See Alberta from the skies year round with L R Helicopters

If you’ve ever wanted to see the Canadian Rockies from above — not from a lookout or a trail, but from the sky — L R Helicopters puts that experience within reach. Fly over foothills, rivers, lakes, glaciers, mountain peaks, or even Calgary’s city skyline on a helicopter tour, with multiple options available year-round. You’ll see the landscape from unexpected angles and connect with Alberta in a way that’s impossible from the ground.

Whether you’re visiting the Cochrane area for the first time, celebrating a special occasion, or simply searching for a perspective-shifting adventure, a tour with L R Helicopters is an unforgettable experience. Let’s walk through what you can expect.

Experiences for every kind of explorer

New to helicopter tours? No problem. L R Helicopters’ 30-minute tours are a favourite among first-timers. These shorter flights offer a fun introduction to the helicopter experience, plus panoramic views of Calgary, Cochrane, or Bragg Creek. You’ll see the mountains in the distance, too!

If you’re looking for something more immersive, the Picnic on the Peak tour is one of the most popular options. After lifting off from the heli base, you’ll soar over Cochrane or Bragg Creek, fly above Ghost Lake, and follow the terrain into the mountains. Next, you’ll land on Jumping Pound Summit — a dramatic perch that puts you eye-level with mountain ridgelines. Once you’re on the summit, a picnic awaits in the form of a catered gourmet lunch.

Guiding you through every moment is your pilot, who doubles as your storyteller. All of L R Helicopters’ pilots know the area well and will often point out geological features, wildlife, and unexpected highlights along the route.

The pilots aren’t just highly trained, either. They’ve even decorated helicopters for birthday flights, bought treats like cake, and customized tours at the last minute. Their philosophy is simple: as long as it’s safe and legal, they’ll do everything they can to make your experience exceptional. This also means that accessible tours are available, ensuring everyone who wants to take a flight can do so comfortably.

Adventure that changes with the seasons

No matter the month, L R Helicopters’ tours reveal something different about the Cochrane area’s landscape. The experience is ever-changing, even to the crew who fly these routes regularly.

Winter brings deep snow layered across the mountains, crisp blue skies, and the feeling that the peaks are close enough to touch. In spring, the snow recedes to reveal the textures in the mountains, and in summer, rivers, lakes, and waterfalls come to life. (Paddleboarders have even brought boards along on tours to access remote lakes!) And fall paints the foothills with colour as the leaves change to gold and copper — an incredible sight from the sky.

Wildlife sightings are possible year-round. Tour-goers have seen wild horses, deer, moose, bighorn sheep, and bison. For those who prefer the cuddly kind of animals, you’ll be greeted by Simba, L R Helicopters’ lovable resident dog, before your pilot guides you through safety, photos, and takeoff.

And if you’re afraid of heights? Surprisingly, many guests who arrive with that fear leave wondering why they were ever nervous. The key is to focus on the horizon!

Supporting something bigger than sightseeing

If doing good while travelling is a priority for you, you might be interested to learn that helicopter tourism plays a critical role in building Alberta’s future wildfire-fighting capacity.

How? Pilots need hundreds of hours of experience before they can support emergency services like the ones L R Helicopters offers, including search and rescue and wildfire operations. Tourism flights give pilots essential entry-level experience that directly helps them earn the qualifications they need to protect Alberta’s communities and wilderness during wildfire season and beyond.

With a province-wide shortage of qualified pilots, L R Helicopters views every tour as an investment — not just in adventure, but in training the next generation of emergency responders. That means you can feel good about where your dollars are going when you fly with them.

Ready to take to the skies?

Choose from 12 tour options including customizable experiences when you book with L R Helicopters. Whether you opt for a short introductory tour or a summit-landing picnic, you’ll leave with extraordinary photos — and an appreciation for the land, the people, and the purpose behind every flight.

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