Heli-Hiking
In the late 1970s, business in the Canadian Rockies had
grown to the point where Tauck was having trouble
securing enough rooms. In search of a solution, Arthur
Jr. ended up creating a whole new travel category.
An avid skier, Arthur had come to know
Hans Gmoser, President of Canadian Mountain
Holidays. Hans pioneered heli-skiing in the 1960s and
owned three lodges in the Bugaboo and Cariboo ranges,
west of the Canadian Rockies. Arthur asked Hans what
he did with his helicopters and lodges between ski seasons
and was told that they were mothballed. He proposed
that they start a new business called “heli-hiking.” Hans
was skeptical, but Arthur was his persuasive self and the
two entrepreneurs went on to develop a very unique and
successful business together.
Tauck Tours ventured into heli-hiking in part because
it had previously introduced, with great popularity,
helicopter sightseeing in Hawaii. With heli-hiking in
Canada, virtually anyone, including children and guests
in their eighties, can experience these high glacial and
alpine wonderlands, previously accessible only to a few
rugged mountain climbers and heli-skiers.
The success of heli-hiking arose out of a quest to
provide access to unique travel experiences beyond
the reach of the Canadian highways. Over a 30-year
period, Tauck created adventures in the remote
mountain ranges of the Cariboos, Bugaboos,
Bobbie Burns and Adamants.
Launch of “Grand Australia
and New Zealand”
Tauck’s first tour “Down Under”
1991
Introduction of
“Yellow Roads of Europe”
Herbert Wiese was instrumental in
developing Tauck’s itineraries in Europe.
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