Mount Assiniboine Lodge
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MOUNT ASSINIBOINE LODGE
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Winter and Summer Information Sheet Barb & Sepp Renner, Mount Assiniboine Lodge, Box 8128, Canmore, Alberta, Canada, T1W 2T8
Ski Equipment Rentals are available at Assiniboine Lodge:
Equipment Supplied to Lodge Guests at NO CHARGE while at the Lodge:
Other Considerations: BRING A LUNCH WITH YOU THE DAY YOU FLY INTO THE LODGE
PLANNING YOUR TRIP If you are Coming from Far Away - Plan your trip so that you arrive in Calgary, Canmore or Banff the day before your trip to Assiniboine. Canmore & Banff have good hotels and motels, lodges, inns, and bed & breakfasts. (see Paintbox Lodge). Travel Time from the Calgary Airport to the Mount Shark Heliport: Count on 4 hours to make the Calgary-Canmore-Mt. Shark Connection. We suggest that you rent a car at the Calgary Airport. There are also regular-shuttle bus services between the Calgary Airport and Canmore and Banff. Call Rocky Mountain Sky Shuttle (403)762-5200, Banff Airporter (403) 762-3330. LODGE HELICOPTER ACCESS Luggage Restrictions: Space is very limited on the 6 passenger helicopter. You are allowed 30 lbs. per person (15 kg). If your bags are overweight there might be a $2.00 per pound overcharge which will automatically be charged to your credit card. Wear your bulky winter clothing on the helicopter to eliminate trying to fit these items into your small duffel (12"x20"x12") or soft internal-frame pack. DO NOT BRING SUITCASES. ONE PAIR OF SKIS PER PERSON ALLOWED. Do Not Bring Ski Bags- they don’t fit in the helicopter rack. You might be able to store your extra travel gear that you do not need for Assiniboine at your hotel in town - otherwise we can store it for you - ask our office. Tying your skis for the flight: Place the skis together and loop the ski strap from each pole over the ski tips. Twist the two poles together, tightening the wrist straps, then secure the poles to the skis with ski straps or strapping tape. (We will have tape available at the Mount Shark Heliport). OPTIONS TO FLY GEAR IF YOU ARE HIKING OR SKIING TO THE LODGE: Flying in gear if you are hiking or skiing into Assiniboine- Cost $2.00 per pound/ each way. Drop your gear off before 9:00 am at Alpine Helicopters in Canmore (on the eastern access into Canmore- just off the Trans-Canada Highway). Go into the log building to get luggage tags for bags flying in. Each bag must be tagged or it will not be picked up. PUT YOUR NAME ON THE LUGGAGE TAG. Drop the luggage to be flown into the Lodge at the Assiniboine Lodge bin by the grey building. Our driver will make sure that the bags are picked up and flown into the lodge. The bags will be weighed at the Lodge. You can pay for flying gear at the Lodge. NO SUITCASES PLEASE. Medium-size duffel bags (i.e. 12"x20"x12") and internal soft-frame packs fit best in the helicopter. If You Need a Ride to the Mount Shark Heliport: Contact us in advance. Our driver sometimes has room to drive 2-3 people to Mount Shark - $15.00 per person/each way. You may have to take a taxi if there is no driver or space available.
Getting to the Mount Shark Heliport (See Map):Located 41.3 km West of Canmore, Alberta. This is a 1 hour drive from Canmore, a 1.5 hour drive from Banff, a 2.5-3 hour drive from Calgary. Drive to Canmore. Drive West through town following the Spray Lakes signs and Canmore Nordic Center signs. Drive past the Canmore Nordic Centre, up the steep hill on the Smith-Dorrien Road through Kananaskis Country. This is a good gravel road. You will be on the left side of the Spray Lakes. At 34.4 km you will see the Buller Mountain sign. Turn right at the Mount Shark/Mount Engadine Lodge sign which is about 5 minutes past the Buller Mountain turn-off (you will see a bridge on your right before the turn-off.) Drive 5 km to the Mount Shark Heliport (on your left). Park your car in the parking lot. DO NOT LEAVE MONEY OR CREDIT CARDS IN YOUR CAR! You will need to carry your bags 200 metres down the road to the Helicopter Landing Pad (north of the parking lot). ALTERNATE ROUTE TO MOUNT SHARK: If you are driving from Calgary you can connect with the Smith-Dorrien Road via The Kananaskis Trail (paved road except the last section to Mount Shark- a 2.5-3 hour drive from the Calgary Airport). The turn-off for the Kananaskis Trail/Nakiska is one hour West of Calgary on the Morley Indian Reserve. Turn South on the Kananaskis Trail. Before you come to the Lower Kananaskis Lakes, TURN RIGHT TO JOIN THE SMITH-DORRIEN/SPRAY TRAIL. You will see signs for Burstall Lakes and Mud Lake before the Mount Shark/Engadine Lodge sign. If you are not familiar with this route stop at a Kananaskis Information Office for a map. The Procedure at the Mount Shark Heliport:11:30 AM. on. Register with our staff at the Helipad (he will check your name off a list). This person will tell you which flight you are on and will give you a helicopter safety orientation talk. You gear will be loaded and unloaded by our staff. You can pick up your gear after the helicopter has left the pad. NEVER APPROACH THE HELICOPTER FROM THE REAR AND NEVER APPROACH THE HELICOPTER WITH YOUR SKIS IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION. Carry your light items (hats, light coats, handbags) with you and be sure to hang onto these items when the helicopter lands. We make every effort to fly you with your bags. If your gear does not arrive with you on your flight you can expect it on one of the next consecutive flights. The Helicopter Procedure at Assiniboine Lodge You will be unloaded by Lodge staff. Proceed away from the helicopter as directed by the staff. Wait until the helicopter leaves before picking up your bags. A staff member will meet you at the heliport and will take you to your accommodations. FLYING OUT GEAR IF YOU ARE HIKING OR SKIING OUT OF ASSINIBOINE AT THE END OF YOUR STAY AT THE LODGE: Cost: $2.00 per pound/each way Drop off your gear at Assiniboine Lodge before 10:00 am on the flight day. Gear will be weighed at the Lodge and each bag must be tagged for the flight out. PUT YOUR NAME ON THE LUGGAGE TAGS. Pay for flying out gear at the Lodge. Your gear will be flown out to Canmore and stored in the Assiniboine Lodge bin by the grey building at Alpine Helicopters.
About Assiniboine Lodge || Summer Hiking Lodge Rates || Winter Skiing Lodge Rates Paintbox Lodge - accommodation in Canmore | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||