Hans Gmoser

Born in Austria in 1932, Hans Gmoser came to Canada in 1951, and began his career as a mountain guide working for Lizzie Rummel at Mount Assiniboine. His pioneering work as a guide was to evolve later into a role as the major driving force behind the growing popularity of skiing, climbing and guiding.

In 1957, he initiated what was to become the most unusual ski business in the world: Canadian Mountain Holidays (CMH). It was also to become the largest mountain adventure operation in the country. Conceived as a guiding business for summer and winter ski touring and climbing it was based in Banff, operating in the Stanley Mitchell Hut in Little Yoho and the Wheeler Hut in Rogers Pass and included tours across the Wapta, Freshfield and Columbia Icefields. For many years during this time, he would also travel throughout North America and
Europe living in a Volkswagen tirelessly showing the 10-feature-length films he produced to promote skiing and climbing in Western Canada.

An inspired link-up with helicopter pilot, Jim Davies, in 1965 led to the introduction of the world’s first helicopter skiing business operating from an abandoned lumber camp at the foot of the Bugaboo Mountains in south-eastern British Columbia. Just three years later, he would
open the Bugaboo Lodge and then began a process of expansion into other remote skiing areas and the building of a number of comfortable lodges; the Cariboo Lodge in 1974, Bobbie Burns Lodge in 1981, the Gothics Lodge in 1986, the Galena Lodge in 1989 and the Adamant Lodge
in 1990. Today, with some 500 staff, there are 12 heli-ski areas and lodges attracting over 7,000 skiers annually.

In 1978, at the urging of Arthur Tauck a United States tour operator, Gmoser introduced another novel concept — heli-hiking which now attracts over 3,000 hikers a year. He continued as President of Canadian Mountain Holidays (CMH) until 1991. Although perhaps best known as the father of heli-skiing and an innovative businessman, his contribution as a mountain guide was equally formidable.

During his 20-years of active guiding he made numerous first ascents including the popular Direttissima on Yamnuska and the first guided climb of Mount Alberta. He distinguished himself on many other expeditions:
• He was the first to reach the summit of Mount Blackburn in Alaska (5030m) in 1958.
• In 1959, he led the first Canadian ascent on the East Ridge of Mount Logan, at 6060m the second highest peak in North America.
• In 1963 he lead the first ascent of the Wickersham Wall on Mount Mckinley (6194m), the highest mountain in North America.

He received Canada’s highest honour when he became a Member of the Order of Canada in 1987.

He was also made an Honorary Member of the Alpine Club of Canada in 1986, an Honorary Member of the International Federation of Mountain Guides in 1992, and Honorary President of the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides in 1997.

In 2004 he received on Honourary Doctor of Laws degree from the University College of the Cariboos.

He was also a founding member and Chairman of the Standards Committee of the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG) and also a founding member and President of the Association of B.C. Heli-Skiing Operators.

Please Note: The ski information gathered here is compiled from a number of sources; it may not be inclusive of all accomplishments. Copyright © 2021, Canadian Ski Museum. For Personal/Educational use only. All Rights Reserved.