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Ready to heli ski? My first time experience with CMH [Part 1]

I wanted to tell Roko – my 6″4, disturbingly svelte mountain guide that no, I was not. I wanted to sit him down and explain that the prospect of jumping out of a helicopter and onto a mountain ledge with nothing but four wooden sticks of varied length and width filled me with an unerring dread.

Unfortunately, this was not possible. Roko had chosen to ask me this question as we hovered 50 feet above the Canadian Rockies. The closest Starbucks was 150km away. There was nothing to do but smile and nod and…..ski.

Jeremy Clarkson once said that skiing is just a combination of “acute discomfort, butt-clenching embarrassment, mind-numbing fear and a light dusting of hypothermia.” This is also probably how his kids feel watching Top Gear when their Aga has broken. People who don’t ski will always find a way of knocking it, but since I started at the age of ten it’s gone from being a hobby to a passion, and heli skiing was my final frontier.

Heli skiing in Canada can be moderate

I’ve always loved skiing. Over the last few years I have gradually improved, graduating to the joys of off piste skiing. Working for Pure Powder, it was inevitable that Heli Skiing and I would one day meet but I wasn’t sure if we’d get along and now I found myself in Canada ‘sampling the product’. Tough life.

The first, common misconception of heli skiing is that you jump out of the helicopter. Once I’d found out that this was not true (the helicopter does indeed LAND before you exit) it started to seem less suicidal. Another key factor to my newly-relaxed demeanour was knowing that I would be skiing in CMH heli skiing’s Powder Introduction group with the aid of two guides, at a slower pace and with tuition where necessary. This was starting to sound less scary! I was going to the Bugaboos – one of 11 lodges in an area 1/3 the size of Switzerland operated by Canadian Mountain Holidays (CMH).

I arrived at the Helipad in time to see the previous weeks’ guests landing back on flat ground. Luckily we were met with smiling faces, fearsome tans and no broken bones. The Helipad is only 4 hours drive from Calgary (a hop, skip and a jump in terms of the vastness of Canada) and a further 20 minute helicopter ride drops you in the awe-inspiring terrain of the remote Bugaboos lodge. This luxury abode boasts a Jacuzzi, sauna, exercise room and climbing wall! I wondered what type of person comes back from a hard days skiing and looks forward to a good climb, and imagined how I was going to climb gracefully into the helicopter….. CONTINUED IN PART2

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Posted by: Charlie Brooksbank

Mastering Off-Piste Skiing: An Introductory Guide

  For many thrill seekers, the tame slopes of a ski resort do not offer the excitement they’re looking for – this is where off-piste skiing offers an excellent alternative. The popularity of this adventure-based sport has increased over the past couple of years as skiing has become more accessible to more people. And yet, […]

Posted by: Samantha

Helicopter Skiing: The Ultimate Adrenaline Rush

  If you are interested in undertaking an outdoor adventure like no other, helicopter skiing may be the perfect option for you. Helicopter skiing involves off-piste, downhill skiing with the added thrill of a helicopter trip to reach untouched backcountry terrain.   Perhaps breathtaking views and an exhilarating experience are what you are after? If […]

Posted by: Samantha

About Heli Skiing: Myths And Misconceptions

  For those of you who have already had the chance to head out on your very own heli skiing excursion, you will know what to expect when embarking on your next adventure. For those who have not, this brief guide is for you – we will clear up some common misconceptions regarding heli skiing, […]

Posted by: Samantha

Heli Skiing: Prepare For An Unforgettable Trip

  In the past, heli skiing used to be a sport that only those adventurous few who could afford the exorbitant cost could enjoy. However, more recently, with the help of companies like Pure Powder, the sport has become more accessible than ever. Today more and more avid skiers are being introduced to and partaking […]

Posted by: Samantha

Plan An Unforgettable Off-Piste Skiing Trip

  If you are eager to set off on an unforgettable off-piste skiing trip, then you have come to the right place. Pure Powder is one of the best ski specialists based in the UK, but we organise off-piste ski adventures all around the world. In this quick read, we will cover some essential information […]

Posted by: Samantha

A Comprehensive Guide To Heli Ski Preparations

  Let’s get into the ins and outs of trip preparation for your next heli ski adventure! At Pure Powder, we take care of all the logistical aspects of your skiing experience, but there are a few things you can do from your side to make sure that you kick off the excursion as prepared […]

Posted by: Samantha

Helicopter Skiing vs Resort Skiing: A Comparison Of Skiing Experiences

  Over the past few years, there has been a rapid rise in the popularity of helicopter skiing. Spurred ever onwards by this increased interest in the sport, Pure Powder strives to make heli skiing an accessible activity for skiing novices and veterans alike. With helicopter skiing now more accessible than ever, avid adventurers have […]

Posted by: Samantha

Steep Heli Skiing: Exploring Alaska

  If real thrills are what you’re searching for, heli skiing with Pure Powder is the way to go. We organise heli skiing trips all over the globe, tailoring each experience to your level of expertise. For the experienced skiers looking for an adrenaline rush, Alaska is the holy grail of pure skiing freedom.   […]

Posted by: Samantha

Heli Ski Gear Guide: Must-Have Skiing Equipment

  If you have ever participated in a heli ski experience, you will know that having the right equipment is essential. Not only does the heli ski gear protect you from the elements out in the backcountry, but it can also improve the entire experience overall. Regarding heli ski gear, experienced skiers stick to functional […]

Posted by: Samantha

Incredible Heli Skiing Destinations

  If you are considering setting off on your very first heli skiing adventure, allow us to walk you through some of the amazing options you have at your disposal! In this brief guide, we will have a look at a few different heli ski destinations and consider what makes each of them unique.   […]

Posted by: Samantha

Off-Piste Skiing: Embrace The Freedom Of Untracked Slopes

  Very few sensations can be compared to the feeling of off-piste skiing in deep powder snow. If you have yet to throw yourself into one of these incredible ski excursions, allow us to fill you in on the basics of off-piste skiing. In this brief guide, we will cover what exactly an off-piste skiing […]

Posted by: Samantha

Helicopter Skiing: The Ultimate Alpine Experience

  Helicopter skiing is a great way to take your ski experience to the next level. In this brief guide, we will explain the differences between our tailored heli skiing excursions and your typical ski getaway. Of course, this is not to say that a standard resort skiing trip cannot be a great experience, but […]

Posted by: Samantha

Some Useful Advice For Your Heli Skiing Adventure

  As exciting as a heli skiing trip surely is, it is always best to go prepared. In this quick read, we will walk you through a few different aspects of our heli skiing adventures, arming you with everything you need to know about heli skiing before you embark on your trip.   When you […]

Posted by: Samantha

Best Heli Skiing In Canada: Make Your Next Adventure Unforgettable

  CMH Heli Skiing offers not only the best heli skiing in Canada, but some of the best off-piste skiing adventures in the world. The interior ranges of western British Columbia, Canada have been hailed as the Mecca of heli skiing excursions, and for good reason. There is no shortage of choice with Canadian Mountain […]

Posted by: Samantha

Exploring The Heli Ski World: An Introductory Guide

  When hearing the term “heli ski”, peoples’ minds often wander to the world of action movies. The word may evoke images of James Bond or Jason Bourne leaping off a helicopter several feet in the air onto a steep slope, followed by villains, as they expertly manoeuvre their way down death-defying heights and avoiding […]

Posted by: Samantha

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