Heli Accessed Hiking at BC's Most Remote Backcountry Lodge

Heli Accessed Hiking at BC's Most Remote Backcountry Lodge

 

 

 

Escape the Ordinary, Immerse yourself in true Backcountry Solitude


From wildflower filled alpine meadows, crystal clear flowing creeks and mountain lakes, to high alpine ridges, summer at Mallard Mountain Lodge offers some of the most pristine and untouched backcountry hiking experiences. Whether travelling solo, as a couple, or a group of family or friends that want the whole lodge to yourself, we offer a package and adventure suitable to everyone. Discover truly remote and untouched landscapes in every direction from the exploration of your private lodge, in a small and intimate group setting.

Ultra Remote

The Journey is truly part of the Adventure

Your adventure begins immediately with a breathtaking 30 minute helicopter ride, flying over some of the most remote mountain landscapes in the Canadian Rockies to arrive at your private backcountry lodge. The remoteness of our location ensures your adventure starts the moment you lift off.

Intimate & Relaxed

 

Your Own Private Wilderness Escape

With room for only 6-8 guests and 4 staff, we offer a truly unique and intimate backcountry experience. You will feel like you have the whole mountains and lodge to yourselves (which you will), along with personalized service and attention to every detail of your stay.

A home in the heart of the Mountains

 

Where Comfort Meets the Backcountry

Mallard Mountain Lodge is not just a place to lay your head at the end of the day; its a true haven in mountains. Cozy up next to the wood fire, indulge in delicious home cooked food, and share stories of the days adventures while you relax and rejuvenate for the next day.

How it works

Helicopter landing to pick up hikers at the Mallard Mountain Lodge BC

We start out from Valemount, British Columbia


Getting here is easy. Valemount, BC is your staging point to and from the lodge. We arrive at 8:30am at the helicopter staging area, and barring any weather delays, your flight typically leaves for the lodge approximately mid-morning. We recommend you arrive the night before so you get plenty of sleep and time to get ready. Secure parking is available at the staging area. We are happy to help with travel arrangements upon request. 

Travel Times to Valemount:

  • Edmonton, Alberta (5 1/2 hrs)                   • Vancouver BC, (6 1/2 hrs)
  • Calgary, Alberta (6 1/2 hrs)                         • Kamloops, BC, (3 1/2 hrs)
  • Kelowna, B.C. (5 hrs)                                    • Prince George, BC (3 hrs)

The Adventure Begins


Your adventure starts with a 30 minute helicopter flight over some of the most remote and pristine mountains in the Canadian Rockies. With no road access, there are no signs of human activity or disturbance anywhere in sight from the lodge. Upon arrival at the lodge, we go through a thorough lodge and avalanche safety orientation before heading out for an afternoon tour. 

The Adventure Continues


For the rest of your trip, coffee is on at 7am, followed by a warm hearty breakfast and then out the door just after 9am. After a full day of touring and skiing, come home to a warm lodge and appetizers, take a shower or just relax, and then enjoy a delicious home cooked dinner and dessert. Repeat.

The Lodge

 

 

 

Amenities

 

Sustainability
​Sustainability and environmental stewardship are cornerstones of our business and the packages we offer. Here are some highlights.

  • Mallard Lodge, and all other buildings, were pre-built off site, and reassembled on site, minimizing the disruption associated with onsite crews and machinery.
  • The Lodge was built to accommodate only 6 guests at a time, requiring a very small physical footprint.
  • A grey water purification system is used to filter all grey water before discharging from the lodge
  • We use a propane incinerating toilet which creates no black water discharge, and instead converts all waste to harmless ash.
  • A large solar system with 9 solar panels provides electric power, and is designed to minimize generator usage year round.
  • No road was built to the lodge, significantly eliminating a large physical impact on the surrounding environment

The Area

Located in one of the most pristine & remote areas of British Columbia, on the west slope of the Rocky Mountains, we call the area Punch Bowl. The winter brings huge snowfalls of perfect dry powder, while in the summer the high alpine offers hiking above the tree line with incredible Rocky Mountain scenery as the backdrop. In reference to the historic “Committee Punch Bowl” at the nearby summit of Athabasca Pass, Punch Bowl brings together a vast area of five river valleys, all connecting to the Hugh Allan River, which flows into the mighty Columbia River. This area was explored by famed adventurer David Thompson of the Hudson’s Bay Company during the fur trade era.

Ready to start your adventure?

Summer Dates

June 22, 2025 – September 14, 2025

June 21, 2026 – September 13, 2026

Pricing & Packages for individuals and private groups

Individual all inclusive packages starting at $3,570 CAD per person

All Inclusive

3 Nights:

  • 2025: $3,570 CAD
  • 2026: $3,745 CAD

4 Nights:

  • 2025: $4,425 CAD
  • 2026: $4,640 CAD

7 Nights:

  • 2025: $5,150 CAD
  • 2026: $5,400 CAD
What's Included:
  • Helicopter Access ~ approx 30 minute flight each way through Canadian Rockies ~
  • Lodge Accommodation
  • Guide
  • All Food & prepared Meals
Perfect For:
The solo traveler or small groups. Groups of 6 get the lodge to themselves.
Capacity:
Min number of guests to make reservation: 1 (some exceptions may apply). 6 person max.
 
Self-Catered

3 Nights:

  • 2025: $3,125 CAD
  • 2026: $3,280 CAD

4 Nights:

  • 2025: $3,875 CAD
  • 2026: $4,060 CAD

7 Nights:

  • 2025: $4,510 CAD
  • 2026: $4,730 CAD
What's Included:
  • Helicopter Access ~ approx 30 minute flight each way through Canadian Rockies ~
  • Lodge Accommodation
  • Guide
What's Not Included:
  • CAC does not provide catering. Guests bring & cook their own food. Details for food weight & volume limits for helicopter transport, and for kitchen amenities, will be provided.
Capacity:
Minimum number of guests to make reservation: 7. 7 person max. Groups have the Lodge to themselves.
Self-Guided

3 Nights:

  • 2025: $3,130 CAD
  • 2026: $3,285 CAD

4 Nights:

  • 2025: $3,880 CAD
  • 2026: $4,070 CAD

7 Nights:

  • 2025: $4,520 CAD
  • 2026: $4,740 CAD
What's Included:
  • Helicopter Access ~ approx 30 minute flight each way through Canadian Rockies ~
  • Lodge Accommodation
  • All Food & Prepared Meals
What's Not Included:
  • CAC does not provide Guide. Instead, guiding is by either: Option A, guests bring and pay for their own Certified Guide; or Option B, guests confirm, with supportive detail, that they have the skills and experience needed to guide themselves responsibly & with a focus on safety.
  • If Option A, the price for the helicopter flights, accommodation, and catering provided for the guide, is $875 in 2025, and $925 in 2026.
Capacity:
Minimum & maximum number of guests to make reservation: If guiding by Option A, 6 guests + 1 Certified Guide; if guiding by Option B, 7 guests. Groups have the Lodge to themselves.
Self-Catered & Self-Guided

3 Nights:

  • 2025: $2,690 CAD
  • 2026: $2,820 CAD

4 Nights:

  • 2025: $3,330 CAD
  • 2026: $3,490 CAD

7 Nights:

  • 2025: $3,880 CAD
  • 2026: $4,065 CAD
What's Included:
  • Helicopter Access ~ approx 30 minute flight each way through Canadian Rockies ~
  • Lodge Accommodation
What's Not Included:
  • CAC does not provide catering. Instead, guests bring & cook their own food. Details for food weight & volume helicopter limits, & for kitchen amenities, will be provided.
  • CAC does not provide Guide. Instead, guiding is by either: Option A, guests bring and pay for their own Certified Guide; or Option B, guests confirm, with supportive detail, that they have the skills and experience needed to guide themselves responsibly & with a focus on safety.
  • If Option A, the price for the helicopter flights, accommodation, and catering provided for the Certified Guide, is $875 in 2025, and $925 in 2026.
Capacity:
Minimum and maximum number of guests to make reservation: If guiding by Option A, 7 guests + 1 Certified Guide; if guiding by Option B, 8 guests. Groups have the Lodge to themselves.

Packages do not include : rental gear (available by request & additional fees apply), alcohol, personal expenses, taxes, or gratuities. 

 Flexible Booking Terms, Information and Documents

By a combination of the flexible booking terms we provide, and the cancellation insurance we recommend, we have done our very best to provide you with a reasonable outcome should your circumstances change preventing you from using your reservation. See Information and Documents applicable to all reservations.

Pre-Book Hold

If you are interested in a date but need to check your schedule &/or your group before you Book, we will Pre-book Hold the date for you.  There is no obligation to you. Using a Pre-Book Hold avoids the disappointment of coming back later to find the spaces taken.

Guest Registration

Once we have connected with you, and have your dates, package, and guest names, we will send you a Guest Registration email which contains your full itinerary, invoicing, Payment Methods, and everything you will need to put your vacation together. 

Our prices are quoted in $CAD.

If you are paying in $US, the current $US/$CAD exchange rate reduces your cost by about 25%.

Use the Currency Calculator below to see the cost in $US for any of our $CAD prices.

 

Private Lodge Buyouts

All inclusive private lodge packages starting at $21,425 CAD

 

Book the whole lodge with less than a full group.

Any regular booking of a full group automatically has private use of the lodge. Less than full groups can still have private use of the lodge by selecting the full lodge buy-out option. All inclusive, self-catered and self-guided skiing and hiking packages available.

All Inclusive

3 Nights:

  • 2025: $21,425 CAD
  • 2026: $22,465 CAD

4 Nights:

  • 2025: $26,540 CAD
  • 2026: $27,830 CAD

7 Nights:

  • 2025: $30,900 CAD
  • 2026: $32,400 CAD
What's Included:
  • Helicopter Access
  • Private use of Lodge
  • Guide
  • All Food & prepared Meals
 
Self-Catered

3 Nights:

  • 2025: $21,885 CAD
  • 2026: $22,945 CAD

4 Nights:

  • 2025: $27,120 CAD
  • 2026: $28,435 CAD

7 Nights:

  • 2025: $31,570 CAD
  • 2026: $33,105 CAD
What's Included:
  • Helicopter Access
  • Private use of Lodge
  • Guide
What's Not Included:
  • CAC does not provide catering. Instead, guests bring & cook their own food. Details for food weight & volume limits for helicopter transport, and for kitchen amenities, will be provided.
Self-Guided

3 Nights:

  • 2025: $18,790 CAD
  • 2026: $19,700 CAD

4 Nights:

  • 2025: $23,280 CAD
  • 2026: $24,410 CAD

7 Nights:

  • 2025: $27,105 CAD
  • 2026: $28,430 CAD
What's Included:
  • Helicopter Access
  • Private use of Lodge
  • All Food & Prepared Meals
What's Not Included:
  • CAC does not provide a Guide. Instead, guiding is by either: Option A, guests bring and pay for their own Certified Guide; or Option B, guests confirm, with supportive detail, that they have the skills and experience needed to guide themselves responsibly & with a focus on safety.
  • If Option A, the price for the helicopter flights, accommodation, and catering provided for the Certified Guide, is $875 in 2025, and $925 in 2026.
Self-Catered & Self-Guided

3 Nights:

  • 2025: $18,820 CAD
  • 2026: $19,735 CAD

4 Nights:

  • 2025: $23,310 CAD
  • 2026: $24,445 CAD

7 Nights:

  • 2025: $27,145 CAD
  • 2026: $28,465 CAD
What's Included:
  • Helicopter Access
  • Private use of Lodge
What's Not Included:
  • CAC does not provide catering. Instead, guests bring & cook their own food. Details for food weight & volume limits for helicopter transport, and for kitchen amenities, will be provided.
  • CAC does not provide a Guide. Instead, guiding is by either: Option A, guests bring and pay for their own Certified Guide; or Option B, guests confirm, with supportive detail, that they have the skills and experience needed to guide themselves responsibly & with a focus on safety.
  • If Option A, the price for the helicopter flights and accommodation provided for the guide, is $875 in 2025 and $925 in 2026.

Packages do not include : rental gear (available by request & additional fees apply), alcohol, personal expenses, taxes, or gratuities. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What if the group is made up of different ability levels?

This is one of the most common questions that we get. With a maximum group size of 6 guests, along with a huge variety of terrain and route options readily accessible from the lodge, it is very easy to manage different hiker abilities and desires. CAC staff will often join guests as well to assist the guide, giving even more options to the grou

Is there an age limit?

Generally, guests are required to be at least 12 years old. However, it is possible that other arrangements can be made. Please contact us directly to discuss the details of your trip.

Our current age range for guests to date at the lodge has been 12 to 83 years old! Never stop believing!

Can you ski/hike in/out of the Lodge?

 No.

The Lodge is located in a very remote area of the Rocky Mountains and has no road access. A 30 minute helicopter flight from Valemount is the only way to reach the Lodge. This provides for a truly unique backcountry experience for our guests who have the entire area to enjoy for themselves.

What fitness level do I need to go on an adventure with CAC?

One of the biggest misconceptions we come across is that backcountry ski touring and hiking is only for the super fit. This is simply not true. Yes, you must be at a reasonable fitness level as most days will be out skiing or hiking for most of the day.

That said, our goal is first and foremost to provide our guests with the most enjoyable experience possible, not to test their limits of physical exertion!

As well, a huge variety of terrain and route options, and a small guest group size of 6, allows guests of all fitness levels and abilities to get the most out of every trip.

I have dietary restrictions. Is that OK?

 Yes. We are very used to accommodating different dietary restrictions and needs.

As part of setting up your reservation, we will gather all dietary information needed.

Are there trails in the summer?

No. Although we have many standard routes that we follow in the summer, there are no actual trails around the Lodge.

The majority of the summer terrain is sub-alpine or alpine and allows for pristine hiking without having to put in trails. This provides a true backcountry experience for our guests. It also keeps the area as pristine and untouched as possible.

 

 

Your Unforgettable Adventure Starts Here

From the moment your arrive to the moment you depart, every aspect of your stay is designed to create truly life-lasting memories. Experience the thrill of true isolation and the remote ruggedness of the Canadian Rocky Mountains,, all from the comfort and safety of your private mountain lodge