Bow Yoho Traverse, ski mountaineering in the Wapta Icefield
Join Tom, an IFMGA-certified mountain guide, for a fun, scenic and exciting 7-day ski mountaineering tour on the Wapta Icefield. Take a bit longer than usual to complete the Bow Yoho Traverse, skiing up and down various mountains and enjoying incredible scenery along the way.
Group
Rockies
7 Days
Apr
High
Intermediate
Highlights
- Enjoy the stunning scenery of the Wapta Icefield.
- Head up numerous mountain peaks and enjoy thrilling descents back down.
- Spend each night in a cozy and comfortable mountain hut.
Description
Heading out on the Bow Yoho Traverse is the perfect way for ski mountaineering enthusiasts to enjoy a great winter holiday.
The mountain huts are well-kept, comfortable and perfectly spaced. The views out over the Wapta Icefield as well as the rest of the western slopes of the Canadian Rocky Mountains are incredible and the landscape is simply sublime.
Perhaps most importantly, the terrain is perfect for skiing! There is plenty of deep and dry powder throughout the season, that make for not too challenging skinning ascents up to the top of lofty mountain peaks, before enjoying incredible and speedy descents over the high-quality powder.
After meeting up in the idyllic mountain town of Field, British Columbia, we’ll make go over our plan before heading right out into the mountains the following morning.
We’ll split our week based out of three different mountain huts, making various ascents and skiing over all types of different terrains as we go. (Please see below for a more detailed itinerary.)
Among the many highlights of our adventure will be traversing over the Gordon-Rhondda pass; exploring the incredible mountains and glacial landscape around the Stanley Mitchell Hut; and climbing on of Mount MacArthur, Isolated Peak, Mt. Kerr.
There’s plenty more to look forward to as well!
So what are you waiting for? Book now for this unforgettable 7-day ski touring expedition over the Wapta Icefield on the Bow Yoho Traverse!
If you like the look of this trip then I think you may also enjoy my classic 5-day ski touring expedition along the Wapta Traverse!
Price includes
- Accommodation included
- Guiding fee
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival
After meeting at the Truffle Pigs Bistro & Lodge, we will discuss our plans over dinner then check out our equipment afterwards.
Day 2: Bow Hut
After eating breakfast at the lodge, we’ll head out and ski to Bow Hut. This should take between 3 to 5 hours. If we have time, we’ll head out to do some skiing around the hut in the afternoon.
Day 3 to 4: Guy Hut
We’ll leave Bow Hut and traverse the Gordon-Rhondda Pass, enjoying great views of the surrounding mountains and glaciers until we arrive at Guy Hut.
The following day, we will spend the day exploring around the premier hut on the Wapta and head up any of Yoho Peak, Des Poilus, or Mt. Collie, among others.
Day 5 to 6: Stanley Mitchell Hut
We will head to the Stanley Mitchell Hut by either heading over Isolated Col or going over Whaleback.
The following day, we will either head up to Mount MacArthur, Isolated Peak, Mt. Kerr (known as the presidents) or do a loop around the glacier.
Day 7: Departure
From the Stanley Mitchell Hut, we will ski out of the mountains via Yoho Pass and return to Field.
Details
More info
The following is all the gear you will need to bring on this trip:
Ski mountaineering gear
Skis, preferably with tech-style Alpine Touring (AT) bindings, 150-185 cm in length, wide (100 mm+ at waist) for powder skiing. Telemark, frame-style AT bindings, or splitboards are acceptable as well, please contact us if you plan to bring one or these alternate touring systems. Ski crampons Climbing skins Ski Poles with powder baskets Ski Boots Climbing harness (light weight if possible) Locking carabiners (2), non-locking biners (2) Prusik cord (1) 120 cm sewn sling (1) Avalanche Transceiver – a modern digital unit Collapsible Avalanche Probe Avalanche Shovel (lightweight snow shovel designed for companion rescue) Backpack (at least 65 L, large enough for sleeping bag, spare clothes, and your share of group food & equipment) rentals available
Other gear
Sunglasses and ski goggles Water bottle (at least 1 liter capacity) Thermos for Hot Drinks (optional but recommended,~750 mL) Sun block Lip cream Pocket knife and/or leatherman multi-tool Sleeping Bag. We recommend a three season bag rated between -7 to -9°C. Bring a compression stuff sac so you have room in your pack for other things. Headlamp with fresh batteries Small Blister and personal First-Aid Kit Camera Personal Toilet Items (keep to a bare minimum) Toilet paper Large stuff sack for carrying food Ear Plugs for dorm sleeping (optional but recommended) Insulated Booties or Sandals
Clothing
Long wool or synthetic (e.g. polyester or polypropylene) underwear (top & bottom) Extra warm shirt (not cotton) Medium weight fleece sweater Soft shell or fleece jacket Soft shell pants Insulated jacket (down preferred) Insulated pants (fleece or other synthetic) (optional) Waterproof jacket with hood (Gore-Tex or equivalent) Waterproof pants (Gore-Tex or equivalent, with side zippers) Socks (wool or synthetic) – 2 to 3 pairs Wool or fleece hat Waterproof ski mountaineering gloves or mitts Light weight ski gloves Neck tube or balaclava Sun hat
Meeting point
Equipment you will need to bring
Water bottle
Backpack
Helmet
Poles
Ski equipment
Sunglasses
Goggles
Avalanche eqmnt
Climbing skins
About the guide
-Tom
5.0
(2)
Mountain Guide
Guiding has been my lifelong passion. I have lived in the Rocky Mountains for most of my life, guiding since 1995.
My main focus these days is on running winter ski touring trips at the best heli-accessed ski lodges in British Columbia. This winter I'll be at Selkirk Lodge, Burnie Glacier Chalet, Mount Carlyle Lodge, and Sunrise Lodge -- each lodge providing a very different experience for my guests. While I do like to return, year after year, to my favourite lodges (like Burnie Glacier) I also like to provide new and interesting options for my clients.
When ski season ends here in Western Canada and the rest of my colleagues are putting away their skis for the summer, I will be once again heading to Svalbard in the Arctic for another Ski and Sail trip in May. This is the only trip I still have openings for now -- maybe you would like to join me there?
Languages
German | French | English
Certificates
ACMG | UIAGM | IFMGA
What people are saying about -Tom
The Bow-Yoho Traverse April 1 to April 7, 2019. Tom, the guides (Mel and Ken) and an assistant (John) led this trip with care, kindness, humour and expertise. When conditions required it, we were able to form 2 or 3 groups according to abilities and motivation. That was fabulous. Staying the first night in Field with supper and breakfast provided is a great way to begin the trip. The shuttle at the start and at the end was well-planned. When I signed up for the trip I had concerns about the quality of the food. Tom reassured me. He was right. Michelle Heerchop's 'Touch of Love" provided the food. It was varied, tasty and nutritious. I am very very pleased that I was able to be part of this trip. I highly recommend Tom's Sawback Alpine Adventures.
Went to Burnie Chalet near Smithers BC with Sawback Alpine Adventures in April 2019. Had an amazing ski week in a breathtakingly beautiful landscape. The logistics, the accommodations, the food, the people and the skiing were all outstanding. One of my best touring trips ever. I highly recommend Sawback and Tom Wolfe.
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