Backcountry Skiing in the Wapta Traverse

Things to know

• Covid measures in the Wapta Traverse, British Columbia

  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, their guides, and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in the Wapta Traverse, British Columbia, please refer to British Columbia’s Travel and COVID-19 website.

  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!

• What’s included?

  What you get in this adventure: 

  • • An experienced, certified ski guide with extensive knowledge of the area
    • Six days of backcountry ski touring
    • Food for the duration of the tour
    • Hut accommodation fees
    • Parks Canada backcountry permits
    • Porter service 
    • Group equipment

  What’s not included:

  • • Technical backcountry ski touring equipment
    • Transportation to Field, BC
    • Accommodations before and after the tour
    • Vehicles for the shuttle (bring your own or carpool)
• 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?

  For technical backcountry ski touring gear, you will need to bring:

  • • Alpine touring skis, preferably with tech-style AT bindings, 150-185cm in length, wide (can be rented)
    • Ski crampons (mandatory, can be provided by guide for the Comfortable Six-Day Tour)
    • Touring boots and poles with powder baskets (can be rented)
    • Climbing skins
    • Climbing harness
    • Prusik cord and 120 cm sewn sling
    • Avalanche safety equipment (can be rented):
      • Digital, 3-antenna avalanche transceiver – a modern digital unit
      • Lightweight snow shovel
      • Collapsible avalanche probe

  For personal items, we recommend bringing:

  • • Backpack (at least 65 L) — can be rented
    • Helmet
    • Sunglasses and ski goggles
    • Long wool or synthetic underwear 
    • Extra warm shirt (not cotton)
    • Medium weight fleece sweater
    • Softshell or fleece jacket
    • Softshell pants
    • Insulated jacket (down preferred)
    • Insulated pants (fleece or other synthetic) — optional
    • Waterproof jacket with hood (Gore-Tex or equivalent)
    • Waterproof pants with side zippers (Gore-Tex or equivalent)
    • Socks (wool or synthetic)  
    • Wool or fleece hat
    • Waterproof ski mountaineering gloves or mitts
    • Lightweight ski gloves
    • Neck tube or balaclava
    • Sun hat
    • Three conventional locking carabiners and two non-locking biners
    • 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
    • First aid kit and small blister kit
    • Personal toiletry kit and toilet paper
    • Large stuff sack for carrying food
    • Sunscreen and lip balm
    • Pocket knife
    • Sleeping bag — three-season bag rated between -7 and -9°C
    • Stuff sack — optional, but recommended
    • Insulated booties or sandals
    • 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 can be rented in Lake Louise, Field, and Banff
    • Alpine touring or telemark skis, touring boots, and poles can be rented in Lake Louise, Field, and Banff
    • Splitboards can be rented in Lake Louise, Field, and Banff

  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 Field, 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:

  • • This tour is not private. For the group tour, the max guest-to-guide ratio is 6:1. 
    • Cost is per person and it doesn’t decrease as the group grows.

  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.

• Deposits

  A deposit of 50% of the total price is due with your booking unless otherwise indicated. Once your guide confirms your booking, your trip departure is guaranteed. Final payments are due 120 days before your trip starts.

• Cancellation policy

  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.

• Getting there and meeting location

  To get to the Wapta Traverse, most people fly into Calgary International Airport 2,5 hours away. From there, you can rent a car or take a bus straight to Field, Lake Louise, or Banff, depending on your chosen tour.

  Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet. This will be at the Truffle Pigs Bistro & Lodge in Field, BC, for the Comfortable Six-Day tour, or a different pre-determined location for the 3 and 4-Day Tours. From there, you’ll head to your tour.