Heli Skiing Diaries

A Week at CMH Bugaboos Lodge – My Personal Experience

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Day 1 – First Time in a Helicopter

Have you ever wondered what heli skiing is really like? Today I’m taking you with me to CMH Bugaboos Lodge for my first day on this wild adventure.

The day started early—6:00 AM to be exact—when I was picked up from my hotel in Banff by private transport arranged by CMH. They took me to the Banff bus station, where I joined a group of others who had flown in from Calgary. There was a quick stop for coffee and tea, and then we boarded the shuttle bus.

Onboard, we were served pastries and snacks, watched a safety video, and filled out forms. I slept through most of the ride, which took about two hours to the helipad. From there, we were split into smaller groups and flown by helicopter to the lodge. I was lucky to get a front seat—it was my first time in a helicopter, and the views were unreal. Although I was nervous at first, the ride ended up feeling like a scenic plane flight.

We arrived at the lodge and had some time to relax before lunch. Around 11:00 AM, we got our room assignments. My room had a dreamy view of the forest and helicopters parked just outside. After lunch (which was delicious), we got into our ski groups and began avalanche and helicopter safety training.

Later that afternoon, we headed out for our first runs. Standing on top of the mountain, surrounded by untouched powder and soaring peaks—it felt like a dream. We skied a few runs with our guides, and while the experience was amazing, I have to admit I was overwhelmed. The “intro” group turned out to be full of seasoned heli skiers. I felt like the only beginner, and it was intimidating.

After a few hours on the mountain, we returned to the lodge for some much-needed relaxation. I soaked in the hot tub, hit the sauna, and got ready for dinner. The food was incredible—salad bar, tuna appetizers, pork steaks, desserts. After dinner, the whole crew introduced themselves and even joined us for the meal. It felt really personal and welcoming. We got a briefing for the next day and then I went exploring the lodge a bit before heading to bed with a warm cup of tea.

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Day 2 – A Snowstorm and Seven Runs Later

I skipped the 7:30 AM stretch class and did my own mini yoga in the room before heading to breakfast. The spread was unreal—fresh pastries, smoothies, eggs, pancakes, yogurt, granola… you name it.

Today started with a snowstorm. Despite the conditions, we boarded the heli to look for good terrain, but it was too windy to land. So, we returned to the lodge to wait it out. After hanging out for a bit, they served lunch (which was supposed to be on the mountain), and we spent time getting to know each other better.

Eventually the weather cleared, and we went out for another round. We skied seven runs today in varying conditions—foggy, snowy, sunny. Lots of tree runs, deep powder, and some tricky slopes. I felt overwhelmed again at the beginning, especially during the first 2-3 runs from the top, but eventually found my rhythm and built more confidence.

After skiing for almost four hours, I was exhausted. Back at the lodge, I went to the steam room and sauna before dinner. Tonight’s dinner was a whole celebration—raclette appetizers, salad bar, chicken and spaghetti, and chocolate cake. The wine pairing was perfect. We even celebrated two birthdays and one guest who hit 1 million vertical feet with CMH! The staff joined the fun with hats and music, and it made the evening extra memorable.

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Day 3 – Blue Skies and Powder Dreams

Woke up around 7:15 AM and made it to stretch class this time. It was a full-on mobility session—perfect for warming up before skiing.

After a light breakfast, we left the lodge a bit earlier to take advantage of the beautiful day. It was blue skies, soft powder, and wide mellow runs—exactly how I pictured heli skiing. We did about 10 runs before lunch. I was exhausted by then and decided to skip lunch on the mountain and return to the lodge.

This was also the first time I had to use the “bathroom” behind the rocks. Let’s just say—it was an experience! Back at the lodge, I had lunch (ramen, salads, snacks), called my parents, booked a massage, and even did laundry.

The massage was fantastic, and the hot tub/steam room combo after that was pure bliss. The group came back later in the afternoon, equally exhausted. For dinner, we all sat together at one big table and shared lasagna appetizers and salmon mains. There was even a mini “comedy show” and a bonfire with a video presentation of our ski runs. It was the perfect evening.

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Day 4 – Riding High, Taking It Easy

Today I woke up a bit earlier, stretched in my room, and had yogurt and granola for breakfast. We left early for another sunny ski day.

The terrain today was really mixed—open powder fields, ridged lower runs, and some trees. I felt more confident and did better, but after skiing for five hours, I tapped out around 2 PM. I had lunch back at the lodge and spent the rest of the day relaxing. Only one more ski day left!

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Day 5 – Low Vis, Snowshoeing & Tropical Cruise Night

Woke up early from neck pain but stayed in bed until 7:15 AM and made it to stretch class. After breakfast, we got word: no heli flights in the morning due to the storm.

I took a nap, then joined one of the guides for a snowshoe hike around the lodge—magical! When we returned, lunch was served, and the weather finally cleared a bit. Around 2 PM, we got to go out for at least one ski run, even though visibility was poor. It wasn’t the best snow, but still a fun final ride.

Back at the lodge, I did some laundry and hung out in the hot tub and sauna before dinner. Tonight was theme night—Tropical Cruise! They have a costume shop in the basement, and everyone dressed up. Dinner was delicious, drinks were flowing, and we ended the night with music, ski shots, and live guitar. A fantastic farewell evening.

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Day 6 – Goodbye, Mountain Magic

Packed my bags early, had breakfast, and settled the bill and staff tips. Around 9 AM, we were shuttled in groups by helicopter back to the bus. The drive to Calgary airport took about 3.5 hours, and I slept most of the way. I still can’t believe this experience is over—it already feels like a dream.

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What I Wish I Knew Before My Heli Ski Trip

(Important Notes for Future Skiers)

• Ikon Pass Discount: Don’t forget to ask about discounts!
• Helicopter Tips: Practice getting in and out—it’s more awkward than you’d think.
• Strapping Skis: Learn the technique, especially in deep powder.
• Difficulty Level: “Intro” doesn’t always mean beginner—be prepared.
• Clothing & Gear: Bring high-performance layers, especially for varying weather.
• Weather-Proofing: Expect everything—sun, snow, storms. Dress smart!