This winter, Canadian Mountain Holidays Heli-Skiing is going back to its roots with a new Ski Touring program, which takes the Heli out of the ascent and leaves skiers to climb the peaks with nothing but their skin-clad skis.
From April 11-18 and April 18-25, 2009, a select group of ten skiers on each tour will explore the pristine Bugaboos range of the Canadian Rockies the way Canadian Mountain Holidays founder Hans Gmoser did almost a half century ago. With two guides per trip, guests on the Ski Touring expedition will head out by helicopter to remote spots in the Bugaboos range, where they’ll be dropped off for a thrilling downhill run on fresh tracks — but instead of hopping back in the chopper for a ride back up, skiers will strap on their skins, release their heels, take off a layer and start the rhythmic ascent towards another great run.
“Ski touring allows us to experience the mountains in a way that’s very different from Heli-Skiing,” says Rob Rohn, CMH Director of Mountain Operations. “Your body gets into an almost Zen-like rhythm as you patiently climb towards a new vista at every corner. The quiet is deafening.”
After an exhausting and fulfilling day of ski touring, guests will return by helicopter to the Bugaboos lodge, where they can relax in the hot tub, enjoy a well-deserved massage and share stories and great food and wine with their fellow skiers.
The trip is priced at $3,500 CAD per person, based on twin accommodation and inclusive of all meals, guiding, mountain safety training and use of avalanche transceivers. Private ski touring groups can be arranged for groups of 8-10 skiers at other CMH lodges throughout the spring ski season.
For more information, please call 1-800-661-0252, or visit www.cmhski.com.
Source: Geoffrey Weill Associates
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".