Golden

Heli-Hiking & Skiing

Golden Alpine Holidays (250/344-7273. www.goldenalpineholidays.com) runs three- to seven-day alpine hiking and backcountry ski tours in the Selkirk Mountains, with accommodation in three backcountry mountain huts near the tree line (expect propane lights, woodstoves, saunas, full kitchens, no running water or electricity, and outhouse toilets). For the less hardy, the outfit also operates a comfortable four-bedroom lodge with running water, a sauna and even internet services. You and your gear are helicoptered in to the lodges. You can hire a guide and move between locations or stay at a single lodge. Backcountry skiing season lasts from December through April; hiking is offered from early July to mid-September.

Purcell Heli-Ski/Hiking (250/344-5410 or 877/435-4754. www.purcellhelicopterskiing.com) has one- to seven-day heli-skiing-and-snowboarding packages in the Purcell Mountains, with day use of a modern mountain lodge. Overnight accommodations are in Golden. Heli-skiing is available from December to mid-May, and there's also half- or full-day heli-hiking from mid-June to September.

More Sports and Outdoors

• Downhill Skiing
• Heli-Hiking & Skiing

• Rafting
• Sporting Gear