The EU’s long-delayed Entry/Exit System (EES) is scheduled to finally come into force in 2025.
07.03.2025 - 15:57 / cntraveler.com
Every winter, my social media feed is filled with skiers and snowboarders conquering insane fall lines, hucking cliffs, and blowing cold smoke through untracked, waist-high powder. The remote helicopter-only terrain featured in these reels can feel–even for an experienced skier like myself–out of reach.
“Not so,” says Jesse Seguin, Area Manager for ski operator CMH Purcell. In 1965 CMH pioneered helicopter-assisted backcountry adventures in North America. Today the company offers numerous multi-day itineraries anchored in eleven lodges across British Columbia and CMH, located in Golden in southeastern B.C., is the first one-day operation in the company's portfolio.
“Heli-skiing is perfect if you are a confident skier looking for a new and exhilarating experience,” says Seguin, who has guided thousands of days over the course of two decades. “Our trips here are as much about immersing yourself in the epic beauty of Western Canada as they are about the skiing,” he adds. But what skiing it is. CMH accesses 250 identified runs across 495,000 acres. (Whistler-Blackcomb, North America’s largest ski area, offers 8,171 skiable acres.) Though no new snow had fallen for several days, we skied exclusively fresh lines in shin-deep powder all day–we’d each been given skies that are specifically designed to “float” in these exact conditions.
A snowboarder getting ready to tackle fresh snow
CMH Purcell uses its helicopters to access 250 identified runs
I’d felt serious trepidation after I had signed on to do the one-day trip. In the decade since I last embarked on a heli-assisted backcountry ski touring adventure in B.C.’s rugged Kootenay Rockies, I'd lost some of my edge (and knee cartilage), and during the weeks leading up to the trip, my anxiety manifested itself in worse-case scenarios.
Unlike resort skiing, where most descents feature adjacent bailout options should the pitch prove too much or leg strength too weak, my nightmare scenario starred precipice perches with nowhere to go but down cliff-collared chutes. But I soon learned heli-skiing is far from dropping into the abyss. There may be no ropes or signage marking cliffs, or unmarked obstacles the way there are at resorts, but Seguin and his guides know each “run” intimately and, more importantly, are keenly aware of what lies below.
“CMH has been in this business for 60 years now,” says Seguin. “Over the decades, we’ve developed many standard operating procedures. We establish landings and ski runs well ahead of bringing guests to them. Each day, our experienced professionals go through a rigorous hazard assessment process specific to the ski destination and flight program.”
To Seguin’s point, our Bell 212 chopper consistently settled in wide, flat
The EU’s long-delayed Entry/Exit System (EES) is scheduled to finally come into force in 2025.
Delta's SkyMiles loyalty program has made a small but potentially valuable change to its redemption pricing: carrier-imposed surcharges on Delta-operated flights commencing in Europe to the United States are no longer payable.
For the second year running, the editors of Condé Nast Traveller UK put their heads together with some of the most respected people in the food world—the judging panel: chefs Raymond Blanc OBE; Jackson Boxer; Julie Lin; Gizzi Erskine; restaurant critic and food writer Tom Parker Bowles; TikTok sensation Poppy O'Toole; founder of Black Eats LDN Jackson Mclarty; content creator Notorious Foodie; actress and wine bar owner Anna Shaffer; and Traveller UK digital director Sarah Allard—to shine a spotlight on the new restaurants across the UK that have turned heads and won hearts, as well as the chefs, sommeliers, and changemakers making a difference in the industry. The result is this list: the UK's top new restaurants, which acknowledges fine dining spots and fish bars in the same breath, from chef's tables in Birmingham to restaurants with rooms in Norfolk. We've eaten at, loved, and awarded Greek, Thai, Mexican, Punjabi, French, Italian, Korean, and British restaurants—the diversity of the UK food landscape is, after all, the thing that makes it so exciting. These restaurants are places we recommend to you, hand-on-heart, as new openings to visit, support, and enjoy when you travel across the country this year. Happy eating.
You’d be forgiven for never hearing of Korčula, Croatia—a small Dalmatian island of just 106 square miles, neatly tucked beneath the country’s sprawling coastline, home to some of the best beaches in Croatia. Despite its proximity to ever-popular Dubrovnik and Hvar, Korčula gets decidedly less airtime than other idyllic stone towns in the Adriatic Sea. But look beyond the beloved TV-themed tours and penchant for partying of its neighbors, and you’ll find that this island is a gem that offers quiet beaches, unspoiled landscapes, and a crowd-free destination rich in fascinating history and culture. (And it’s pronounced KOR-chew-lah, with a slight roll of the R.)
The European Commission unveiled this week one of its most significant health proposals, the Critical Medicines Act, which aims to enhance the security of supply and availability of essential medicines across the EU.
It's a season of savings for travelers looking to explore international destinations. Delta Air Lines recently published hundreds of discounted flights in its Premium Cabin Deals section, which includes offers both in its SkyMiles frequent flyer program redemptions, as well as for traditional cash payment. Best of all, the travel period extends from April through May 2025, making it perfect for travelers seeking a last-minute spring break or early summer vacation. For travelers looking to experience the new Delta One Lounge and first-class experience from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), the airline has fares from 230,000 miles + $376 to London (LHR) for travel between April 25, 2025 and May 1, 2025. From New York's John F.
An area of southern Italy near Naples has been experiencing a surge in seismic activity over the last few days.
Oceania Cruises is offering an amazing new world cruise itinerary — and this one is currently the cruise industry's longest.
Have the winds suddenly shifted for U.S. air travel, or is it just some momentary turbulence?
American travelers headed to the Caribbean should be aware of the new travel advisory for Turks and Caicos.
Air passengers in Europe enjoy some of the best consumer protections in the world. But the European Union is contemplating watering down these passenger-friendly measures, which could leave travellers out of pocket.
A warm and sunny climate, 5,000 km of coastline and world-class food and wine - it’s easy to see why Spain continues to be a top destination for tourists from all over the world.