The rotors start turning and my heart starts thumping. I can feel the vibrations from the top of my head to the tips of my toes. Adrenaline starts to pump as I don my headset. I squeeze my husband’s balmy hand and I’m ready for takeoff.
Spending the winter in Calgary, we decided we wanted to try everything we could that had anything to do with snow. Snowshoeing was something that, as a Floridian, I never even heard of. While spending some time setting up activities, someone mentioned snowshoeing combined with a heli tour to me and I had to try it. What better way to find the perfect secluded spot (since I knew that falling in snow was something I am a master at) that to take a helicopter.
We signed up for the Kananaskis Heli Tour and Snowshoe experience that leaves from Canmore, AB. After getting airborne Kenin and I snuggled together to enjoy the amazing views of the Canadian Rockies.
Two dorks in a chopper
The mountains were so beautiful. I felt like I could reach out and touch the tops.
View from Helicopter
The view from the heli tour gave the whole world a different perspective.
We touched down in a clearing and all got strapped into our snowshoes. They were remarkably clunky looking and all I could think was “Hope the bears are hibernating, ’cause I can’t run in these suckers”! We started our trek through the snow. It was weird crushing through the fluffy white stuff without really sinking down to the bottom. Our little group was having fun and following in our guides footsteps…then it happened!
Snow Shoes
Our first casualty! Woman down! We all took a moment to laugh and help her get up. Every single person on this tour fell (with the exception of our tour guide/pilot). It’s funny to see how deep the snow really gets. We were walking on top of about 3 feet of snow.
Casualties
Then we came to what I thought was a clearing. It was stunning.
Our guide stops and whips out some delightfully spiked hot chocolate and a few cups. We are happily sipping away and getting a little warm and toasty when I realize I am standing on a lake. This might not sound like such a big deal for most people, but I was born in the Caribbean and raised in Florida. Where I am from, lakes are made of water and only Jesus can walk on them!
Taking a break
After trudging back to the helicopter, all warm and toasty from our adult hot chocolates, we all stop for a few classy poses with the helicopter. Our journey was too short (as always) but super fun. Snowshoeing was a complete success and definitely something I would recommend to anyone visiting the Canadian Rockies.
Ready for the ride back
We packed back into the helicopter for the short ride to our car all making plans for next time. See you soon Canadian Rockies, we’ll see you soon!
Details
Rockies Heli Tours
403-881-2500
www.rockiesheli.com
