CMH Summer Adventures

Early in the1950s a young Austrian named Hans Gmoser immigrated to Canada with little money but big dreams. These were the glory years of mountaineering, when the highest, most challenging peaks all over the world were being conquered. Hans, too, was eager to put himself to the test. Not discouraged by the flat prairie landscapes of Edmonton and Calgary, where he first lived and worked at odd jobs, Hans counted pennies and looked longingly west to the mountains.

By 1953, Hans had saved enough to move to Banff and begin his career as a guide in the wilderness surrounding Mount Assiniboine, Canada's Matterhorn. As Hans recalled, "I longed to share the natural beauty of the majestic mountains in Western Canada with everyone I could." Inspired by a new dream, and building on years of backcountry guiding experience, in 1959 Hans formed a small company named Canadian Mountain Holidays (CMH). His business prospered as he led thousands of skiers and climbers on thrilling mountain treks.

In April 1965, Hans began using helicopters to transport skiers high into the Bugaboo Mountains. Heli-Skiing was born and became an instant success, and it wasn't long before CMH began taking guests into hard-to-access terrain in the summer, too. And thus another new sport, Heli-Hiking, had arrived—courtesy of CMH Summer Adventures.

CMH has evolved into the world's largest Heli-Skiing and Heli-Hiking company, operating two lodges all summer long. More than 7,000 guests join us each year, and the vast majority come back for more.

The CMH mission is simply to offer every person, of any age and any ability, the opportunity to experience an incredible mountain adventure in style and comfort. We are committed to the highest international standards of eco-tourism. Through our programs, partnerships, and sponsorships, we are dedicated to maintaining the wildlife and rugged beauty of the mountains in pristine condition for visitors to enjoy for decades to come.