BUY OUR BOOK: MOUNT ASSINIBOINE - THE STORY
Helicopter: Flying Gear Only

Summer Flight Days: Wednesday, Friday and Sunday (Monday instead of Sunday on statutory holiday long weekends). 
June 21 - Sept 30, 2024. 

Winter Flight Days: Wednesday and Sunday.
February 18 - March 31, 2024.

Cost: $5/pound each way up to 40lbs. There will also be a storage fee for incoming baggage of $30/day/bag (max weight of 40lbs) for bags that have not been picked up within 48 hours of arriving. There is no storage fee for bags flying out of the park. 
MAX bag weight: 40lbs (there is a $10/pound penalty charge for every pound over 40lbs).
MAX bag size: 12x15x32 inches or 29x37x80 cm, roughly the same size as a 75Litre backpack (there is a $50 penalty charge for bags over this size).

Canmore Alpine Heliports hours of operation:
Summer: 7:00 am - 6:00 pm
Winter: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Flying Gear Into Assiniboine For Hikers Or Skiers - WINTER & SUMMER 

Gear drop off location: Canmore Alpine Helicopters Heliport, 91 Bow Valley Trail, Canmore, Alberta.
Gear drop off time: Before 8:00AM MST on flight days.
Gear pick up location: Assiniboine Lodge.  Gear is available for pick up by mid-afternoon.

Flying Gear Out From Assiniboine For Hikers And Skiers - WINTER & SUMMER 

Gear drop off location: Assiniboine Lodge
Gear drop off time:  6:45 - 7:45 am on flight days
Gear pick up location: Canmore Alpine Helicopters, 91 Bow Valley Trail, Canmore, Alberta, 403 678 4802.
Summer gear pick up: after 4:00 pm 
Winter gear pick up: after 3:00 pm

General Information and Luggage Restrictions for Flying Gear Only

Procedure for flying gear into Assiniboine

  • Visitors accessing the Park by hiking or skiing can fly gear by helicopter.
  • No advanced arrangements are required for individuals or groups flying less than 150lbs of gear into Assiniboine.
  • Groups flying more than 150lbs of gear must make arrangements in advance by calling (403) 678 2883 or emailing the Assiniboine reservation office.
  • Gear must be dropped off at the log cabin with the red roof at Canmore Alpine Heliport before 8:00 am on flight days.
  • For an early start or multiday trips, gear can be dropped a day or two in advance at Canmore Alpine Heliport during their regular hours of operation.
  • A storage fee will apply to bags that are left longer than 48 hours at Assiniboine Lodge.
  • 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 between 6:45-7:45 am on flight days.
  • For an early start or a multiday departure trips, gear can be dropped in advance on non-flight days at Assiniboine Lodge
  • Write your name on and attach the baggage tags provided at the lodge to your gear.
  • Payment is processed at Assiniboine Lodge.
  • Gear is picked at the Canmore Alpine Heliport.

Luggage Restrictions

  • Suitcases and backpacks with external frames are not allowed on the helicopter.
  • Backpacks and small duffel bags are best.
  • Nothing may be attached to the outside of your bag. We do not take responsibility for items that need to be removed from the outside of your bags and are subsequently lost. 
  • Items such as hiking poles, walking sticks, fishing rods, tripods and ice axes should be treated as separate items.
  • Bear spray, fuel for camp stoves and any other flammables must be kept separate from your other gear and identified using CAUTION tape which is provided at the heliport. These items will be put in a specific compartment on the helicopter.
  • We reserve the right to refuse over-weight bags.

Additional luggage restrictions and considerations for Hut Visitors and Campers 

  • NEW* No flotation devices will be flown into the park including but not limited to any type of boat, paddleboard, bellyboat, kayak, inner tube, etc. 
  • Sleeping bags and sleeping pads attached to backpacks may have to be removed in order for your bag to fit in the helicopter and as a result are at increase risk of being lost. Pack these items inside your backpack or as a seperately flagged item. 
  • BBQ’s are not allowed in the helicopter or at Naiset Huts or the campgrounds.
  • Hard-Sided Coolers are not allowed. They do not fit in the helicopter or the food storage boxes at the Naiset Huts and the Campgrounds. Use a soft-sided cooler, duffel bag or small cardboard boxes.
  • Hut visitors and Campers are responsible for transporting their gear by foot or ski to their overnight destination. Assiniboine Lodge is 600 meters from the Naiset Huts and 1.4 km from the Magog Campground.

**PLEASE NOTE:

Watercraft and fishing equipment is banned to combat transmission of invasive species

To help combat and mitigate the transmission of aquatic invasive species, effective immediately, the following fishing equipment and watercraft is banned in lakes, rivers, and creeks in Mount Assiniboine Park:

BANNED Watercraft:

  • Belly boats
  • Stand up paddleboards
  • Dinghies
  • Boats

BANNED Fishing Equipment:

  • Wading bibs/pants - all types (neoprene, breathable, rubber)
  • Wading boots - all types (felt sole, rubber sole)

Park visitors failing to comply with these measures are subject to violations and fines under the Park Act.

Park visitors are reminded to clean, drain, and dry all immersible water equipment prior to entering the park. 

To learn more about aquatic invasive species and provincial measures being taken to mitigate transmission, read Aquatic invasive species (gov.bc.ca).