Banff (AB), Canada – Mountain vacation provider Ski.com on Tuesday announced an exclusive partnership with Canadian Mountain Holidays (CMH), the world’s largest heli-skiing operator. For the first time in their 45-year history, CMH is working directly with a travel provider based in the United States.nThrough this new relationship, travelers can use Ski.com to book four- to seven-day CMH heli-skiing experiences in British Columbia and also arrange additional vacation components including air, ground transfers and pre- and post-trip stays in destinations such as Banff, Lake Louise, Whistler, Revelstoke, Vancouver and Calgary.
“Countless skiers and riders have dreamed of going heli-skiing since the first time they saw it in the pages of a magazine or in a movie segment,” said Harry Peisach, Ski.com president and CEO. “We are extremely excited about our relationship with CMH, the founders of heli-skiing, and we look forward to introducing this very unique life experience to our clients.”
CMH is the world’s largest employer of mountain guides certified by the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG) and the International Federation of Mountain Guides Association (IFMGA). The company offers intermediate to expert skiers and riders the choice of eight lodges and thee town-based hotels in the Columbia Mountains of British Columbia. Combined, these 11 properties offer access to nearly 10,000 square miles of terrain in the Bugaboos, Cariboos, Monashees and Selkirks via Bell 212 twin-engine helicopters. Bell 407s and 206s are also used for smaller groups, snow safety and special flights.
Each lodge offers private bedrooms, common rooms with fireplaces, a full-service bar, spa with whirlpool, sauna and massage services and fully stocked retail shop. All guests have complimentary access to specially designed powder skis and poles, and receive training in and use of avalanche transceivers. Employed at each lodge are head chefs and pastry chefs who deliver gourmet meals using fresh western Canadian ingredients.
“Choosing Ski.com as our exclusive travel provider in the United States was an easy decision for us,” said Marty vonNeudegg, CMH’s director of corporate services. “CMH and Ski.com both have rich histories spanning decades and both companies’ employees have dedicated their lives to helping skiers and riders quench their thirst for the mountains. Additionally, Ski.com offers vast travel resources including superior airline and lodging contracts, a large, devoted client base and a segment of their sales staff focused on heli-skiing.”
Ski.com has handpicked a number of its Aspen, Colo.-based Mountain Vacation Specialists to concentrate on the heli-skiing product. Each has been specifically trained to work with travelers to determine which heli-skiing trip is best for them.