Kootenay

Kootenay

No-frills powder thrills

Easy to get to, difficult to leave

Our Kootenay operation lives up to the illustrious ski reputation of its namesake region in interior British Columbia. With close proximity to Valhalla Provincial Park and sitting near the shores of Upper Arrow Lake — an extension of the 2,000 km Columbia River — this in-town location is a snowy sweet spot central to a region famous for high volumes of low-density powder. It has an alternative, maverick, ski-bum streak that has created some of the most culturally distinct and creatively influenced mountain town cultures in the world.

What calls guests back each winter to CMH Kootenay is the powerful combination of brag-worthy terrain and predictable storm cycles. Kootenay draws keen powder skiers and riders eager for a small taste of Interior BC culture but also looking to challenge themselves run after run. The youthful atmosphere balances semi-responsible post-ski drinks with an attitude eager to get after it each morning. You can expect to lap featured lines or learn to stick that first pillow drop, and ski or ride at a swifter pace reflective of the three-group structure at Kootenay. If you’ve only ski-toured or cat-skied in the area, CMH Kootenay will change your outlook on vertical footage forever.

CMH Kootenay
Playful, fun

A skier and rider’s dream

The story of CMH Kootenay is fun, featured lines. With a far-reaching tenure that straddles both the Selkirk and Monashee mountain ranges, CMH Kootenay skis like a deep, pillowed playground. With consistent fall line, perfectly spaced trees to the valley floors, and playful terrain, you can enjoy significant hucks to manageable sends – there’s enough white stuff to practice sticking your first deep snow landings. This place is on point for those looking to step up their on-mountain game under professional guidance. 

The runs of CMH Kootenay are home base for our Steep Shots & Pillow Drops program. Since its inception in 2012, we’ve hosted dozens of pro athletes who help coach our guests how to pick lines, tackle features and claim Instagram glory by slaying their personal highlight reel. On those rare occasions when wide-friggin-open tree skiing in overhead pow is not enough, our tenure literally rises above the rest into open alpine and subalpine terrain. 

Skiable Terrain

Up to

290 + runs

1,155 sq. km / 446 sq. mi

Using snow conditions, wildlife movement, weather forecasts and a variety of other factors, our guides carefully select each day’s run lineup from a roster of nearly 300 options. 

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Features

A mix between

75% trees

25% alpine

CMH Kootenay is known for its mix of alpine open bowls, perfectly spaced trees —and for the adventurous — playful pillows, steeps and drops.  

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HELI-SKIING SAFETY

Your safety is our priority

Helicopter safety at CMH

You’ll be guided by our team of highly experienced heli-skiing guides, who are all passionate about the wilderness and sharing it with others in a safe, supportive environment. That’s why our 140+ member team represents over 1,400 years of guiding experience. Every CMH Mountain Guide has completed an average 8-year certification process with the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG) or the International Federation of Mountain Guides Association (IFMGA). 

Learn moreWatch: Safety at CMH 

Epic

Excellent skiing, great guides, great lodge staff. Always wonderful to come back.

Dan from Colorado, U.S.