Helicopter Tour near Banff – Kananaskis and the Canadian Rockies

Helicopter Tour from the Alpine Helicopters Base in Mînî Thnî

This helicopter tour departs from the Alpine Helicopters base, near the Stoney Nakoda Resort and Casino, in Morley. Two routes are offered depending on the duration chosen: a 20-minute flight around Kananaskis, Mt Baldy, and Barrier Lake, or a 30-minute flight toward Lake Minnewanka and the Banff National Park area.

Available flight options

20-minute option: Kananaskis, Mt Baldy, and Barrier Lake

The 20-minute option remains centered on Kananaskis. After departure, the helicopter passes above the lakes, the ranches, and the mountains around the valley. The route heads toward the Mt Baldy area, also called Enemy Warrior Lookout by the Stoney Nakoda people, and the flight also makes it possible to see Barrier Lake, Hunchback Hill, Yates Mountain, Midnight Peak, Wasootch, Mt Bryant, Mt McDougall, then the Nakiska ski resort before returning to the base.

30-minute option: Lake Minnewanka and the Banff area

The 30-minute option goes farther north, toward the Banff area. The helicopter follows the eastern edge of the Rockies, passes above Ghost River, then heads toward End Mountain before reaching the Lake Minnewanka valley. The flight then follows part of the lake, with the Mt Costigan, Mt Peechee, and Saddle Peak area, then the return takes place through the Kananaskis and Banff valleys, with a passage toward Mt Townsend, South Ghost Peak, Old Goat Mountain, and Mt Yamnuska.

Which option should you choose?

Both options depart from the same place and return to the Alpine Helicopters base, so the choice mainly depends on the flight time and the places you want to fly over. The 20-minute route is suitable if you want to stay over Kananaskis and Barrier Lake, while the 30-minute route makes it possible to add Lake Minnewanka and part of the Banff area. The activity takes place with an English-speaking guide and a minimum of 2 people is required to create a flight.