The Best Backcountry Skiing Routes in Banff National Park
Explore Backcountry Skiing RoutesTop 9 backcountry skiing routes in Banff National Park
1
Helena Ridge Ski Tour
The route to Helena Ridge starts up the well trafficked Rockbound lake hiking and snowshoe trail. The trail is a wide double track that is well signed and makes for a fun, fast and flowy descent....
2
Observation Subpeak (2950 m) south ridge and north glacier
Observation Subpeak (2950 m) is a fine ski peak with a good of variety of skiing. Several routes exist, the one described here combines a nice ridge ascent with powder turns down the north glacier - probably the best turns on the peak....
3
Mount Olive (3130 m)
This spectacular peak is amongst the most popular on the Wapta. It can be done in a long day from Bow Lake, or be combined with a stay at the Bow Hut (2330 m)....
4
Panorama Ridge
This is a very popular ski tour and for good reason - it is straightforward, low hazard and affords a lovely view. You park at the Taylor lake parking lot and tour up a well beaten path....
5
St Nicholas Peak
This spectacular peak is amongst the most popular on the Wapta. It can be done in a long day from Bow Lake, or be combined with a stay at the Bow Hut (2330 m)....
6
Trident Couloir
An impressive line that doesn't just look pretty - it skis awesome! There are several couloirs off Panorama Peak of differing lengths and steepness.
To get to the couloirs you park at Taylor Lake parking lot and ascend the popular multi-use trail to Taylor Lake....
7
Peyto Lake to Peyto Hut
Longer and tougher than the Bow Lake entry to the Wapta Icefield, the Peyto Lake approach is the wild way to start the Wapta traverse. Taking this line also makes the trip more aesthetic because it makes the traverse much more north-south than the Bow Lake route, which enters the Icefield side on....
8
Bell Couloir
This is a classic Rockies line that primarily gets skied in the fall or spring.
The trail begins at the Taylor Lake Parking lot and ascends on the heavily trafficked, double wide Taylor Lake Trail....
9
Chockstone Couloir
This is a very unique and exciting line. It is a long day with a long approach for a short line but the uniqueness of the arch and the steepness of the top will satisfy people who enjoy steep skiing and ski mountaineering....