Important Booking Information
Deposits
Method of Payment
Cancellation
Insurance
F.A.Q.s

Deposits: To confirm your reservation, we require a $300 (Canadian), per-person, non-refundable deposit within 30 days of booking. Final payment is due eight weeks prior to the trip’s departure date. A request for final payment will be mailed to you before this deadline. If final payment is not received, we will regretfully assume that you no longer require your reservation and will resell your space. Please allow at least two weeks for mail delivery.

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Method of payment: Payment may be made by cash, traveller’s cheque, MasterCard, Visa, bank draft, or personal cheque. Personal cheques drawn on banks located in Canada may be written in Canadian dollars. All cheques drawn on banks located in other countries, including the USA, must be in local currencies. You may also instruct your bank to transfer funds directly to our bank, to the credit of Canadian Mountain Holidays Inc., Bank of Montreal, Banff, Alberta, Canada, account 25109-001-8047-100.
Be sure that transfer instructions and/or cheques include your name, client number, trip dates, and lodge. Please state clearly if your payment includes funds for trip cancellation insurance.

Changes to your pre- and post-vacation planning booking: Should you wish to make any changes to your confirmed holiday, fees may be applied as follows: before 60 days: $50 per booking. within 60 days: $100 per booking.

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Cancellation: In the unfortunate circumstance that you are not able to travel, a notice of cancellation must be received by telephone at the CMH office and confirmed in writing. The initial deposit of $300 is always non-refundable. If cancellation is received prior to eight weeks before the trip, the remainder of the money received will be refunded. After this date all monies received by CMH shall be non-refundable. If you can find a replacement for the trip booked, any and all of your deposits received will be transferred to your replacement. We highly recommend that you purchase trip cancellation insurance.

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Trip cancellation insurance: An application form for trip cancellation insurance will be sent to you with the request for final payment. We strongly recommend that you purchase this insurance for your own protection. The trip cancellation insurance premium is due with the final payment eight weeks before the trip. We regret that it cannot be purchased after final payment is made.

Medical insurance: An application form for medical insurance will be enclosed with the request for final payment. Please review your present medical insurance to verify that it covers helicopter evacuation. If it doesn’t, or if you don’t have coverage for Canada, we strongly suggest that you purchase this insurance.

Medical Insurance Rates Sheet for Heli-Hiking Guests

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Frequently Asked Questions

When will I receive more detailed information about my trip?
As soon as you have booked we will mail you a comprehensive information package that includes:

• Answers to commonly asked questions / Information & Travel Tips
• Descriptive Heli-Hiking itinerary
• Waiver form that you will need to complete and return it to our office with your deposit
• Guest Questionnaire that we also ask you complete and return to us. It will give us some idea of your interests and ability.
• Packing List (keep in mind that we'll outfit you with boots, raingear, walking sticks, daypacks, water bottles, etc., once you're at the lodge)
• Reading List
• Pre-trip warm-up suggestions
• Emergency contact details on wallet sized card

Will I need a passport?
As of January 8, 2007 all U.S. citizens travelling to Canada by air are required to have a valid passport in order to enter or re-enter the both Canada and United States. Travellers from other countries are also required to have a valid passport.

How do I get to the start of the trip? How will I get to the airport at the end of the trip?
Plan to arrive in the Banff/Lake Louise area at least one day prior to the start of your Heli-Hiking adventure. Our Vacation Planning team can assist with booking all your land arrangements before and after Heli-Hiking including transfer from the Calgary Airport to Banff (or Lake Louise), accommodation before the trip starts and at the end of your trip if necessary. Call our Vacation Planners at 1-800-661-0252.

Included in your Heli-Hiking trip is ground transportation from Banff to the Adamant, Bugaboo, Bobbie Burns and Cariboo helipads. Our coaches depart designated locations (TBA) at specific times. In the event you miss the scheduled CMH transport, it will be your responsibility for all cost incurred. See final itinerary for locations. Ground transportation is also included from the Adamant, Bugaboo, Bobbie Burns and Cariboo helipads to the Calgary Airport.

You can also drive directly to all CMH helipads. If driving, plan to arrive at the helipad at least 15 minutes prior to the first flight (see itinerary). Maps to the helipad are available. The helicopter schedule is fixed. Again, please ensure you arrive in advance of the first flight.


Where should I fly to?
We recommend you fly to the Calgary International Airport as all trips originate in Banff. Call us for alternate pick up locations if your arrangements differ.

There are several companies, which provide scheduled ground transportation from Calgary airport to Banff (and Lake Louise). These shuttles depart almost hourly. A private land transfer or car rental can also be arranged by calling our Vacation Planners.


Does CMH offer special child rates?
Yes. Children 5 to 14 years receive 25% off the adult rate; youth who are 15 to 17 years receive 10% off the adult rate; and children under the age of 5 travel for free.


Can children have their own room?
Absolutely. They will be in a room next to or across from yours. A supplement applies for guaranteed single room.


If I'm travelling alone will you match me with a roommate?
We're committed to solo travellers. We eat family style, so you'll always be in good company. Our hiking groups are usually made up of 10 or 11 hikers (sometimes fewer) who share similar interests and abilities. These small groups tend to become very familial, and provide lots of opportunities for friendship-forming. Our guest range in age from 5 to 95 (literally!), so there will very likely be more than a few someone's in your age group.

You may book on a twin/share basis, and we will attempt to match you with a same-sex roommate; if we are unable to do so, you will NOT be charged the upgrade to single occupancy. However, we cannot match you with a roommate for any pre/post trip arrangements. Package prices (for example superior, deluxe) for solo travellers are available on request.


If I'm travelling alone, can I have a private room?
Single supplements are available on a space available basis, depending on the lodge.


Can I change my mind and transfer to another trip?
You can transfer to a later trip date within the same season based on availability even if you have paid for all or a portion of you trip. If the trip you move to is of a lesser value, we will refund the difference. If the trip you move to is of a greater value, you will be charged the difference.


Do you offer special rates for groups?
Yes. A group consists of 10 or more people. Please call for details.


How much is the trip in US dollars?
Prices quoted are in Canadian dollars and you will be invoiced in Canadian dollars. US dollar prices are approximations and subject to fluctuations beyond our control. If paying by cheque, you will receive the rate of exchange CMH is using on the day the payment is processed. If paying by credit card, you will receive the rate of exchange your credit card company is using on the day the payment is processed. Details of the transaction will appear on your credit card statement.


Will I have to sign a waiver?
All guests will be required to sign a CMH Hiking, Mountaineering and Adventure Waiver before going Heli-Hiking. This will be sent to you with your booking confirmation and must be returned to our office prior to your trip.


What happens if I must cancel my trip?
Cancellations must be received by telephone as well as confirmed in writing. The $300.00 deposit is always non-refundable. If cancellation is received eight weeks prior to the trip the remainder of the money received will be refunded. After this date all monies received by CMH are non-refundable. If you can find a replacement for the trip booked, any and all deposits received will be transferred to your replacement. The money can also be transferred to a later trip date within the same season.


Should I purchase trip cancellation insurance?
We strongly recommend that you purchase cancellation insurance for your own protection. If you do not have your own insurance, you have the option to purchase the insurance through CMH. The forms will be sent to you with the request for final payment and the premium is payable with final payment eight weeks before the trip. We regret that it cannot be purchased after final payment is made.


Do I need special medical insurance?
Review your present medical insurance to verify you have coverage for Canada along with helicopter evacuation coverage. If it does not, we strongly suggest you purchase medical insurance through CMH. An application will be enclosed with the request for final payment.

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