Flying In

Helicopter flight view of Spray Lakes flying from Assiniboine

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. 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.

Canmore Alpine Heliport flight into Assiniboine

Check in: 11 am
Departure Heliport: Canmore Alpine Heliport
Location: 91 Bow Valley Trail, Canmore, Alberta.
Canmore Alpine Heliport phone number: 403 678 4802

Mount Shark Helipad flights into Assiniboine

2012 Winter Check in time:

  • Hut Visitors and Campers: 11:30 am
  • Lodge Guests: n/a 

2012 Summer Check in time:

  • Lodge Guests: 11:30 am
  • Hut Visitors and Campers: 12:30 pm

Departure Heliport: Mount Shark Helipad

General Information

Canmore Alpine Heliport Flight Information

  • The Canmore flight is the first flight into Assiniboine. The Heliport is on the east side of Canmore, Alberta. There is limited availability on the Canmore flight. It is a 12 minute flight.
  • Bring gear to the log cabin with the red roof at the Canmore Alpine Heliport.
  • Register with helicopter staff and watch a helicopter safety orientation video.
  • Gear will be loaded and unloaded from the helicopter by our staff.
  • Upon arrival at Assiniboine, gear will be weighted by Assiniboine Lodge staff. Gear above the weight allowance will be incur an excess bagagge fee.

Mount Shark Helipad Flight Information

  • The Mount Shark Helipad is the main staging area for the majority of flights into Assiniboine. The Mount Shark Helipad is in Kananaskis Provinicial Park and is an hour drive (41.3 km) on a well maintained dirt road from Canmore, Alberta. The flight is 8 minutes.
  • The Mount Shark Helipad has no services. Be prepared with food and water and dress accordingly. There is an outhouse.
  • Park your car at the parking lot and carry your gear, to the Mount Shark Helipad (200 m). Do not drive to Helipad.
  • Do not leave valuables inside your car.
  • Register with the helicopter staff for flight departure times and for a helicopter safety orientation talk.
  • Gear will be weighted at the Mount Shark Helipad. The excess bagagge fee will be automatically charged to the credit card used for booking the flight.
  • Gear will be loaded and unloaded from the helicopter by staff.
  • We make every effort for group members to fly together 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.

Tips for Getting from Civilization to Assiniboine and back again:

  • Arrive in Canmore the day before your Assiniboine departure.
  • Depart on commercial flights the day after leaving Assiniboine.
  • Recommended Boutique Hotel in Canmore owned by Sara Renner and Thomas Grandi: Paintbox Lodge
  • There is a regular-shuttle bus services between the Calgary Airport and Canmore.
  • Taxi service is possible and economical feasible from hotels in Canmore to Canmore Alpine Heliport.
  • There is no public or economically feasible private transportation options from Canmore to the the Mount Shark Helipad.
  • Limit space (2-3 people) is sometimes available from Canmore to the Mount Shark Helipad for helicopter passengers. The transportation cost $15.00 per person/each way. Contact the Assiniboine reservations office to book.

 

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.

Additional Arrival Information

Assiniboine Lodge Guests

  • Assiniboine Lodge guests, including those accessing the lodge by hiking or skiing, arrival and departure days are based on and restricted to helicopter flight days.
  • Bring a packed lunch, as lunch is not served at the lodge on arrival day.

Hut Visitors and Campers

  • Helicopter passengers arrival and departure days are based on and restricted to helicopter flight days.
  • Visitors accessing the Park by hiking or skiing are not restricted in arrival and departure days.
  • Hut Visitors and Campers are responsible for transporting their gear, by foot or ski, from the Assiniboine Helipad to their overnight destination. The Assiniboine Helipad is located between Assiniboine Lodge and the Naiset Huts. The Assiniboine Helipad is 300 meters from the Naiset Huts, 200 meters from Assiniboine Lodge and 1.4 km from the Magog Campground.
  • The Winter Assiniboine Helipad is located at Assiniboine Lodge. It is a 500 meter ski to the Naiset Huts.

Additional Luggage Restrictions 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.

 

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.

Directions to the Mount Shark Helipad

Directions to the Mount Shark Helipad from Canmore- 36.3 kilometers (22.6 miles). Driving time approximately one hour

  • Follow signs to the Canmore Nordic Center and stay on the Spray Lakes Road, which becomes the Smith Dorrein–Spray Trail (#742 South). Follow this well maintained gravel road for about 37 km along Spray Lakes until your reach the Mount Shark turn off.  
  • Turn right onto the Mount Shark Road. Drive past Engadine Lodge and over the bridge.
  • Continue 2.5 kilometers on a winding road and turn left following the sign to the Mount Shark Heliport.
  • The helipad is a short walking distance from the parking lot. Do not drive to the helipad.

Directions to the Mount Shark Helipad from Calgary- approximate driving time is 2.5-3 hours.

  • Follow Highway #1 (Trans-Canada Highway West) and exit on Highway #40 (Kananaskis Trail).
  • Turn left and head south on Highway 40. You will pass the Nakiska Ski Hill, Kananaskis Golf Course and Fortress Mountain Ski Hill.
  • Turn right (west) at the Smith Dorrien- Spray Trail turnoff (# 742).
  • Turn right again and follow the Smith Dorrien-Spray Trail for about 30 kilometers.
  • Turn left onto Mount Shark Road. Drive past Engadine Lodge and over the bridge.
  • Continue down a winding road for 2.5 kilometers and turn left following the sign to the Mount Shark Heliport.
  • The helipad is a short walking distance from the parking lot. Do not drive to the helipad.