What you get in this adventure: Experienced, certified ski guides with extensive knowledge of the area 3, 4, or 7-day Wapta Traverse Permits Food during the tour Huts and fees And for the 7-day Wapta Traverse, you also get: Hotel stay and restaurant meals in Field at the start of the trip Shuttle service (to bring guest vehicles back to Field for the end of the trip) Porter service Group equipment What’s not included: Technical backcountry ski touring equipment Transportation to the starting point Accommodations before and after the tour Vehicles for the shuttle (bring your own or carpool) ACC membership (the price of the 7-day trip is member price only, you can get membership for $51/year) Guide gratuities — optional Travel and medical insurance — recommended

How fit do I need to be?

To enjoy this backcountry adventure, you need to be in excellent physical shape. You will be on your feet for 5-7 hours a day for 3-6 full days, covering 6-10 miles (10-15km) or more of terrain every day. Hut elevations are approximately 7,200ft (2,200m), with 2,300ft (700m) vertical, and you will be doing your hut-to-hut traverse carrying up to 45lbs (20kg) of equipment. You will need to manage controlled descents in variable conditions. All participants should feel comfortable on challenging blue or black-level resort runs and be able to carry a loaded daypack while skinning up variable degrees of terrain.

What if I’ve never backcountry skied before?

To participate in this tour, you need to have previous powder skiing and ski mountaineering experience. You will be skiing, touring, and summiting on glaciated terrain for 5-7 hours every day. Your guide will take care of the planning, oversee your technique, and teach you how to better manage the terrain. They also have the experience and avalanche training necessary to keep you safe. If you’ve never backcountry skied before, we suggest joining a guide for a day of Intro to Backcountry Skiing.

What equipment do I need to bring?

You need to bring all of the following personal equipment. Please don’t bring extra equipment. If you have any questions at all about gear please do not hesitate to contact us. Ski crampons are a must for spring ski touring, and they can make a big difference even on a powder skiing week at times. If you have any difficulty obtaining these please let me know. We have some spares and can likely set you up with a pair. If you have telemark bindings, G3 crampons have an attachment system that works well for most tele bindings. Clothing : Wool or synthetic socks and liner socks Long underwear top (synthetic or wool) Light fleece or wool sweater Wind shell (nylon or ‘Schoeller’ type jacket) Waterproof breathable jacket Warm insulated jacket (down or synthetic) Long underwear bottoms (synthetic or wool) Multipurpose stretch nylon or ‘Schoeller’ type pants Waterproof breathable pants Warm hat (wool or synthetic) Brimmed cap for sun protection Face warmer (scarf, neck tube or balaclava) — optional Light gloves (wool, synthetic or leather) Insulated gloves or mitts with waterproof outer shell Spare gloves or mitts Handkerchief for blocking the sun — optional Snow safety equipment: Avalanche beacon with good batteries (and spares) Shovel Probe (2.4 m or longer preferred) Snow touring equipment: Skis or split board Ski crampons — must (they’re specific to your binding type, if you can’t find one to fit your binding, G3 crampons have an attachment system that works for many bindings) Ski strap Ski or snowboard boots Poles Climbing skins Skin wax (or a candle) Binding repair kit to fix your personal travel setup Ski helmet Ski scraper Personal equipment: Pack (30-40 liters will work fine) Sunglasses (both orange and dark lenses help a lot for travel in all conditions) Goggles (orange lenses) Sunscreen and lip cream (SPF 30+) Head lamp with good batteries Insulated water bottle or thermos (1-2 L) Lunch bag or container Personal blister kit (i.e. Leukotape-P and Compeed/Second Skin blister pads) Tincture of Benzoin or a medical product by 3M called Cavilon (these products help the Leukotape stick for the whole week if necessary) Pocket knife — optional Camera — optional Binoculars — optional Prussik cord – 5m x 6mm — optional, for contributing to emergency toboggan construction Personal belongings Duffle bag for your clothes Shoes Comfortable clothing for travel Personal medications and toiletries Ear plugs Reading material — optional Chargers and adapters for electronic devices Cash to pay for your beer tab, souvenirs, and gratuities

Can I rent equipment?

All mandatory gear can be rented if you don’t have your own. In Lake Louise, Canmore, or Banff, you can rent: Avalanche safety pack, including backpack, beacon, shovel, and probe Alpine touring or telemark skis, touring boots, and poles Splitboards If you plan on using alternate touring systems such as telemark skis, frame-style AT bindings, or splitboards, please contact us in advance. Ski rental locations are in Canmore, Lake Louise, and Banff, 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: For the 3 and 4-day Wapta Traverse , the usual client-to-guide ratio is 6:1. It takes a minimum of 3 people for the tour to operate. The maximum is set at 12 people. For the 7-day Wapta Traverse , the max guest-to-guide ratio is 6:1. The price of the 7-day Wapta Traverse trip is member price only, you can get ACC membership for $51/year. Ski touring in the Wapta Traverse 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 you plan to ski with anyone under the age of 18, please contact us prior to booking to make arrangements. If your group has ski tourers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Getting there and meeting location

To get to the Wapta Traverse, most people fly into Calgary International Airport 2,5 hours away. If you’re joining the 3 or 4-day Wapta Traverse, the starting point is Lake Louise on Day 1 of the tour—make sure to fly in at least a day prior to the start of the tour, as you’ll start the traverse on Day 1. You’ll meet your guide at the Alpine Center in the morning. If you’re joining the 7-day Wapta Traverse , the starting point is Field on Day 1 of the tour. You’ll meet your guide sometime in the afternoon at the Truffle Pigs Bistro & Lodge in Field, BC, have dinner, a briefing, and you’ll start the traverse on Day 2. You can rent a car or take a bus straight to Field or Lake Louise from Calgary Airport.

Safety measures and insurance

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!

Wapta Traverse | British Columbia

Backcountry Skiing on the Wapta Traverse

5.00 ()

A group of people near a mountain on the Wapta Traverse

Tourers walking in a line on the Wapta Traverse

Descent down a slope on the Wapta Traverse

Tourers ascending a slope on the Wapta Traverse

A skier near a peak on the Wapta Traverse

From $1,010 ()

Season: March through April

Duration: 3-7 days

Difficulty:

Accommodation: Hotel & ACC huts

Guides: Tom Wolfe, Jeff Bullock, Sawback Alpine Adventures, Alpine Air Adventures

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Intro
Itinerary
Brochure
Guides
Reviews
Things to know

The Canadian Rockies are home to some of the greatest hut-to-hut ski touring routes in the world, and the Wapta Traverse is the perfect example. Running north-south across the boundless Wapta and Waputik Icefields, the classic Wapta Traverse has built up a reputation as heaven-on-earth for ski touring and ski mountaineering. The hut system is well-developed and the huts are cozy and high-class. The powder is dry and the snowpack is settled, especially in the spring. The ski mountaineering objectives are plentiful and easily accessible from the huts. The experience is enhanced even further by the sublime nature of the sky-blue Peyto Lake, the imposing Waputik Icefield, and the colorful and wild Sherbrooke Creek. The Wapta Traverse didn’t get its legendary reputation for no reason—and its status will be clear to you once you start carving turns here.

Adventure highlights

Iconic traverse

Tour and mountaineer across the majestic Wapta and Waputik Icefields
Nights at ACC huts

Spend your nights in high-quality huts
Find your perfect tour

Take in breathtaking alpine views of the Canadian Rockies over 3, 4, or 7 days

Download itineraries

Available itineraries

Blitz Three-Day Ski Tour of the Wapta Traverse

For all the get-er-done riders out there looking to truly push their limits, this itinerary will have you tackling the highlights of the famous Wapta Traverse in only 3 days. Join a seasoned local guide on a faster-paced tour of one of the most iconic ski traverses in Canada.

We will meet at the Lake Louise Alpine Center for a meet & greet, review or gear, and pack group gear. Then we’ll head for the trail mid-morning. The first night will be spend at the Balfour Hut, which is tucked underneath the monarch of the ice fields Mt Balfour, travelling up to Bow Hut for lunch and onwards.
We will continue our traverse with a climb up and over the Balfour high col via the Balfour glacier. Enroute to the Scott Duncan Hut along the way, weather permitting, an attempt on Balfour or a side ski run will be made.
All of day 3 will be spent on a scenic ski ride back to the road. Your guide will help you choose the optimal way down.

Classic Four-Day Ski Tour of the Wapta Traverse

Tour your way from Bow Lake to the Great Divide Lodge in 4 action-packed ski days! Enjoy the ultimate Canadian Rockies hut-to-hut ski tour at a more direct, quicker pace, with an expert local guide leading the way.

We will meet up at the Lake Louise Alpine Center, review gear, and pack group gear. Then we’ll head for the trail mid-morning. The first night will be spent at the Bow Hut in the beautiful Bow Glacier Cirque with many peaks to climb and ski.
We will spend the entirety of Day 2 traversing to the Balfour Hut via the Bow & Vulture glaciers and climbing a peak or two along the way.
Today we will tackle the crux of the traverse as we go up and over the Balfour High Col. If the weather cooperates, we can make an attempt on Mt Balfour (3285 m/10,778 ft), before proceeding onward to the Scott Duncan Hut for our final night in the Canadian Rockies.
We’ll end the tour by skiing one of two exit options: the scenic Bath Glacier or the Sherbrooke Lake exit. Both offer some fun skiing enroute to the Trans Canada and Great Divide Lodge!

Comfortable Seven-Day Ski Tour of the Wapta Traverse

Make your way to Canada’s magnificent icefields for 7 days of unforgettable ski touring! Test your skills on the classic Wapta Traverse, with high-quality huts, phenomenal dry powder and breathtaking vistas. Your experienced local guide will make sure that your touring goes by safely and without a hitch.

The price of the tour is for ACC members only. Note that the exact dates for this trip are subject to huts availability—once the guide books the huts, you will be notified about the exact dates, which may change by a day or two.

At 6:30 pm, we’ll gather for introductions over dinner in Field, BC, at the renowned “Truffle Pigs Bistro” (dinner is included in your trip fees). If you haven’t heard of it, this is one of the finest restaurants in the Canadian Rockies! After enjoying our meal, we’ll head back to our rooms, where our guide will stop by for a brief visit to conduct an equipment check and distribute group gear and food.
At 7 am, we’ll have breakfast at the Truffle Pigs Cafe, with bagged lunches provided by Kicking Horse Lodge. Be sure to have your backpacks and ski gear packed and ready to go! At 8 am, we’ll drive to the trailhead at Peyto Lake, with shuttle drivers bringing our vehicles back to the trail’s end—how’s that for service? By 10 am, we’ll start skiing, and by 5 pm, we’ll arrive at Peyto Hut where our food will be waiting for us, courtesy of our energetic portering staff. The ski from Peyto Lake to Peyto Hut takes anywhere from 5 to 8 hours depending on conditions and group speed.
The mountains around Peyto Hut provide excellent ski touring objectives. We will stay at the Peyto Hut for two days to enjoy the area!
The ski over to Balfour Hut is spectacular and typically brings us up and over the Olive-St. Nicholas Col. A relaxing hot lunch stop at Balfour Hut is followed by an afternoon ski objective like laps on the Diableret Glacier.
The trip over the Balfour High Col is usually the highlight and crux of the trip. We’ll ascend over heavily crevassed terrain adjacent to the stunning serac-fringed east face of Mt. Balfour. After attaining the col, if conditions permit, an ascent of one of the nearby peaks like Lilliput or even Balfour’s South Face is possible.
All good things must come to an end. After a short run down from the Scott Duncan Hut, it takes about 30 minutes of gentle climbing to come to the Shark’s Fin. From there it’s mostly downhill to get to the intersection of Niles and Sherbrooke Creeks where gurgling of spring snowmelt, birdsong, and the smell of spruce trees presents a sharp contrast with the alpine world we settled into during the trip. About five hours of travel in total brings us back to the cars which will be waiting for us, courtesy of our shuttle staff! Expect to be back in Field for a late lunch, by 2 pm or so.

Backcountry Skiing on the Wapta Traverse

Adventure Brochure

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Talk with us and let one of our adventure experts help you plan your perfect adventure.

Meet your guides

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Tom Wolfe

IFMGA/ACMG Certified Guide

Tom Wolfe is an ACMG/IFMGA-certified mountain guide who’s been guiding since moving to Canmore in 1995, the place he calls home. His winters consist of a mix of ski guiding at lodges, heli-ski operations, and remote backcountry destinations throughout western Canada. During the warmer months, Tom spends his days on water. He is a certified Paddle Canada Moving Water Canoe Instructor and Wilderness Canoe Guide.

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Jeff Bullock

When he first stepped foot in the mountains, Jeff knew this was home. He’s been wondering what adventures the snow capped peaks have in store since he was 12. Jeff started training for his ACMG/IFMGA mountain guide certificate in 2002 and started his own business, Alpine Air Adventures. To this day, he has yet to find a better feeling than sharing his passion for adventure you can only find high up in the alpine kingdom of the Canadian Rockies

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Sawback was founded by Tom Wolfe in 1995, running mountain hiking trips for groups. Since then they have expanded programming to offer just about any mountaineering adventure you could imagine. Tom is an IFMGA Mountain Guide and a member of the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG). Sawback trips are guided by owner/operator Tom Wolfe along with a staff of certified IFMGA and ACMG guides.

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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 (4 reviews)

George M.J. (source: Sawback Google Reviews)

I was out on trips with Tom Wolfe of Sawback Alpine Adventures twice during the ski season of winter 2018. Both trips were great. The Bow / Yoho Wapta Traverse was particularly spectacular traveling between Alpine Club of Canada huts. Tom really knows this area well.

Marilyn F. (source: Sawback Google Reviews)

An awesome trip with a great, conscientious and professional guide. Definitely felt that Tom listened to the whole crew and took our collective objectives, safety, weather, snow conditions and skill sets to get the maximum we could have out of our Bow-Yoho traverse over new years 2018. Super fun trip and lots of hilarious and educational stories and experiences Tom shared with us. And Eric was great to in lending a hand where needed and carrying a ton of weight too. Would definitely recommend both Tom and Eric for any high adventure trips and for any furthering of backcountry education. Not only do they really know their craft, they present their knowledge in a smooth and easy way for all to understand and learn from. Great guides, great guys. All five stars for sure!

Daniel B. (source: Sawback Google Reviews)

Tom is a top notch guide! In addition to delivering a great ski touring trip, he is a fun person to hang out with back at the lodge. I feel safe touring with Tom.

Nathan J. (source: Sawback Google Reviews)

Excellent guiding, planning, hospitality and safe skiing. we are repeat customers now!

Things to know

What you get in this adventure:
- - Experienced, certified ski guides with extensive knowledge of the area
  - 3, 4, or 7-day Wapta Traverse
  - Permits
  - Food during the tour
  - Huts and fees
  - And for the 7-day Wapta Traverse, you also get:
    
    Hotel stay and restaurant meals in Field at the start of the trip
    
    Shuttle service (to bring guest vehicles back to Field for the end of the trip)
    
    Porter service
    
    Group equipment
What’s not included:
- - Technical backcountry ski touring equipment
  - Transportation to the starting point
  - Accommodations before and after the tour
  - Vehicles for the shuttle (bring your own or carpool)
  - ACC membership (the price of the 7-day trip is member price only, you can get membership for $51/year)
  - Guide gratuities — optional
  - Travel and medical insurance — recommended
To enjoy this backcountry adventure, you need to be in excellent physical shape. You will be on your feet for 5-7 hours a day for 3-6 full days, covering 6-10 miles (10-15km) or more of terrain every day. Hut elevations are approximately 7,200ft (2,200m), with 2,300ft (700m) vertical, and you will be doing your hut-to-hut traverse carrying up to 45lbs (20kg) of equipment. You will need to manage controlled descents in variable conditions. All participants should feel comfortable on challenging blue or black-level resort runs and be able to carry a loaded daypack while skinning up variable degrees of terrain.
To participate in this tour, you need to have previous powder skiing and ski mountaineering experience. You will be skiing, touring, and summiting on glaciated terrain for 5-7 hours every day. Your guide will take care of the planning, oversee your technique, and teach you how to better manage the terrain. They also have the experience and avalanche training necessary to keep you safe.

If you’ve never backcountry skied before, we suggest joining a guide for a day of Intro to Backcountry Skiing.
You need to bring all of the following personal equipment. Please don’t bring extra equipment. If you have any questions at all about gear please do not hesitate to contact us.

Ski crampons are a must for spring ski touring, and they can make a big difference even on a powder skiing week at times. If you have any difficulty obtaining these please let me know. We have some spares and can likely set you up with a pair. If you have telemark bindings, G3 crampons have an attachment system that works well for most tele bindings.

Clothing:
- - Wool or synthetic socks and liner socks
  - Long underwear top (synthetic or wool)
  - Light fleece or wool sweater
  - Wind shell (nylon or ‘Schoeller’ type jacket)
  - Waterproof breathable jacket
  - Warm insulated jacket (down or synthetic)
  - Long underwear bottoms (synthetic or wool)
  - Multipurpose stretch nylon or ‘Schoeller’ type pants
  - Waterproof breathable pants
  - Warm hat (wool or synthetic)
  - Brimmed cap for sun protection
  - Face warmer (scarf, neck tube or balaclava) — optional
  - Light gloves (wool, synthetic or leather)
  - Insulated gloves or mitts with waterproof outer shell
  - Spare gloves or mitts
  - Handkerchief for blocking the sun — optional
Snow safety equipment:
- - Avalanche beacon with good batteries (and spares)
  - Shovel
  - Probe (2.4 m or longer preferred)
Snow touring equipment:
- - Skis or split board
  - Ski crampons — must (they’re specific to your binding type, if you can’t find one to fit your binding, G3 crampons have an attachment system that works for many bindings)
  - Ski strap
  - Ski or snowboard boots
  - Poles
  - Climbing skins
  - Skin wax (or a candle)
  - Binding repair kit to fix your personal travel setup
  - Ski helmet
  - Ski scraper
Personal equipment:
- - Pack (30-40 liters will work fine)
  - Sunglasses (both orange and dark lenses help a lot for travel in all conditions)
  - Goggles (orange lenses)
  - Sunscreen and lip cream (SPF 30+)
  - Head lamp with good batteries
  - Insulated water bottle or thermos (1-2 L)
  - Lunch bag or container
  - Personal blister kit (i.e. Leukotape-P and Compeed/Second Skin blister pads)
  - Tincture of Benzoin or a medical product by 3M called Cavilon (these products help the
  - Leukotape stick for the whole week if necessary)
  - Pocket knife — optional
  - Camera — optional
  - Binoculars — optional
  - Prussik cord – 5m x 6mm — optional, for contributing to emergency toboggan construction
Personal belongings
- - Duffle bag for your clothes
  - Shoes
  - Comfortable clothing for travel
  - Personal medications and toiletries
  - Ear plugs
  - Reading material — optional
  - Chargers and adapters for electronic devices
  - Cash to pay for your beer tab, souvenirs, and gratuities
All mandatory gear can be rented if you don’t have your own. In Lake Louise, Canmore, or Banff, you can rent:
- - Avalanche safety pack, including backpack, beacon, shovel, and probe
  - Alpine touring or telemark skis, touring boots, and poles
  - Splitboards
If you plan on using alternate touring systems such as telemark skis, frame-style AT bindings, or splitboards, please contact us in advance.

Ski rental locations are in Canmore, Lake Louise, and Banff, 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:
- - For the 3 and 4-day Wapta Traverse, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 6:1. It takes a minimum of 3 people for the tour to operate. The maximum is set at 12 people.
  - For the 7-day Wapta Traverse, the max guest-to-guide ratio is 6:1.
  - The price of the 7-day Wapta Traverse trip is member price only, you can get ACC membership for $51/year.
Ski touring in the Wapta Traverse 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 you plan to ski with anyone under the age of 18, please contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
If your group has ski tourers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
To get to the Wapta Traverse, most people fly into Calgary International Airport 2,5 hours away.

If you’re joining the 3 or 4-day Wapta Traverse, the starting point is Lake Louise on Day 1 of the tour—make sure to fly in at least a day prior to the start of the tour, as you’ll start the traverse on Day 1. You’ll meet your guide at the Alpine Center in the morning.

If you’re joining the 7-day Wapta Traverse, the starting point is Field on Day 1 of the tour. You’ll meet your guide sometime in the afternoon at the Truffle Pigs Bistro & Lodge in Field, BC, have dinner, a briefing, and you’ll start the traverse on Day 2.

You can rent a car or take a bus straight to Field or Lake Louise from Calgary Airport.
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!
Secure your spot for the following season with a 10% deposit! This tour gets sold out very quickly, but with early-bird booking, you’ll be the first one to know. Pick the month that suits you best and we’ll let you know once the dates are live—don’t risk missing out on your bucket list adventure!
- - Only 10% of the total amount should be paid as a deposit upon booking. This deposit is non-refundable, but can be transferred to another 57hours adventure in case the dates don’t suit you by the end of the year.
  - Once the dates are set, another 20% of the total amount needs to be paid to confirm your booking.
  - The final balance is due 4 months (120 days) prior to departure.
For set dates, a 50% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. Once your guide confirms your booking, your trip departure is guaranteed. Final payments are due 120 days before your trip starts.

If you need to cancel a reservation, please do so in writing (best by e-mail). Once your booking is confirmed, you and your Guides enter into financial obligations and they cannot refund payments or release you from your contractual obligations. Therefore, it is highly recommended buying cancellation insurance to cover your losses for the case that you can’t participate or have to interrupt your trip “for any reason”.

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.
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.