Heli Skiing at CMH Bobbie Burns

HELI SKIING, BOBBIE BURNS

If skiing resorts and backcountry powder are levels 1 and 2, helicopter skiing is level 3, the holy grail, the summit, the chapter every serious skier wants in their story. When your ski bucket list demands more than groomers, lifts, or avalanche zones, heli skiing offers access to untouched bowls, endless vertical, and pure gravity runs that redefine what “deep powder day” means.

But not all heli operations are created equal. Weather kills plans. Logistics can wreck your week. Guides, helicopters, and snow conditions all matter.

I’ve skied at more than 30 heli spots around the world, and for me, CMH Bobbie Burns hits the sweet spot, wild terrain, solid logistics, and immersive all inclusive luxury in the heart of British Columbia’s interior.

Each morning begins with a briefing from your ACMG or IFMGA certified guides, followed by a quick safety review. Transceivers, probes, shovels, and radios are all provided by CMH.

Then, weather permitting, the real adventure begins. You lift off in the helicopter and drop into untouched alpine bowls, deep tree zones, and sweeping glaciated terrain.

On a clear bluebird day, you might ski an astonishing 20,000 to 25,000 vertical feet before lunch, which is often served on a sunlit ridge with views that stretch for miles.

Afternoons wind down back at the lodge, where some guests squeeze in one last run before unwinding with massages, hearty dinners, and stories shared over a glass of wine.

What makes Bobbie Burns truly stand out among heli skiing destinations is its seamless blend of thrill, comfort, and heritage.

CMH’s Unlimited Vertical Guarantee means there are no extra charges if you exceed your vertical quota. Guests can ski to their heart’s content, with any weather interruptions handled through CMH’s reliable refund system.

The terrain here is legendary, long flowing alpine lines and steep technical tree runs that demand skill and reward it with pure speed and flow.

The setup is classic and refined, three groups per lodge, using Bell 212 helicopters, with around eleven guests per lift.

Back at the lodge, the experience continues with exceptional comfort. Private or twin rooms with en suite baths, a climbing wall, gym, massage services, sauna, hot tub, and WiFi throughout.

Guests dine on gourmet meals, often followed by a relaxed après scene where stories and laughter fill the room.

Access adds a touch of adventure. Guests can fly in from Calgary or Vancouver before taking a short helicopter transfer to the lodge, which only heightens the sense of remote exclusivity.

As one of the original pioneers of heli skiing, CMH has built a legacy of reliability, safety, and excellence. The Bobbie Burns lodge captures that heritage perfectly, offering the kind of elite, tested experience that keeps adventurers returning year after year.

With programs like the iconic “Million Footers,” celebrating those who’ve skied millions of vertical feet over years of loyalty, CMH has become more than a brand, it’s a benchmark.

At Bobbie Burns, you don’t have to choose between luxury and adventure, because here you get both.

GLOBAL OPTIONS, PROS AND PITFALLS

If you’re planning on building your ski collection, this trip is definitely your level 3. Start planning your trip now.

Each of these incredible global options naturally have some very real trade offs. My personal bias, based on my unique experience, leans toward British Columbia’s interior.

The main reason for this is because it creates the perfect balance of what you are looking for, snow, remoteness, and reliability.

Alaska is legendary for vast vertical, steep faces, and glacier terrain. But the weather is notoriously unpredictable. Many days you are grounded, logistics are extreme, and backup plans are essential.

Northern British Columbia and the Coast Ranges, including operations like Bell 2 and Ripley Creek through Last Frontier Heli Skiing, offer rugged terrain, heavy snowfall, and impressive tenure.

Newer operators like Great Bear Heli on the Lower Dean River are pushing first descents, smaller groups, and premium experiences, but access and infrastructure are still maturing.

CMH’s network across British Columbia offers consistency, safety, and well developed infrastructure. Their Powder Masters program delivers around 100,000 vertical feet in a week.