Flying Gear Only

glacier fly by

Cost: $2.25 per pound/flight
Bag size: 12x12x20 inches or 30x30x50 cm

Flight days: Friday, Sunday and Wednesday. On statutory holidays, flights operate on Friday and Monday.

Winter 2011-2012: Assiniboine Lodge is closed to complete the restoration project. Restricted flight schedule for Naiset Hut visitors.

  • Friday, December 30th and Monday, January 2nd.
  • Friday February 17th-March 2nd. Flights on Friday and Sunday. Flights will operate on Wednesday based on demand. On the Alberta Family Day holiday flights operate on Friday, February 17th and Monday, February 20th.
  • March 2nd-April 8th. Flights on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. On Easter weekend, flights operate on Friday Aril 6th and Monday, April 9th

Summer 2012: June 29 to the September 30.

Flying gear into Assiniboine for hikers or skiers

Gear drop off location: Canmore Alpine Heliport.
Gear drop off time: Before 9 am on flight days
Gear pick up location: Assiniboine Lodge
Canmore Alpine Helicopters: 91 Bow Valley Trail, Canmore, Alberta.
 

Flying gear out from Assiniboine for hikers and skiers

Gear drop off location: Assiniboine Lodge
Gear drop off time: 7 am- 10 am on flight days
Gear pick up location: Canmore Alpine Helicopters
Gear pick up: after 4 pm on flight days
Canmore Alpine Helicopters: 91 Bow Valley Trail, Canmore, Alberta.
Canmore Alpine Heliport phone number: 403 678 4802

General information and luggage restrictions for flying gear only

Luggage Restrictions

  • Visitors accessing the Park by hiking or skiing can fly your non-essential gear by helicopter.
  • Space is limited on the helicopter. Gear must be limited to essentials.
  • More than one bag is allowed provided the bags meets the size and weight limits.
  • Suitcases and backpacks with external frames are not allowed on the helicopter.
  • Backpacks and small duffel bags are best.
  • Anything attached to your bag may be removed in order to fit in the helicopter.
  • Items such as hiking poles, walking sticks, fishing rods, tripods and ice axes should be treated as seperate items.
  • Do not pack bear spray into your luggage. Keep it separate, write your name on it and give it to the helipad personnel.

Gear drop and pick up locations

  • The drop for incoming and the pickup location for outgoing gear is at Canmore Alpine Heliport.
  • The pick up for incoming and the drop off location for outgoing gear is at Assiniboine Lodge.
  • For an early start or a multiday trips, gear can be dropped in advance on non-flight days, at either Canmore Alpine Heliport or Assiniboine Lodge.
  • Gear can be dropped off and picked up only in the hours of operation for the Canmore Alpine Heliport.

Canmore Alpine Heliports hours of operation
Summer: 7am - 6:45 pm
Winter: 7am - 5 pm

Procedure for flying gear into Assiniboine

  • Arrangements for flying gear only must be made in advance though the Assiniboine reservation office.
  • Gear must be dropped off at the log cabin with the red roof at Canmore Alpine Heliport before 9:00 am on flight days.
  • Write your name on and attach the provided green baggage tag to your gear.
  • Pick up and pay for flying your gear upon arrival at Assiniboine Lodge.

Procedure for flying gear out of Assiniboine

  • Arrangements for flying gear only can be made at Assiniboine Lodge, through the Assiniboine Lodge custodian or at Assiniboine Lodge public tea time (4pm-5pm)
  • Gear must be dropped off at Assiniboine Lodge before 10 am on flight days.
  • Write your name on and attach the provided green baggage tag to your gear.
  • Payment is processed at Assiniboine Lodge.
  • Gear can be retrieved at Canmore Alpine Heliport.

Additional luggage restrictions and considerations for Hut Visitors and Campers

  • Sleeping bags and sleeping pads attached to backpacks may have to be removed in order for your bag to fit in the helicopter. Pack these items inside your backpack.
  • BBQ’s are not allowed at the Naiset Huts or Campgrounds.
  • Coolers are not allowed. They do not fit in the helicopter or the food storage boxes at the Naiset Huts and the Campgrounds.
  • Hut visitors and Campers are responsible for transporting their gear, by foot or ski, to their overnight destination. Assiniboine Lodge is 500 meters from the Naiset Huts and 1.4 km from the Magog Campground.