Destination BC provided support for the author’s travel, allowing her to fully experience and report on this destination in depth. All opinions and observations are her own.
Some of the wildest, most beautiful places demand wings to reach them—or at least the spin of helicopter blades.
This summer, the British Columbia wilderness guide company Untamed Tours is offering two trips, Aug. 1 to 4 and Aug. 29 to Sept. 1, 2025, to explore the Central Hart Ranges by helicopter.
On a bright July morning, I had the chance to watch those ridges unfold beneath the skids like the bumpy pages of an atlas. We hopped into a helicopter and soared over the 230-foot Kinuseo Falls, its aquamarine spray catching the sun, before flying above a stretch of the Northern Rockies that felt untouched. The Hart Range stretches more than 120 miles, and even in midsummer, its tallest peaks, like 8,730-foot Limestone Peak, still show off streaks of snow.
Inside the helicopter cockpit, a mounted GPS tablet tracks the flight path over British Columbia’s Hart Ranges.
By the time we landed, we’d stepped into another world, speckled with conifers, with no footsteps to be found except ours. The sound of babbling mountain streams eased my anxious nervous system, still coming down from my cross-country flight from New York City.
Our guide and Untamed Tours owner, Dee, promised us equal parts challenge and play. She delivered just that, leading us through wildflower meadows and up snowy ridges where, when scaling a rocky outcropping, we flopped onto our backs to make snow angels under the summer sun. Later, we plunged into a glacier-fed lake, the icy jolt leaving us breathless and giddy.
A canvas tent sits in an alpine meadow surrounded by snow patches and towering peaks at dusk in British Columbia’s Hart Ranges. Photo courtesy of Untamed Tours.
That day hike was just a preview of what Untamed Tours is now offering with two upcoming heli-hiking and glamping adventures in British Columbia’s wild Hart Ranges. If one afternoon in this remote corner of the Rockies can feel life-changing, imagine four days off the grid, with helicopter flights into untouched backcountry, stargazing tents, and days spent exploring glacier-fed lakes and ridgelines where moose outnumber people.
Photos from a heli-hiking trip in British Columbia’s Central Hart Ranges, including aerial views of Kinuseo Falls, mountain peaks, and moments from the helicopter ride and landing.
The upcoming Hart Range Heli-Hiking and Glamping Tour will let you experience four days of raw beauty and off-grid freedom. You fly straight into the heart of the Central Hart Ranges, where no trails exist, and settle into a canvas-tent base camp with fresh meals, filtered mountain water, bear-safe gear, and the expertise of a guide who knows these peaks like home.
For those looking to turn this dreamlike backcountry adventure into reality, here is what your long weekend will look like and how to plan for it.
Two hikers pause on a slope as clouds move around the sharp, snow-covered peaks of the Hart Ranges. Photo courtesy of Untamed Tours.
Your weekend in the wild
Four days in the Central Hart Ranges give you a front-row seat to British Columbia’s most rugged beauty. Helicopter flights replace long approach hikes, which means you can land directly in alpine country without wasting time hiking in and out.
Owner Dee and her guide stand next to a Ridge Rotors helicopter during a heli-hiking trip in the Central Hart Ranges. Photo courtesy of Untamed Tours.
Day 1: Fly into the wilderness and set up basecamp
Meet at Tumbler Ridge Airport for gear checks and a quick safety briefing. The 20-minute helicopter ride gives wide views of Kinuseo Falls and the peaks beyond. After landing, you settle into camp, a spacious canvas Star-Gazer tent with a tarped kitchen area, before enjoying a fireside dinner as the sun sets behind the mountains.
Day 2: Hike ridges and lakes with a guide
Start slow with coffee and a hearty breakfast, then set out on foot. Expect creek crossings, meadows painted with late-season wildflowers and ridge-top views that stretch for miles. Lunch is a picnic on the trail. Evenings bring campfire dinners and skies so clear you’ll want to sleep with the tent flaps open.
Day 3: Explore deeper into untouched backcountry
Another slow morning before heading out to explore new terrain with your seasoned guide leading the way. This day is about discovering hidden alpine spots — another glassy lake, another high ridge, another moment of stillness. Dessert and stargazing cap off the night.
Day 4: Sunrise and a helicopter ride back
Savor coffee and the last mountain sunrise. Pack up camp, then fly back to the Tumbler Ridge Airport by midday, with the wild still fresh in your mind.
A Star-Gazer tent glows at night, set up for glamping near the Central Hart Ranges in British Columbia. Photo courtesy of Untamed Tours.
If you go
Logistical information you’ll need for your stargazer-glamping expedition:
Where it is
The Hart Range Mountains are part of the Northern Rockies in British Columbia, near Tumbler Ridge and the UNESCO Global Geopark.
How to get there
Travelers typically fly into Vancouver International Airport (YVR), then connect to North Peace Regional Airport in Fort St. John (YXJ). From there, it’s a roughly 2-hour drive to Tumbler Ridge Airport, which is no bigger than a cabin and serves as the launch point for the helicopter transfer into the backcountry.
When to visit
Untamed Tours is offering two glamping and heli-hiking trips in 2025: Aug. 1 to 4 and Aug. 29 to Sept. 1. These dates are perfect for taking advantage of long summer days, clear alpine trails and warm weather for glacier-fed lake swims.
Price
$2,495 per person for a four-day heli-hiking and glamping package, which includes round-trip helicopter transfers, camp setup, all meals and guided hikes. Registration is open, so you can book your spot now.
What to pack
Sturdy hiking boots, warm layers, rain gear, a swimsuit for alpine lakes and essentials like sunscreen and insect repellent. Trekking poles are optional but recommended for uneven terrain.
Pro tip
Arrive in Tumbler Ridge at least one night before your trip to rest from the drive and enjoy the local trails and waterfalls in the Tumbler Ridge UNESCO Global Geopark.