Wapta Ski Traverse

This is the classic Rockies hut to hut ski traverse. Glacier ski touring for 50 km through some of the most spectacular mountain terrain to be found anywhere. This is a great trip for those who have some basic ski touring experience and who now want to  step up to the next level of ski mountaineering.

We do this trip over 5 days which is a fairly relaxed pace. There is time to enjoy ski ascents of some of the surrounding peaks and of course, some great powder ski runs. Each night our accommodations will be in Alpine Club of Canada huts. Utilizing the huts means we can keep the weight of our packs reasonable to maximize the enjoyment of the trip.

Our itinerary, although subject to change because weather and conditions, is as follows:

  • Day 1 We begin on the Icefields Parkway just north of Bow Summit. A short descent through the trees brings us to Peyto Lake. After crossing the lake we gain the Peyto Glacier which we ascend to Peyto Hut.
  • Day 2 Today we pack up and ski across the icefield towards the Bow Hut.  If time and weather permits we can do an ascent of Mt. Gordon along the way. The descent to the hut down the Bow glacier is a great way to end the day.
  • Day 3 Off to the Balfour Hut today. We ascend the Bow Glacier passing above Mt. St. Nicholas, our objective being a high col between St. Nicholas and Mt. Olive. Descending from the col, a nice ski run takes us to down to the Balfour Hut.
  • Day 4 Today is the crux of the route. Leaving early we ascend the glacier heading towards the Balfour High Col. This portion of the route is truly spectacular. One we gain the col our route descends easily to the last hut of our tour, The Scott Duncan Hut.
  • Day 5 Our last day of the traverse.  Today is mostly downhill. From Mt Niles we descend towards the treeline. Open glades lead us to Sherbrooke Creek and then onto Sherbrooke Lake. After skiing across the lake a trail through the trees deposits us at the Trans Canada highway at West Louise Lodge.

Dates: April 8-12, 2012

Cost: $1,295.00 + HST

Availability: Yes                 Limited to 6 Participants

More Info? Please contact us.