Ski Traverse in Canadian Rockies, Bow Yoho

A 5-day ski traverse at Bow Yoho in the Canadian Rockies. Discover the incredible Wapta Ice field and Yoho Glacier with an IFMGA mountain guide.

Group

Rockies

5 Days

Apr, May

Description

Join me in this incredible adventure at Bow Yoho in the Canadian Rockies!

During this 5-day ski traverse we will cross the famous Wapta Ice field and Yoho glaciers, that divide Alberta and British Columbia in the Canadian Rockies. It is a unique option to discover the impressive Wapta ice field.

I particularly recommend this program because it is one of the easiest ways to access some of the most remote spots in the Rockies. Furthermore, it is comfortable because we'll sleep in huts, so you'll only need to carry a day pack. This is a great advantage compared to most tours in the region that require tents.

This tour will start by travelling to Bow Lake. Then, we'll be skiing for 5 days. It is a big circle with majestic views.

We'll be very close to the town of Field and Emerald Lake, and also close to Lake Louise.

The best season to visit this area is spring, because days are longer and there's less risk of avalanches.

This program is available for intermediate and advanced skiers with some ski touring experience and good physical condition.

Both mountain hut, Bow Hut and Stanley Mitchell Hut, are from the Alpine Club of Canada.

Contact me if you want to join me for this amazing ski traverse in the Canadian Rockies. I'll be glad to guide you in this trip!

You can also take a look at other trips I organize in my country, like a ski touring trip to Revelstoke / Rogers Pass.

Price includes

- Accommodation included

- Guiding fee

- Breakfast

- Dinner

- Permit and entrance fees

Price details

Price per person to join a group.

Itinerary

Day 1: Lake Louise / Bow Hut

First, we’ll meet in Lake Louise at the Alpine Center, get organized and go to Bow Lake to start the adventure.

Afterwards, we’ll go through a 1 hour avalanche rescue exercise.

Over the next 3-4 hours we will ascend up to Bow Hut for the first night.

Day 2: Ski day

We’ll wake up early and ski across the Wapta Ice field to the Yoho Glacier and the high lands of Mt Collie.

This leads us to a great ski run down to the Des Poilus glacier and down to the Des Poilus Hut.

Day 3: Ski day

We will ascend the Isolated Col and enjoy an excellent ski descent to the Stanley Mitchel Hut.

You’ll have the opportunity to ski Mt Mc Aurther (3015 m), and incredible glaciated ski descents.

Day 4: Ski day

We will spend this day skiing along the Little Yoho Valley with great and important ski mountaineering objectives, close to the Presidents (3140 m).

Day 5: Ski day / Emerald Lake

During the last day, we will make our way along the Ice line trail traversing the full length of the Presidents and head into Yoho Pass which, finally, takes us to Emerald Lake which will mark the end of a great adventure!

Details

More info

-The price does not include 5% GST. -Some technical gears are included, but personal gear is not.

-To train for back country skiing, ski all varied terrain and snow conditions at your local ski area, also ski with a light backpack. Back country conditions which are often excellent powder can sometimes be variable.

Meeting point

About the guide

Jeff

4.80

(58)

Mountain Guide

Alpine Air Adventures is an independent mountain guiding business run by Jeff Bullock. I am a fully certified IFMGA Mountain Guide, with my training and certification through the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides, and the Canadian Avalanche Association.

We specialize in outdoor Banff adventures including: rock climbing, ice climbing, alpine climbing, backcountry skiing and snowboarding, avalanche courses and improvised rope rescue courses.

Based out of Banff, Alberta, Canada in the heart of the rugged Canadian Rocky Mountains, Alpine Air offers everything mountain. My main emphasize is to offer safe and unforgettable Banff adventures to my guests. With the allure of the mountains right at my doorstep I am always keen to take on any adventure and I am excited to have you along. Contact me to begin organizing your dream mountain ascent or descent.

Languages

French | English

Certificates

ACMG | IFMGA

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What people are saying about Jeff

Jay

5.00

I had a superb time and Jerry my guide was brilliant with safety being always paramount.

Sue

3.00

Our guide was Jason (not Jeff) and although he was a great guy, he appeared to not be very familiar with the location in which we skied. I was also surprised by the fact that he never asked us about our skiing abilities or the type of terrain we hoped to ski. Due to the avalanche conditions and snow cover, we were in terrain where the trees were too tight to ski and so we skied down an avalanche path (with minimal hazard from above) that was quite steep with a lot of exposed vegetation and small cliff bands. For two of the three of us, this terrain was at the edge of our comfort zones and so the ski down was not very enjoyable. Afterwards, I couldn't help wondering if we had been asked about our interests and skiing level, if we might have found lower angle terrain with a less dense forest cover. Having said all this, once Jason realized I was in a place I was not happy about, he was very attentive to assisting me through the terrain. In summary, the three of us paid a lot of money for a ski tour that was not great and we wondered whether it should have been cancelled if this was the best terrain to be found given the conditions.

Jason

5.00

Wonderful expedition in the Rockies! My guide Brendan taught me loads on ice climbing technique and now I feel reasonably confident to ice climb again! Word of warning though, it's very hard and the guide will push you to your limits if you have only done little bits of ice climbing in the past. I climbed on the inside of a literal ice palace at one point! I am happy that I did this course and I'd recommend it to anyone wanting to really test what they are made of on the ice!

Scott

5.00

Jeff was a great teacher and learned way more than I expected. Will definitely go again.

Helen

5.00

Can someone please contact me regarding this tour. I have emailed explore-share and have also spoken to the tour guide regarding a refund. I have tried calling via a WhatsApp but couldn’t get through. Jeff Bullock has assured that you reply quickly and has also assured us a full refund due to extreme cold weather forecast. Please respond. Helen Pascoe