Discover
what’s in your nature!
The
helicopter has just landed; you and your small group get off
and huddle on the ground next to it, holding onto your hat as
the wind swirls around you.
The helicopter lifts off and the wind is suddenly gone.
You slowly stand up. On a mountain top at 8,000 feet of
elevation, the twisting stream in the green valley below is
nearly a mile down. Across the valley, a glacier made
of ice thousands or years old clings to the top of a jagged
mountain. Beyond it, layer upon layers of mountain peaks
touching the heavens fade to the horizon.
Unescorted
Departures:
3-Night
Bobbie Burns Lodge
July 9, 12, 24, 27, 30
August 5, 8, 11, 17, 20, 23 and 29*
(Adult pricing begins at $2565 CAD a
person. Special pricing is available for children & youths.)
3-Night
Bugaboo Lodge
July 12, 15,18, 21, 24, 27, 30
August 2, 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, 23, 26
September 1*, 4, 7
(Adult
pricing begins at $2565 CAD a person. Special pricing is available
for children & youths.)
6-Night
Lodge-to-Lodge (Bobbie Burns - Bugaboo
Lodge)
July 9, 12, 24, 27, 30
August 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, 23, 29*
(Adult
pricing begins at $4830 CAD a person. Special pricing is available
for children & youths.)
*Dates hosted by
Jo Ann Taylor co-founder of The Walking Connection
Please note that Canadian
HST (Harmonized Sales Tax) is not included.
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Heli-hiking
will take you off the beaten path, exploring the mountains as
they really are: majestic, unspoiled and totally breathtaking.
With a helicopter, you will have access to everything the mountains
have to offer, from the peaks to glaciers and beautiful flowered
meadows. You will walk above the tree line, across spectacular
high mountain ridges where the peaks seem to go on forever. Amble
through alpine meadows overflowing with vibrant wildflowers.
Open your heart to a magical mountain wilderness.
For
you this is truly a stress free vacation. You can walk at
your own level from a casual stroll to an endurance climb. Relax
and let us handle every last detail -- even down to the hiking
equipment you will need from head to toe. There
is no other feeling like being placed on a mountain top with
only 10 other guests and a 360-degree view that will leave an
impression on your mind, body and spirit -- for the rest of
your life!
Since
1994 Gene and Jo Ann, owners of the Walking Connection, have
personally lead heli-hiking adventures to multiple Canadian
Mountain Holiday lodges. Now let us help you plan your trip.
From the stunning view from the lodge to the pristine mountains
that surround it; the hikes through places like the Black Forest
and along Cobalt Lake are some of the very best in the world.
Whether you go with one of our
group departures or want to travel at a different time, we will
take care of all of the details for you!
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Your Heli-hiking
Travel Itinerary
DAY 1 - Arrive Calgary
& transfer to Banff at your leisure.
Calgary is the closest international
airport to Banff where your heli-hiking adventure begins.
There are several shuttles available for your transfer to
Banff. It is about an hour and half drive. Spend the afternoon
and evening at your leisure.(Hotel accommodations not included
in Banff)
Day 2 - Banff - Bobbie
Burns or Bugaboo Lodge
An early morning departure
from Banff has you headed westward along the shores of the
Bow River past the incredible mountain citadels of Banff National
Park and into equally impressive Kootenay National Park. Wildlife
sightings along the way are normal and inspiring. We cross
the Rocky Mountain Trench, arriving at the Bugaboos Helipad.
Snacks and beverages will be provided on board.
After a helicopter
safety talk, we climb in and soar up for an afternoon of getting
acquainted with the High Country. In the late afternoon,
our chopper picks us up and it's back to the lodge where delicious
hors d'oeuvres are served in the lounge. Our casual gourmet
dinner, served family style, will be at 7:00 (save room for
the pastry chef's latest inspiration). Then some camaraderie
by the fire, maybe a sauna or whirlpool, and a great night's
sleep. (CB,L,D)
Days 3 & 4 - Heli-Hiking
You might want to
join the optional morning stretch, or sleep a little later.
A hardy buffet breakfast is served before our full day of
heli-hiking begins! The first helicopter leaves with
a flight into the Bugaboos that takes us to a range of personality-rich
glaciers, emerald lakes, airy mountain ridges and soft fields
of wildflowers. We'll have a picnic lunch at a particularly
winsome spot or on special days enjoy a barbecue lunch surrounded
by spectacular utterly unspoiled high country landscapes.
Now, we hope this web page
makes it clear not only that the landscapes in which we spend
our days are knock-down, world-class gorgeous and varied,
but that there is probably no other place on earth where you
can experience such wildness and solitude without lugging
a 40-pound backpack.
So, message delivered!
Great hiking, picnicking, a little learning about
glacial landscapes and their hardy life-forms, and lots of
fun accomplished, we fly back at day's end to the lodge for
(depending on our mood) maybe a massage, a browse in the lodge
shop, a game of chess, a go at the lodge climbing wall, a
cocktail on the deck as alpen-glow bathes the peaks we've
been communing with, dinner, storytelling in the living room,
and another great night's sleep. (B.L.D)
Day 5 - Banff or Calgary
Airport
After breakfast
we fly out of the lodge, board a deluxe motor coach and retrace
the journey through Kootenay and Banff National Parks en route
to Banff and Calgary. You will have the choice of being dropped
off in Banff or the Calgary Airport (B.L)
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"Come
Heli-Hiking With Us!"
