Flying Out

Assiniboine bound helicopter

Mount Shark flight:       $150.00 per person one way
Canmore flight:              $165.00 per person one way
Luggage restriction:       40 pounds per person/flight.
Excess baggage fee         $2.25 per pound/flight booked

  • Prices include tax.
  • Prices are in Canadian dollars.
  • Add $10.00 (additional BC taxes) to outgoing flights rate if flights are booked at Assiniboine Lodge.
  • Children under the age of 2 are free.

Flight days and operational season

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

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

  • March 2nd-April 8th, 2012. 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.

Assiniboine flights out to the Mount Shark Helipad

Check in for Lodge Guests: TBD
Check in for Hut Visitors and Campers: 11:30 am- 2:00pm

Assiniboine flights out to Canmore Alpine Heliport

Check in:  2:30 pm-3 pm

General Information

Mount Shark Helipad Flight Information

  • The first and majority of the flights depart from Assiniboine to the main staging area at the Mount Shark Heliport. The flight is 8 minutes.
  • Outgoing helicopter passengers flying to the Mount Shark Helipad mark their gear, and any potentially removable items attached to their gear, with the provided orange flagging tape.
  • Items such as hiking poles, walking sticks, fishing rods, tripods and ice axes should be treated as seperate items and marked with flagging tape.
  • Your gear will be loaded and unloaded from the helicopter by our staff.
  • We make every effort for Mount Shark passengers to fly together with your group members and with your gear. Please be patient if your gear does not arrive on your flight or if your group has to be seperated. You can expect your gear and friends on a consecutive flight.
  • Limit space (2-3 people) is sometimes available from the Mount Shark Helipad to Canmore for helicopter passengers. The transportation cost $15.00 per person/each way. Contact the Assiniboine reservations office to pre-book.

Canmore Alpine Heliport flight information

  • The Canmore flight is the last flight out of Assiniboine. The flight arrives at the Canmore Alpine Heliport. There is limited availability and the flight is reserved for passengers who flew in on the Canmore flight. It is a 12 minute flight.
  • Outgoing helicopter passengers flying to the Canmore Alpine Heliport mark their gear, and any potentially removable items attached to their gear, with the provided yellow flagging tape.
  • Items such as hiking poles, walking sticks, fishing rods, tripods and ice axes should be treated as seperate items and marked with flagging tape.
  • Your gear will be loaded and unloaded from the helicopter by our staff.

Luggage Restrictions

Luggage restrictions:        40 pounds per person/flight
Excess baggage fee:          $2.25 per pound/flight
Bag size:                             12x12x20 inches or 30x30x50 cm

  • Space is limited on the helicopter. Gear must be limited to essentials.
  • Gear above the luggage restrictions will incur an excess baggage fee.
  • More than one bag is allowed provided the bags meets the size and weight limits.
  • Dogs are not allowed on the helicopter.
  • 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.
  • One pair of skis is allowed. Do not bring ski bags.
  • Wear your bulky clothing and boots on the helicopter, as it is often colder at Assiniboine.
  • Your gear will be loaded and unloaded from the helicopter by our staff.

Departure Procedures

Assiniboine Lodge Guests Departure Procedure

  • Assiniboine Lodge guests, including visitors accessing the lodge by hiking or skiing, arrival and departure days are based on and restricted to helicopter flight days.
  • After breakfast on departure days guests make a picnic lunch.
  • Guests are given an estimated check in time for departing helicopter flights.
  • Assiniboine Lodge Guests check out time from the lodge rooms and cabins is 10:00 am.
  • Gear is weighted and marked with the appropriate provided flagging tape. Gear above the weight allowance is added to the final bill.
  • Gear is stored at Assiniboine Lodge while guest go hiking or skiing in the morning.

Naiset Visitors and Campers Departure Procedure

  • Park visitors who are flying in and out of the Park are restricted in flight days for arrival and departure days.
  • Hut visitors and Campers accessing the Park by hiking or skiing are not restricted in arrival and departure days.
  • Gear must be brought to Assiniboine Lodge before 10:30 am on your departure day.
  • Gear is weighted and marked with the appropriate provided flagging tape. Gear above the weight allowance can be paid at this time.
  • 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 or mark them with flagging tape.
  • Assiniboine Lodge staff will give an estimated check in time for your departing flight.
  • Gear can be stored on the front porch of the lodge.
  • Naiset Visitors and Campers are responsible for bringing their gear, at your estimated check in time, to the Assiniboine Helipad.

Payment and Cancellation Policy for Helicopter Flights

Payment Policy

  • Prices include tax.
  • Prices are in Canadian dollars.
  • Children under the age of 2 are free.
  • Mastercard, Visa and personal cheques accepted.
  • Hut Visitors and Campers must pay in full at time of booking to confirm helicopter flights.
  • Rates are subject to increase in tax implemented by the Provincial and/or Federal governments.
  • Assiniboine Lodge reserve the right to charge a helicopter fuel surcharge if fuel price increase.

Booking departing helicopter flights while at Assiniboine

  • There is limited availability, for visitors who do not have a helicopter reservation, to book departing flights at Assiniboine.
  • Availability is first-come, first-served bases.
  • Flights can be booked at Assiniboine Lodge or through the Lodge custodian.
  • There is an additional $10.00 charge for BC Tax for flights booked at Assiniboine.

Helicopter Cancellations Policy

  • Full refund for cancellations made not less than 10 weeks prior to trip departure.
  • $20.00 per person cancellations processing fee applies for cancellations made not less than 48 hours prior to departure.
  • No refunds for cancellations made less than 48 hours prior to departure.

Cancelled Helicopter Flights due to Weather Conditions

  • Cancelled helicopter flights due to poor weather conditions is extremely rare.
  • Assiniboine Lodge is not responsible for consequences of cancelled helicopter flights.
  • There is no refund for the lost night of accomodation at Assiniboine for delayed incoming visitors.
  • Delayed outgoing visitors are not required to pay for the additional nights stay.
  • Assiniboine Lodge is not responsible for the additional cost of accomodation incured for delayed incoming visitors.
  • Assiniboine Lodge is not responsible for missed travel for delayed departing visitors.
  • When weather conditions allow, helicopter flights will resume the following day.