Freeride Heli-skiing

Freeride Heli-Skiing

First Drops

Skiier in a red jacket hits a jump in the trees. A CMH helicopter flys away in the background

Learn the art of the line

Turn your curiosity into confidence as you're taught to read technical terrain, navigate natural features and make your first foray into the world of freeride.

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1 program

Overview

Learn the lines. Make them yours.

There's more to freeride than choosing a line and pointing your skis downhill. From reading technical terrain to knowing which features suit your skills, there's a lot to learn. And there's no better place to do it than the deep, playful terrain at CMH Kootenay.

Developed by the ACMG guides at CMH Kootenay, First Drops is a curriculum-based program for strong black-diamond skiers and riders ready to develop their freeride abilities. With hands-on instruction from two guides and a professional athlete, you'll work on line selection, technique, communication and decision-making as you explore natural rollers, tight trees, smaller airs and pillow features.

Every lesson builds on the last, giving you a stronger foundation for navigating technical terrain. And when you're ready for the next stage of your freeride journey, Steep Shots & Pillow Drops is ready for First Drops graduates.

Group Size

Customized groups of up to

9 guests + 2 guides + 1 athlete

On a typical First Drops Trip at CMH, you’ll get to ski or ride with up to 9 skilled skiers or riders. You’ll be joined by a featured guest athlete and two expert guides who will lead you down the best lines.

Helicopter

Daily flights in a

Bell 212

Our First Drops Trips use the powerful Bell 212 — the classic machine that heli-skiing was built on.

Heli safety

Skiable Terrain

CMH has exclusive access to:

3,000,000 acres

CMH's total terrain is bigger than all North American ski areas put together. That’s not a typo. Our exclusive three-million-acre territory is 20x larger than all the combined chairlift skiing on the continent. Woah. It would likely take several years to ski all our runs more than once — but we’re happy to help you try. Just throwin’ the challenge out there.

View tenure map

Average vertical

On an average 5-day trip, expect to ski & ride up to:

21,780m / 71,000 ft

On a 5-day CMH First Drops Trip, you'll log around 71,000 vertical feet of skiing and riding, which is approximately 45 heli rides worth of “Yewwwwww!” (This amount will vary based on trip length, run length, group dynamics, weather, etc.) Fun fact: to log the same amount of vertical at a resort, you’d have to spend 6-7 hours in a lift line and take double the number of chairlift rides. Heli, please.

Vertical guarantee

Ability

Are you ready for First Drops?

First Drops is for strong, fluid skiers and riders who are already comfortable on black-diamond terrain and want to develop their freeride skills.

You'll get the most from the program if you're accustomed to challenging terrain, can maintain a controlled rhythm in varied snow conditions, and have some experience with natural features such as rollers and small drops.

This isn't an introduction to skiing or riding. It's a structured opportunity to develop the skills and judgment required for more technical freeride terrain.

Here’s who will enjoy this freeride-style program:

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.

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.

Not sure where you fit?

Our Trip Experts can help assess whether First Drops is the right program for your experience and goals.

Talk to a Trip Expert

Athletes

Instruction from the pros

Ever wondered how a professional athlete approaches a line? At First Drops, you can ask.

Every trip pairs a professional athlete together with two ACMG guides to provide hands-on instruction and feedback. Along with technical skills, you'll gain insight into the preparation, judgment and communication involved in approaching challenging freeride terrain.

This is your shot to learn from people who have dedicated their careers to skiing and riding for the silver screen.

Trip Info

What's included with your trip

Accommodation

Your trip includes comfortable accommodation at CMH Kootenay.

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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.

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 (IFMGA).

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

Skis & poles

Our destinations are 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

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

What’s not included

Airfare
Ground transportation
Alcoholic beverages
Premium non-alcoholic beverages
Massages
Retail goods available for purchase
Pre and post-trip accommodation

Transportation

Transportation is not included to CMH Kootenay, as it's a popular self-driving option. But there is a paid shuttle option — ask our team about it, or additional custom transportation options for a private driver, charter airplane flight or heli-bump.

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.

Itinerary

A typical day on a First Drops trip

Morning warm-up
Get moving and ready for a day in the mountains.

Breakfast
Fuel up with a hearty breakfast before heading out.

Skiing and riding
Explore terrain with your guides and guest athlete, with structured instruction and opportunities to receive feedback along the way.

Lunch
Enjoy lunch in the mountains, weather permitting.

Afternoon
Continue developing your skills through guided skiing, riding and instruction.

Après-ski
Return to the lodge to unwind and trade stories from the day over après-ski snacks and refreshments (we call this Tea Goodie.)

Dinner
Enjoy a chef-prepared dinner and some well-earned time with your group.

Frequently asked questions

How strong of a skier do I need to be?
First Drops trips are designed to help skiers and riders learn how to approach, navigate and understand moving through different and more challenging terrain. You should be a strong and fluid skier or rider, with regular experience on black runs, natural rollers and small cliffs at your local ski hill.

Is there instruction included?
Our teams of guides will help you hone your technique and maximize the terrain, from playful features to steep, consequential terrain. This is paired with a heavy focus on tactical execution, line choice, and hazard mitigation.

What type of terrain do you ski/ride? Do I need to do drops? Can I opt out of certain terrain?
With a variety of terrain at our disposal, the First Drops program can be tailored to the level of the group and no features are mandatory. While you should be a confident skier or rider who already enjoys exploring challenging terrain, this program is geared towards taking your freeride capabilities to a higher level in an instructional setting.

How do I choose between the First Drops and Steep Shots and Pillow Drops programs?
First Drops features a more structured, curriculum-based approach, while Steep Shots and Pillow Drops offers more informal guidance and coaching throughout. While both programs utilize CMH Kootenay's expansive tenure, Steep Shots and Pillow Drops leans into bigger features and some no-fall terrain.

For those new to freeride programs at CMH, First Drops is your entry point. First Drops is also mandatory for those looking to eventually participate in Steep Shots and Pillow Drops.

What helicopters do you use? How many people are in a helicopter?
First Drops utilizes a Bell 212 and has 9 guests + 2 guides + a pro athlete.

What's included on my trip? What should I pack?
All of CMH’s Heli-Skiing trips include accommodation at one of our spectacular lodges, food and non-premium non-alcoholic beverages, certified guides and helicopter pilots, safety training and the use of specially designed Heli-Skis. Our What’s Included page will give you full details on everything that is included.

For our Freeride Heli-Skiing trips, we would recommend you pack the following:

Ski or snowboard boots
Snowboard, if required (NOTE: We do have some snowboards available to rent. Visit our What’s Included page to learn more
Snow pants and warm coat
Hard shell or one-piece suit
Goggles/mitts or gloves
Wool hat or toque
Multi-layer clothing for skiing
3-4 pairs of comfortable, warm socks
Light workout clothes for morning warm-up class
Bathing suit for hot tub or sauna
Indoor shoes or slippers
Casual clothing for in the lodge
Optional items: alarm clock, camera, binoculars, collapsible poles (for snowboarders), spare snowboard parts (as listed in the Snowboard Gear form you will receive when you book)

NOTE: Helmets are mandatory for First Drops.

Questions?

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

Call us at 1-800-661-0252

Message us

Prepare for your trip

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

Trip Planning

Lodging

You'll feel right at home

Your trip includes comfortable accommodation at CMH Kootenay, one of our in-town locations. You'll be at the heart of a true British Columbian mountain town where skiing and riding are a way of life.

CMH Kootenay

snowy mountain town at dusk with lights reflecting on the water near a cmh heli-skiing lodge in the canadian rockies

CMH Kootenay

bartender serving two craft cocktails at a cmh heli-skiing lodge après bar with a relaxed mountain atmosphere

The lightbulb moment

More than 60 years ago, our founder, Hans Gmoser, purpose-built the original CMH lodge, Bugaboo Lodge, to maximize skiing time and make sure guests never had to miss a second of amazing snow. He also designed the lodge to be a social hub — a place where guests could connect. As legend has it, early CMH rooms intentionally didn’t include light sources, which encouraged skiers to gather in the centre of the lodge in the evenings and share stories of the day’s turns.

Since then, we’ve expanded to 11 destinations across three million acres of incredible backcountry terrain. Built with individual personalities ranging from rustic to regal, our dozen exceptionally well-outfitted destinations now include everything in a skier’s and snowboarder’s wildest dreams.

Still built for connection

Though our modern-day accommodations are certainly more plush than our humble beginnings (and now include lightbulbs!), one thing remains steadfastly the same: these places are your home. Our lodges are where you can be your true self. Here you can shed thoughts of deadlines and “outside world” things, and where you can build real connections with some pretty great people.

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