July 17, 2007

US & Canada | Canada | British Columbia

Cariboo High School

By Nicole Cotroneo

Scale new heights without lifting a muscle.

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In the white of winter we gave you the heads-up on heli-skiing. Now prepare to board your private chopper for its summer counterpart: heli-hiking. This month through August, heli-sports pioneer Canadian Mountain Holidays runs guided hikes from six wilderness lodges in the Columbian Mountains. Valemount, the most exclusive, is set at the foot of the Cariboo sub-range in the heart of BC’s wildflower country. With only 10 guestrooms, in-house massage service, sauna and outdoor whirlpool, think of Valemount as your superluxe basecamp. From there you’ll leapfrog the slog to remote regions of the Cariboos for daily hiking and un-roped glacier-walking. From July 26 to Aug. 1, you can also take an “Epicurean Adventure,” mixing three-and-a-half days of heli-hiking with hands-on cooking classes in Valemount’s open kitchen. Acclaimed California chef and cookbook author John Ash will share food and wine-pairing secrets, while CMH will provide equipment for each portion of the adventure — including hiking boots, rain gear, backpack, and spatulas.