What you get in this adventure: An experienced, certified ski guide with extensive knowledge of the area Three days of backcountry ski touring What’s not included: Technical backcountry ski touring equipment Transportation Accommodations Food and snacks

How fit do I need to be?

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.

What if I’ve never ski mountaineered before?

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.

What equipment do I need to bring?

For technical backcountry ski touring gear, you will need to bring: Alpine touring skis, telemark skis, or splitboard with skins (can be rented) Touring boots and poles (can be rented) Avalanche safety equipment (can be rented): Digital, 3-antenna avalanche transceiver or beacon Lightweight snow shovel Avalanche probe Lightweight climbing harness for glacier travel For personal items, we recommend bringing: Helmet Sunglasses and ski goggles Wool or fleece hat Waterproof ski gloves or mitts Neck tube or balaclava Sun hat Casual clothing to wear to the hut or hostel Wind and waterproof shell jacket with hood (Gore-Tex recommended) Ski pants (Gore-Tex recommended) Light insulated jacket or vest Synthetic or wool base layers, underwear, and socks Medium weight fleece sweater Fleece jacket Three conventional locking carabiners and two non-locking carabiners Two 4-6m long 6mm cords and one sewn sling Repair kit and Leatherman for your equipment (can be shared between several people) Water bottle and 1L of water Thermos with a warm beverage — optional Food you can eat on-the-go First aid kit and small blister kit Sleeping bag (if staying in hut or hostel) Toiletries Sunscreen and lip balm Headlamp with fresh batteries Daypack large enough to carry all items listed (around a 30-40L backpack) Camera — optional

Can I rent equipment?

All mandatory gear can be rented if you don’t have your own. You can rent: Avalanche safety pack, including backpack, beacon, shovel, and probe from your guide, for an added fee of $20 per day. Alpine touring or telemark skis, touring boots, and poles can be rented from Ski Louise 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 and age requirements

Group sizes: This tour is not private. For the group tour, the max guest-to-guide ratio is 7:1. If joining alone, you’ll be placed with peers that share a similar level of experience. Cost is per person and it doesn’t decrease as the group grows. Ski mountaineering in the Canadian Rockies can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements. Min. age requirements: If you are older than 18, you’re good to go. Minors may be permitted to join private tours on a case-by-case basis. If your group has skiers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Getting there and meeting location

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.

Covid measures in Alberta’s Canadian Rockies

57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity. We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides, and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Alberta’s Canadian Rockies, please refer to Alberta’s COVID-19 travel requirements . Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

Canadian Rockies | Alberta

Ski Mountaineering in the Canadian Rockies

5.00 ()

A mountaineer on a slope in the Canadian Rockies

From $450 ()

Duration

3 days

Season

December through March

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Intro
Itinerary
Brochure
Guides
Reviews
Things to know

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.

Adventure highlights

Admire the untouched nature in the Canadian Rockies’ remote wilderness
The range’s weather conditions and snowpack are ideal in the springtime
Take on world-class objectives in some of Alberta’s finest ski mountaineering areas

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Itinerary

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.

Ski Mountaineering in the Canadian Rockies

Adventure Brochure

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If you have questions or need help with planning a trip, schedule a call with one of our adventure experts.

Meet your guide

5.00

Alpine Air Adventures

You’re never on your own in the Banff wilderness because the experienced professionals from Alpine Air Adventures are here to guide you. While they know how to have a great time, they’re always mindful of advanced safety practices. They’re committed to showing each of their guests the best of the Rockies while protecting them every step of the way.

5.00 (2 reviews)

Climber64254398745 (source: Facebook)

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!

Coastal283137 (source: Facebook)

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!

Things to know

What you get in this adventure:
- - An experienced, certified ski guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  - Three days of backcountry ski touring
What’s not included:
- - Technical backcountry ski touring equipment
  - Transportation
  - Accommodations
  - Food and snacks
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.
For technical backcountry ski touring gear, you will need to bring:
- - Alpine touring skis, telemark skis, or splitboard with skins (can be rented)
  - Touring boots and poles (can be rented)
  - Avalanche safety equipment (can be rented):
    
    Digital, 3-antenna avalanche transceiver or beacon
    
    Lightweight snow shovel
    
    Avalanche probe
    
    Lightweight climbing harness for glacier travel
For personal items, we recommend bringing:
- - Helmet
  - Sunglasses and ski goggles
  - Wool or fleece hat
  - Waterproof ski gloves or mitts
  - Neck tube or balaclava
  - Sun hat
  - Casual clothing to wear to the hut or hostel
  - Wind and waterproof shell jacket with hood (Gore-Tex recommended)
  - Ski pants (Gore-Tex recommended)
  - Light insulated jacket or vest
  - Synthetic or wool base layers, underwear, and socks
  - Medium weight fleece sweater
  - Fleece jacket
  - Three conventional locking carabiners and two non-locking carabiners
  - Two 4-6m long 6mm cords and one sewn sling
  - Repair kit and Leatherman for your equipment (can be shared between several people)
  - Water bottle and 1L of water
  - Thermos with a warm beverage — optional
  - Food you can eat on-the-go
  - First aid kit and small blister kit
  - Sleeping bag (if staying in hut or hostel)
  - Toiletries
  - Sunscreen and lip balm
  - Headlamp with fresh batteries
  - Daypack large enough to carry all items listed (around a 30-40L backpack)
  - Camera — optional
All mandatory gear can be rented if you don’t have your own. You can rent:
- - Avalanche safety pack, including backpack, beacon, shovel, and probe from your guide, for an added fee of $20 per day.
  - Alpine touring or telemark skis, touring boots, and poles can be rented from Ski Louise
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:
- - This tour is not private. For the group tour, the max guest-to-guide ratio is 7:1.
  - If joining alone, you’ll be placed with peers that share a similar level of experience.
  - Cost is per person and it doesn’t decrease as the group grows.
Ski mountaineering in the Canadian Rockies can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements:
- - If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  - Minors may be permitted to join private tours on a case-by-case basis.
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.
57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.

We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides, and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Alberta’s Canadian Rockies, please refer to Alberta’s COVID-19 travel requirements.

Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!
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
- - In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
  - For cancellations 60 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a 70% refund of the trip price.
  - For cancellations 0-59 days before the trip, there is no refund.
Flexible
- - In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
  - For cancellations 60 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
  - For cancellations 30-59 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.
  - For cancellations 0-29 days before the trip, there is no refund.
Super Flexible
- - In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
  - For cancellations 30 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
  - For cancellations 0-29 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.
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.
57hours partners with Redpoint Travel Protection, offering you a fully integrated program with a single point of contact for all your needs, from emergency services to travel assistance and protection claims. We highly recommend purchasing a comprehensive protection policy from Redpoint, which will protect you both before and during your travels. Before your departure, your investment is protected by the trip cancellation benefit. Once you depart, your policy provides coverage for trip interruption, medical assistance and rescue, baggage loss, trip delay, and more. Once you complete booking with 57hours, we'll create bespoke quote for you (and your group), making sure you're fully protected for the adventure ahead.