What is Glacier traverse?

The glacier ski traverse is the Classic way to enjoy Canadian Rockies spring time.

We will use the several mountain huts operated by Alpine Club of Canada then traverse glacier to glacier. 

During the trip we will stay above tree line most of the time so even spring time you should expect mid-winter weather condition which means cold snow will be preserved up there.

 

The traverse can involve attempting some 3000m high peaks as well as powder skiing.

 

Good introduction to do this is "4 days Wapta traverse" and "6 days Yoho Traverse" is for more advanced skiers / riders.

 


Tour Cost

Trip cost is based on "days of trip" and "number of guests" 

Price / person based on 5 days trip with 4 guests is ended up around $1200-$1700.  

 

Please contact us for more detail.

 

Included

  • Hut fee
  • National Park entrance fee
  • Professional guiding
  • Meals during traverse

NOT included

  • Local transportation
  • Accommodation in town before / after traverse
  • Personal gears *We will send complete gear list upon booking
  • Rescue insurance

Dates

The traverse can be run from mid March to Early May.


Example 6 Day Yoho Traverse Itinerary

Day1 Parking to Bow Hut
Distance : 8km, Elevation Gain : 390m, Time : 4-5hour

Frozen Bow Lake
Frozen Bow Lake

Leaving Banff at 8:00am for Bow Lake parking lot where we start our journey.

Crossing frozen Bow lake and we will brush up companion rescue sessions before entering avalanche terrain.

 

Skinning up dried slot canyons is one of the highlights on Day1. Shortly after the slot canyon we will be in an alpine area and a massive hanging glacier will be in sight.

 

150m elevation from this point you will be at Bow hut where is our home for the next couple days. 

 

Meals : Breakfast-, Lunch-, Dinner✔、Accommodation : Bow hut

Day2 Skiing / riding around Bow hut area

Top of Mount Gordon
Top of Mount Gordon

We will leave all the heavy stuff at the hut and ski around Bow hut. You can even attempt 3000m / 10,000ft peaks in the Wapta Icefield.  

 

Possible peaks : Mt.Gordon(3200m), Mt. Rohnda(3015m), St. Nicholas(2970m )and more.

 

 

 

Meals : Breakfast✔, Lunch✔, Dinner✔, Accommodation : Bow hut

Day3 Traverse to Guy hut

Distance : 10.5km, Elevation Gain : ↑525m ↓315m, Time: 6-7hours

Huge glacier
Huge glacier

Traversing to the next hut. Skinning up to Wapta icefield in the morning and having to deal with a heavily crevassed slope. This section can be very challenging with low visibility days. You will appreciate having a professional guide with you. 

 

The guy hut is one of the newest hut built by Alpine Club of Canada in 2018. 

The mountain view from the dining area is forgettable.

 

Meals : Breakfast✔, Lunch✔, Dinner✔, Accommodation : Guy hut

Day4 Traverse to Stanley Mitchell hut

Distance : 8km, Elevation Gain : ↑250m ↓785m, Time : 6-8hour

Top of Mt. McArthur
Top of Mt. McArthur

This is the most challenging day. The day starts with skiing down a steep slope to a frozen lake. Crossing the frozen lake and climbing up to Isolated col. This route can be done only in stable avalanche conditions. If you reach the col successfully either skiing down to Stanley Mitchel hut or attempting Mt. McArthur.

 

When we doubt the avalanche condition still we can detour it via elephant back route to Stanley Mitchell Hut.

 

Meals : Breakfast✔, Lunch✔, Dinner✔, Accommodation : Stanley Mitchell hut 

Day5 Skiing / riding around Stanley Mitchell Hut

(L) The Vice President, (R) The President, Hut is located in the forest
(L) The Vice President, (R) The President, Hut is located in the forest

Another light pack day from the hut. Since this hut is located very far from the highway , you won't see other parties in this area. Also this area has ideal backcountry skiing terrain. so We have to take an advantage while we are here. 

 

North facing glaciers, tree skiing, peak bagging, there are lots to do around here.

 

 

 

Meals : Breakfast✔, Lunch✔, Dinner✔, Accommodation : Stanley Mitchell hut 

Day6 Descent to parking lot

Distance : 23km, Elavation Gain :  ↓675m, Time : 7-9hour

Involving long flat walk
Involving long flat walk

The last day of our journey. We pack out everything we brought in and clean up the hut before we leave. There are two possible exit ways to the parking. One is following a 23km long summer access road. Most of the part of this option is either gentle down hill or flat so not much entertainment. The other option would be using called "Iceline hiking trail" to Emerald Lake. This route stays in the alpine area and is very scenic. No trees in the alpine so need to be good visibility day.

 

Either way you need to expect a long day and make sure some juice left to complete the last day.

 

Meals : Breakfast✔, Lunch✔, Dinner-、Accommodation : N/A


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About Huts

Bow Hut

Capacity : 30

Elevation : 2350m

Comment : Large hut. Kitchen / dinning area and sleeping area is connected by hall way.

Stanley Mitchell Hut

Capacity : 22

Elevation : 2060m

Sitting in the forest. Although it is old, gives cozy and comfortable atmosphere. Has the best skiing terrain.

Guy Hut

Capacity : 18

Elevation : 2585m

Comment : One of the newest hut opened in 2018. First floor is kitchen / dinning. Second floor is sleeping space.



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