CMH
CMH is the world's first and largest heli-skiing and heli-hiking operator, founded in 1965 in British Columbia. It offers all-inclusive guided backcountry experiences across 3 million acres and 11 destinations, serving affluent adventure travelers from dozens of countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1965
- HeadquartersBanff, Canada
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What CMH does
CMH (Canadian Mountain Holidays, LP) is the world's first and largest heli-skiing operation, founded in 1965 by Hans Gmoser, who is credited with inventing modern heli-skiing. The company offers guided heli-skiing experiences across 11 destinations spanning approximately 3 million acres of exclusive backcountry terrain in British Columbia's Columbia Mountains (Purcell, Monashee, Selkirk, and Cariboo subranges). Its portfolio includes multiple heli-skiing program formats — Signature Trip, Day Heli-Skiing, Small Group, Private & Exclusive, Powder Intro, Powder Performance, Powder Masters, Steep Shots & Pillow Drops, Family Heli-Skiing, All-Women's Heli-Skiing, and Ski Touring & Fusion — as well as a complementary summer product (CMH Summer Adventures) featuring heli-accessed hiking, glacier treks, via ferrata, and photography workshops.
The operational backbone consists of a fleet of 30+ helicopters (Bell 212, Bell 407, A-Star B3) operated through long-time partner Alpine Helicopters, with dedicated onsite engineering. CMH employs more than 150 professionally certified Mountain and Ski Guides (ACMG/IFMGA-certified, average 5-year certification process) representing over 1,500 years of combined experience. Safety infrastructure includes a proprietary remote telemetry weather station network with real-time cameras, Arc'teryx-designed guest safety packs, and a co-development partnership with Mammut on Barryvox S avalanche transceivers and avalanche floatation devices. Eleven lodges (ranging from road-accessed in-town locations to fly-in backcountry lodges such as Adamants, Bugaboos, and the exclusive 10-room Valemount) serve guests from dozens of countries, with maximum system-wide skier capacity of 450 across the tenure.
CMH generates revenue primarily through quote-based, all-inclusive multi-day heli-skiing packages (1–7 day formats) including accommodation, chef-prepared meals, certified guides, helicopter time, safety training, and transportation. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is delivered via direct sales (1-800 phone line, email, online booking at booking.cmhheli.com), supported by free 1-on-1 trip-expert consultations. Distribution is supplemented by an exclusive Ikon Pass partnership offering up to $2,000 CAD in trip credits, advanced booking privileges, and 15% off summer adventures, alongside travel-agent channels and a referral program ($180 CAD/day credit). Target segments include experienced skiers, first-time heli-skiers, families, women-only groups, and private groups of 4–10 guests. CMH is a privately held Alberta limited partnership owned by Alterra Mountain Company, the conglomerate that also owns the Ikon Pass.
CMH firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CMH
- Legal name
- Canadian Mountain Holidays, LP
- Website
- https://cmhheli.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1965
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- CMH is the world's first and largest heli-skiing and heli-hiking operator, founded in 1965 in British Columbia. It offers all-inclusive guided backcountry experiences across 3 million acres and 11 destinations, serving affluent adventure travelers from dozens of countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CMH industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Heli-Skiing Adventure Tourism
- NAICS
- Skiing Facilities (71392), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation (487)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Guided Backcountry & Off-Piste Services (Ski Touring, Splitboarding, Heli/Cat Skiing) (THAAAJAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Winter Adventure & Mountain Resorts (Ski, Snowboard, Snow Activities) (THAAAAAK), Mountain & Ski Luxury Resorts (THAGACAB), Snow & Mountain Unique Stays (Chalets, Ski Cabins) (THAMADAL), Winter & Mountain Guides (Ski, Snowshoe, Avalanche, Ice Climbing) (THAAALAF), Mountain Safety & Patrol Services (Avalanche Training, Rescue, Medical) (THAAAJAI)
Keywords
Where CMH is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Banff
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
CMH business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Heli-Skiing Trip Packages: All-inclusive multi-day packages including backcountry accommodation, chef-prepared meals, non-premium beverages, certified guides, helicopter pilots, safety training, transportation, and specially designed heli-skis. Pricing varies by destination, program type, and trip length (1-7 days).
- Day Heli-Skiing (CMH Purcell): Day trip option without accommodation, food, or transportation included. Allows customers to arrange their own travel details while accessing heli-skiing terrain.
- Ikon Pass Partnership Credits: Ikon Pass holders receive up to $2,000 CAD in credits that can be spent on retail gear, bar and spa services, or directly towards trip cost. Generates revenue through increased bookings from pass holder community.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | All-Inclusive Multi-Day Heli-Skiing Packages |
| Subscription | Annual | Ikon Pass Holder Discount |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Referral Program |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels11 records
CMH product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CMH (Canadian Mountain Holidays) operates the world's first and largest heli-skiing operation, offering guided heli-skiing experiences with all-inclusive packages—accommodation, chef-prepared meals, certified guides, helicopter pilots, safety equipment, and transportation—across 11 exclusive destinations in British Columbia's Columbia Mountains spanning 3 million acres of private terrain. The company also offers summer heli-hiking adventures and various specialty programs (private, family, women-only, first-timers, advanced coaching).
Product overview
CMH (Canadian Mountain Holidays) is the world's first and largest heli-skiing operation, offering guided heli-skiing experiences across 11 unique destinations in British Columbia, Canada. The portfolio includes a core heli-skiing product with multiple program types (Signature Trip, Day Heli-Skiing, Small Group, Private & Exclusive, Powder Intro, Powder Performance, Powder Masters, Steep Shots & Pillow Drops, Family Heli-Skiing, All-Women's Heli-Skiing, Ski Touring & Fusion) alongside a complementary summer offering (CMH Summer Adventures — guided heli-accessed hiking). CMH operates 11 lodges/destinations: CMH Adamants, CMH Bobbie Burns, CMH Bugaboos (birthplace of heli-skiing, est. 1965), CMH Cariboos, CMH Galena, CMH Gothics, CMH Kootenay, CMH Monashees, CMH Purcell, CMH Revelstoke, and CMH Valemount.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- CMH Stories: Blog and storytelling platform featuring guest experiences, trip ideas, and company news
- CMH Summer Adventures
Products and services
- Signature Trip
Quantifiable outcome
- 3 million exclusive acres of terrain - 20x larger than all chairlift skiing in North America combined
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use CMH
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
CMH technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
CMH partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Alpine Helicopters Inc.coreOperating since 1961, Alpine Helicopters operates CMH's fleet of 30+ aircraft including Bell 212, Bell 407, and A-Star B3 helicopters. Alpine is part of the CMH family for over 30 years with an Aerotech division that services Bell helicopters worldwide. Full ownership and operational control of helicopter services.
- MammutcoreCMH partners with Mammut to design and test avalanche transceivers (Barryvox S) used by guests and guides, and to develop avalanche floatation devices (AFDs) available for rent. Ongoing collaboration shapes next-generation avalanche safety devices.
- Arc'teryxcoreEquipment partner providing specialized outdoor apparel and gear. Partnered with CMH to design and supply the guest safety pack - a low-profile backpack holding shovel and probe.
- Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG)coreProfessional body for mountain guiding in Canada and member of IFMGA. Every CMH guide has completed certification with ACMG or IFGMA through an 8-year process.
- Avalanche CanadacoreNon-profit overseeing forecasting and education for backcountry safety. CMH contributes observations and data to generate public avalanche forecasts and set training standards.
- HeliCat CanadacoreTrade association for helicopter and snowcat skiing industry promoting improvement through research, education, and advocacy. CMH is a member and contributes to Wildlife & Environmental Research Fund.
- Ikon PasscoreExclusive partnership providing Ikon Pass holders up to $2,000 CAD in credits toward CMH trips, advanced booking privileges, and 15% off summer adventures. Pass holders get access to trips that sell out 12+ months in advance.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves1 record
CMH competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Whistler Heli-Skiing: Heli-ski operator based in Whistler, BC, offering single-day and multi-day packages to backcountry terrain. Comparable to CMH Purcell's day-trip model and serves the same destination resort visitor.
- Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing: Founded in 1970 and based in Blue River, BC, Mike Wiegele is one of the largest and most established heli-skiing operators in the world and CMH's most direct head-to-head competitor for premium heli-ski bookings in British Columbia.
- Great Canadian Heli-Skiing: Heli-ski operator in the Purcell and Selkirk Mountains of BC. Comparable to CMH in offering multi-day small-group heli-skiing experiences with similar lodge-based hospitality.
- Bella Coola Heli-Sports: BC heli-ski and heli-board operator based on the central coast. Operates multi-day packages comparable to CMH, targeting the same experienced skier segment seeking deep powder and exclusive terrain.
- Selkirk Tangiers Heli-Skiing: BC-based heli-ski operator in the Selkirk Mountains near Revelstoke. Directly competes with CMH Revelstoke and other CMH lodges for premium heli-ski demand.
- Last Frontier Heli-Skiing: BC-based heli-ski operator with multiple remote lodges in the Skeena and Coast Mountains. Directly comparable to CMH in product offering (multi-day all-inclusive heli-ski packages) and customer segment.
- RK Heli-Skiing: Heli-ski and heli-board operator based in the Selkirk Mountains of BC. Competes with CMH for both terrain access and the same premium multi-day heli-skiing guest.
Emerging players
- Chatter Creek Cat Skiing: Cat-skiing operation in the BC Rocky Mountains near Golden. Targets the same high-end backcountry skier with multi-day all-inclusive lodge packages, providing a non-helicopter alternative to CMH.
- Baldface Lodge: Cat-skiing operation in the Selkirk Mountains near Nelson, BC. Adjacent to CMH's segment — serves similar advanced/expert powder skiers seeking exclusive guided backcountry experiences, but via snowcat rather than helicopter.
Others
- Alpine Helicopters Inc. Long-standing CMH partner (since 1961) operating CMH's fleet of 30+ helicopters and providing worldwide Bell helicopter servicing via its Aerotech division. Not a direct competitor but a critical ecosystem partner in CMH's operating model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
CMH social profiles
Digital presenceCMH financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CMH leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
CMH funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CMH M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about CMH
What does CMH do?
CMH (Canadian Mountain Holidays) operates the world's first and largest heli-skiing operation, offering guided heli-skiing experiences with all-inclusive packages—accommodation, chef-prepared meals, certified guides, helicopter pilots, safety equipment, and transportation—across 11 exclusive destinations in British Columbia's Columbia Mountains spanning 3 million acres of private terrain. The company also offers summer heli-hiking adventures and various specialty programs (private, family, women-only, first-timers, advanced coaching).
Is CMH a public or private company?
CMH is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was CMH founded?
CMH was founded in 1965. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is CMH based?
CMH is headquartered in Banff, Canada, in the North America region.
How does CMH make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Heli-Skiing Trip Packages are the primary driver. The others are day Heli-Skiing (CMH Purcell) and ikon Pass Partnership Credits.
Who are CMH's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Whistler Heli-Skiing, Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing, Great Canadian Heli-Skiing, Bella Coola Heli-Sports, Selkirk Tangiers Heli-Skiing, Last Frontier Heli-Skiing and RK Heli-Skiing. Emerging players are Chatter Creek Cat Skiing and Baldface Lodge. Alpine Helicopters Inc. is listed as an others.
Does CMH have an API?
No public API is recorded for CMH.
What industry is CMH in?
CMH's product category is Heli-Skiing Adventure Tourism. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAAAJAD, Guided Backcountry & Off-Piste Services (Ski Touring, Splitboarding, Heli/Cat Skiing), with a secondary code of THAAAAAK, Winter Adventure & Mountain Resorts (Ski, Snowboard, Snow Activities). Its NAICS code is 71392.