Bugaboos

Bugaboos

The birthplace of heli-skiing

Inspiring skiers for more
than 60 years

This is the hallowed ground where heli-skiing was born. From its humble roots as a former sawmill camp, the backcountry lodge our founder constructed — and the mountain vision he realized — at the foot of the world-famous granite Bugaboos Spires became the genesis of an entire heli-skiing industry. It has since grown to a luxury destination with a global family of CMH guests who have been drawn back for six decades to the place where it all began.

With mind-blowing scenery and steeped in history, CMH Bugaboos is also a longtime favorite due to its wide variety of heli-skiing terrain that ranges from relaxed to expert. Heli-skiing in the Bugaboos defies classification, mainly since the area is renowned as the most all-around operation at CMH and one that welcomes all guests who have an interest in heli-skiing to see and ski for themselves.

CMH Bugaboos

Towering Spires

Terrain

Something for everyone

The terrain in the Bugaboos is extremely diverse. With a mix of manageable, spaced tree skiing and wide-open, above-treeline alpine, it’s able to satisfy the desires of every kind of heli-skier or boarder. The iconic Bugaboos heli experience is vast glacier skiing with moderate pitch and the impressive Bugaboo Spires standing sentry in the backdrop.

Even though the Bugaboos is rich in moderately pitched terrain perfect for our Powder Intro program, the extensive run map holds more challenging lines as well. The mountains here are big and the landscape is ever-changing; after more than 50 years, we still find exciting new places to explore every season.

Skiable Terrain

Up to

235 + runs

1,597 sq. km / 617 sq. mi

Using snow conditions, wildlife movement, weather forecasts and a variety of other factors, our guides carefully select each day’s run lineup from a roster of more than 200 options.

View tenure map

Features

A mix between

60% trees

40% alpine

Sweeping alpine bowls, springtime glacier skiing and widely-spaced tree runs. The Bugaboos boast an immense variety of terrain both above and below the treeline, which is just the right amount of variety for a range of abilities.

View all area stats

Ability

Relax and enjoy the mountains

Bugaboos’ friendly terrain combined with a mellower pace than some of our strong-to-expert-destinations make it an ideal choice if you’re not in a rush to get down the slopes, or if you’re looking to try heli-skiing for the first time. The stunning scenery and nearby granite spires mean there’s a lot to look at and enjoy while you ski or ride.

Your heli-ski ability is a combination of your fitness, your pace and your skiing or riding skills in backcountry conditions. We make every possible effort to group you with other guests who ski and ride at your level.

Relaxed

I like shorter pitches at a relaxed pace with lots of breaks to rest. I slow down significantly in challenging or treed terrain and challenging snow conditions and will rely on slow, cautious turns or traverses to get down the slope.

Recommended programs

Powder Intro, Powder Masters

Good

I like moderately long pitches with occasional breaks to rest. I definitely slow down in challenging or treed terrain and challenging snow conditions, sometimes relying on slow, cautious turns or traverses, but I still maintain a continuous pace without prolonged stops.

Recommended programs

Powder Intro, Powder Masters, Signature, Ski Fusion, Heli-Assisted Ski Touring

Strong

I like long pitches with occasional breaks to rest. I might slow down slightly in challenging or treed terrain and challenging snow conditions, but I’m able to maintain a continuous rhythm and pace.

Recommended programs

Signature, Heli-Assisted Ski Touring, Ski Fusion

Expert/Pro

I like to ski/ride long pitches all day long with minimal breaks to rest. I thrive in challenging terrain and snow conditions and actively seek out tree skiing. I mostly ski/ride at a fast, aggressive pace.

Recommended programs:

Signature, Heli-Assisted Touring, Ski Fusion

Need help determining your ability level?

Take the ability quiz

Trip Info

What's included with your trip

Accommodation

The cost of your trip not only includes heli-skiing, but also your stay at CMH Bugaboos’ backcountry fly-in lodge. Enjoy its sauna, hot tub, morning stretch class and exercise room.

Food & beverage

There’s a saying here at CMH, ‘If you haven’t eaten in two hours, something's wrong’. The food and beverage experience are as legendary as the heli-skiing, and all your meals, snacks and select non-alcoholic beverages are included as part of your trip.

Transportation

We provide you with fully escorted transportation in our comfortable coach buses to and from Calgary International Airport, which is the meeting place for the start of your journey to CMH Bugaboos.

Certified guides

Safety comes first at CMH, which includes world-renowned guiding from professionals who know the mountains best. Our guides are certified by the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG) and/or the International Federation of Mountain Guides Association (IFGMA).

Unlimited vertical

Every trip at CMH includes a certain amount of metres/feet of heli-skiing. If you ski or ride more than the amount guaranteed for your trip, there’s no extra cost. That’s right. You better get your ski legs ready, because the future is unlimited.

Full details

Safety training

All guests receive snow safety training upon arrival at CMH. No matter how many times you’ve heli-skied with us or the number of vertical feet you’ve notched, our guides will take you through the use of avalanche transceivers and general helicopter safety before heading out into the field.

CMH Safety Pack

Alongside your training, we provide you with all the necessary snow safety equipment. In your pack, you’ll find an avalanche transceiver, radio, shovel and probe.

Learn more about the CMH Safety Pack

Skis & poles

CMH Bugaboos is stocked with tried-and-tested powder skis and poles. We know this equipment performs well in our backcountry terrain, and we highly recommend leaving your skis at home and using ours instead. However, make sure to bring your own ski boots.

Take a look at our skis

Snowboards

We have a select number of high-quality boards available to use. These brands are ideal for the deep, light snow found at our lodges. Please note that you must reserve a snowboard before your trip. Alternatively, riders may bring their own board to use. All riders must bring their own snowboard boots.

Take a look at our boards

What’s not included

Airfare
Pre and post-trip accommodation
Alcoholic beverages & premium non-alcoholic beverages
Massages
Retail goods (available for purchase)

Ski & snowboard boots

All guests must bring their own boots. Tip: we highly recommend flying with your boots as your carry-on item!

Avalanche airbag/floatation device

If you wish to ski or ride with an airbag/floatation device, they are available to rent. Please indicate your interest when booking.

Touring equipment

If you’re part of a Touring or Fusion trip, you must bring your own touring equipment.

Itinerary

A typical ski day on a Signature Trip at CMH Bugaboos*:

7:30 am

Awaken your muscles with a warm-up class

8 am

Fuel your body with a hearty breakfast prepared by our in-house chefs

9 am

Ski program starts

Lunch

Weather permitting, you will eat lunch in the field

Post-lunch

Continue skiing

3-4 pm

Return to the lodge to enjoy aprés-ski snacks and refreshments, a soak in the hot tub or a massage.

7 pm

Swap stories of your incredible day in the mountains over a relaxing backcountry-gourmet dinner and a hand-crafted cocktail from the bar.

*Times may vary based on weather, time of year and helicopter resources

Getting to CMH Bugaboos

CMH Bugaboos is a backcountry fly-in heli lodge. Most of our guests travel via Calgary International Airport then rent a car or catch our coach bus transfer to the heli-pad, which sits 38 kilometres north of Radium Hot Springs, BC. Self-drive visitors also travel directly to the heli-pad in interior British Columbia from Pacific Northwest locations such as Seattle, Spokane, Sun Valley, Vancouver or Kelowna.

Arrival/Departure Airport

Bugaboos guests fly into Calgary International Airport (YYC)
Recommended hotel: Calgary Marriott In-Terminal Hotel

Flight planning

Arrival: The day before your trip starts
Departure: The day after your trip ends

Coach transfer

On the morning your trip begins, you’ll board the CMH coach which will drive you approximately 4-5 hours to the Bugaboos heli-pad. On the day your trip ends, the coach will return you to Calgary International Airport (YYC).

Helicopter transfer

From the heli-pad, you’ll board the helicopter and enjoy a short flight (less than 30 minutes) to CMH Bugaboos.

Explore detailed transportation information

Did you know?

There are a number of alternative transportation options available, including driving yourself, hiring a private driver and vehicle, or chartering a private flight.

Learn more & driving directions

Questions?

If you have questions, our team is happy to assist.

Call us at 1-800-661-0252

Message us

Trip Preparation

If you're thinking of a trip or have already booked and are looking for additional information, check out our planning centre.

Trip Planning

Lodging

Modern lodge, historic
heli-skiing

The iconic Bugaboo Lodge is where heli-skiing was born. It's a slice of heli-skiing history that guests have continued to return to for over half a century.

This fly-in backcountry lodge is a truly special place that simply can’t be duplicated anywhere else. As you walk its hallways, you're steeped in a deep sense of mountaineering and ski history. The 32-room log-hewn getaway at the base of Bugaboo Glacier has been significantly updated over the years with modern comforts including a sweeping bar with a view you’ll never want to leave, a relaxing rooftop hot tub overlooking the mighty Bugaboo Spires, and backcountry-luxury rooms to rest your tired legs after a day of skiing and riding the very same mountains you can see from your bed.

The atmosphere at the Bugaboos feels familiar and relaxed. More than five decades removed from its early roots as a former logging camp, CMH Bugaboos still sets the standard as the bucket list place to heli-ski. From its rustic woodstove roots, the lodge has evolved into a gorgeous destination famous for both its architectural style and comfortable luxury—earning its current status as the most iconic heli lodge in the world.

Watch: Virtual Tour

32 guest rooms

Non-smoking | No pets, please | Complimentary guest laundry facilities

Amenities

Rooftop hot tub
Stunning mountain views
CMH Museum
Gear & gift shop
Games room
Music room
Steam room and dry sauna
Massage
Indoor climbing wall
20 km of groomed cross-country ski trails
Chef-prepared meals & snacks
Pastry chef
Full-service bar with extensive wine cellar
Wi-Fi
Complimentary laundry facilities

Each room includes

Hand & body wash
Bathrobe & towels
Shampoo / conditioner
Hair dryer

Solo travellers

As a solo traveller, a single-occupancy room may be possible by request on a space-available basis, depending on the lodge and the number of nights in your stay. You may alternatively book on a shared basis, and we will attempt to match you with a same-gender roommate (if we are unable to do so, you will be upgraded to single occupancy at no charge).

Did you know?

The Bugaboos area got its name following several ill-fated mining expeditions in the late 1800s. Prospectors believed the region held gold deposits, but after staking the land, the explorers found only worthless minerals, like pyrite (fool’s gold). The prospectors used the word “Bugaboo” to describe the area, which was a term used in mining to describe a “dead-end,” and the catchy moniker stuck.

Book your dream trip

Here's what's offered at CMH Bugaboos:

View all dates

8 programs

Questions about this destination?

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Give us a call

1-800-661-0252

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Safety & risk awareness

Learn more about the inherent risk of heli-skiing, what CMH does to reduce that risk, and what your responsibility is as a guest.

Keep reading

Trip of a lifetime!

I have skied throughout the world for nearly 50 years. My recent trip to the Bugaboos exceeded all expectations.

Peter from Colorado, U.S.

British Columbia’s Bugaboos: The birthplace of heli-adventures

In 1965 Hans Gmoser flew to the remote Bugaboo Glacier with a small group during an experimental two-week excursion that included overnights at an abandoned lumber camp. Inspired by the incredible skiing conditions he called “one of the most impressive days in all my years of skiing in the mountains,” Hans vowed to make it accessible for CMH’s guests.

Learn more

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