Helicopter Tour over Kananaskis and Bow Valleys just outside of Calgary, Alberta (Canada).
I went on my first, of what I hope to be many more, helicopter rides today! Just across the parking lot from the Stoney Nakoda Resort & Casino, where I was staying in Kananaskis, Alberta, is Kananaskis Heli Tours.
With possibly the friendliest staff in the area (the pilot who took me up was, coincidently, from the same suburb of Vancouver as I am, Port Coquitlam, so I knew it was good people), I was treated to a 20-minute helicopter tour of the Rocky Mountains ($179 CAD per person).
I must admit I was nervous before going up. I have been in floatplanes and imagined the ride to be even shakier. But as soon as we lifted up off the ground, the wind swooped us up and it was fairly smooth sailing.
A few gusts made my stomach jump, but the ride was otherwise pretty graceful. At one point the pilot said, “We’ll get bumped around a bit, but nothing to get too concerned over,” but it really wasn’t anything scary.
After climbing up a ridge and feeling like I could reach out and lick the mountains, I turned my head to see the Bow Valley spread out below me, 8,000 feet down. I swear it took my breath away.
The 20-minute tour also includes a close up view of the Nakiska Ski Resort, which was host to the 1988 Winter Olympics. Kananaskis Heli Tours also does 30-minutes helicopter tours that include Mt. Allan and Mt. Sparrowhawk, as well as a 55-minute sightseeing tour that includes the above plus Mt. Lougheed and Mt. Assiniboine.
Me (middle) with the staff of Kananaskis Heli Tours just outside of Calgary, Alberta (Canada).
What surprised me was the other packages also available. Who knew that you can book:
- Heli-weddings
- Heli-hiking
- Heli-yoga
- Heli-snowshoeing
- A heli-picnic
- Heli-romance packages (including champagne- but don’t forget, the pilot is up there with you!)
What I liked:
- The helicopter ride in and of itself was spectacular. I would have liked to go on an even longer tour, though, as one taste isn’t really enough.
- The staff are welcoming and good at dealing with people who are nervous or frightened.
- I learned from a group tour that was there that heli-tourism doesn’t exist in other parts of the world, so this is a really popular treat for international travellers.
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What time of year did you go? Were the lakes still frozen?
Hi Matthew. I was there at this time of the year (May) and the lakes weren’t frozen. You have to go in the winter if that’s what you’re looking for. It’s spectacular.