Heli-hiking is for everyone! With several spectacular heli hiking options, Martha tailors trips to all abilities from gentle walks to wild and demanding adventures. Your day might include a walk to a peak, a mountainside meditation, or a full hour of hatha yoga. Martha is up high heli hiking in Canadian Rockies paradise from late June until early October.
We fly to the Mt Charles Stewart alpine basin above Canmore, just 22 km east of Banff, Alberta. We partner with Alpine Helicopters, who expertly pop us up to our mountain landing sites with one of their Bell 407 6-passenger helicopters. This is an exciting 8 minute climb of over 1000 m, between the rocky faces of Mt Grotto and Mt Lady MacDonald. Ask us about adding spectacular longer scenic flights to the beginning or end of your heli hike.
More Hiking and Camping in the Canadian Rockies
Martha thrives on getting out to all the less travelled corners of the east and west slopes of the Rockies and to neighbouring ranges such as the Purcell Mountains and their striking Bugaboo Spires. She is delighted to take your family or friends on custom hikes (with or without helicopters), and offers fully outfitted and catered heli-camping and backpacking adventures.
Heli Hiking Rates
Heli Hikes
Walk on the Wild Side
Mt Charles Stewart Heli Hikes (from Canmore)
Take a Walk on the Wild Side with Martha! She offers 3-6 hour higher elevation guided wilderness heli hikes, customizing each day to the group and the weather conditions with five distinct landing sites within the alpine basin of Mt Charles Stewart. She prepares fresh and hearty lunches. Check out our photo gallery tab just above!
Our five landing sites offer a range of terrain choices and allow us to be dropped off at one spot and picked up from another. We have meadows, small creeks with a tiny waterfall, grassy ridge walks, a mountain saddle with a big view towards Banff National Park, and a site with an old native medicine wheel that offers our highest ridge hikes. We can make the most of your day, by listening to what you’re looking for, keeping you comfortable in varying weather conditions, going to the best spots for a hike to a peak, a short hike on a ridge, a full day of yoga, or even a challenging descent to a lake and back up again.
Curious about your picnic lunch? Let Martha know your choice of sandwich made by Canmore’s own JK Bakery (their curried chicken on a ciabata bun is deelish!) or Le Fournil (fabulous baguettes!). Martha packs some Balderson cheddar and gourmet crackers, some fresh sugar snap peas, grape tomatoes and Moroccan olives, and of course big squares of her popular oatmeal spice cake with chewy coconut walnut topping.
Bring your day pack and full water bottle, a good goretex rain jacket, a warm fleece or soft-shell layer, a sunhat and wool toque and gloves, your camera, sunglasses and sunscreen, quick dry pants if you’ve got them, and of course sturdy hiking shoes or boots. Martha has some spare daypacks, hiking poles, jackets and hats to lend. Its good to know that mountain weather can change quickly, and expect it to be colder than in Canmore 1000 m below.
Weather forecast and webcam links for Canmore:
- Environment Canada
- Webcam for Mt Charles Stewart from downtown Canmore. We fly up the Cougar Creek in the centre of the photo, and behind Mt Lady MacDonald, the peak on the left.
What does a Walk on the Wild Side heli hike cost?
For our price list please scroll up to the green Download pdf link above. We mainly cater to private groups wishing to charter their 6-seat own helicopter for a private adventure. However if you’re traveling alone or as a couple or even threesome, Martha is happy to try and match you with other small groups to avoid having empty seats in your machine – send her a message or give her a call.
We also love to add on a scenic flight either before or after your hike – ask Martha about 12, 24 or 30 minute scenic tours!
Heli Camping
Greater Heights Heli Camping
Martha offers fully outfitted heli “glamping” with two half day hikes, or custom heli backpacking over several days. Though overnight camping is not permitted at Mt Charles Stewart, there are several spectacular possible locations with varying flight times. Please contact Martha to discuss some location and custom pricing options.
Picture yourself returning to your camp at the end of a lovely hike. Sit back in your hammock and enjoy a glass of wine, view your day’s hiking landscape, hear the crackling wood fire and watch the changing evening light. Snack on tasty appetizers while Martha prepares a Thai chicken curry with garlic Naan or her beef and black bean chile with fresh, hot corn bread. Wake up in your tent the next morning and capture those fabulous first light photos, then linger over truly excellent cowboy coffee and apple pancakes.
Alternatively, book a heli-accessed multi day backpack guided and catered by Martha. From the Rockies to the Dogtooth Range or Septets Range of the Purcells, Martha has some favourite and little travelled gems to take you to. Check out her photo gallery just above.
Day Hikes
Day Hikes beyond the crowds
Summers in the Canadian Rocky Mountains are nothing short of fantastic, with incredible wildflowers, chances to see an awesome range of wildlife, incredible close-up views of lofty, often snowy peaks, and with a little creativity, opportunities to go beyond the crowds. Martha offers awe-inspiring, fun, safe and informative custom adventures in the mountains of Banff, Yoho and Kootenay National Parks and Kananaskis country…complete with lunch catered with care, great taste, and sometimes even a glass of champagne!
Lake O’Hara is one of the most magnificent gems of the Canadian Rockies, where crowds are limited by bus access booked months in advance. Five seats are reserved for certified guides with one day’s notice, so ask Martha about the exciting Alpine Circuit.
Destinations
Around Banff
Full day to Harvey Pass and Mt. Bourgeau, Healy Pass meadows, Cory Pass circuit, and many more off-trail, obscure and well-kept secret spots!
Around Lake Louise
Full day to Lake O’Hara, Iceline trail, Helen Lake, Bow Glacier Falls, Arnica Lake, Twin Lakes, Stanley Glacier, O’Brien Lakes, Panorama Ridge, Saddleback, Larch Valley/Sentinel Pass, Wenkchemna Pass, and more.
Kananaskis Country
Full day to Rummel Lakes, Triste Lake, Headwall Lakes loop, the Tent Ridge horseshoe, Burstall Pass, or Commonwealth Creek – Smuts Pass.
MANY SPECTACULAR OVERNIGHT TRIPS WITH MOUNTAIN GEAR OUTFITTING ALSO AVAILABLE – PLEASE ASK!
Rates (including transportation and GST):
- For 1 person: $575 for a full day (5 to 10 hours)
- For 2-10 people: add $75/person
Custom
Custom Designed Hiking Adventures
Martha has enjoyed the great honour of designing, planning and guiding some wonderful wilderness adventures across the globe – Patagonia, Iceland, the Grand Canyon, Canyonlands, and most recently the Italian Dolomites and the Spanish Pyrenees.
If you haven’t found your dream hike here, or want Martha to plan and guide your own mountain adventure, you’re on the right page! From wilderness backpacks in the Canadian Rockies, village to village in the Italian Dolomites, or perhaps the sacred valley of the kingdom of Bhutan, Martha is always excited to design and lead custom adventures. Contact her directly.
Gallery
