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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

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Ultimate heli-skiing holiday is rich experience

WINTERSPORTS -- Most doctors and lawyers can save their time and skip this notice, which is aimed at the truly rich people who love jet-set traveling, heli-skiing, gear, first-class food, accommodations and pampering.

Canadian Mountain Holidays, the world’s largest heli-ski operator, is celebrating its 50th anniversary in many ways, including an offer for the "ultimate heli-ski experience."

The word "ultimate" has been overused for  years, but in this case it might be appropriate.  The one-week package will set back the lucky group of up to 10 a smart CDN $549,500. Taxes are extra, but if you can afford the asking price you don't need to worry.

  • Actually, the cost isn't THAT high when you consider it flushes out to only about $60K apiece for full group of 10.

CMH Heli-Skiing first took a handful of skiers by helicopter to carve a few turns in the British Columbia backcountry 50 years ago, it was among the most decadent things to happen to skiing since the invention of the sport. The company introduced the innovation is offering  the most extravagant private powder party ever.

A private jet will be provided to whisk the group to CMH Valemount, one of the most exclusive ski lodges in the world.  The executive chef will be flown in from the world-famous Nobu restaurant to whip up exquisite culinary creations courtesy.

Leave the old rags and rock boards at home. The package includes a full line of limited edition CMH ski gear - including jackets, pants, gloves, goggles and skis or snowboards – waiting for all of you courtesy of the CMH’s industry-leading partners.

Here's the deal maker: the company promises to fly this exclusive group in a Bell 212 helicopter to a legendary area drenched in a winter’s worth of base and powder in the virgin terrain of CMH McBride. CHM says no one has skied or snowboarded there for years. 

If you have the dough, CHM Heli-Skiing says it plans to deliver the most exciting alpine adventure of all time.

“It seems fitting to celebrate our jubilee year by dreaming up the most amazing Heli-Ski experience we could ever imagine,” says Joe Flannery, president of CMH Heli-Skiing and Summer Adventures.

Here's what the "ultimate experiece" trip includes:

  • Seven days and nights of private Heli-Skiing at CMH Valemount for up to 10 people with exclusive access to the CMH McBride tenure, April 11 – 18, 2015.
  • Private jet transportation provided by Chapman Freeborn from New York City to Valemount.*
  • All dinners catered by a private chef from Nobu restaurant.
  • Evening wine pairings from the world’s finest vintages.
  • Dedicated personal concierge on hand throughout.
  • Limited edition CMH-branded Arc’teryx ski jacket and pants, Smith googles and Hestra gloves.
  • Limited edition Atomic skis or Burton snowboards and transportation bags.
  • Private videographer to capture and record the entire trip.
  • A surprise 50th Anniversary welcome gift.

Again, all of this for a mere $549,500 (Canadian) + taxes.

There's no mention of whether the Weather Gods have given their blessings to this deal.

But please, if you jump at this once-in-a-lifetime skiing vacation because of this blog post, don't embarrass me by being cheap with tips for the guides.



Rich Landers
Rich Landers joined The Spokesman-Review in 1977. He is the Outdoors editor for the Sports Department writing and photographing stories about hiking, hunting, fishing, boating, conservation, nature and wildlife and related topics.

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