The phrase “there are no friends on a powder day” is not true at CMH. We believe that the best way to share heliskiing is with other people!
What kind of skierorsnowboarder are you?
Your heliskiing ability is a combination of your fitness, your pace and your ability to ski or snowboard in backcountry conditions.
When you think about your ability and embark on your journey, don’t be disappointed if you find that your heliskiing skills, pace and fitness don’t match what you experience at your favourite resort – there’s a very valid reason for that! Read on to find out more.
Ski touring
Heliskiing is backcountry skiing: there are no marked trails, no signposts, no groomed pistes and no boundary ropes. This is what makes it so addictive and incredible to experience, but it is also what justifies a little extra knowledge.
We do our best to only take you to areas that suit your snow skills, but the reality of skiing in the wilderness means that some terrain features are unavoidable. So even if you visit one of our destinations known for its more moderate terrain, you may still encounter steeper slopes and more abrupt landscape changes as you ski.
Unlike a groomed resort run, a single heliski run may include sections of terrain and snow conditions that alternate between blue, black and double black resort classifications. For example, a run may start on a ridge with a short section of wind-encrusted snow, then move to open alpine terrain with a moderate gradient and perfect powder. Further down, that same track may pass through steeper trees, crusted or tracked snow, potholes or a gully on the way to the helicopter pick-up point.
Don’t be nervous: knowing exactly what to expect is powerful. When you know, you’ll feel better prepared and won’t be surprised when you’re out there. And trust us, skiing the hardest turns is worth every moment of bliss on the wonderfully floaty powder runs.
Planning
YOUR SKIING
AND SNOWBOARDING
EXPERIENCE
Think about the types of runs you ski or ride during a typical day at your ski resort. Ask yourself: what percentage of time do I spend on “blue” versus “black diamond” or “double black diamond” slopes? How much time do I spend on groomed slopes versus trees and glades? How do mud, crust, powder and rough terrain affect and change the way I ski?
With this in mind, read the following descriptions and decide which one suits you best.
Why do you need to know this?
When you book your heliskiing trip with CMH, we will ask you to self-assess what type of skier/snowboarder you are. This will help us place you in the best destination, on the best trip and in the best possible group. The more accurate your self-assessment of your abilities on snow, the more you (and the other members of your group) will be able to relax and enjoy yourself. After all, it is a holiday.
RELAXED
CMH E/3 – D/4
Experience 
I have good technique on groomed slopes, but little or no experience skiing in powder, off-piste in a resort or off-piste (i.e. ski touring, heliskiing or ski mountaineering).
Terrain 
I ski/snowboard at a moderate to fast pace on easy, open terrain and groomed slopes. I slow down considerably on difficult or wooded terrain and in difficult snow conditions, often resorting to slow, cautious traverses or turns to get down the slope.
Mentality 
I have some fear and apprehension of wooded terrain and difficult conditions, but I can descend the trail at my own pace with multiple stops.
Pauses and flow 
I like to ski short runs at a relaxed pace with plenty of breaks to rest.
Snowboarders 
As a snowboarder, I like to cross country and keep my speed up on the flats.
WELL
CMH D/3 – C/3
Experience 
I have a good technique and I usually ski/snowboard off-piste in resorts or off-piste (e.g. ski touring, heliskiing or ski mountaineering).
Terrain and pace 
I ski/snowboard at a fast pace on easy to moderate terrain and groomed slopes. I slow down in difficult or wooded terrain and in difficult snow conditions, sometimes resorting to slow, cautious manoeuvres or turns, but maintaining a steady pace without prolonged stops.
Mentality 
I may feel a little hesitant in wooded terrain and difficult conditions, but not enough to significantly disrupt my skiing or snowboarding.
Pauses and flow 
I like moderately long descents with occasional breaks to rest.
Snowboarders 
As a snowboarder, I find traverses and flats challenging, but I am able to maintain a steady pace.
ADVANCED
CMH C/2 – B/2
Experience 
I have a solid technique and usually ski/snowboard off-piste in a resort or off-piste (i.e. ski touring, heliskiing or ski mountaineering).
Terrain and pace 
I ski/snowboard at a fast pace and can ski any alpine and wooded terrain. I slow down slightly when snow conditions are difficult, but am able to maintain a steady pace and cadence.
Mentality 
I approach difficult snow conditions with some caution, but I know I can handle them well.
Pauses and flow 
I like long descents with occasional breaks to rest.
Snowboarders 
As a snowboarder, the traverses and flats are not that hard for me. I am able to maintain a steady pace.
FROM EXPERT TO PROFESSIONAL
CMH B/1 – A/1
Experience 
I have expert to outstanding technique and extensive off-piste or backcountry experience (i.e. ski touring, heliskiing or ski mountaineering).
Terrain and pace 
I ski/snowboard at a fast and dynamic pace and can confidently ski any alpine or wooded terrain. On my worst day, I can slow down a bit in the most difficult snow conditions, but in general I maintain a strong and fluid pace.
Mentality 
I thrive and excel in difficult terrain and snow conditions. In fact, I often look to ski in trees, the steeper the better!
Pauses and flow 
I like to ski non-stop throughout the day, with minimal breaks for rest.
Snowboarders
As a snowboarder, I find traverses and flats challenging, but I am able to maintain a steady pace.
YOU ARE NOT READY YET
CMH F
You may not yet be ready to try heliskiing if the following statements sound familiar. If so, don’t rule out the possibility of one day enjoying some of the best powder runs of your life. Talk to our team and we’ll give you recommendations on how to prepare for a trip…
Experience
I have good technique on easy slopes but no experience skiing in powder, off-piste or backcountry (e.g. touring, heliskiing or cat skiing).
Terrain
When faced with wooded or difficult terrain, I find it difficult to link consecutive turns in the fall line. In a resort, I may occasionally try a black diamond run, but I definitely don’t venture down double black runs.
Mentality
I am intimidated by wooded terrain and difficult conditions. I try to avoid this type of terrain on a daily basis.
Pauses and flow
I need a very relaxed pace with lots of breaks.
Snowboarders
As a snowboarder, I’m not yet able to do traverses or maintain speed on flat sections.
Where should I ski and snowboard in CMH?
If you ski or snowboard predominantly in black diamond to double black diamond rated terrain – on and off piste – looking for and enjoying the bumps and any challenges the terrain has to offer, and you can do it at a faster pace, smoothly and without hesitation, you’re ready for heliskiing at most of our 12 destinations.
If you have a respect for this type of terrain or variable conditions, but tend to shy away from them, we recommend one of our more relaxed paced areas or a Powder Intro programme.
If you’re somewhere in between, we can find the experience at one of our 12 destinations that best suits your skills and powder dreams.
Who will be in my group?
We decide which group you will ski or snowboard in based on a number of factors: it’s part maths, part safety and part ability and fitness.
We always take your interests into account when creating your group.
As much as possible, we strive to place you in a group with other skiers/snowboarders who have similar skills and pace on the snow. We will also do our best to get friends and family to ski together, but we can never guarantee it. Why? Even if your snow skills are similar, there are other factors that influence grouping decisions, including the overall weight of the group for safe helicopter performance. If you end up in a different group than your family or friends, that means you’ll have twice as many anecdotes to tell each other over a snack.
If you have any questions about your group during the trip, talk to your guide or the area manager as soon as possible. If we can accommodate, we’ll try to do so, and if we can’t, we’d love the opportunity to explain why. We want you to have the best trip possible.
Fitness
Whether you’re a heliskiing veteran or just booked your first trip, the best thing you can do to make the most of your CMH experience is to start a fitness routine today.
We’re not looking for you to be an Olympic athlete, but we do expect you to have some physical stamina. Most CMH trips last between 3 and 7 days, so you should be fit enough to ski/snowboard comfortably for consecutive days. Your muscles must be up to the task, and your cardiovascular fitness means you can maintain a steady pace – either more relaxed or faster – with some breaks.
The best way to experience heliskiing is to avoid going from couch to couch unprepared. But don’t stress. We have a fitness programme to help you prepare before your powder debut.
The phrase “there are no friends on a powder day” is not true at CMH. We believe that the best way to share heliskiing is with other people!
What kind of skierorsnowboarder are you?
Your heliskiing ability is a combination of your fitness, your pace and your ability to ski or snowboard in backcountry conditions.
When you think about your ability and embark on your journey, don’t be disappointed if you find that your heliskiing skills, pace and fitness don’t match what you experience at your favourite resort – there’s a very valid reason for that! Read on to find out more.
Ski touring
Heliskiing is backcountry skiing: there are no marked trails, no signposts, no groomed pistes and no boundary ropes. This is what makes it so addictive and incredible to experience, but it is also what justifies a little extra knowledge.
We do our best to only take you to areas that suit your snow skills, but the reality of skiing in the wilderness means that some terrain features are unavoidable. So even if you visit one of our destinations known for its more moderate terrain, you may still encounter steeper slopes and more abrupt landscape changes as you ski.
Unlike a groomed resort run, a single heliski run may include sections of terrain and snow conditions that alternate between blue, black and double black resort classifications. For example, a run may start on a ridge with a short section of wind-encrusted snow, then move to open alpine terrain with a moderate gradient and perfect powder. Further down, that same track may pass through steeper trees, crusted or tracked snow, potholes or a gully on the way to the helicopter pick-up point.
Don’t be nervous: knowing exactly what to expect is powerful. When you know, you’ll feel better prepared and won’t be surprised when you’re out there. And trust us, skiing the hardest turns is worth every moment of bliss on the wonderfully floaty powder runs.
Planning
YOUR SKIING
AND SNOWBOARDING
EXPERIENCE
Think about the types of runs you ski or ride during a typical day at your ski resort. Ask yourself: what percentage of time do I spend on “blue” versus “black diamond” or “double black diamond” slopes? How much time do I spend on groomed slopes versus trees and glades? How do mud, crust, powder and rough terrain affect and change the way I ski?
With this in mind, read the following descriptions and decide which one suits you best.
Why do you need to know this?
When you book your heliskiing trip with CMH, we will ask you to self-assess what type of skier/snowboarder you are. This will help us place you in the best destination, on the best trip and in the best possible group. The more accurate your self-assessment of your abilities on snow, the more you (and the other members of your group) will be able to relax and enjoy yourself. After all, it is a holiday.
RELAXED
CMH E/3 – D/4
Experience
I have good technique on groomed slopes, but little or no experience skiing in powder, off-piste in a resort or off-piste (i.e. ski touring, heliskiing or ski mountaineering).
Terrain
I ski/snowboard at a moderate to fast pace on easy, open terrain and groomed slopes. I slow down considerably on difficult or wooded terrain and in difficult snow conditions, often resorting to slow, cautious traverses or turns to get down the slope.
Mentality
I have some fear and apprehension of wooded terrain and difficult conditions, but I can descend the trail at my own pace with multiple stops.
Pauses and flow
I like to ski short runs at a relaxed pace with plenty of breaks to rest.
Snowboarders
As a snowboarder, I like to cross country and keep my speed up on the flats.
WELL
CMH D/3 – C/3
Experience
I have a good technique and I usually ski/snowboard off-piste in resorts or off-piste (e.g. ski touring, heliskiing or ski mountaineering).
Terrain and pace
I ski/snowboard at a fast pace on easy to moderate terrain and groomed slopes. I slow down in difficult or wooded terrain and in difficult snow conditions, sometimes resorting to slow, cautious manoeuvres or turns, but maintaining a steady pace without prolonged stops.
Mentality
I may feel a little hesitant in wooded terrain and difficult conditions, but not enough to significantly disrupt my skiing or snowboarding.
Pauses and flow
I like moderately long descents with occasional breaks to rest.
Snowboarders
As a snowboarder, I find traverses and flats challenging, but I am able to maintain a steady pace.
ADVANCED
CMH C/2 – B/2
Experience
I have a solid technique and usually ski/snowboard off-piste in a resort or off-piste (i.e. ski touring, heliskiing or ski mountaineering).
Terrain and pace
I ski/snowboard at a fast pace and can ski any alpine and wooded terrain. I slow down slightly when snow conditions are difficult, but am able to maintain a steady pace and cadence.
Mentality
I approach difficult snow conditions with some caution, but I know I can handle them well.
Pauses and flow
I like long descents with occasional breaks to rest.
Snowboarders
As a snowboarder, the traverses and flats are not that hard for me. I am able to maintain a steady pace.
FROM EXPERT TO PROFESSIONAL
CMH B/1 – A/1
Experience
I have expert to outstanding technique and extensive off-piste or backcountry experience (i.e. ski touring, heliskiing or ski mountaineering).
Terrain and pace
I ski/snowboard at a fast and dynamic pace and can confidently ski any alpine or wooded terrain. On my worst day, I can slow down a bit in the most difficult snow conditions, but in general I maintain a strong and fluid pace.
Mentality
I thrive and excel in difficult terrain and snow conditions. In fact, I often look to ski in trees, the steeper the better!
Pauses and flow
I like to ski non-stop throughout the day, with minimal breaks for rest.
Snowboarders
As a snowboarder, I find traverses and flats challenging, but I am able to maintain a steady pace.
YOU ARE NOT READY YET
CMH F
You may not yet be ready to try heliskiing if the following statements sound familiar. If so, don’t rule out the possibility of one day enjoying some of the best powder runs of your life. Talk to our team and we’ll give you recommendations on how to prepare for a trip…
Experience
I have good technique on easy slopes but no experience skiing in powder, off-piste or backcountry (e.g. touring, heliskiing or cat skiing).
Terrain
When faced with wooded or difficult terrain, I find it difficult to link consecutive turns in the fall line. In a resort, I may occasionally try a black diamond run, but I definitely don’t venture down double black runs.
Mentality
I am intimidated by wooded terrain and difficult conditions. I try to avoid this type of terrain on a daily basis.
Pauses and flow
I need a very relaxed pace with lots of breaks.
Snowboarders
As a snowboarder, I’m not yet able to do traverses or maintain speed on flat sections.
Where should I ski and snowboard in CMH?
If you ski or snowboard predominantly in black diamond to double black diamond rated terrain – on and off piste – looking for and enjoying the bumps and any challenges the terrain has to offer, and you can do it at a faster pace, smoothly and without hesitation, you’re ready for heliskiing at most of our 12 destinations.
If you have a respect for this type of terrain or variable conditions, but tend to shy away from them, we recommend one of our more relaxed paced areas or a Powder Intro programme.
If you’re somewhere in between, we can find the experience at one of our 12 destinations that best suits your skills and powder dreams.
Who will be in my group?
We decide which group you will ski or snowboard in based on a number of factors: it’s part maths, part safety and part ability and fitness.
We always take your interests into account when creating your group.
As much as possible, we strive to place you in a group with other skiers/snowboarders who have similar skills and pace on the snow. We will also do our best to get friends and family to ski together, but we can never guarantee it. Why? Even if your snow skills are similar, there are other factors that influence grouping decisions, including the overall weight of the group for safe helicopter performance. If you end up in a different group than your family or friends, that means you’ll have twice as many anecdotes to tell each other over a snack.
If you have any questions about your group during the trip, talk to your guide or the area manager as soon as possible. If we can accommodate, we’ll try to do so, and if we can’t, we’d love the opportunity to explain why. We want you to have the best trip possible.
Fitness
Whether you’re a heliskiing veteran or just booked your first trip, the best thing you can do to make the most of your CMH experience is to start a fitness routine today.
We’re not looking for you to be an Olympic athlete, but we do expect you to have some physical stamina. Most CMH trips last between 3 and 7 days, so you should be fit enough to ski/snowboard comfortably for consecutive days. Your muscles must be up to the task, and your cardiovascular fitness means you can maintain a steady pace – either more relaxed or faster – with some breaks.
The best way to experience heliskiing is to avoid going from couch to couch unprepared. But don’t stress. We have a fitness programme to help you prepare before your powder debut.
