ski perfection as you can get.  It’s where you’ll find huge expanses of un-tracked ‘Champagne’ powder, tree-skiing for bad-weather days and unbeatable heli skiing know-how from the guides and pilots.   However, this is no normal season and as things stand the Canadian government are keeping […]

Posted by: Zillah Bell

Pure Powder’s Ultimate Heli Ski Packing List

It’s all very exciting – you’ve got your trip booked; flight tickets in hand; passport at the ready…  you can practically smell the powder!  However, you’re standing over an empty bag thinking – have I got everything?  We’ve pulled together our top packing tips to make sure that you’re all set.  What ski clothes to pack?  […]

Posted by: Zillah Bell

Are Touring boots compatible with CMH bindings?

Photo By: Zach Doleac  Our most asked question in the 2019/2020 season was – are my ski touring boots compatible with the CMH bindings?  So… we’ve decided to write a blog about it and get it answered once and for all! Taking skis CMH Heli Skiing provide all their guests with fat, powder skis which […]

Posted by: Zillah Bell

Pure Powder’s Resort Guide: Kicking Horse

Location: Kicking Horse Mountain Resort’s 1,315 vertical is known for its deep light powder and huge snowfall – no wonder it’s nicknamed the Champagne Powder Capital of Canada. It attracts skiers looking to experience amazing snow in a picturesque setting. Kicking Horse has a wide variety of terrain in its 3,400 skiable acres; better suited […]

Posted by: Georgie Knox

Pure Powder’s Skiing Resort Guide: Lake Louise

Location: Lake Louise is a hamlet located in the Banff National Park in the Rocky Mountains. Its name comes from the extraordinary vibrant blue lake which is at the base of Mount Victoria. The lake itself is a 6-minute drive from the centre of the hamlet and was named after Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, the fourth Daughter of Queen Victoria. Although the hamlet is small with only a few hotels and […]

Posted by: Georgie Knox

Pure Powder’s Resort Guide: Banff

Location: Banff is located in a picturesque National Park in Alberta, Canada.  It was named by the President of the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1884 after his hometown Banffshire in Scotland. With one of the longest ski seasons in North America, Banff has access to over 8,000 acres of ski terrain spread across is three ski […]

Posted by: Georgie Knox

Pure Powder’s Top 10 Blogs of 2020

We’ve updated our top 10 favourite ski blogs which bring you the latest ski news, top tips and fashionable destinations.  Get your powder fix today and whet your appetite for the season ahead…  powdermatt.com/   To kick off the list we have this cracking a blog by Matt Mosteller – one year, while his friends were busy getting […]

Posted by: Zillah Bell