It was Hans Gmoser who made snowy adventure in the wild a reality. In 1965, the maverick mountain guide flew six skiers deep into the Purcell mountains via helicopter in pursuit of untracked slopes — a ground-breaking, historic journey that would redefine the boundaries of the sport, showcase the vast nature of BC’s largely untapped landscape and spawn countless deep-powder operators, including Gmoser-founded industry icon CMH Heli-skiing & Summer Adventures.
CMH HELI
Being first has its advantages — including having picked one of the best skiable areas in British Columbia. Today their 12 destination lodges (10 along the Powder Highway) are tucked in the Columbia mountains and have claimed a massive tenure; 1.2-million hectares (3+ million acres) of ski/ridable terrain!
Celebrating the evolution from the visionary leadership of their trailblazing founder and Mountain Guide, Hans Gmoser, who pioneered their maiden journey on April 5, 1965. This landmark event ignited an entire industry and revolutionized skiing. In 2025, they are celebrating 60 years!
SELKIRK SNOWCAT SKIING
Hans Gmoser isn’t the only adventurist to carve his own path in the Kootenay, either; just 10 years after heli-skiing made its first tracks, snowcat-skiing nipped at its heels, thanks to the ingenuity of Selkirk Snowcat Skiing (formerly Selkirk Wilderness Skiing) Allan and Brenda Drury. The concept was simple: adventurers would tuck into the warmth of a snowcat, plying their way through powder to reach masses of snow in BC’s remote regions, far beyond the boundary of a resort.
Celebrating their monumental 50th season in 2024/25, Selkirk Snowcat Skiing continues to set the standard as the pioneer snowcat skiing operator in the industry. The legacy they built deserves a toast to excellence!
The Powder Highway in the Kootenays is a testament to progress over sixty years. Echoing the audacity of our early pioneers, we now proudly present more than 30 Heli & Cat-skiing operators along the renowned route.
You could, say, do a little day trippin’ and venture out from a resort. CMH Purcell (formerly Purcell Helicopter Skiing) lifts off from the community of Golden. With Eagle Pass Heliski, they cater to advanced riders, ensuring an unforgettable experience through bottomless powder and legendary trees in the Selkirk or Purcell mountains. RK Heliski Canada lifts off from Panorama Mountain Resort, guiding groups through expansive glaciers and glade skiing in the Purcell Mountains. Selkirk Tangiers Heli Skiing delves into the Selkirk and Monashee mountain terrain accessed from community of Revelstoke. And, Stellar Heliskiing offers 6-7 epic runs in the Selkirk or Purcell Mountains from the Kaslo.
If you prefer an old-school approach, opt instead for multi-day excursions at a remote lodge, complete with perks that include cozy accommodation and hearty menus to fuel the fire. Huge alpine, world-class steep tree skiing and endless pillow runs await. And, you don’t need to be an advanced skier or boarder to take on these uncharted territories, either. On the contrary; many operators are, in act, offering programs ideal for first-time heli- and cat-skiers/riders.
