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Wapta Icefield Hut-to-hut Ski Tour

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Wapta Icefield Hut-to-hut Ski Tour
From $1,250USDBook Now
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4 days from $1,250USD
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The Wapta Traverse is the ultimate Canadian Rockies hut-to-hut ski tour. The Wapta Icefields spread for many miles north along the continental divide from the Lake Louise area. With vast glaciers, easy peaks, and a superlative hut system, the area is perfect for a great ski traverse.

The 4-Day Wapta Traverse hut-to-hut ski tour will suit those with more limited time and is a better option for intermediate ski tourers. It starts from Bow Lake and finishes at Sherbrooke Lake just west of Lake Louise.

Canada, North America
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Wapta Icefield Hut-to-hut Ski Tour

Explore the stunning Wapta Icefield as you ski with a guided group from one hut to another
4.60
(93 reviews)
4 days from $1,250USD
Easy quote
Duration
4 days
Season
Apr
Ski Touring
Type
Guided, Scheduled
Accommodation
None
Difficulty
Very Hard (5/5)
From $1,250USD (see prices for this tour)
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The center of the Mont Tremblant resort_
Personalized Service
Let our experienced travel advisors plan your perfect adventure

The Wapta Traverse is the ultimate Canadian Rockies hut-to-hut ski tour. The Wapta Icefields spread for many miles north along the continental divide from the Lake Louise area. With vast glaciers, easy peaks, and a superlative hut system, the area is perfect for a great ski traverse.

The 4-Day Wapta Traverse hut-to-hut ski tour will suit those with more limited time and is a better option for intermediate ski tourers. It starts from Bow Lake and finishes at Sherbrooke Lake just west of Lake Louise.

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Trip highlights

Observe the majestic Wapta Icefields while on backcountry skis

Learn from experienced guides that will lead your group

Have a chance to ski up to Mt Olive

Stay in cozy huts along your ski route

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Day by day itinerary
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Day 1
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Introduction to backcountry ski and field day
Meet the group at an office in Canmore, Alberta at 8:00 am for introductions, trip review, and equipment check. Once ready, you’ll drive about 1 hour and 15 minutes north to Bow Lake, the starting point of the tour. After an avalanche safety session, the group will commence the climb to Bow Hut which is located at 7700 ft. on a shoulder adjacent to the snout of the Bow Glacier, this typically takes between 3 and 5 hours. The group will cross the frozen Bow Lake then ski tour up the canyon which leads to the amphitheatre below Mounts Olive and St. Nicholas. After a final steep section, you will reach the welcome warmth of the spacious Bow Hut.
Distance 6km, 610m of ascent
Overnight Location Bow Hut
Included Meals Dinner
Day 2
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Field Day and training
Today you’ll start the glacier travel to your objective: Balfour Hut, located at 8100ft. near the base of the Balfour Glacier. You’ll get there by climbing the ‘Headwall’ one last time and then heading over the 9,500ft. high col between Mt. St. Nicholas and Olive. If it’s a nice day, the group can leave skis at the col and climb a beautiful snow ridge to the summit of Mt Olive at 10,200ft. From there you can see tomorrow’s route over the Balfour High Col. A long, easy descent brings you to the Balfour Hut. It will take you upwards of 4 hours depending on whether or not you climb Mt. Olive.
Distance 8km, 550m of ascent (+additional 1.5km and 215m for Mt Olive climb)
Overnight Location Balfour Hut
Included Meals Dinner
Day 3
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Field Day and training
First light will see you heading out of the Hut and onto the crux of the Wapta Traverse, the crevassed slopes leading to the 10,000 ft. Balfour High Col. This is undoubtedly the most spectacular section of the Wapta traverse as you pass beneath Mt. Balfour with its towering seracs and corniced ridges. You need reasonable visibility for this objective as it is a complex section of terrain and has been the scene of many accidents. Once on the high col, you can look across the gently descending slopes of the Waputik Glacier to Mount Daly with the Scott-Duncan Hut below. It’s a phenomenal panorama. To the north are the Front Ranges and to the south the granite spires of the Purcells with the main peaks of the Rockies between! This section will take around 6 hours. Weather, visibility, and avalanche hazard can make the Balfour High Col unpassable. In this case, the group will exit via the route you came in. Your guide will make a decision as to whether or not the Balfour Col is passable. You may attempt the col and turnaround if you are optimistic that weather or avalanche conditions will improve. If visibility is poor or avalanche conditions are unfavourable, you will exit back to the Bow Hut.
Distance 10km, 610m of ascent
Overnight Location Scott Duncan Hut
Included Meals Dinner
Day 4
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Field Day and training
From the Scott Duncan Hut you ski towards the rocky thumb of Mt. Niles where the fun really begins. This long descent sees you swooping down snowy benches, through treed glades, and along a canyon. You then finish skiing across Sherbrooke Lake to a trail through the trees that brings you to the Trans Canada Highway at the Great Divide Lodge on the Kicking Horse Pass. You should be back in Canmore by late afternoon.
Distance 13km, descent only
Overnight Location None
Included Meals Not included

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Dates and prices

This guided backcountry ski is run as a fixed-departure tour where you’d be joining a group.

Prices below are per person:

StartFinishDurationPlaces LeftPrice

2025-04-25

Canmore

4 days / 0 Spaces Left

2025-04-28

Canmore

40
$1,250USD
What’s included

Meals

Evening meals are included. Breakfasts and lunches are not included, however, you can book a food package for an extra charge.

Accommodations

Accommodations for 3 nights are included.

Transportation during the Tour

Participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from Canmore, as well as the trailhead. The transfer back to the trailhead is included.

Also Included

  • Guide services
  • National park passes
  • Hut fees
  • A shuttle at the end of the traverse from Sherbrooke Lake back to Bow Lake

Not included

  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Visas if required
  • Optional excursions
  • Anything not mentioned as included
  • GST (5%)

Optional Extras

  • Extra day of training
  • Equipment rental
  • Meal package

Accommodation for Wapta Icefield Hut-to-hut Ski Tour

This tour is based in mountain huts. Sleeping areas are communal and the facilities are basic. There is no running water, but you will gather water as needed.

In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.

Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
There are no single rooms available on this tour as all accommodations are communal.

Non-Standard Cancellation

  • 60 days or more prior to departure: the cancellation fee will be 10% of the total trip cost (at least $150 CAD).
  • 59 days or less prior to departure: the cancellation fee will be 100% of the total trip cost. 
Frequently asked questions

How hard is the Wapta Icefield Hut-to-hut Ski?

We rate the difficulty of this tour as 5/5. You are ski touring, so you are carrying all your gear both ascending and descending. You should be at least strong intermediate downhill skier. Skiing is done with your backpack on, and you must be able to ski in control and parallel (or telemark) turn in a variety of conditions. You need to be in good physical condition, able to carry a 40lb pack for several hours a day over several kilometres.

Do I need a visa to travel to Canada?

Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.

Are meals included on the Wapta Icefield Hut-to-hut Ski?

Evening meals are included. Breakfasts and lunches are not included, however, you can book a food package for an extra charge. 

Do I need insurance?

Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover backcountry skiing. Get your travel insurance.

How do I get to Canmore to start this tour?

If you are arriving via flight, you should fly to Calgary Airport.

Is the Wapta Icefield Hut-to-hut Ski Tour in English?

Yes, the tour guide is English-speaking.

Where does the Wapta Icefield Hut-to-hut Ski end?

The tour ends where it starts, in Canmore.

What equipment should I bring with myself?

  • Skis/Splitboard: it is recommended to have a short (160 – 185cm) wide ski designed for powder.
  • Climbing skins (‘Stick-on type’)
  • Ski Poles
  • Ski boots
  • Ski Helmet (optional)
  • Daypack (large enough for spare clothes, lunch & equipment)
  • Sunglasses and ski goggles
  • Thermos flask and water bottle.
  • Sunblock and Lip Cream
  • Pocket knife
  • Headlamp with fresh batteries
  • Small Blister and 1st-Aid Kit
  • Camera
  • Small repair kit for bindings, skis or splitboard (this may include straps, nuts, bolts, small leatherman)

Do I need special vaccines to travel to Canada?

Check with your family doctor.

Are there any travel restrictions for Canada?

Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.

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