Ski mountaineering’s recent boom in popularity has led to more and more visitors leaving Alberta’s well-groomed ski resorts for its vast backcountry, and when it comes to backcountry adventures, the Canadian Rockies is the place to be. The ski season is long, the snow is world-class and the sheer breadth of terrain is breathtaking. While the remoteness and apparent inaccessibility of the objectives could be seen as a negative, it does come with many upsides—chances are that you’ll have Alberta’s stunning slopes all to yourself, and you’ll see what it’s like to truly be at one with nature! Also, nothing beats the experience of discovering a great fresh line in the untracked snow and riding it for the first time, especially with the Rockies’ stunning alpine wilderness as your backdrop. The Canadian Rockies are the perfect place to ski off the beaten track and experience a true winter wonderland.
Skin up some of Canada’s most breathtaking peaks and shred amazing powder in this three-day ski mountaineering tour on Alberta’s Canadian Rockies! Head to the Canadian Rockies in March, when the snowpack is perfect and the weather is always on your side. Take on world-class intermediate and advanced objectives such as Cathedral Peak and Mt. Victoria and overcome them with the help of your experienced local guide.
On this ski tour, you will be spending the long weekend climbing and skiing some of the Rockies’ greatest peaks. In mid-to-late March, the days are long and warm and the snowpack is well-settled—conditions are perfect for climbing and skiing the high peaks in and around Lake Louise, Field B.C, and North towards Jasper on the 93N. If conditions allow it (and they usually do), ascend one of the Canadian Rockies’ superb objectives, such as Mt. Victoria’s north summit, Cathedral Peak, Mt Field, Cirque Peak, Crowfoot Mountain, or Mt. Hector.
Guided ski touring with AAA is unreal. I keep coming back for more and only get more addicted! The knowledge of conditions and routes is deep enough that you can have excellent days even when most people choose to stay in. I’ll be back!
I have been exploring the Rockies with Alpine Air Adventures for the past 12 years and have only good things to say about Jeff and his team of professionals. If you are looking for a safe, thrilling, unique, and super fun time in the mountains, Alpine Air Adventures is for you!
Included:
Not included:
In order to enjoy this backcountry adventure, you need to have an advanced level of fitness and backcountry skiing experience. The terrain in the Canadian Rockies will be quite steep, ungroomed, and treed. All participants should feel comfortable on challenging black-level resort runs and be able to carry a loaded daypack while hiking uphill for 4000-6000 vertical feet every day.
This adventure is suited for intermediate to advanced backcountry skiers with previous skiing and riding experience in the backcountry. In order to keep up with your guide’s pace, you should be comfortable hiking uphill for 4000-6000 vertical feet every day and navigating steep, ungroomed, and treed terrain. If you’re not an advanced skier, we recommend checking out these beginner-friendly backcountry ski tours in the Canadian Rockies.
Liability waivers are a standard part of all guided outdoor adventures. Recently, the requirements have become a bit more rigorous for ACMG guides—meaning that you’ll need to agree to the signing of the waiver at the time of booking.
Prior to booking, we ask you to review the waiver. During the checkout process, you’ll have to acknowledge the risks and agree to the signing of the waiver. You are required to bring a printed copy on the trip.
Please note that signing and agreeing to the terms of the waiver is required in order to join this adventure. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us prior to booking.
For technical backcountry ski touring gear, you will need to bring:
For personal items, we recommend bringing:
All mandatory gear can be rented if you don’t have your own. You can rent:
Ski rental locations are in Lake Louise and should be picked up the night prior to your outing. If you need to rent gear, let us know and we can help make arrangements.
Group sizes:
Ski mountaineering in the Canadian Rockies can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements:
If your group has skiers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
To get to Lake Louise, AB, the starting point of the tour, most people fly into Calgary International Airport 2 hours away. From there, you can rent a car or take a bus or shuttle service.
Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, which will usually be at the Lake Louise Alpine Center. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!
Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.
Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!
Deposits
You can secure one of the set dates with a 30% deposit upon booking. The remaining 70% of the trip price is to be paid 90 days prior to departure, at the latest.
Cancellations
Booking fees are non-refundable in all cases. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options:
Basic
Flexible
Super Flexible
Your Guides do reserve the right to change guides, particular lodging or the itinerary or venue should unforeseen circumstances (guide sickness, hut or route closing etc.) force them to do so or should the physical condition of the participants, weather or mountain conditions make a continuation as planned too risky. Your Guides will not be deemed to be in default for any delay or failure to perform their obligations under this agreement resulting from acts of God, the elements, war, acts of government, civil or military authorities, natural calamities, catastrophe, fire, flood, accidents, epidemics, shortage of transportation, or any other like events beyond our reasonable control.
Please note that booking fees are non-refundable in all cases and will be deducted from the refund amount.
Guided ski touring with AAA is unreal. I keep coming back for more and only get more addicted! The knowledge of conditions and routes is deep enough that you can have excellent days even when most people choose to stay in. I’ll be back!