Questions answered honestly.

Heli-skiing is backcountry skiing or snowboarding where a helicopter, instead of a chairlift, takes you to untouched mountain terrain to ski fresh powder. With CMH it's a multi-day, lodge-based trip: you ski with guides by day and return to a full-service lodge each night.

You ski in small groups with certified guides while the helicopter repositions you across the terrain through the day. Each morning starts with a safety briefing, the guides choose runs to match your group, and you ski run after run of untracked snow. Evenings are spent at the lodge.

No. You need to be a confident skier or rider who's comfortable on most of a resort mountain, not a professional. Powder skiing and reading terrain come with the guides and the right program. Some trips, like Powder Intro, are built specifically for first-timers.

Not an absolute beginner. You need to ski or ride most of a resort comfortably first. If you can handle blue and most black runs and you're ready to try ungroomed snow, you're ready for the right first trip.

Good general fitness helps, since you'll ski long days and a lot of vertical, often several days in a row. You don't need to be an athlete, but a few weeks of leg and cardio work beforehand makes a real difference in how much you enjoy it.

Yes. Snowboarders are welcome on the same programs and terrain. Just let me know in advance so CMH can confirm the right board is available for your trip.

It's a premium trip, and the price depends on the lodge, the program, the length of the trip, and the season. Tell me what you're considering and I'll give you accurate, current pricing and help you find the best value for your dates. If you have an Ikon Pass, your credits can apply.

No. Working with me costs you nothing extra. As CMH's California representative, the price is identical to booking direct. You simply get a knowledgeable person on the inside, working for you the whole way.

Yes. Ikon Pass holders unlock heli-ski and heli-hike credits worth thousands toward CMH and Mike Wiegele trips, applied on specific trips and dates. See the Ikon Benefits page, and I'll confirm exactly what your pass unlocks.

It happens in the backcountry, so it carries real risks that resort skiing doesn't, and CMH manages them with certified guides, mandatory safety training, provided avalanche gear, and decades of snow science. Guides choose terrain to match the group and conditions all day. I'm always glad to walk you through how safety works before you decide.

The British Columbia season generally runs December into April, with deep midwinter powder and longer, sunnier days toward spring. Early season and spring can offer better value, while peak midwinter weeks book up first. I'll help you choose the timing that fits.

You don't need to own powder skis or avalanche gear, both are provided. You mainly bring good ski layers, your personal items, and your own ski or snowboard boots, since the lodges keep no spares. Once you book, I send a full packing guide and stay reachable for every question.

You fly into Calgary, Kelowna, or Kamloops depending on your lodge, and CMH handles the ground transfer from there. It's often an easier travel day than driving to a Rockies resort, and I'll map out the simplest route for your trip.

Reach out anyway. I help guests with waitlist strategy, private-trip options, and other ways to access high-demand dates and lodges. I've secured spots on sold-out trips more than once.

Both are excellent, and I plan for both. Mike Wiegele has its own terrain and a resort-village base that suits some guests better. Which one fits depends on your group, your dates, and what you want from the week. Tell me what you're after and I'll give you a straight recommendation.

Yes, on certain trips CMH can accommodate younger skiers, and Mike Wiegele has a program where children can cat-ski with guides. See the Family Trips page, or just ask me.

California is my home base and focus, but I'm glad to help skiers and riders beyond California. Most of the time, groups are made up of people from all over. If you're outside California and you reach out, I'll help you plan the right trip.

You get someone on the inside who knows the lodges, terrain, timing, and waitlists, working for you the whole way, at no extra cost. The price is the same either way, so the only question is whether you'd rather have a guide on the inside.