Golden, BC Lodge-Based Deluxe Hiking Tour

Things to know

• What’s included?

  What you get on this adventure:

  • • An experienced hiking guide with extensive experience in British Columbia’s backcountry
    • A 4-day or a 5-day heli-accessed and lodge-based hiking trip starting in Golden (depending on the itinerary)
    • Accommodation in the luxury Purcell Mountain Lodge (based on double occupancy) for 3 or 4 nights (depending on the itinerary)
    • Helicopter transfer to and from Golden, BC
    • All meals prepared by a classically trained chef

  What’s not included:

  • • Transportation to Golden
    • Accommodation in Golden before and after the adventure — if applicable
    • Alcoholic beverages (cash bar will be available)
    • Guide & staff gratuities — 15-20% is customary, split equally between guides and staff
    • Travel and medical/rescue insurance — highly recommended
• How fit do I need to be?

  The best thing about Golden, BC heli-accessed hiking based at the Purcell Mountain Lodge is that there are incredible options for all fitness levels. That said, you need to have some full-day hiking experience and be in a fairly good physical shape. At breakfast time guides will talk about a few guided options for the day. Choices range from shorter to longer hikes, varying in elevation gain and terrain difficulty. Your day can be as leisurely or challenging as you wish. Guided guests wanting to explore the area on their own must discuss with the lead guide. Additionally, all participants will participate in grizzly bear safety orientation before heading out on their first tour. You’ll be able to discuss your plans and preferences/abilities with your guide prior to the start of the tour.

• What do I need to bring?

  For hiking equipment, you will need to bring:

  • • Hiking boots with good ankle support
    • Hiking poles — optional
    • Moisture-wicking long- and short-sleeved hiking shirts
    • Hiking pants and shorts
    • Mid-layer or fleece
    • Lightweight waterproof hiking jacket
    • Hiking socks

  For the Purcell Mountain Lodge, you will need to bring:

  • • Comfortable clothing for lounging around the lodge (2 or more changes)
    • Bath, sauna, face and hand towel for personal use
    • Blanket or a lightweight sleeping bag
    • Slippers
    • Bathing suit
    • Headlamp with extra batteries
    • Toiletries

  For personal items, we recommend bringing:

  • • 30-35L daypack
    • 50L duffel bag
    • Sunglasses
    • Sunhat
    • Sun and lip cream
    • Water bottle and 2L of water
    • Thermos with a warm beverage — optional
    • Camera — optional

  Please keep in mind that helicopters have a very limited capacity. For your safety, we must limit your personal soft shell luggage to a maximum of 35 lbs (13.5 kg). Additional cargo space is for gear, transportation of food and lodge supplies. No hard shell and no wheel baggage permitted!

• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and pricing

  • • For these group hiking adventures from Golden, BC, the minimum client-to-guide ratio is 4:1, while the maximum ratio is 6:1.
    • It takes a minimum of 8 people for the weekend hiking tour to operate and 12 people for the weekday hiking tour to operate.
    • The maximum number of participants for both tours is 16.

  This heli-accessed hiking trip based at the Purcell Mountain Lodge in British Columbia can be arranged for private groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

  Min. age requirements

  • • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
    • Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

  If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

• Getting there and meeting location

  To get to the town of Golden, which is the starting point of your hiking tour, most people fly into Calgary International Airport. From there, it’s a three-hour drive to the town of Golden.

  The meeting point is the Alpine Helicopters Base (204 Fisher Road Golden, B.C. V0A 1H0), where you are expected to arrive around 8am for a helicopter flight to your lodge. Our Stager & Expediter will greet you at the hangar on departure day. Arriving on time allows for time to weigh baggage, read and fill out and sign the release of liability waiver, and receive a helicopter safety talk.

  We recommend arriving in Golden a day prior to the tour to ensure you start the adventure fully rested and prepared!

• Safety measures in British Columbia’s backcountry

  We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both emergency medical and travel insurance.

  With medical insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the trails, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more. Travel insurance covers canceled flights, natural disasters and other scenarios that may interrupt your travel plans.

  We also expect you to respect local regulations and take measures to protect yourselves, your guides, and the communities you’re traveling to.

  If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!

• Deposits and cancellation policy

  Full tour price to secure your place is due upon booking. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies.

  • • If Client cancels the Booking anytime prior to ninety (90) calendar days in advance of the trip contemplated by the booking, Client is entitled to a refund in the amount of fifty percent (50%) of the total amount paid when Booking.
    • After that deadline, Client is not entitled to any refund. Any reimbursable expenses arising out of the Booking incurred by Guide prior to the date of cancellation (including but not limited to plane tickets, car rental payments, and lodging or transportation fees) are non-refundable as soon as they are incurred by the Guide.

  Early bird booking

  Want to be the first one to know when we publish new dates or secure your spot well in advance? Select a future month that suits you best and lock in your early bird spot in time with just a 10% deposit.

  As soon as our guides publish new tour dates, you’ll be the first one to know. We’ll hold your spot for 2 weeks until you choose the date that suits you best.

  More about how early bird bookings work below:

  • • Only a 10% non-refundable deposit must be paid upon booking, but this deposit can be transferred to any other 57hours adventure in case the dates don’t end up working for you.
    • Once our guides publish new tour dates, we’ll reach out to you so you’ll be the first one to choose from newly released dates.
    • When you pick your date, you’ll confirm your booking by paying another 20% of the total trip amount (amounting to the standard 30% deposit).
    • Once the trip has been confirmed, the regular cancellation policy (found above) applies.
    • The remaining balance is due 90 days before the trip.